Here is another post from Registered Dietitian, Angie King, aka: The Gourmet Healer. This month she discusses a healthy way to detox. She has also written posts on healthy oil and spice choices on this blog. Her blog link is The Gourmet Healer and is also listed in the right-hand menu in BLOGROLL for more information throughout the month.
The Gourmet Healer, aka: Angie King, MS, RD, LD, lives, works and plays in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. The focus of her private practice, Gourmet Healer, is to empower individuals and families to take part in their own healing process by using Food As Medicine together with lifestyle and other therapies. Angie earned her Master of Science in Nutrition as well as the credentials of Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian from the University of New Mexico. She also works part time for the UNM School of Medicine Nephrology Division as an outpatient Pediatric Clinical Nutritionist. For more information, visit The Gourmet Healer blog.
Healthy Detox
The New Year is here. Chances are, you’re thinking about detoxification and weight loss. So what’ll it be? Perhaps the Grapefruit Juice Diet. Or how about the Cabbage Soup Diet? Let’s discuss your options to maximize your time and efforts toward a new and improved You.
First Things First
Up to 90% of all cancers are thought to be due to the effects of environmental carcinogens, such as those in cigarette smoke, food, water and air, combined with nutrient deficiencies that impair our detoxification and immune systems. Detoxification is a metabolic process performed by every cell in the body. Efficient detoxification is the result of regularly making sure to get all the essential nutrients, water and fiber, as well as keeping environmental toxin exposure down.
Nutrients
Vitamins and minerals are key to ensuring production of Phase I and Phase II detoxification enzymes by the liver. These enzymes basically help to round up toxins, neutralize them and get them out (Phase III).
Certain drugs can deplete nutrients in the body such as Oral Contraceptives, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Lasix, Prednisone and Statins.
Eating a high quality, nutrient rich diet is key to proper detoxification. A high-quality multi-vitamin/antioxidant and mineral complex can pick up where even the best of eating habits leave off—especially when there are nutrient-depleting prescription drugs involved. For a comparison of most of the multivitamin supplements on the market, visit Nutrisearch, and seek out the companies who received a 5 Star rating.
Before embarking upon weight loss, detoxification must be supported.
Residues from environmental toxins such as pesticides, fertilizers, detergents, cosmetics, microbial toxins, medications, alcohol, by-products of food preparation, BPA from plastics and dental sealants (ask your dentist what he/she is using) and DDT (yes it is still hanging around) are typically stored in fat tissue. In fact, recent research shows that people who have a high toxin exposure actually put on fat to store toxins away from the rest of the body. The body’s answer to pollution is dilution. Trouble losing weight? Consider your toxin exposure. Better yet, find a health practitioner who will take toxin exposure seriously and can help you to clear these from your life and your body.
It is important to understand that with rapid weight loss, the toxins stored in the fat cells are released and are now free to cause cell damage in the body. This is typical of crash diets and surgical procedures that induce rapid weight loss. Additionally, there is not enough protein in these diets or just after weight loss surgery to support Phase I and II enzyme production. The result is mediocrity of health, at best, which is not acceptable to those of us who are interested in maximal quality and enjoyment of life.
As for fasting, there are safe fasts, which can be undertaken, and I will be detailing an appropriate fast as Spring gets closer. Watch the blog for my monthly posts. The change of the season, especially Spring, is a particularly good time to do a short fast.
Leading up to the fast, improve your body’s detoxifying ability by enjoying more of the foods that increase Phase I and II enzyme production. These include broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, curries (Turmeric and Cumin) and all citrus except Grapefruit.
Increase your liver’s glutathione levels by supplementing with 500 mg of Vitamin C each day. Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant and also converts hard-to-clear fat-soluble toxins, like heavy metals, into easily cleared water-soluble forms. Certain foods are rich in glutathione, including asparagus, avocado and walnuts—3 of my favorites!
3 Tips to Reduce Your Toxin Exposure:
- Use gentle and environmentally safe cleaning products.
- Discover your natural beauty and wear cosmetics less often. When you do wear them, make sure they’re free of Dirty Thirty ingredients. Click here for the website. Dirty Thirty
- Stay away from chemical pesticides and fertilizers when tending to your yard, home, garden and food shopping.
For more commentary on reducing toxic burden, see my blog for Going Even Greener.
Blessings and Good Health for 2010,
The Gourmet Healer
Angie King, MS, RD, LD
gourmethealer@gmail.com
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