The Importance of a quarterly cleanse

In my holistic health coaching practice I typically advise my clients to consider a quarterly cleanse for numerous reasons.

Cleansing is necessary for optimal health, especially in the world we live in today. Our bodies are constantly working towards naturally ridding toxins from the body but, because of the toxic load found in our food, water, air and soil our bodies simply can’t keep up.

In order to determine if you would benefit from a cleanse, I’d like you to read over the following questions and note if you mark yes to any of them.

Do you feel that you are not as healthy and vibrant as other people your age?

Do you have low energy levels?

Do you often feel blue or depressed?

Do you suffer from PMS?

Do you have bad breast or stinky stools?

Do you get more than 2 colds per year?

Do you struggle with acne?

Do you have a hard time concentrating of feel airy?

Are you exposed to a high level of certain chemicals or drugs?

- Cleaning solvents

- Pesticides

- Antibiotics

- Diuretics

- Anti-inflammatory drugs (non steroidal)

- Thyroid hormones

Do you take any synthetic steroid hormones?

- Anabolic steroids

- Estrogens

- Oral contraception

Do you consume more than two alcoholic beverages per week?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions then you are a strong candidate for a cleanse!

Often times, it is because of the toxic overload on our bodies that we begin to show some of these symptoms. Once our body’s detoxification system becomes overloaded, toxic metabolites accumulate in the body (often stored in our fat cells) and we become progressively more sensitive to other chemicals, even if they are not that toxic. On the contrary, when we reduce our toxic load, and give the body proper nutrition, most of these bothersome symptoms eventually disappear. This is an extremely important practice in order to achieve long term health and avoid the progression of minor or more severe conditions.

Now let’s take a look at some of the most common toxins our bodies are faced with on a daily basis.

A toxin, is considered to be any compound that has a detrimental effect on cellular function or structure. The most common toxins include:

Heavy metals: Aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel.

Heavy metals usually bind to fatty cells and accumulate in the brain, nerves, kidney, liver, immune system and other systems. Most heavy metals are found in food crops, fresh water and soil. We can also ingest heavy metals by using certain metal cooking utensils, foods in tin cans, mercury in certain fish, and is even found in our daily cosmetic products. An increased intake of heavy metals also apply to people in certain professions including: jewelry makers, battery makers, gasoline attendants, roofers, dentist and solderers.

Most symptoms of heavy metal toxicity have to do with the neurological system because this is where most of our fatty tissues reside (brain/nerves). Symptoms include: dementia, Alzheimers, impaired brain function, mood disturbances, dizziness, muscle pains, fatigue, headaches, nerve disorders, anemia, strokes, insomnia, ADD, learning disabilities, impaired memory and immune system dysfunction.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs): Drugs, alcohol, solvents, formaldehydes, pesticides, herbicides and food additives are the most common POPs we face on a daily basis.

These chemicals are found in most inorganic substances, products or foods. Thankfully, this category of toxins can be greatly diminished by focusing on consuming organic and natural foods, beauty products, cleaning supplies etc. Making a lot of your own foods and avoiding as much pre-packaged foods will also help decrease these toxins from your body.

The liver is the number one target when it comes to detoxifying the blood and body of POPs. High levels of toxicity also are found to greatly effect the endocrine system. Symptoms of toxic POPs are usually more neurological and psychological and include depression, headaches, mental confusion, mental illness, tingling in hands and feet and other nervous system functions.

Microbial compounds: Endotoxins, exotoxins, toxic amines, various carcinogenic substances and toxic derivatives of bile.

Microbial toxins are produced by bacteria and yeast in the gut which can be reabsorbed in the body via the blood stream. The liver and immune system are the top systems which help to cleanse the body from microbial toxins.

Gut-derived microbial toxins can be linked to liver disease, crohn’s disease, thyroid disease, pancreatitis, immune disorders, allergies and asthma. Autoimmune disorders can also be linked to these microorganisms. As antibodies begin working against these toxic microorganism they can unfortunately begin to cross-react with its own bodies tissues thus stimulating an autoimmune disease response.

Luckily, these toxins can be removed via the increased consumption of fibre. Soluble fibres, will help to bind themselves to such toxic microbial compounds found in the gut which can then easily be excreted through bowel movements.

Now what?

We can now begin to see the importance of a proper detoxification system. Our bodies main detoxification organs include the liver, skin, intestines and kidneys. Each of these organs experience a huge amount of daily stress when it comes to the upkeep of removing toxins from the body.

Cleansing is truthfully one of the main ways we can help remove such toxic overloads from the body and from these detoxification organs. These quarterly cleansing periods allow our bodies to be purged or toxins giving them a sense of renewal which can help to provide long term health. When we cleanse either via a juice cleanse or water fast, we take a break from consuming solid foods for a period of 3-14 days and give the body the ample rest it needs to heal and detoxify. Other styles of detoxes can also be beneficial but they should focus on whole clean fruits and vegetables or easy to digest foods. I personally prefer juice cleanses and water fasts for their simplicity and effectiveness.

Why cleanses work?

Eating food on a daily basis accounts for 10% of our bodies daily energy supplies used up for digestion each day. When we stop eating for cleansing purposes, this 10% of energy is then transferred to healing the bodies systems. It’s also much more complex than this because the body also goes through typical detox stages when food is not present in the body.

These detoxing stages are much more effective with water detoxes but relief is also found to those who practice juice cleansing. On a typical water fast, the body will start to preserve itself by consuming most of its glycogen stores (sugar/glucose stores) found in the liver when food is no longer present. This will usually take place within the first 6-8 hours of no food. Once most of the sugar stores are consumed, the body will begin to transition and sustain itself by consuming protein via its muscles. If food still doesn’t arrive, the body will transition away from consuming its own protein and will begin to consume fat cells and other damaged cells (cancer cells, ill cells etc). This stages is where many of the toxins stored in fat cells are released (such as heavy metals) and detoxed out of the body. During a water fast, other microbes such as intestinal worms also begin to die off due to lack of food.

NOTE: Individuals who consume a lot of raw fish tend to have some form of intestinal worm. Intestinal worms are also very hard to detect even if you give in a fesses sample to test. Also note that water fasting is incredibly complex and this simple explanation is definitely not enough to lead you down a successful cleanse. Water fasts should almost always be supervised and discussed with your doctor.

As a result of such cleanses, you begin to eliminate your bodies toxic load and essentially provide it with a fresh start. Juice cleanses can easily be done on your own for a period of 3-10 days and are the best option if you have never done a cleanse before. Water cleanses are much more effective but they are also more intense and usually require a bit more experience and supervision before attempting them on your own.

By participating in a quarterly cleanse, you will successfully aid your body by diminishing its toxic load and optimize its other normal body functions. Cleansing should also help to relieve many of the symptoms listed above and will give your liver a good fighting chance to reduce its toxic load and help your bodies natural cleansing processes down the road. I'd also like to note that a regular liver detox can also greatly improve your health. These types of detoxes are usually done with the absence of food and the incorporation of certain medicinal herbs.

Be sure to reach out to me if you have any questions regarding cleansing or if would like to join me for a quarterly cleanse. Our next cleanse will launch this Spring so stay tuned by joining my mailing list! I also offer cleanse support via my one-on-one coaching programs as well as a 3-Day Juice Cleanse for beginners. Get your juice cleanse HERE.