The Truth
About Toxins
 by Brenda Watson, C.N.C.
All too often we go about our busy lives
without devoting a single thought to the dangerous chemicals
that surround us every day, but the reality is that harmful
toxins are lurking everywhere. They are in the air we breathe,
in the food and water we consume, and even in the very place
we are supposed to be safe from harm—our homes. But what
if there was a way to reduce our exposure to these toxic invaders
and live a cleaner, healthier lifestyle? When I began writing
my latest book, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant
Health in 5 Easy Steps, I knew that it was going to be
the most important book I would write in my career. As a natural
health practitioner and certified nutritionist, I have witnessed
time and again the healing power of natural detoxification, as
well as the extraordinary health benefits of herbal internal
cleansing.
The Detox Strategy is the culmination of
a lifetime of research, inspiration and hard work, and my goal
when writing it was two-fold. First, I wanted to provide an
eye-opening look at the increasingly toxic state of our modern
world and provide an accurate account of the immediate and
long-term health effects of toxic exposure. Second, I wanted
to offer a simple, natural solution for living cleaner and
healthier in the twenty-first century.
The basis of The Detox
Strategy is my easy 5-step RENEW
program, which stands for:
Reduce | Eliminate | Nourish | Energize | Wellness
I developed RENEW to
help everyone alive today—no matter where they live, how old they are,
or what they do for a living—adopt a detox-friendly lifestyle
so that they can ultimately achieve the vibrant, lasting health
they deserve.
It stresses the importance of supporting the
organs and organ systems that work to filter and remove waste
and toxins from the body—specifically the liver, lungs,
lymphatic system, kidneys, skin, blood and bowel (colon)—and
making the necessary diet and lifestyle changes to nourish
and energize the body.
Clean up Your Act
The first step in
RENEW is Reduce, which involves making gradual changes in your
daily routine to help limit your exposure to harmful toxins.
For example, begin by installing quality water and air purifiers
in your home, and replacing chemical-laden cleaners and personal
care products with safer, natural alternatives. Dietary changes
are also important, such as choosing fresh, organically grown
foods whenever possible. Not only are they high in nutrients,
but organic foods do not contain chemicals, pesticides or herbicides.
Likewise, organic meats and dairy products are free of unnecessary
hormones and antibiotics.
Say “Bye-Bye” to Toxins
Eliminate refers to the process
of removing from your body the toxins that have accumulated
there as the result of decades of exposure. This accumulation
is often referred to as your personal “body burden” and can be addressed through
a series of steps including herbal internal cleansing, colon
hydrotherapy, the use of saunas and steam baths, following
a high-fiber diet, and using a process called “dry skin
brushing” to remove dead skin cells and stimulate lymph
flow, which is directly related to healthy immune function.
Herbal internal cleansing has been used
for centuries to support healthy detoxification, and I can’t
express how incredibly beneficial it can be for your whole
body. At the heart of every herbal cleansing program is supplementation
with herbs, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber and beneficial
oils to help nourish and support the vital cleansing organs
and enhance the detoxification process. If you are new to cleansing,
it may be best to begin with a basic total-body cleansing formula
before progressing to a more advanced total-body cleanse. Such
formulas often include milder whole herbs as opposed to deep-cleansing
herbal extracts, so they are gentle enough for inexperienced
cleansers. Beneficial fiber and oil supplements also support
the cleansing process by helping to draw out toxins and encourage
healthy elimination.
Give Back to Your Body
Nourish addresses
the common misconception that the average American diet provides
all of the nutrients we need. Instead, surveys show that the
diets of more than 60 percent of North Americans are deficient
in one or more of the essential nutrients, and the majority
of today’s healthcare providers agree that everyone can
benefit from daily nutritional supplementation. For this step
I’ve created a comprehensive “detox diet” that
emphasizes raw whole foods, organic meats and produce, and
freshly made juices. Sample menus are provided in the book
to help you get started, as well as tips on time management
and meal planning, and a full chapter of easy-to-prepare recipes
offers suggestions for detox-friendly meals, snacks and beverages.
Get Moving
Energize refers to exercising
your body both physically and mentally. Clinical research has
proven that getting physical and increasing your cardiac output
is one of the greatest ways to naturally cleanse the blood
and all body tissues. For ease and convenience, try brisk walking
or using a personal trampoline called a rebounder to increase
blood flow and help the body filter and eliminate toxins. Simple
strength training techniques (including yoga, Pilates, or the
use of flexible resistance bands) can also help increase circulation.
Equally as important as physical activity
are the mind/body exercises that help stimulate lymph flow
and assist with detoxification, including deep breathing and
meditation. Because prolonged stress can have a negative effect
on your overall health, such relaxation and stress-relieving
techniques can improve your sense of well-being and even help
you sleep better, which will in turn help rejuvenate and refresh
your body at a cellular level.
Putting it all Together
 RENEW comes full circle with Wellness,
which involves putting all of the pieces together to achieve
a detox-friendly lifestyle. Indeed, fostering a healthy body
is not something you can do through a single action. Rather,
it requires an ongoing commitment to being fully aware of your
body and your environment, as well as honoring the dietary and
lifestyle changes you have made. Eventually, you will not only
look and feel better overall, but you will sleep more soundly,
have fewer aches and pains—even
enjoy a clearer mind. Begin your personal detoxification journey
today with The Detox Strategy, and start living the life you
deserve!
For more information, visit www.detoxstrategy.com
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