by Darren Farnesi, M.D.
STEP ONE: REDUCE INCOMING TOXINS 1. Make an effort to avoid the “Dirty Dozen” (the highest pesticide laden produce): peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, grapes, spinach, let- tuce and potatoes. Choose organic/hormone- free produce and meat whenever possible.
Spring
WHY A SPRING CLEANSE?
Our metabolism runs a bit slower during the winter months—think hibernation! We may crave more carbohydrates, less salads, gain some weight, increase our sugars
and some of us get distracted from our exercise regimens during the
long winter season. We are built to cleanse and detoxify daily but with these factors as well as additional environmental toxins, we can
become overburdened. Normally, the immune system, liver, kidneys and skin work together to remove these toxins at the same rate
they are encountered. However, when toxin levels are in excess
of our body’s capacity to remove them, toxins build up and are stored until they are removed. This toxic burden may eventually
cause symptoms such as irritability, foggy thinking, fatigue, muscle
and joint pain, weight gain, sleep disturbances and low mood.
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Shake out the drapes, dust the shelves, clean all the windows… It’s Spring! Spring cleaning is not a new practice and it does wonders to freshen up the home after a cold, closed-in winter. Did you know doing a little internal spring cleaning is just as important to your health?
CLEANSING
WHAT ARE TOXINS? ENVIRONMENTAL – Exhaust, heavy metals, solvents (paint/clean- ing supplies), pesticides/herbicides, radiation.
LIFESTYLE – Nicotine, alcohol, dietary choices (fried/processed/fast foods), recreational drugs, over-the-counter medications, refined sugars, artificial flavorings, colors and preservatives.
INTERNAL – Unhealthy relationships, unresolved trauma or abuse, stress, gut flora dysbiosis (yeast overgrowth), poor digestion.
HOW DO WE DETOXIFY? Most of the toxins we are exposed to are fat-soluble, allowing
them to be easily transported into fat cells, where they settle and exert their toxic effects. Our liver is the primary organ of detoxifica- tion. The liver’s job is to change the harmful fat-soluble toxins into a form that can be easily and safely eliminated through the secondary organs of detoxification: mainly the kidneys (urine), intestines (stool), and skin (sweat). The liver processes toxins through Phase I and Phase II detoxifica-
tion. Phase I chemically alters the fat-soluble toxin into an “inter- mediate metabolite.” This metabolite is often more harmful than the original toxin. Thankfully Phase II conjugates the “intermediate metabolite,” creating a water-soluble, non-toxic chemical that can be excreted through the kidneys, intestines and skin. A good detoxification program therefore should assist the liver in
its efforts to transform toxins and then also assist the body in elimi- nating them.
RAGE monthly | MARCH 2012
2. Choose non-toxic cleaning supplies or make them yourself! Use baking soda and water for a bathroom or kitchen scrub. White Vinegar works great on stains, mildew or grease. Make your own disinfectant with water, liquid soap and tea tree oil. Citrus oils are great for de-greasing.
3. Avoid perfumes, colognes and dyes. Make your own air or fabric freshener by spritzing pure essential oils mixed in water.
4. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, fried foods, sugar, refined carbohydrates and artificial food color- ings and preservatives.
STEP TWO: ELIMINATE THE TOXINS 1. Love the Liver! A good detoxification plan should support both Phase I and Phase II path- ways, using a blend of amino acids, vegetable based antioxidants and specific vitamin and mineral nutrients. B-complex, folic acid, plant fla- vonoids, magnesium, glutathione, methionine, cysteine, taurine, glycine, dandelion, milk thistle, and vitamin c are among the most important.
2. Eliminate! Supporting the kidneys, colon and skin for proper elimination of the toxins is essen- tial. Increasing water intake, adding fiber to the diet and using binding agents like clay can help. Sweating in a sauna or steam room can assist with elimination through the skin. Of all things, WATER is the most important and can make your cleanse a success! Make sure you use filtered water or another high-quality source.
Restore your health and enjoy your Spring
Detox! For more ideas on optimal living, contact the practitioners at Medical Age Man- agement. MENTION RAGE MAGAZINE AND RECEIVE 20 PERCENT OFF YOUR SPRING ONE-WEEK DETOX KIT!
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