What is the Most Effective Way to Detox?
Tea detox. Juicing. Enemas. Fasting. Elimination diets. Do they actually detoxify your body? Or could they potentially make things worse?
In our 30 years of nutritional consulting, a bevy of detox trends have emerged - each claiming to be the silver bullet that will rid the body of toxins and restore health. There are, however, a few fundamental problems with such approaches to detoxing. Firstly, they fail to make known that not all toxins are equal - that different toxins require different detox methods. Secondly, there is often little to no measure of their success. For without measuring changes in body chemistry, there is no way to verify that they have any positive effect on the body.
The Secret to Effective Detoxification
To master the art of detoxification, you must first identify what toxins are present in the body. This can be done by looking at the fundamental toxic footprint markers in a complete blood and urine sample - what we refer to as 'body chemistry analysis'.
Once toxins are identified in this manner, it is critical to determine the safest method of excreting them from the body. All toxins are different; thus, the process of removal must be tailored to body chemistry analysis. Failure to do so can have an inverse effect - forcing toxins into vital organs or leaving them 'stuck' in the body. It is like letting a tiger out of its cage without a tiger tamer.
Mercury, for instance, has a tendency to move from the gut to the kidneys or brain. When this happens, you may be inadvertently creating a new disease or condition you weren't previously suffering from. Finally, it is critical to prevent re-exposure to the toxin - especially during the excretion process and immediately after. It is at this juncture that most people fail - even if they have detoxed effectively up until this point. This is especially true of mercury - but more on that later.
Can Fasting Detox Your Body?
Detoxifying is all about giving the body the right tools - supplying it with the requisite nutrients - so that they may bind to toxins and escort them out of the body. In fasting, we are indeed abstaining from inflammatory behaviours and foods. However, in doing so, we also deprive the body of the nutrients it needs to detox - therefore rendering the body more exposed to toxins and more vulnerable to health risks. Sure, it may be all the rage on social media, and many people might be doing it, but are they measuring their results? To read more on the effects of fasting, click here.
Let's look at mercury for example, as it the hardest toxin to move. For mercury to be excreted, it must be bound to red blood cells and then expelled via the bowels. Red blood cells are dependent upon iron and protein - both of which we get through nutrition. So, an impaired iron or protein status will hinder the excretion of mercury. We find this is especially evident in vegan and vegetarian clients we consult with at our clinic. To this end, the haeme iron and complete protein content found in tea and juice is non existent. Also, fasting will not boost your protein levels or nutrients required - nor will a coffee enema. So you begin to see how fasting is not necessarily the optimum method of detoxing, in particular with heavy metals.
Mercury Detox
In the case of mercury, it is important to note that amalgam removal merely cuts off the supply of mercury to the body. It does nothing towards the eradication of mercury stored in the brain, liver, kidney or bone. This is why many people still display the symptomatology of mercury and the chemistry biomarkers consistent of mercury even after having their amalgams removed by a "holistic or biological dentist". In 1989, studies showed after 29 days of mercury amalgam removal, the sheep and monkey subjects still harboured a toxic load. The same is also true for humans when analysing body chemistry.
Perhaps the most prolific hindrance to mercury detoxification, though, is continual re-exposure. We have found that seafood is the primary catalyst for mercury re-exposure, given that it is laced with methylmercury. To read more about the effects of methylmercury exposure from seafood consumption, click here.
But what about products designed specifically for mercury detox, like chlorella, zeolite, spirulina, chelators (EDTA, DMSA, DMPS), cilantro, clay and coriander? Well, to assess the efficacy of these products, it is critical to measure in blood chemistry analysis. In our experience, though, these products do not seem to balance chemistry or deliver measurable results.
There is no One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Detoxing.
The point is this; detoxing needn't be a radical undertaking. It's not something that can be accomplished over a 1-3 day juice or tea fast. It's not something you can achieve with a coffee enema. It is not something that can be done with a magic pill. Different toxins require different methods of detoxification - there's no one size fits all approach. Only blood chemistry gives us an accurate representation of what toxins are present, and only once we know what toxins are present, can we formulate an appropriate strategy to get rid of them.
This notion that sipping teas or juices and avoiding food will rid the body of toxins is absurd. It's the product of marketing hype, not science. Detoxing can only be done effectively and measurably by balancing body chemistry. The body is designed to win we recognise that design and go about supporting it.
Supplements That May Support Detoxification
Detoxification is mostly dependent on correcting nutritional deficiencies and imbalances in body chemistry. Such corrections can be made through a combination of diet and supplementation. We have developed a range of naturally formulated supplements designed to serve as the foundation for detoxification.
Bio Vitamin C
As well as containing vitamin C to support the immune system, our Bio Vitamin C also contains proline, lysine and glycine - all of which aid the body's most important organ for detox - the liver.
Bio Whey
Protein is particularly important in mercury detox, and so a protein-rich supplement like Bio Whey is beneficial in this instance. Bio Whey also contains lysine, glycine and cysteine. Cysteine is a precursor for the synthesis of Glutathione - which is integral in the detox process. The sole function of Glutathione is to bind to toxins and transport them to the liver and kidneys for safe excretion.
Gold Ketone Power
Without energy at the cellular level, the body will struggle to detoxify. Made from 100% MCT oil, Gold Ketone Power is designed to aid in producing mitochondrial energy. It does so by producing ketones, which are the ideal fuel for the mitochondria. The antioxidant properties of Gold Ketone Power also aids in protecting the cells - therefore assisting in cellular function required for detoxification.
Formula 1
Detoxification can only occur where the body has a 'pathway' through which it can escort toxins. Containing chromium, manganese, magnesium, potassium and zinc, Formula 1 is a multi-mineral supplement that aids cellular processing, cell signalling and activates detox pathways.
Formula 2
Made for B vitamins, iodine, zinc, manganese, copper and selenium, Formula 2 is a multi-mineral supplement that supports the integrity of cells and aids detoxification.
Formula 3
The mitochondria is essentially the 'engine' of the cell - the part that produces its energy. Without adequate energy, cellular function is compromised, which hinders the detoxification process. One of the best ways to fuel the mitochondria is with iron. Formula 3 is made with copper, folic acid, vitamin b12, vitamin B5 and iron, and has been specifically designed to strengthen the blood and provide the ideal platform for detoxification.
Bio Zyme
Two compounds found in globe artichokes - cynarin, and silymarin - aid liver function through stimulating bile flow, which helps to escort toxins from the liver and out of the body.
Healthy Fibre Plus
As many toxins will be excreted through the bowel, the final step in the detoxification process is heavily reliant on bowel function. Health Fibre Plus contains slippery elm and psyllium husks for insoluble and soluble fibre, which aid in the elimination of toxins that are bound to cholesterol and red blood cells and the repopulation of the gut with beneficial bacteria.
