5 Vital Steps to Detoxify Your Inner and Outer World

By Joan Haynes, ND

According to the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory, over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released by industry into the nation's environment pounds of recognized carcinogens. Excess toxicity contributes to ill health in many forms, from fatigue, allergies, and digestive dysfunction to auto overburdened liver, colon, and kidneys toxic world? This article shares some ideas you can easily implement to improve your own health, and the health of the planet. If you're not sure where to start, focus first on the points marked with an asterisk! Resources are listed at the end of the article.

1. Ingest fewer chemicals

  • Eat organic*
    • If you are watching your budget, but are concerned about the cost of organic, it is wise to spend the extra money on animal based foods such as dairy and meat. Conventionally produced versions of animal products have the highest concentrations of pesticides due to bioaccumulation.
  • For produce, be sure to avoid the “dirty dozen.” (1)

Dirty Dozen

  • Wash non-organic produce in 1/2 cup of vinegar or several tablespoons of vitamin C powder in a sink-full of water, and soak in this solution for several minutes, then rinse.
  • Peeling also removes pesticide residues from most peel-able produce.
  • Eat as little processed food as possible*
    • Learn to read labels. The fewer ingredients, the better.
    • A good rule of thumb: don't eat anything that you can't pronounce (aka chemical additives.)
    • Avoid artificial sweeteners, as these toxins are irritating to the nervous system and contribute to weight gain. Good alternatives are stevia and xylitol.
    • Watch for upcoming nutrition classes from Dr. Penney, listed on our website. Sign up for our monthly e-postcard to receive email notifcation of classes and events.
  • Use filtered water*
    • There are more than 2100 known drinking water contaminants that may be present in tap water, including several known poisons.
    • The best way to ensure pure, contaminant-free drinking water is through the use of a point-of-use filtration system. (3)
  • Don't cook or store in plastic
    • Microwaving is handy, but microwaving in tupperware or with plastic wrap greatly increases your exposure to toxic plasticizers. Use glass instead.
    • Avoid wrapping food in plastic wrap, as this is a particularly nasty form of plastic.
    • Invest in Pyrex type glass storage containers, especially for heating food.
  • Minimize alcohol intake
    • Less than 2 ounces (2 drinks) per week is best, especially if you are trying to actively detox. This will free up your liver to focus on the toxins you already have in your body.

2. Clean up your house

  • Chuck your toxic cleaning and gardening chemicals* (4)
  • Toss your toxic makeup and body care products
    • Your skin is highly absorbent! In general, if it's toxic to eat, it's toxic applied to the skin. (5)
    • Look for organic, preservative free products. (6)
  • Grow indoor plants that detoxify the air (7, 8)
  • Take off your shoes when you come inside
    • This is especially beneficial if you have small children or pets, and will minimize chemicals and petroleum residues tracked in on your shoes.
  • When remodeling, use non toxic materials and paint. (9)
  • Consider using a HEPA filter, especially if you have airborne allergies. (10)
    • Have your air ducts cleaned regularly, and change the filters in your furnace more frequently, every month to two months. (11)

3. Optimize your nutrition & elimination*

  • Drink water!
    • Water is critical for flushing of toxins from the body.
    • Goal: 1/2 your weight in ounces per day. (12)
  • Take your vitamins.
    • The body needs high levels of B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in order to detox effectively. (13)
  • Eat at least 10 grams of protein with every meal
    • The body requires protein to detoxify. Added bonus: protein with each meal will help regulate your blood sugar.
    • If you have trouble getting a healthy breakfast or snack in, try a protein shake. (14)
  • Move your bowels at least once a day.
    • This is CRITICAL for proper toxin elimination.
    • Additional water, fiber, magnesium, and vitamin C can all be helpful in achieving this goal. If these measures do not work, consult with one of our physicians.

4. Do a cleanse

  • A 10 day cleanse can give you the jump start you need to quickly reduce your toxic burden and improve your overall health and well being.
    • A properly designed cleanse provides complete nutrition, while avoiding all toxic and allergenic foods. Avoid juice fasts, maple syrup based cleanses, or unsupervised water fasts longer than 24 hours, as these are potentially harmful.
    • Cleanses should be done at least once per year, ideally at the beginning of each season.
  • Boise Natural Health is now offering a monthly group cleanse.

5. Go easy on the "brain candy"

  • Why put so much good energy into cleaning up your body, and then pollute your mind? Limit TV, video games & other "junky" media.
  • While you're at it, free yourself from unhealthy toxic relationships, nuture your spirit, and commune with nature!

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1 For more info on pesticides in produce go to www.foodnews.org.
2 Alternative sweeteners are available at the Boise Co-op, Fred Meyer, and other natural food stores.
3 The Boise Co-op is a great local resource for water filters. A useful comparison of the pros and cons of different filtration systems is available online. Go to http://heartspring.net/water_filters_guide.html.
4 Try the Boise Co-op , or Fred Myer's natural food section for household cleaners. For organic gardening supplies, a new resource is the North End Organic Nursery located at 2350 W Hill Road (208-389-4769).
5 Go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to check the products you have at home for safety.
6 The Boise Co-op is a good resource for natural beauty products.
7 Some common household "clean air plants" include Chlorophytum (Spider plant), Aloe vera, Philodendrons, and Peace Lilies.
8 The book How to Grow Fresh Air by Dr. B.C. Wolverton is an excellent resource in choosing appropriate house plants.
9 Non toxic remodeling company: Green Remodeling, www.greenrem.com.121 East 38th Street, Boise, ID 83714-6495. Phone (208) 608-9788
10 HEPA Air filters: Online resource: IQ Air : www.iqair.com. Local resources: M&M Quality Vacuum, 6457 Fairview Ave. Boise, Phone: 321-1400 & Idaho Sewing and Vacuum, 4500 Overland Ave, Boise, Phone: 338-0144.
11 Air filters for furnace: MERV 11-12 filters are recommended.
12 For example, a 130 pound woman needs to drink about 65 ounces per day for optimal health.
13 Beware of poor quality supplements.The nutrition industry is not government regulated, and must therefore be third-party (independently) certified to ensure high quality. For more information, see the online article Choosing A Good Multi-vitamin Mineral Supplement by Dr's Rodgers and Haynes. Go to http://www.boisenaturalhealth.com/articles.
14 For protein shake recipes and other ideas for protein based breakfasts check out What's For Breakfast? by our very own Dr Haynes, available at Boise Natural Health.