January is a very popular time for people to start a detoxification program. With the holiday season over, the New Year’s resolutions kicking in, and the regular work routine back in place, now is a good time to cleanse the body. In this article we will look at the ins and outs of detoxification and learn about the most important aspects of a successful detox program.

What is Detoxification?
Detoxification can be defined as the removal of the unwanted from the body. The unwanted or toxic substances can be from the external environment, internal environment of the body, or in the mental-emotional system.

External toxins include chemicals like pesticides, food additives, plastics, heavy metals, BPA, Parabins, Phalates, and other molecules from industrial products. Internal toxins include metabolic waste products naturally produced in the body that need to be removed. These include substances like lactic acid, uric acid, carbon dioxide, and free radicals. Mental-emotional toxins include thoughts, feelings, memories, and perceptions that no longer serve us benefit and create disease within the body.

Why Detoxify?
Toxins act as obstacles to optimal health by creating increased work for the body and preventing optimal cellular metabolism. For example, mercury actually displaces minerals like magnesium within several enzymes and thus prevents proper cellular energy production. Toxins are primarily stored in fat and organ tissue and disrupt hormone, neurotransmitter, and energy production and often lead weight gain and difficulty losing weight.

How Do We Detoxify?
The body is constantly detoxifying on a millisecond by millisecond basis at a cellular level. These cellular toxins are pumped into the extracellular environment where they are picked up by white blood cells. They then travel through the lymphatic system, venous system, and arteries to the organs of elimination like the liver, kidneys, lungs, bowels, skin, and mucus membranes for removal from the body.

What are the Most Important Aspects of Detoxification?
A successful detoxification program should decrease exposure to toxins, increase daily activity, support all of the organs of elimination, and promote optimal nutrition throughout. Unfortunately, many leanses and detox programs focus primarily on herbal laxatives and neglect many of the organs of elimination and optimal nutrition.

A successful detox program should also be tailored to the individual characteristics of each person. This should take into account the goals of the individual, sources of exposure, types of toxins acquired, and the health status of the individual organs of elimination. For example, a mechanic who has been exposed to petrochemicals on their skin and through their lungs will require a different approach than an office worker who has recently started a weight loss program.

What is the ONH Approach?
At Okanagan Naturopathic Healthcare we provide individualized detoxification programs designed to decrease toxin exposure, support the organs of elimination, and promote optimal nutrition. We utilize advanced natural therapies like biotherapeutic drainage, intravenous nutrient infusions, acupuncture, and oral supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and botanical medicines.

Call ONH to start your detoxification today!