HEALTHY REASONING: Is Detoxification Necessary?

By Allan Bucka Jones
PRIDE Health Columnist

Detoxification is one of the more widely used treatments and concepts in alternative medicine. It is based on the principle that illnesses can be caused by the accumulation of toxic substances (toxins) in the body.

Eliminating existing toxins and avoiding new toxins are essential parts of the healing process.

Some of you reading this article can remember, as a child, having to take castor oil or herbs tea, or some other laxative, at the end of summer holidays, and prior to the start of the new school year, to give you a “washout”.

Your parents did not refer to it as detox or detoxification, but that is what they were doing to you. You survived…so when was the last time you had a “washout”?

Detoxification is helpful for those patients suffering from many chronic diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental illness, allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, chronic infections, depression, headaches, high cholesterol, low blood sugar levels, digestive disorders and obesity.

Many individuals who treat diseases with natural remedies, say it is essential that the body is cleansed through a detox process, before any treatment is started. The objective is to start with a clean body system.

We all eat food every day, but the problem is we do not really know what we are putting into our body. This is where problems begin to develop. Most of the food we consume have been treated with pesticides, hormones, chemicals and are genetically modified. This causes a build-up of toxins as we age.

Aside from being easily fatigued and tired, the body does not show any of the damage this causes until the later years. Our system is not designed to handle this toxic build-up, and the body begins to slow down struggling to maintain normal functions. This is the source of imbalance in the body.

The toxic build-up results in many health issues over time, but it is not until we approach the thirties, forties and fifties that most health issues begin to show. Today more than ever, a detox has become an important part of maintaining a clean and balanced system.

Many detoxification processes start at the source of the build-up, in the liver, and cleanse the body from inside out.

Detoxification is the process of removing toxins from the body. The process to detoxify your body involves many different elements such as herbal detoxification regimens, change of diet and vitamin supplements. It is one of the best ways to rid your body of toxins, which can slow it down and make it unhealthy. The process of detoxification requires some discipline.

The most noticeable benefits from detoxification are the physical ones. Since the toxins store up in major organs, detoxification will help these areas the most. The organs which are affected, such as the liver and stomach, will begin to work more effectively.

After the detox is completed, you may feel “lighter” and have more energy. Also, since a detox is used to clear away free radicals, your body’s immune system will be stronger and you will have a lower risk of getting cancer. Finally, a detoxification regimen will clear your blood, helping it circulate better.

Toxins and free radicals that accumulate in the body can also affect brain functions. Before a detox, you may have trouble sleeping, chronic fatigue, and trouble with your concentration. Once you work through this process, many of these issues will gradually disappear. You will be able to sleep better and concentrate more.

If you think a detox is what your body needs, contact a naturopath or your family doctor. You can also call me at 416-892-5057 and I will suggest an approach.

Based on the evidence available, an effective detoxification is a safe way to get rid of the “junk” that has accumulated in your body over the years, and improve your health and well-being. 

Allan Bucka Jones is a Health Promoter and Broadcaster. You can contact Allan Bucka Jones at allan@jonesandjones.ca.