Detoxification
By Alexander Augoustides, MD

Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account – Anne Wilson Schaef

As we move further into to 21st century, optimizing our health through exercise, nutrition, nutraceuticals and periodic detoxification is becoming increasingly important. Maybe an understandable way to think of detoxification is an analogy, which I fondly think of as ‘The Buzzards on the Yadkin River. Think of buzzards feeding on waste matter and other garbage in the Yadkin River. Conceptually, there are a number of ways to rid the river of the buzzards; one could either shoot them, or clean up the river so that the buzzards have no reason to return. In this analogy, the river is life and represents on different levels the body, mind and spirit; the buzzards represent illness or pathogenic opportunists. So the call is to clean up on all levels.

You could also consider optimizing health with a gardening analogy – maintaining and nurturing health in the garden of the body, mind and spirit.

A good gardener knows the following three things about his garden: First, he has to work the soil regularly. Second, he cannot banish every fungus (yeast), bug, or weed from his garden. Third, after he has seeded and tended the soil, he looks up and hopes for the sunshine and rain to bring out his flowers – Majid Ali, MD

Fundamental to the detoxification process are exercise, sustainable nutrition, clean air and water.

1. Exercise – Regular physical activity at a level that promotes a healthy weight and well being is essential. For practical purposes comprises any of three components:

· Aerobic exercise – which may be continuous low impact, low resistance, such as running, cycling, or swimming.

· Anaerobic exercise – intermittent, high resistance, such as weight training.

· Stretching – such as Yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong.

We try to encourage most patients to include a component of aerobic exercise and stretching, as their schedule allows, typically 3-4 times a week is recommended.

If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health – Hippocrates

2. Sustainable Nutrition – This revolves around the modified Mediterranean Diet. We use the Mediterranean food pyramid as the base and then modify our nutrition program by emphasizing:

· Organic foods, whenever possible

· an appropriate combination of protein, carbohydrates and fats, tailored to the individual

· alkalinization – in general animal and dairy products are acidic, fruit and vegetables are alkaline

3. Clean Air and Water – Environmental issues have a significant role in maintaining ongoing health. I recommend using air filtration units, ensuring adequate ventilation at home and at work, monitoring for carbon monoxide, and avoiding excess exposure to chemicals (household and industrial) and with second hand smoke. We find reverse osmosis filtered water to be the best; bottled water, whether spring water or reverse osmosis filtered water, are fine. If using bottled water, try to obtain it in glass, or at least in a sturdy plastic container.

Practical Issues in Detoxification

One has to have energy to periodically support the detoxification process. Think of a person carrying a bag of garbage – you need extra energy not only to throw out the garbage, but also to continue to carry the load. Detoxification is like throwing out the garbage , and the sicker the patient, the slower I recommend detoxification.

There is an organ sequence that is important to follow. Always clean and repair the bowel first. Next, take care of the liver, followed by the blood, lungs, kidneys, and skin. For the bowel I will usually recommend a comprehensive digestive stool analysis (CDSA), treatment, and then colon hydrotherapy. The liver protocol may include a liver flush, Cayce liver packs, coffee enemas, and various herbal support and cleanse combinations. For the blood, lungs and skin, herbal combinations are useful. The lymphatic system deserves special mention, since this is the wastebasket of the immune system. This is done conjointly by rebounding, dry skin brushing, sauna therapy (low temperature or FAR infrared) and various herbs.

Cleansing the body includes yeast, pathogenic organisms (bacteria and viruses), parasites, environmental toxins and heavy metals. Prior to cleansing, we must ensure there is no evidence of ‘leaky gut’. This is best conceptualized as a ‘brick wall’ with no mortar – the cells lining the intestine are the bricks, and the mortar is the ‘glue’ that holds the individual cells together. If there is a ‘leaky gut,’ then the cleansing and detoxification process will be countered by the reabsorption of the very toxins, chemicals and proteins that are the problem.

Yeast, pathogenic organisms, and parasites are commonly encountered, each of which may be tested for and treated appropriately. Heavy metals intoxication is also common, especially lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and aluminum. We can check for the body burden of various heavy metals with either a hair analysis or a urine provocation test, and then follow a detoxification protocol as directed by the results.

Mind and Spirit

We also find that the body is actually one of the keys to entry Into a state of inner peace, as are the silence and space all around us – Eckhart Tolle

Getting rid of the ‘Stinkin Thinkin’ is implicit if one is to detoxify. We have to ease up on ourselves and others. Relaxing into each moment, practicing forgiveness, and opening up are part of the process. Connecting with one’s passion and the people who are important to you is a cornerstone.

Prayer and meditation are helpful, especially if accompanied by journaling. Acknowledging and releasing, various thoughts and emotions can and will occur. We are here to learn about unconditional love. Our lessons are governed by our choices to each and every situation. We have to create stillness and use energy wisely to succeed.

To return to the analogy of gardening, this part of the garden is our ‘Secret Garden,’ where we return each day and as we please, to be revitalized, rejuvenated and when necessary to detoxify. On many levels, detoxification is a cleaning out of our house – and should become a sustained habit, one that we continually work on as illustrated by the example of the good gardener.

Alexander T. Augoustides, MD, practices Integrative Medicine in Winston Salem, N.C., at Piedmont Integrative Medicine, P.A. To schedule an appointment please call 336-760-0240.