Author: Bob Nikkel

Why Detoxify?
Detoxification is the cornerstone of health and well-being. It is the first step in reducing the many health issues that arise for so many people. In order for the body to efficiently utilize the nutrients from the supplements and foods we eat, cleansing the colon is a priority. This is not a topic of choice; however, it is a necessary one. A toxic body results in numerous ailments. Millions of Americans suffer from arthritis, migraine headaches, obesity, allergies, acid reflux disease, high cholesterol, and heart ailments. All of these problems can be traced, at least in part, to toxins, metatoxins, and the debilities that result from an unclean digestive system.

Junk Food Is Unhealthy

Let us first look at the aspect of diet. The average American diet consists of highly refined, cooked, over-processed foods (cooking finishes destroying any nutrient values). It is no wonder one out of two Americans suffer from some form of chronic illness. Many people constantly complain of being tired and do not seem to have much energy. Just to make it through the day, they turn to stimulants such as extra-strong coffee or highly-caffeinated soft drinks, followed by sugary junk food. When junk food is eaten instead of a diet rich in nutrients, toxins build up on the intestinal walls. The result is an unclean digestive system.

When our digestive systems do not function properly, we experience familiar (but vague) symptoms. We typically try to ignore these symtoms. We may even try to live with them until they develop into more severe illnesses. Symptoms such as frequent colds, allergies, hay fever, constantly feeling rundown, mental sluggishness, dry rough skin, coated tongue, bad breath, headache, moodiness and irritability, indicate a disabled body function. Feeling sick after eating fatty foods or meals high in refined carbohydrates is a sign of the body's inability to process food without any obvious signs of organ damage.

We firmly believe that the only way we can change this scenario is to place a renewed emphasis on the critical need of maintaining a clean digestive system. We will not wear dirty clothes, or eat off of dirty plates. We would never go to work without clean hair and a shower. We keep everything we can see as clean as possible; however, we do not think about what we cannot see-our own insides.

Make the Right Choices

The choices we make every day determine our quality of life. It is within our power to dramatically improve our own health by simply making better choices. We can also clean the results of our poor choices.
Most people want to focus on changing the foods they eat. However, if they do not know their bodies are mal-absorbing the food's nutrients, the sole act of changing their diet will not be enough. When we eat the wrong foods and don't have the digestive enzymes to break them down, we suffer from indigestion. This leads to poor elimination and an improperly functioning colon. Once this occurs, our health begins to backslide, and it becomes almost impossible for our body to properly absorb any nutrients whatsoever. First consider that your foods need to be ingested, then digested, and then absorbed. Finally the waste must be eliminated. If any one of these steps fails, your entire system deteriorates.

In order to correct this scenario, we must address elimination first, before suggesting a change in your diet. The results will be much more dramatic and will quickly lead to a greater improvement in one's health.

More Often Is Better

A diet high in fiber and raw foods will produce two to three bowel movements per day-a sign of health and regularity. Eliminating waste this often rapidly removes toxins before they become harmful. When a colon works this effectively, nutrition absorption is greatly increased, and the need for such large volumes of food will be decreased. This will lead us to make better diet choices. By making sure that we get 35 grams of fiber a day in our diet, we begin to make positive changes towards our well-being.

Detoxifying Is Key to Good Health

Most people think that once the colon is clean, this should be enough. However, detoxification should not be limited to the colon. It is just as important to detoxify the liver, kidneys, arteries, plus every cell in the body. An unclean colon will infiltrate and contaminate every other part of the body. This is why the most important thing to remember is that internal cleansing must begin with the colon.

Fortunately, natural healing methods can help correct a toxic state. Cleansing, also called detoxifying or fasting, can help pamper your body’s cleansing organs while ejecting toxins that are causing discomfort. Following, are some of the herbs that can help the body naturally detoxify:

Milk Thistle – This herb helps detoxify and cleanse the liver. Not only does it help build and restore healthy liver performance, it provides nutrients essential for proper liver function. It contains a powerful antioxidant, Silymarin. Silymarin has been shown in studies to help reduce and repair free radical damage.

Milk Thistle can also help to stimulate the growth of new liver cells to replace damaged ones.

Burdock – Burdock is an excellent blood, skin and kidney purifier that helps to eliminate harmful acids. This herb also encourages sweating, which aids the release of toxins through the skin.

Black Walnut – This herb has antifungal and astringent properties. It helps cleanse the body of a variety of intestinal parasites and yeast.

Psyllium Hulls – Psyllium is a bulk fiber laxative. The husks act like a colon "broom" cleansing the intestines and absorbing toxins that adhere to the intestinal walls.

Some good herbs for detoxifying the kidneys are Uva Ursi and Buchu. To strengthen, tone and cleanse the colon, Cascara Sagrada and Buckthorn are good choices. They are laxative herbs.

You can purchase many different types of detoxifying kits which contain many of these herbal combinations. Or, if you prefer, they can be purchased individually to design your own detoxifying program.

Fasting is another good choice for detoxifying. It is best to speak to your physician or qualified health practitioner before undergoing fasting or detoxifying programs, especially if you have health problems.