12 - Detoxification

Front 1

3 Big Ideas for Detoxification:

Back 1

1. Detoxification is a parasympathetic process. 2. Detoxification frees vital cellular and organ activities to function productively and efficiently. 3. Never detoxify without addressing the Foundations ~ all elimination pathways must be open,

Front 2

Describe how Diet supports detoxification:

Back 2

processed lifeless food is seen by the body as a toxin. Too much food (volume) uses too much energy and doesn’t leave enough for “house cleaning”. Ingestion of the proper Macro and Micro nutrients all play an important role in the body’s ability to detoxify.

Front 3

Describe how digestion suports detoxification

Back 3

a person isn’t digesting, even the most perfect diet can clog the body’s detoxification pathways. Specific amino acids play imperative roles in the proper functioning of the specific detoxification pathways in the liver. Poor fat digestion clogs the lymph, and therefore the liver.

Front 4

Describe how Blood sugar supports detoxification

Back 4

: Elevated cortisol and general blood sugar imbalance stress the Liver. B6 is needed for all liver enzyme functions and neurotransmitter synthesis (epinephrine, serotonin). B2 is needed for phase I detox enzymes (cytochrome P450). Chronically high blood sugars create a buildup of free radicals and a general catabolic state, which robs the nutrients needed by the body to detoxify properly.

Front 5

Describe how Fats support detoxification:

Back 5

Fat tissue helps the body to store difficult to remove toxic waste (metals, petroleum, other chemicals). The liver metabolized fats into their usable forms. Proper ingestion and digestion of fats causes less liver stress. The bile is built of healthy fat. The bile is the “river” by which toxins are removed from the body via the intestinal tract. The proper balance of dietary fat helps to create a properly permeable membrane, allowing wastes to be removed from the inside of the cell in a timely manner.

Front 6

Describe how minerals support detoxification

Back 6

Detoxification processes can create acidic blood. Minerals help to buffer this condition. Toxins deplete minerals like magnesium, which can lead to deficiencies of enzymes (cytochrome P450 and NADPH) which are necessary in healthy Phase I liver detoxification. Certain minerals help keep heavy metals from collecting in the tissue (heavy metals are minerals and therefore are kept in balance by other minerals). Molybdenum and manganese activate metabolic and detox enzymes. Chelation agents deplete minerals, requiring replacement.

Front 7

Describe how hydration supports detoxification:

Back 7

We must keep properly hydrated to keep the body flushing appropriately, moving bowels and urine regularly. Perspiring requires proper hydration. Proper hydration helps to keep our lung tissue moist so that we can respire healthfully. Proper hydration keeps the blood fluid so that toxic material may be delivered to the lymph and liver.

Front 8

Identify the four step process Nutritional Therapists can use for detoxification

Back 8

1. Address the foundations (especially diet) and keep the client on the initial protocol for 2-3 months.
2. Recommend supportive therapies to help with circulation/elimination. Dry brush massage; bouncing exercises; enemeas/colonics/purgatives; sweating therapies (including exercising to the point of perspiration)
3. On a follow up visit, conduct the Balance and Point test
4. If the client performs poorly on these tests, consider a more in depth detoxification protocol.

Front 9

Describe and perform the Balance test:

Back 9

1. Have client stand next to a table 2. Lift one leg off the ground 3. Let go of the table 4. Count number of seconds client can keep from putting their foot down and observe their stability. 5. If they pass the test with their eyes open, repeat the test with their eyes closed. 6. LNT if the client fails either test (taste for 1 minute)

Front 10

Point test:

Back 10

have client close their eyes, touch a spot on the clients arm, instruct the client to touch the same spot with their opposite arm, measure how close the client comes to touching the same spot.