(*Results may vary from person to person.)
What is toxicity?
A toxin is any substance that is poisonous to the natural biological processes that maintain life. In other words, it is anything that interferes with the billions of beneficial reactions that occur throughout our body during the day.
Daily exposure to toxins
Every day we are exposed to a large number of toxic substances that we may not even be aware of. They are present in the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the materials with which we surround ourselves (clothing, building materials, household goods, etc).
In addition, the bodily functions of digestion and elimination, physical activity, fighting disease or infection, and dealing with stress, produce a number of toxic by-products. Allergic and sensitivity reactions also produce toxins.
Our Detox Program Sequence:
1. Assess zinc levels, gastric and digestive function and dysbiosis (abnormal bacterial populations in the gut).
2. *Clear toxic accumulations in the bowel (dysbiotic bacteria, fungal or parasitic infestation).
3. *Repair any damage to the lining of the gut caused by infection or infestation (‘leaky gut syndrome’).
4. *Release toxic accumulations from the liver and the rest of the body.
5. *Repair and regenerate the gut, liver and kidneys to promote and maintain the clearance of toxic accumulations.
This sequence must be followed for effective detoxification. E.g. If liver toxins were dumped into a gut that had not been repaired, the toxins would be reabsorbed through the leaky gut, causing more damage. Or, if the bowel is detoxified but not repaired, then the ‘leaks’ will still allow unwanted substances from the gut to enter the body.
(*Results may vary from person to person.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Detoxification make me feel ill?
When cleansing the body with a detoxification program, it is possible you may experience some temporary reactions in the first 2 or 3 weeks. These can be anything from headaches to flu-like symptoms, nausea, fatigue or general aches and pains. These symptoms are short-lived (a week or two), and are quite normal. Ensure you have a restful couple of weeks throughout this time. Adequate water intake is essential (at least 1.5 to 2 litres daily). If you have any concerns, contact your practitioner immediately.
I have detoxified before – how is this detox program better?
Detoxification must be conducted in a well-defined sequence if it is to work properly. Many other detox programs concentrate on the liver, with no preparation for the rest of the digestive system. This can result in toxins being released from the liver, only to be reabsorbed through the ‘leaky gut’, in which case no benefit is gained. Our carefully designed program takes these factors into account.
Is the detoxification program safe for children?
Yes, provided the doses are modified appropriately. Children will not usually need liver detoxification, but may well benefit from the Bowel Repair Program after gastroenteritis or antibiotic treatment. Because their systems are still relatively new to the world, *they usually respond very quickly and easily. At first, you may have to be strict regarding food choices, however, once they feel the benefits of a healthy digestion, they will usually be happy to continue the program.
(*Results may vary from individual to individual.)
Is the detoxification program safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding?
No. Most internal cleansing programs mobilise stored toxins, which may affect the growing baby. This is why we do not recommend detoxification during pregnancy or lactation. It can, however, be a wonderful part of preparation for healthy conception. Ideally, both prospective parents should undertake a three-month detoxification before even thinking about making a baby.
Will I lose weight?
This program is not about weight loss, however detoxification can be an important part of a weight loss program. Depending on your initial condition, the dietary changes that your practitioner recommends and the detoxifying effects of the program may cause the shedding of a few unwanted kilos. The presence of toxins in the body causes fluid retention, so as you remove the toxins, you will also release that fluid.
Please contact us if you would like to make an appointment.
We are a holistic, naturopathic medicine clinic, established in West Auckland for over 20 years.
