We are exposed to a variety of toxins every day through the air we breathe and the food we eat and even the products we use on our hair, skin, and nails. Bacteria, pesticides, fertilizers, air pollutants, plasticizers, heavy metals, secondhand smoke, and gas fumes are just some of the many toxins we face daily. When our bodies are working optimally, our organs can process these toxins and eliminate them efficiently. We look and feel good.
But what happens when our systems are overloaded with toxins and the elimination process becomes sluggish? Some signs may include fatigue, headaches, brain fog, joint pain, constipation, rashes, eczema, food sensitivities, allergies, weight gain, asthma, nausea, indigestion, gastritis, anxiety, and depression. Over the long term, the build-up of environmental toxins in our body may start to cause symptoms and may even contribute to the development of chronic disease. Those with a history of mold exposure or environmentally-acquired illness may be helped by specific detox strategies.
What is a Detox?
Detoxification, also known as cleansing, is a way to help keep our main organs of elimination – the kidneys, liver, large intestine, lymphatic system, and sweat glands – running efficiently. Taking purposeful actions that help to remove these built-up toxins supports the body’s natural pathways of elimination.
A Typical Cleansing Routine
“Doing” a cleanse or detox typically means following a short-term dietary plan, alongside increased hydration and some natural supplements that support the body’s processes. Medical research shows variable results as to the measurable effectiveness of detoxification. But talk to anyone who includes detox in their wellness routine, and you will often hear that they feel much healthier after a detox. They report feeling lighter and brighter, some symptoms go away, pain decreases, people sleep better, energy tends to come back, the skin clears up and sometimes weight loss can start to happen. It feels like a fresh start.
There’s More to Detoxification than Boxed Detox Kits
While there are several “detoxification kits” available in health food stores or online, they have been developed for a mass market, and as such will not suit everyone. Some are mild while others can be on the extreme side. If you take any medications or suffer from any pre-existing conditions, they can even be dangerous.
You don’t need a juice kit to detox. Our office provides multiple methods to support your health and wellness.
How We Support Your Detox Goals
At Schoenwalder Health and Wellness, we advocate a gentle and ongoing lifestyle approach to detoxification, and one that is customized to your body’s specific needs. It is important to work with your healthcare practitioner to make sure that you’re cleansing correctly, keep track of your results and ensure that any supplements you take are of the highest quality and appropriate for you.
In addition, we offer state-of-the-art strategies for supporting detoxification.
Detoxify with Ozone Detox Chamber
Our ozone detox chamber, the HOCATT ozone infrared sauna, is an effortless way to detoxify the body. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll begin to detox from toxins, free radicals, fungi, bacteria and parasites. While supporting detox, our HOCATT ozone sauna can also support hormone and enzyme production, support autoimmunity and inflammation, address circulation and nerve pain and help provide relief for colds. Athletes seek out the HOCATT ozone sauna for increased performance and endurance.
Be sure to hydrate well the days leading up to your session. Take your body weight, divide it in half and drink a minimum of that many ounces of water daily.
Our providers can assist you in creating a plan for optimizing your health and wellness. Learn more about the multiple technologies used in the HOCATT–including PEMF, ozone therapy, and others–by reading more here.
Detoxify with Vitamin Injections
When vitamins are administered intramuscularly, they bypass the GI tract and provide increased bioavailability. This refers to the degree and rate at which vitamins are absorbed by the body’s circulatory system and able to have an active effect.
Our vitamin shots are highly concentrated. In every shot, you are receiving about a week’s worth of vitamin supply. Vitamin shots are injected intramuscularly for faster absorption. This is a much faster route than taking oral vitamin supplements.In addition, you’ll be skipping the additives in over the counter supplements such as binders and fillers.
Liver Detox Shot
Supporting fat metabolism and liver detox, this injection improves liver and gallbladder function and enhances antioxidant production. The Liver Detox Shot contains MIC, B12, Pyroxidine, and L-Carnitine. MIC is a combination of methionine, inositol, and choline. It is a blend of lipotropics, or “fat attracting,” amino acids, that can help to metabolize fat and remove toxins from the liver.
This formula can promote increased energy and rid the body of fatty deposits more efficiently. L-Carnitine contributes to energy metabolism by facilitating the breakdown of excess triglycerides in the blood. It has been shown to improve neurotransmitter function in the brain.
Glutathione Home Injections for Detox Support
We also offer glutathione injections that can be administered in the comfort of your own home. Glutathione is a master detoxifier, binding to toxins and supporting the removal from the body.
Detoxify with IV Glutathione
Intravenous administration bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, allowing maximum absorption, and unlike some vitamins and pills, it won’t irritate your stomach.
This mode of IV nutrient administration is becoming increasingly popular, and our blends can help with anti-aging, detoxification, weight reduction, improved energy and athletic performance, improved immunity, and can help provide balance in the body.
Help rid your body of pollutants and metals while boosting your immune system. The Detox IV features our body’s master antioxidant, glutathione. Besides supporting detoxification and the immune system, this IV supports energy and iron levels, circulation and blood sugar.
Detoxify with Carbon-Based Technology
CellCore Biosciences supplements support the body’s natural ability to detox with unique carbon technology to assist immune, digestive and mitochondrial health. Effective and gentle, these supplements are designed to support overall cellular health and provide natural, root cause solutions for those with system imbalances.
Here’s a look at a few we’ve found to work well with patients:
CellCore BC-ATP for Mitochondria and Detox Support:
• Boosts mental clarity and performance
• Promotes sustained energy levels
• Supports natural detox processes and the gut microbiome
CellCore BioToxin Binder for Microbiome and Detox Support
• Helps the body’s natural ability to detoxify
• Promotes gut health and immune function
• Supports cellular repair
CellCore Bowel Mover for Microbiome and Detox Support
• Helps promote natural intestinal peristalsis to keep the bowels moving regularly
• Encourages soft stools that are easy and comfortable to eliminate
• Supports normal gut microbial composition to promote immune and digestive health
These supplements are only available through our practitioner-led dispensary. Let your provider know if you’re interested in finding out which CellCore supplements might support your detox goals. We welcome your questions and look forward to working with you.
How to Support Detox with Lifestyle and Nutrition
The following is a primer on some of the different types of cleanses designed to kick-start a healthier lifestyle and help steer us away from chronic disease. Always discuss any dietary changes, detoxes or cleanses with your healthcare practitioner prior to starting, to ensure it’s right for you.
Digestive Detox
A digestive detox is a gentle detoxification plan aimed at supporting the body’s main elimination system through specific foods and supplementation. It focuses on reducing potentially inflammatory animal products such as meat and dairy as well as potential intestinal irritants such as gluten and caffeine. Fresh and ideally organic fruits and vegetables are encouraged, as are fermented foods and increased water consumption. Alcohol is avoided as are processed foods, including those high in refined sugars, preservatives, and other additives.
Supplementation is encouraged, particularly those that aid digestion and support the liver. Common supplements taken during a digestive detox are probiotics, dandelion, milk thistle, burdock root, digestive enzymes and a fiber supplement that is right for your body.
Juice or Liquid Cleanse
It is important to note that a liquid cleanse is not safe for everyone and should be supervised. A juice or liquid cleanse approaches detoxification by only consuming juices or liquids for a set amount of time, typically lasting between 3 – 10 days. Fresh juices are pressed from ideally organic vegetables and some fruits, contain no additives or sweeteners, and the pulp is not consumed. Caffeine is prohibited as is alcohol. Lemon juice and spices that stimulate the digestive process, and thus detoxification, such as cayenne and ginger are often included in the juices.
The reasoning behind the juice or liquid cleanse is that by only consuming liquids, especially those that are high in enzymes, the body is given a rest from the physical process of breaking down food, while still being fully nourished with micronutrients and natural sugar. Studies have shown that during the cleanse, an increase in intestinal microbiota associated with weight loss and increased health occurred.
Thankfully, there are other ways to support detoxification besides juice or liquid cleanses. Not to mention, they may be easier than you think.
Paleo Cleanse
The paleo cleanse is a high fat, low carb diet based on the premise that our bodies run optimally eating on par with how our ancestors ate during pre-agricultural times, aka during the Paleolithic era dating from approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. The reasoning behind the cleanse is the belief that our bodies have not had time to fully adapt to eating dairy and grains, (and of course most have not adapted to eating the processed foods developed over the last century either). By reducing carbohydrates, many report more balanced blood sugar metabolism.
A paleo cleanse focuses on eating high quality pastured, grass fed or wild meats, fish (especially cold-water fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids), nuts & seeds and their oils, as well as unrefined olive, coconut and avocado oils, most vegetables, and some fruit. Foods to avoid during a paleo cleanse are dairy, grains, legumes, refined sugars, salt, and processed foods.
Liver Detox
Rather than focusing on detoxification in general, the liver detox focuses on supporting the liver as it is the body’s primary detoxification organ. Organic whole grains, nuts, legumes, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, eggs, and fish are encouraged, as are unprocessed oils. Alcohol, caffeine, processed foods and refined sugars are eliminated while water intake (with the addition of lemon juice in the morning glass) is increased.
Specific foods have been researched for their ability to support liver function, and increased consumption of these are encouraged. They include beets, ginger, garlic, turmeric, lemon, lime, apple cider vinegar, carrots, green apples, leafy greens, and walnuts. Herbal teas or supplements containing milk thistle and dandelion root are also used to support the different channels of detoxification in the liver.
How We Can Support Your Detox Goals
Confused and overwhelmed with how to best support your health? Talk to your practitioner about choosing the right detox or cleanse to support your goals. We can run lab tests to compare results before and after your program and provide you with a structured plan to help you succeed. Book an appointment, and together we can move forward to a healthier future. Call or text 314-721-2140 to get started.
References
Frassetto, L., Schloetter, M., Mietus-Synder, M. et al. Metabolic and physiologic improvements from consuming a paleolithic, hunter-gatherer type diet. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, 947–955 (2009).
Grant DM. Detoxification pathways in the liver. J Inherit Metab Dis. 1991;14(4):421-430. doi:10.1007/BF01797915
Gupta, L., Khandelwal, D., Lal, P. R., Kalra, S., & Dutta, D. (2019). Paleolithic Diet in Diabesity and Endocrinopathies – A Vegan’s Perspective. European endocrinology, 15(2), 77–82. https://doi.org/10.17925/EE.2019.15.2.77
Henning SM, Yang J, Shao P, et al. Health benefit of vegetable/fruit juice-based diet: Role of microbiome. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):2167. Published 2017 May 19. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-02200-6
Jaishankar M, Tseten T, Anbalagan N, Matthew BB, Beeregowda KN. Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2014;7(2):60-72. doi:10.2478/intox-2014-0009
Lindeberg, S., Jönsson, T., Granfeldt, Y. et al. A Paleolithic diet improves glucose tolerance more than a Mediterranean-like diet in individuals with ischaemic heart disease. Diabetologia 50, 1795–1807 (2007)