DetoxificationAnd Cleansing 

RUCHITA RANAWAREDep.of Life Sciences

M.Sc -1University of Mumbai

IRUCHITA RANAWARE

ntroduction• What is detoxification and

cleansing?

• Why do we need detoxification?

• Who should detoxify?

• How do we detoxify?

• What does a detoxification treatment plan look like?

Detoxification and cleansing

•Detoxification involves either clearing toxins from the body or neutralizing or transforming them.

Health and vitalityClear symptomsTreat diseasePrevent future problems

Toxins

• A toxin is any substance that creates an irritating and/or harmful effect in the body.

• Water, food, air, cosmetics, products

• Exposure to chemicals, pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, and molds.

Why do we need detoxification?

• Low dose daily exposure builds up in our bodies over time.

• Air

• Water

• Food

• Products

• Hobbies/lifestyle

Indoor air pollutants

1. Dust mites, molds, pet dander, and microbes

2. Asbestos, lead, radon 3. Synthetic consumer products-

solvents 4. Second hand smoke 5. Formaldehyde (foam insulation,

wood and carpet glue, paint preservatives)

6. Pesticides

Water

• Types of water pollutants include:

• Soil run-off• Solvents• Pesticides/herbicides• Heavy metals• Nitrates from sewage and

fertilizers• Hormones

Food sourcesFish

• Mercury can act as a neurotoxin to the developing fetus and adults

• Mercury concentrations in the blood as a result of fish consumption is linked to infertility in men and women.

Fish high in PCB’s and Dioxin

Farmed fish

• Fatty fish concentrate PCB’s and Dioxin which may impair memory and learning in adults.

• Although fatty fish are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids so are tofu, soy, canola oils, walnuts, and flax seeds.

Other sources of toxic compounds

1. Pesticides and herbicides

2. Detergents and household products

3. Plastics (food wraps, soda, baby and water bottles)

4. Industrial and auto exhaust

5. Animal products, hormone injected animals

6. Cosmetics and grooming products

Examples of disrupting compounds

• Dioxins

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s)

• Bisphenol-A

• Organochlorine pesticides (DDT)

• Phthalates

• Heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium)

Dioxins

• Produced by incineration and combustion

• Produced by manufacture of chlorine containing products such as pesticides and wood preservatives and the bleaching of paper

• Accumulates in human fat tissue and animals high on food chain

• Decreases T4 and T3, and testosterone. Both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic

PCB’s

• Used as coolants, lubricants, insulation for electrical equip, in paints, plastics, dyes and rubber. Made wood and plastics non-flammable

• Accumulates in human fat, food chain and found in rivers and lakes

• Same effects as dioxin plus low birth weight, delayed neuro development, low IQ, weakened immune system and some behave like estrogen

Bisphenol-A

• A compound found in polycarbonate plastics. Used in manufacture of compact disks, plastic bottles, lining of metal food cans, and dental sealants

• Estrogenic influences-binds to ER+ breast cancer cells.

• Decreases sperm count, increases prostate size.

DDT and metabolites

• An insecticide for agricultural use and mosquitoes

• Estrogenic effects-induce cell proliferation in ER+ breast cancer cells, shortened period of lactation, and pre-term births

• DDE(metabolite) is an androgen antagonist and leads to feminization of the male fetus

Phthalates

• Additive to PVC plastics to make them soft, flexible and strong. (toys)

• Carpet backing, paints, glues, insect repellents, hair spray, and nail polish

• Anti-androgenic-prenatal exposure causes hypospadias, undescended testicles

• Suppressed ovulation, estradiol production, and PCOS(rat studies)

Signs and symptoms con’t

ConstipationLoose stool

Bad breathIndigestion

AllergiesHeadaches

Menstrual problemsFatigue

Fibrocystic breastsNeuropathy

Environmental sensitivity

How do we detoxify?

• Determine toxic load

• Exposure and health history

• Support our detox organ systems-Functionally, poor digestion, colon dysfunction, decreased liver function and poor elimination all increase toxicity.

Detoxification systems

• 1. Gastrointestinal-liver, gallbladder, and colon

• 2. Urinary-kidneys, bladder, and urethra

• 3. Respiratory-lungs, throat, sinuses, mouth/nose

• 4. Lymphatic-lymph channels and nodes

• 5. Skin-sweat and sebaceous glands

• Prior to beginning a detoxification program it is essential that every detox system is functioning properly.

Liver

• The liver excretes hormones such as estrogen, cortisol, aldosterone, and thyroxin.

• The liver detoxifies these and other hormones and excretes them into the bile.

• If the liver malfunctions, toxins and hormones accumulate in the body causing disease.

Intestinal health

• Prolonged toxic irritation to the lining of the GI tract

• Nutritional insufficiencies• Exposure to bacterial

endotoxins• All result in unfavorable

changes in the permeability functions of the gastric mucosal lining.

 

Repair the GI tractThe 5R plan

• 1. Rebalance-diet, nutrition, and lifestyle

• 2. Remove-any offending pathogen or food antigen such as Giardia, Candida, H. Pylori, and food allergies

• 3. Replace-HCL, digestive enzymes, and fiber

• 4. Reinoculate-probiotics andfructooligosaccharides

• 5. Repair-nutritional support including L-glutamine, pantothenic acid, zinc, anti-oxidants, bioflavinoids, essential fatty acids, and herbs such as aloe, DGL, and comfrey

Elimination

• 1. Kidneys help excrete toxins and breakdown products through the urine.

• 2. The colon eliminates toxins through the bile

• 3. The skin and lymph system, through sweating and circulating toxins to the organs of elimination, assist in detoxification as well.

• 4. It is important all organs of detoxification are functioning properly prior to a detox and are included in the overall detox plan.

. Detoxification Plan Overview

• Avoidance• Diet and Nutrition• Exercise• Hydrotherapy• Bowel support• Supplements• All parts of the plan must be

incorporated for optimal detoxification

Avoidance

• Non-toxic cleaning products, detergents, soaps, grooming products

• Don’t use insecticides, herbicides, pesticides in the home or on the lawn

• Use nontoxic dry cleaning or air it out before bringing it into the home

• Remove off-gassing sources-new furniture, carpeting, upholstery

• No new carpeting, paint, pressboard furniture ect.

Diet and Nutrition • 1.      Drink one half your body weight in

ounces of filtered water each day.• 2.      Eat organic only foods.• 3.      Avoids foods high in pesticides and

mercury.• 4.      Avoid food allergies/sensitivities.• 5.      Include fruits, vegetables, whole

grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

• 6.      Avoid red meats, organ meats, refined foods, canned foods, sugar, saturated fats, hydrogenated oils,

coffee, alcohol, and nicotine.• 7.      Eat a natural seasonal cuisine.

Web Sites

• ORCOUNCIL.ORG• NOTTOOPRETTY.ORG• NOHARM.ORG• HEALTHYTOMORROW.ORG• THEGREENGUIDE.COM• EWG.ORG• PESTICIDE.ORG• DRMARCHESE.COM

Books

• Rachel Carson-Silent Spring

• Theo Colburn- Our Stolen Future

• Sandra Steingraber- Living downstream and Having Faith

• Ruth Winters- Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients

• Kim Erickson- Drop Dead Gorgeous