Detoxification
Never before have we been exposed to so many environmental chemicals. The air we breathe and the chemicals in our food, water, houses, and workplaces as well as the products we put on our bodies, all expose us to environmental toxins. These toxins accumulate in our body, from the multiple sources, and increase our toxic load.
A toxin is a harmful substance produced by plants, nature, manmade environmental substances, some animals, and disease causing pathogens. The term toxin refers to anything that can be harmful or hazardous to the body, or that affects the balance of the body. A toxin can be internal (endotoxin) and may include the waste products of metabolism, stress, emotional trauma and injury.
An external toxin (exotoxin) may include food, water, air, pesticides, noise, radiation and environmental chemicals. The accumulation of these toxins may result in any number of symptoms such as fatigue and lack of energy, “brain fog”, headaches, allergies or sinus congestion, body aches or pain, anxiety, constipation or digestive complaints, insomnia or chemical sensitivities. These issues may be manageable at first, but then gradually may result in degenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurological dysfunction, and endocrine of hormonal imbalances.
These chemicals interact synergistically in the body to increase their negative effects, which burden our bodies and overwhelm our natural detoxification pathways. Our detoxification organs – kidneys, liver, lymph, lungs, intestines, and skin – work hard each day to address such exposure. However, due to factors such as genetics, stress levels, dietary issues, lifestyle practices, nutritional balance, and exposure levels, our ability to neutralize and excrete these toxins may vary.
Unless we take active steps to address toxic exposure, our health may be affected to varying degrees. Naturopathic detoxification, supplementation and immune restoration therapies for general cleansing and to eliminate heavy metals and environmental toxicities are an important aspect of naturopathic practice.
Click the link for more information about our 10-day Cleansing Program: Vitality Natural Health Detox Program
