Q. Do you recommend detoxification and if so, what types are the safest and most effective methods for overall health? -Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

The term “detox” is thrown around so much today but there is not a standard definition of what “detox” means. Some products claiming to be a detox are nothing more then fiber or laxatives. Others refer to liver or kidney “cleansing” and still others refer to it as removal of heavy metals. Let’s start with a clean slate and define what “detox” means.

There have been hundreds if not thousands of books and articles written on this topic so it’s too large to tackle here. Detoxification typically means getting rid of foreign or toxic elements from our body. The list of toxins is endless ranging from heavy metals like mercury and lead, plastics, herbicides, pesticides, manufacturing chemicals that end up in our food and water, and right down to the simplest of tasks like your bodies removal of natural nitrogen from whole foods.

Everyone is looking for a detox remedy but we all overlook the simple truth. Are we drinking pure water and eating more than 30 grams of natural fiber in our diet? If not, then first we need to employ these simple, basic and life giving habits. Our bodies have natural detox pathways that work all on their own without assistance provided we give our bodies natural whole foods and plenty of water. Oh yeah, it might also be a good idea to stop poisoning ourselves with pesticides, herbicides, plastics and other man made junk.

The bowel is probably the most beneficial and simplest place to start. Our bowel function is important for immune system and for the simple absorption of valuable nutrients. A probiotic is a good bacteria that lives in our intestines and is beneficial to our bowel function. This is the first step in proper detoxification.

Ridding the body of yeast overgrowth is a common problem as our diets are full of antibiotics and sugar which facilitate the growth of yeast. Anti-fungal herbs such as Cat’s Claw, a south American vine, reduce bowel inflammation, retard yeast growth and improve our immune response.

Liver and kidney detoxification can occur in many different ways but one of the simplest is to take a supplement that improves glutathione pools in these valuable detox organs. Eat foods high in cysteine such as meats, eggs, cruciferous vegetables, garlic and red peppers, which is converted to glutathione. Herbs like Milk Thistle are age old remedies that help increase glutathione pools.

Enough to get you started. Be careful of “detox kits” unless you know what you are buying. Some are good and some are worthless and often times the cost of finding an educated physician to help you is cheaper and 10X’s more effective than guessing with over the counter products.

Again, start with diet and water. Buy organic. Buy a home water filter.

Sincerely,
Dr. Gary Huber

Comments

1. Jennifer says:

   January 16, 2011 at 8:42 pm

   Dr. Huber,

   Thanks for your reply. With the amount of detoxification information available, your reply is helpful for a simple place to start.

   Jennifer

   Reply