Detoxification
Product Overview
- Making The
Right Choice
Using a detoxification
product instead of a detoxification diet can avoid the
problem of having a restrictive diet that is missing in
essential nutrients.
But there are some groups of people that
should not follow a detoxification program. These include
children and growing teenagers, pregnant women, people with
eating disorders, breastfeeding women, and the elderly. The
elderly may still find some of these supplements beneficial,
but they should take a very gentle approach and take into
account their overall health, as well as whatever prescription
medications they are on.
Detoxification products can include:
-
Milk thistle (also called st mary's thistle)
Milk thistle is a liver protective herb that helps
it regenerate 4 times faster than it usually does. It
also makes the liver cell membranes less able to absorb
toxic chemicals, and lowers blood fats.
Milk thistle helps correct
glutathione deficiencies. Glutathione is an amino acid
that helps maintain a healthy immune system and helps
the liver detoxify. The main active constituents, the
flavanolignans collectively called silymarin, are
potent antioxidants.
Milk thistle is a very safe herb and
can be taken in pregnancy, especially if the mother has
hepatitis C. There are no side effects even when it
this popular detoxification product ingredient is taken
for long periods of time.
For more
information on liver detoxification, see this
article.
-
Flaxseeds
 Flaxseeds are excellent
detoxification product for encouraging
proper functioning of the bowel. They can go
rancid, so it's important to make sure they are
fresh. They act as a bulking agent in the bowel,
as well as lubricating the intestines. They
contain linoleic and linolenic acids, which are
essential fatty acids. It can take 2 or 3 days to
get the desired effect from them, however. And
it's beneficial to drink a glass of water when you
take them.
-
Psyllium Husks
Psyllium husks make the stools
softer and hence easier to pass. They do this by
increasing the bulk of the stools as well as their
water content. They are very gentle and don't irritate
the bowel.
Psyllium husks create a mucilaginous
mass that also absorbs potentially harmful chemicals in
the bowel, making them an excellent detoxification
product. They can be used in the case of irritable
bowel and diverticulitis. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of
seeds followed by one cup of water per teaspoon taken.
This should be done before food, and can be repeated 3
times a day.
People with diabetes should only
take psyllium under supervision of their doctor as
insulin levels may need to be adjusted.
There are 3 more articles related to
fiber and bowel health here:
-
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect cellular membranes from
both toxins and oxidizing agents. They do this by
neutralizing free radicals. These free radicals are
responsible for many degenerative diseases and
problems, including contributing to the development of
cancer. Antioxidants also boost the body's immune
system, which is important when taking detoxification
products as your body should be at its optimal level to
deal with what is released from storage in the
tissues.
Sources of antioxidants are fresh
fruit and vegetables, but there are also antioxidant
supplements containing things like lycopene (from
tomatoes), green tea extracts, and pycnogenol (from
grape seeds) if you're concerned you can't get enough
antioxidants from your diet.
-
Green Foods
Green foods include spirulina, green
barley, chlorella, alfalfa and wheat grass supplements.
Green foods have a lot of antioxidants and minerals,
especially dehydrated barley grass and wheat grass.
They have a lot of enzymes, and have an alkalising
effect on the body.
Green Barley also contains the
antioxidant SOD. SOD is the first antioxidant the cells
use in times of defence, and is considered more
powerful than regular antioxidants because it
encourages the body's own antioxidants, including
glutathione and catalase.
There is more information on green
barley here, including what you should be careful about
when choosing a green
barley supplement.
Spirulina is a good source of protein, though it
generally isn't taken in enough quantities to supply
all the protein the body needs. It also has B vitamins,
beta carotene, chlorophyll, and essential fatty acids.
The beta carotene it contains has mixed carotenoids
that work together to increase the antioxidant effects.
Spirulina helps keep blood sugar levels stable, thus
reducing sugar cravings, which is important if you're
trying to improve your diet as part of
detoxification.
Whether you choose a single detoxification
product, or a combination of them, try to find the ones most
suited to your body's needs at the time. You may feel your
bowels are sluggish and need a boost - in this case, psyllium
husks or flaxseed would be the best option. Or you may enjoy a
drink regularly, or smoke, and so feel a liver detoxification
product like milk thistle, perhaps combined with spirulina,
wheat grass, or barley grass, is the most effective
combination. Antioxidants are always a good choice in
detoxification products for smokers and those exposed to a lot
of stress.
References:
1. C Fisher and G Painter, Materia Medica Of Western Herbs for
the Southern Hemisphere
2. E Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days
3. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=60444
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