by Mila McManus, MD
Most of us don’t hesitate to take our car to a professional for routine maintenance, but what about your body? The human body needs routine maintenance now more than ever. While a targeted effort at detoxification may have been optional in decades past, it is essential in our toxic times for anyone desiring to obtain or maintain optimal health, sustain strong immunity, and slow aging. It’s important to make detoxification both a daily focus, and a periodic hyper-focus. Consider once or twice a year implementing a specific targeted approach. Detoxification methods can range from gentle to aggressive, or from targeted organs to whole body, and the best options should be made individually based on your circumstances.
There are many different ways to promote detoxification. There are many things that need to be removed from the body. Common toxins/toxicants that can accumulate in your body include those from chronic infections (whether the infection is obvious or not), personal care products, foods and beverages, and the environment. Chronic infections, caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and mold are often stealthy lurkers causing a slow decline in health and can gain entrance in a multitude of ways every day. Environmental toxicants, such as plastics and heavy metals, are common in our air, water, body products, and food.
The human body has five significant detoxification exit pathways: exhalation, mucus formation, sweating, urinating, and defecating. The organs burdened with detoxification are the liver, kidneys, skin, mucous membranes, and lungs. Detoxification methods focus on these pathways and organ systems.
Here is a list of detoxification diets, therapies, and supplements offered here at TWIHW with highlights of what is targeted. January is a great month to focus on detoxification. Your medical provider can help you determine which ones might be most effective and necessary for you.* Also check out our Winter Specials for some deals on detox!
Black Box Detox by Quicksilver – Thorough 4 week program, comprehensively targeting the hormones, plastic-related compounds, mold toxins, herbicides, and pesticides, and even metals on multiple levels. Includes protocol instruction booklet with dietary recommendations, as well as all detox supplements needed for the 4 weeks.
7- or 14- Day Core Restore by Ortho Molecular – a strategic system designed to safely support and promote the primary pathways of detoxification in the liver. The Core Restore kit provides three active formulas – Core Support, Alpha Base, and PhytoCore – which function synergistically to support Phase I and Phase II pathways of liver detoxification to help neutralize environmental pollutants, hormone disruptors, unhealthy estrogen metabolites, xenoestrogens (synthetic compounds that imitate estrogen), and other harmful toxins. This powerful trio of specialized formulas provides essential micronutrients, phytonutrients, and a source of easily digested, low-allergen protein that purifies the liver and fuels optimal biotransformation.*
14 and 21 day Detox Box by Designs for Health – The Detox Original 14- or 21- Day Program with PurePea™ has been created to support the body’s natural two-phase detoxification process. This is accomplished by providing the nutrients needed to support and balance phase I and phase II metabolic pathways, high levels of antioxidants for safe detoxification, and a comprehensive array of herbal hepatics and cholagogues (substances that support gallbladder function) to promote healthy liver function and elimination.* Instruction booklet with dietary guidelines included as well.
Prolon – 5 day program which mimics fasting without fasting. Program promotes weight loss, increased focus, clarity, and energy; triggers cell regeneration; triggers autophagy – the body’s way of cleaning up aging and damaged cells; supports maintenance of healthy levels of blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure as well as markers of inflammation. Everything needed is provided in the box. No shopping or food preparation. Included are meals and tasty snacks which are prepackaged and ready to go.
Ultrabinder Sensitive by Quicksilver Scientific – Supplemental capsule, suitable for more sensitive individuals.* Ultra Binder is formulated to catch heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, hormone mimics, food additives, mold and microbial toxins found in the intestinal lining. It contains an optimized blend of zeolite, bentonite clay, activated charcoal, and chitosan. Helping to soothe and repair the GI Tract, mildly laxative acacia gum and soothing aloe vera are included. They can also support the health of the intestinal lining and the growth of friendly flora.* Ultra Binder is a low sulfur version of our immensely popular Ultra Binder®. It does not contain the IMD® mercury-binding complex.*
Health Reset Protocol – 28 day dietary/prescriptive therapy plan for restoration of gut and immune function, and addressing yeast overgrowth and/or leaky gut, or a gentler and less expensive Do-it-Yourself version using the dietary plan with herbal supplementation.
Liposomal EDTA by Quicksilver Scientific – A liquid supplement which supports the chelation process by binding to heavy metal ions in the digestive tract.
Para Cleanse I & II by CellCore Biosciences – an effective and natural gut cleanse to promote normal peristalsis (i.e., movement of the GI tract), as well as to bind and remove pathogens and toxins in the system, and promote overall optimal gut health. Mimosa pudica polyphenols are extracted from this fern-like plant that has a long history of healing properties in Ayurvedic medicine. It acts to pull out toxins, parasites, heavy metals, biofilm, and other unwanted elements, resulting in a deep cleaning of the tract. This is recommended to perform for at least 2 months. There is not a specific diet required for this.
HepatoThera forte by Klaire Labs – A convenient capsule formulated to help meet the liver’s higher demand for nutrients that support antioxidant pathways, detoxification mechanisms, and enzyme regulation during significant exposure to chemical toxins, heavy metals, drugs, and biological burdens. This is a good supplement to support detox pathways on a daily basis.
IV Nutritional Therapies – IV Vitamin C and Glutathione are especially effective antioxidants and supporters of detoxification pathways in the liver, improving skin health, boosting the immune system, and fighting infection. Call to learn more about available therapies.
Infrared Sauna – to learn more about all the benefits, including detoxification, click this link.
*All product descriptions have been taken from the manufacturer’s educational or marketing material.