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Detoxification: Once Optional, Now Essential

by Mila McManus, MD

The human body needs routine maintenance. Detoxification is essential to maintain optimal health and sustain strong immunity,

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.

By |2022-11-01T10:48:53-05:00January 5th, 2022|General|

Personal Nutrition: Take a Close Look

By Nancy Mehlert, MS.

When it comes to personal nutrition, seasonal changes offer a great opportunity to pause and examine what our diet looks like.

When it comes to personal nutrition, seasonal changes offer a great opportunity to pause and examine what our diet looks like at this point in time.  As we move into Spring, here are three simple examinations you can put your personal nutrition under the magnifying glass:

  • When is the last time you tried a new food or changed up your food routine?

Since there are not 15-25 foods that can offer all of the macro and micro nutrients we need, it is important to rotate foods often, expand the number of foods we eat, and increase our variety for good health. This is especially true of vegetables, nuts, seeds, and even meat choices.

  • Have you slid down the slippery slope?

It happens to the best of us! Too many sweets, too much fruit, eating gluten again, too many nights a week with alcohol, eating out a lot more, buying more packaged food, over eating, eating before bed, not drinking enough water…. Whatever your slippery slopes are, is it time to get back on track?

  • When is the last time you stopped your routine for a detoxification of some sort?

It is a toxic world, and everyone benefits by scheduling some routine detoxification efforts a couple times a year at least.  Consider some fasting, a detoxification diet, a Health Reset Program, ONDAMED, or HCG to promote cleansing, weight loss, or healing.

Visit our webiste TWIHW.com or call 281.298.6742 for more information.

 

By |2022-11-01T15:24:26-05:00April 28th, 2021|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Benefits of ONDAMED include:

• Increases oxygenation and circulation
• Stimulates detoxification and supports weight loss
• Reduces pain, swelling, inflammation
• Speeds healing and repair
• Improves sleep and mental focus
• Reduces effects of Wi-Fi and cell phone EMF

10,000+  scientific  papers  and  2000+ double  blinded studies to back up its claims

Read more about Energy Medicine here.

Listen to Dr. McManus explain ONDAMED on Dr. Hotze’s Wellness Revolution podcast here.

Schedule your appointments today!

By |2020-12-09T13:09:13-05:00December 11th, 2020|General|

Do Five & Detoxify

By Nancy Mehlert, MS

photo courtesy fit living tips .com

Promoting routine detoxification through our dietary choices is a simple thing everyone can do. 

Here are the top FIVE dietary detoxifiers:

#1 Eat organic food

#2 Eat your veggies – especially cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cabbage, as well as cucumber, celery, carrot, zucchini, squash, watercress, artichoke, asparagus, ginger, turmeric, parsley, cilantro, lemon, apples, beets, and dark leafy greens.  (See our Green Juice recipe of the month in this issue!)

#3 Stay hydrated with clean, filtered water

#4 Avoid dairy (clogs lymphatic movement)

#5 Avoid processed, fake, manufactured and sugary food

By |2020-04-12T09:35:46-05:00April 14th, 2020|General, NANCY’S NUTRITIONAL NUGGET|

Supplement of the Month: Glutathione

Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant and is found in virtually every cell of the human body.  It is an extremely important cell protectant.  This heavy lifter bolsters antioxidant action, promotes detoxification and fortifies the immune system. As the formation of free radicals exceeds the body’s ability to neutralize and eliminate them, oxidative stress occurs.  A primary function of glutathione is to alleviate this oxidative stress. Food sources of glutathione are few and oxidative stress and depletion can outpace the body’s need for it.

Glutathione is most prevalent in the main detox organs of the human body which are the liver, lungs and kidneys.  Glutathione can become depleted as the body neutralizes the oxidizing effects of battling viruses, bacteria, heavy metal toxicity, radiation, certain medications, and even the normal process of aging. A correlation has been made between increased vulnerability to infection (chronically ill)  and glutathione depletion. Glutathione can bind to toxins, heavy metals, solvents and pesticides and help the body to excrete these substances through urine or bile.  It also protects the lungs against airborne pollutants and the intestinal lining from absorption of industrial chemicals.

Especially for glutathione, liposomal preparations are important. Liposomes are delivery vehicles for transporting substances into the body effectively by facilitating absorption both in the mouth, skin and digestive tract.

At TWIHW, we offer three glutathione products. One is Essential Pro Liposomal Glutathione Softgels, which are taken orally.  We also offer Researched Nutritionals Tri-Fortify Liposomal Glutathione sublingual gel which comes in two flavors and is placed under the tongue.  Finally, we also can dose glutathione through IV preparations. 

By |2020-04-12T09:40:00-05:00April 14th, 2020|Articles, General|

The Down and Dirty on Detoxing

By Mila McManus M.D.

Your body normally performs detoxification functions every day. There are five primary exit pathways for removal of toxins. They are:

  1. 1. Sweating through the skin
  2. 2. Urination
  3. 3. Bowel movements
  4. 4. Mucus formation to then blow, cough, or swallow
  5. 5. Exhaling from the lungs.

Internal organs that also play a critical role in the removal of toxins include the liver, kidneys, and lungs.  Any activities that promote sweating, urination, bowel movement, thinning of mucous, or deep breathing will assist in promoting detoxification.  Also, hydration is essential for detoxification.

Intentional promotion of detoxification has become a necessary lifestyle habit as a result of our increasingly toxic world where our food, water, air, chemical, and heavy metal exposures have exponentially increased over the last 60-80 years. The toxic burden on the body is significant and contributes to chronic inflammation, congestion, and disease.

The FIRST and BEST line of protection is to avoid as many toxins as possible in the first place!

Trying to detoxify by overcompensating with excess sweating and over-supplementation can be harmful. Improve what goes in by:

  • Eating organic food
  • Filtering the water you drink and in which you bathe
  • Filtering air and circulating fresh air in the home
  • Using chemical free personal care and laundry products
  • Using chemical free household products (cleaners, candles, fragrances, pesticides) 
  • Turning off Wi-Fi and electrical circuits in the bedroom at night while sleeping (electropollution)
  • Eliminating the use of as much plastic as possible, especially as it relates to food storage and preparation. (plastic water bottles, straws, microwave containers, storage containers, clingwrap)

It is also wise to intentionally and regularly employ lifestyle choices that promote detoxification.

Each of these options promote and encourage gentle detoxification:

  • IR Sauna  
  • Quality detoxification dietary plans such as Black Box Detox, Designs for Health 14- and 21-day programs, Core Restore 7- and 14-day programs and Prolon. (All available at TWIHW)
  • Fasting
  • Dry Brushing
    • Short instructional you-tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJfFe18L7pQ
  • Supplementation as recommended by your functional medicine specialist. Some possible choices include glutathione, N-acetyl cysteine, sulfur, chlorella, charcoal, and protease.

An increasingly useful approach is to test the body to determine what toxins are present so that optimal detoxification protocols can be precisely implemented.

  • Heavy metal testing
  • Environmental toxin tests

Both of these urine collection tests are available at TWIHW.

 

By |2020-04-12T09:48:51-05:00April 14th, 2020|General|

Skinflammation

By Mila McManus MD and Nancy Mehlert, MS

skinflammation

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It helps to regulate temperature and serves as the first line of defense against infection. It is an organ with the capacity to both absorb and eliminate substances.

The skin is also an outward manifestation and communication of what is going on inside the body. Healthy skin is reflective of a healthy internal body and ideally it should be clear and glowing. Any skin condition, such as oily or dry skin, blemishes, discoloration, eczema, psoriasis, acne, hives, rashes, itchiness, and premature aging are all signs that there’s something internally in the body that’s out of balance. These are not normal and should not be written off as “aging” or “normal for me”. Suppressing your skin problem with topical antibiotics and steroids, for example, is a disservice to your body because the underlying causes have not been addressed. Also, remember that the skin is a detoxification pathway and the body is, in many cases, trying to eliminate something through the skin. Stopping that process topically may prevent the body from detoxifying successfully.

When skin issues lead us to searching for the internal issues, in almost every case, it leads us to internal inflammation. This can come from many sources and, for some individuals, it may be the result of several factors. The most common are:

• Nutrient deficiencies
• Diet high in processed foods
• Hormone Imbalances
• Poor gut health with pathogenic microbial overgrowth
• Toxicity from heavy metals and chemicals
• Food sensitivities and allergies
• Compromised immune function such as autoimmune disease
• Viral, bacterial or parasitic infestation

Addressing these internal issues, along with improving liver detoxification pathways and doing so every day, in the lifestyle choices that you make, can result in healing that becomes evident in the skin too. An integrated, holistic approach addressing each of these areas is the optimal way to achieve healing of “skinflammation”.
Important nutrients for healthy skin include Vitamin A, Zinc, Vitamin C, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Biotin, Selenium, Silica, Niacin, Vitamin K2, Sulfur, Vitamin E and Pantothenic Acid. Each of these are essential for radiant skin health.

Because nutrition plays such a significant part of achieving and maintaining healthy skin, diet is one of the first items to address when healing skin problems. From this perspective, the most likely culprits that contribute to skin issues are sugar, dairy, gluten, corn and eggs. Anyone trying to identify sources of inflammation both inside and out would do well to abstain from these foods to see if improvement or healing is achieved. It is equally important to consider other possible food sensitivities through elimination or testing (e.g., IgE via skin and/or blood tests, IgG via bloodspot, ALCAT). Foods that support healthy skin and are anti-inflammatory in nature include avocados, wild salmon, bone broth and antioxidant-rich greens and other colorful vegetables and fruits. Click here for a real bone broth recipe or contact us for resources for buying quality, properly prepared bone broth.

It is a common misconception that skin care products are harmless and don’t penetrate the skin. In America, the FDA has only banned 11 ingredients in skin care products while Europe has banned over 1000 ingredients. The FDA leaves it up to skin care manufacturers to disclose and consider whether an ingredient is safe. What research clearly shows is that many of these ingredients are toxic, hormone-disrupting and/or are carcinogens. It is not safe to assume that a product is safe simply because it’s on the store shelf. You may find it helpful to use the Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep” guide for cosmetics (www.ewg.org) We carry one of the cleanest skin care lines (AnnMarie) available today in our office so be sure to come by and check it out.

Finally, supporting the liver and detoxification pathways is also critical for supporting an anti-inflammatory environment in the body and on our skin. There are many such protocols including supplemental and dietary detoxification as well as infrared sauna, salt therapy, and ONDAMED. Often the body is not effective at eliminating toxins and the body needs support to promote drainage so that detoxification can occur. Simple strategies such as lemon water, green juicing, proteolytic enzymes, deep breathing, and dry brushing can help to stimulate improved drainage and detoxification.

©2016 www.DrJayDavidson.com. The Magic Mirror of the Skin, Guest: Dr. Trevor Cates

By |2017-09-09T08:34:40-05:00September 9th, 2017|Articles, General|