by Christine Cheng, R.Ph. and Fred Cheng, R.Ph.
Most people would agree that an annual “Spring Cleaning” for your house is NOT the most effective way to keep things clean & tidy throughout the year. The same principle applies to keeping our bodies “clean” or detoxified. The truth is that on-going support to keep our bodies clean is a more gentle and healthy way to keep the organs of detoxification functioning optimally and preventing toxins from building up.
As we mentioned in Part 1: Healthy Holiday Detox, the main organs of detoxification are the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and the skin. In general, the body wants to take any toxin and turn it into either a fat-soluble or water-soluble molecule that it can then remove from the body. Fat-soluble molecules can be excreted in the bile, which ends up in the feces, whereas water-soluble molecules can be excreted in the sweat or through the urine. Often, these metabolic processes are classified into Phase I or Phase II reactions, depending on whether the end metabolite is fat- or water-soluble.
Through supplementation, we can support both the metabolic reactions that convert toxins into a form that can be excreted as well as the organs that do this. REDUCED GLUTATHONE is an antioxidant that is found in virtually every cell in the body and is important in rendering toxins water-soluble for excretion. SAM-E (s-Adenosylmethionine) is a pre-cursor to glutathione, thus is supportive of detoxification. As an aside, SAM-E has also been shown to reduce inflammation associated with joint pain as well as improve symptoms of depression.
L.C.H., a formula developed by Thorne Research, is a blend of herbal medications that support both Phase I and II reactions in the liver. L.C.H. can be taken in conjunction with L-TREPEIN (also from Thorne Research), as the latter provides some of the co-factors that the body needs in order to perform the detoxification reactions.
If one has it in mind to improve their diet and maybe lose some weight at the same time, ULTRACLEAR and ULTRACLEAR PLUS (by Metagenics) can be considered. These medical foods can be used on a daily basis and provide the nutrients needed as co-factors in detox reactions. Mixed with water or juice, they can be used as meal replacements because each serving contains 15g of protein and can help you feel full. While both products support both Phase I and II reactions, UltraClear Plus gives extra support those who may benefit from added Phase II support. Furthermore, people with fibromyalgia may benefit from ULTRACLEAR RENEW, as this formula also contains a proprietary form of hops that can reduce inflammation and pain. ADVACLEAR(by Metagenics) can be added to any of the UltraClear line of products and is used cyclically to provide further support for detoxification.
Fibre is a very important component of detoxification because as fat-soluble metabolites of toxins are excreted, we need to make sure that they are cleared from the body in the feces. If a person is constipated, there is a potential for these toxic metabolites to be reabsorbed. Thus, make sure you are increasing the fibre in your diet (ideally by eating more leafy, green vegetables) or by taking a supplement such as FIBERLICIOUS or HEMP HEARTS.
Lastly, but definitely not leastly, ensuring adequate hydration through the intake of water is important in helping our bodies flush out the toxic metabolites. Not only does adequate fluid intake support the kidneys’ function, it also helps to improve the bulk of the stool so that when we increase the fibre content in our diet, we don’t get constipated.
Keeping your body “clean” on a regular basis is important to ensure you are absorbing nutrients properly and that these nutrients are used properly. To maintain a healthy body, always start with a healthy diet and use supplements where necessary to achieve your health goals. And of course, always check with your healthcare provider to make sure the product you choose is appropriate for you.
(Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique family-owned and operated Pharmasave in Cloverdale, BC. Their pharmacy celebrated its 30-Year Birthday this year. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. They would love to hear from you! 604-576-2888; www.cloverdalepharmasave.com. Of course, before you begin any activity program or try any OTC supplementation, check with your physician and pharmacist.)
Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
