Cleanse, Detox and Intermittent Fasting

Cleanse, Detox and Intermittent Fasting, health benefit or buzzwords?

Cleanse, Detox and Intermittent Fasting are without question "buzzwords" that get used frequently in healthcare...Much more frequently in "alternative health care" than from the western medical establishment. Is there actual health benefit to Intermittent Fasting, Cleansing or Detoxifying our body systems?

The simple answer is "yes"...When Done Appropriately.

There is research that shows that heavy metals and environmental toxins are in our food and water...like it or not...one of the drawbacks of living in an industrialized world.  You can strive to reduce consumption of toxins but there is no way to avoid them completely.  It has been demonstrated that the body can reduce both the amount of these toxins in our body and support pathways that influence the effects of these toxins by eating a diet that reduces oxidative stress (high in anti-oxidants) and reduce systemic inflammation (anti-inflammatory).  So, yes, detoxification has merit when done safely, effectively and appropriately; though, caution should be exercised with detox products seen in infomercials and pyramid marketing wonder products.

Cleansing may be considered something slightly different than detoxing. The intestines have many curves and fold to them than hold much residual content.  This can influence food/nutrient absorption as well as contribute to irritable bowel symptoms.  When medical doctors want to clear a person out (cleanse) they give nasty chemical drinks, laxatives and salt drinks...HARSH!  There are healthy ways, through healthy dietary practices, to remove residual content in our bowels; a safe and effective way to CLEANSE the GI tract is through a relatively short term dietary regimen. By cleansing the GI tract, we enable ourselves to absorb more nutrition from less food volume.  In addition to the GI tract, the functions of the liver and kidneys are responsible for cleaning our bodies of toxins, chemicals, unwanted products and dying cells. Dietary support of these organ systems helps to cleanse the body; this can be done with short term intensive methods but can also be done by steady long term support of these organ systems by choosing to eat or add specific foods to one's diet.  There are many products out there designed to cleanse the body...doctors would recommend being cautions of gimmicks and wonder products.

How about Intermittent Fasting?  There are many ways to fast. It has been shown that people with some specific health conditions should not fast.  Intermittent fasting has been shown to NOT be an effective weight loss strategy by itself.  There are many health benefits that are attributed to intermittent fasting, in some human trials and many animal trials.  Intermittent fasting has been strongly correlated with cardiovascular protection, neurological protection, increased longevity, reduced risk for dementia and alzheimer's, greatly reduced incidence of diabetes and many other systemic diseases.  An entertaining and informative documentary on intermittent fasting was made by the BBC; it outlines a handful of intermittent fasting protocols.

After this commentary, one might ask: "How do I detox, cleanse or fast in a safe effective way and avoid gimmicks and expensive products?  How do I use a cleansing, detox or fasting protocol to influence long term health changes?"  There is an answer to these questions...

Dr. Blair at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic in cooperation with Joni Evans, Certified Yoga Instructor at Mountain Yoga, are offering a 14 day workshop of which you are invited to join.  Through the workshop, they will answer your questions and guide you through a safe, effective food based program that will cleanse your body systems and give you the knowledge to thrive in dietary health.


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