"A detox is a commitment of changing your diet, increasing your exercise level, drinking a lot of water, taking supplements that detoxify the liver, kidney’s, lungs, intestines and skin."
Spring is finally upon us. We had a great season with a lot of great skiing conditions; in fact, some of the best skiing conditions in years. Spring is a good time to clean our house from clutter and our closets by putting away the winter cloths. Spring is also a good time to clean our internal environment. The best way to clean our internal environment is through detoxification. The environment we live in is more toxic than it was even ten years ago. We are exposed to chemical toxins on a daily basis in our air, water and food.
Nearly all cultures and religions have some form of purification and cleaning rituals. In Catholicism there are rituals of fasting and dietary restrictions such as Lent and Fridays which fish is eaten. Native Americans have a rite of passage called vision quest which involves fasting and heat treatments called sweat lodges. Ayurvedic traditions use constitutional specific diets and cleansing called pancha karma. Scientologists have what is called a purification rundown focusing on cleansing the mind and body. In Europe heat treatments such as saunas, baths and steams are a commonplace. Islamic traditions include extensive fasting for Ramadan.
The most common environmental toxins are pesticides, solvents and heavy metals. Of the heavy metals Mercury, Lead, Uranium and Arsenic are the most common I see in the Vail area. New diagnoses of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) are becoming more common. MCH is caused by overexposure to environmental toxins resulting in an increased sensitivity to them. These compounds are found in many chemicals, perfumes and dyes. Our ability to detoxify the substances we encounter on a daily basis is critical to our health. Once the detoxification system becomes overloaded, incomplete byproducts accumulate causing us to become very sensitive to the chemicals that surround us.
Symptoms related to toxic exposure include allergies, fibromyalgia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, constipation, arthritis, headaches, autoimmune diseases such as MS and rheumatoid arthritis, chronic sinusitis, yeast infections and obesity.
A detox is a commitment of changing your diet, increasing your exercise level, drinking a lot of water, taking supplements that detoxify the liver, kidney’s, lungs, intestines and skin. It also includes a physical modality such as saunas , massage, yoga, craniosacral treatments, colonics etc. Detoxification is an individualized treatment since we all have different health issues, toxic exposures and dietary needs.
To discuss your individual needs please or set up an appointment for an individualized detox plan please call Dr. Wiancek at 970-926-7606.
Deborah Wiancek, N.D.
