Detox - A Path to Improved Health and Wellness
Author: Micheal Londo, CEO and Founder Body Balance System, LLC
What is Detox?
Simply stated Detox therapy is a cleansing of toxins from our bodies.
What are these toxins and where do they come from?
The human body becomes polluted from both external (exogenous) and internal (endogenous) sources of toxins.
The most common means of external exposure to toxins are from:
- Inhalation - air pollution, first- or second-hand smoke, dental amalgam fillings, and mold;
- Ingestion - chemicals used on crops or in food stocks, in drinking water, and drugs;
- Injection - vaccinations and other drug injections, tattoos;
- Absorption - chemicals used on fabrics and other surfaces, paints, plastics, pesticides and chemical fertilizers: and
- Irradiation - medical x-rays, radon gas, cell phones, computer monitors and televisions, microwave ovens, radios, power grids, bomb testing
Internal sources of toxins are from fermentation, purification and rancidity from ingested foods, dehydration, poor diet, stress and emotional imbalance.
As we can readily see even those consciously pursuing healthy lifestyles are subject to many sources of toxins in their daily lives.
Clearly "Better living through Chemistry" is not a pathway to health and wellness. Over 70,000 chemicals are commercially produced in the US and thousands of new ones are introduced each year. The EPA has classified almost 65,000 of them as potentially, if not definitely hazardous to human health. Over three thousand chemicals are intentionally added to our food supply and over 700 are routinely found in our drinking water.
Heavy metals are present in almost everyone and also a significant source of toxicity. Lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, and arsenic are collected throughout most of our bodies. Because of their molecular weight they are difficult to eliminate. Heavy metals have been known toxins for many decades and we continue to find new health threats such as rising rates of Autism and Parkinson Disease resulting from our continued and growing exposure to them.
A major symptom of toxicity seems to be a breakdown of our immune system which further complicates our body's ability to naturally fight off or rid itself of toxins. Another major symptom is damage to our nervous systems and emotional well being. The vast increase in chemicals in our environment, foods, and medicines has diminished our body's ability to rid itself of toxins through normal means. Our body's natural functions used to eliminate toxins have become overwhelmed. Clearly the rise in immunological diseases and emotional disorders along with a general decline in wellness in our society are likely "canaries in the coal mine" warning us of increasing levels of toxins our bodies are taking on.
Our bodies have become so loaded with toxins that the process of detoxification itself can often produce short term discomfort. We may not be immediately rewarded with good health and radiant well being as soon as we change our poor lifestyle habits. Frequently, the recovery of health and improvements in diet can cause short term discomfort as our body undergoes detoxification. Poor health and illness is progressive and likewise good health and well being is progressive and requires weeks, months and even years of effort. However, the rewards are a lifetime of wellness. Wellness is an interactive process of becoming aware and practicing healthy choices to create a balanced and more successful lifestyle. Regardless of your current state of health, it is possible to pursue wellness in order to optimize your health and live a more successful lifestyle.