My Natural Medicine San Diego practice is a form of alternative medicine based on a belief in vitalism, which basically means that a special energy called vital force or energy force guides bodily processes such as reproduction, metabolism, and growth. Our philosophy is more of a holistic approach, and we look to find the least invasive measures necessary for symptom improvement or resolution, rather than just blindly undergoing surgery or using conventional drugs. Above all, it honors the body’s innate wisdom to heal.
Spring is the time to clean our bodies. Why spring and not summer, fall or winter? Spring is the beginning of the four seasons. It is a good time to clean our internal house and to rid our bodies of the accumulation of the toxins stored during winter months. Illnesses can be caused by the accumulation of toxic substances in the body. Eliminating existing toxins and avoiding new toxins are essential parts of the healing process.
We absorb, ingest, inhale toxins everyday of our lives! Toxins in the body include heavy metals and various chemicals such as pesticides, pollutants, and food additives. Drugs and alcohol have toxic effects in the body. Living in a stressful environment with heavy demands from home or work life can also have toxic effects on our body. This topic in itself can take up volumes and thus is not covered in this article.
Toxins can be excreted from the body by the kidneys (urination), bowels (defecation), skin (sweating), and lungs (exhalation). Detoxification treatments become necessary when the body’s natural detoxification systems become overwhelmed. Many times this is due to unhealthy lifestyle (poor diet, sedentary life, environmental exposure).
Detoxification is helpful for those patients suffering from many chronic diseases and conditions, for those with conditions that are influenced by environmental factors and for those suffering from allergies or immune system problems. Detoxification can be used as a beneficial preventative measure and as a tool to increase overall health, vitality, and resistance to disease.
Detoxification utilizes a wide variety of tests and modalities of treatments. Some of the many kinds of treatments include use of certain herbs and supplements, steam saunas, colonic hydrotherapy, lymphatic drainage, homeopathics, high dose intravenous vitamin C with minerals, and glutathione intravenous push. These all can help in the elimination of toxins from the body. Along with the myriad of treatments out there for detox, it goes without saying that proper diet is vital in assisting the body to get rid of its toxins. It wouldn’t make sense to spend all that time and money on expensive detox treatments only to go to McDonald’s and fully retox the body again! Eliminating allergic and unhealthy foods, and emphasizing foods that assist detoxification and support healing is extremely important in detoxification. Detoxification diets are generally low in fat, high in fiber, and vegetarian. Processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine need to be avoided.
With all that said, there is a lot of information related to detox. For those with further questions please call or email me to schedule an appointment. I really look forward to being of service and working with you to help you have a cleaner and fresher YOU!