OUR MAGNIFICENT BODIES
Natural Detoxification
by Jenine Cohoon, MHN, PhDc

Our magnificent bodies were designed with seven pathways that work together to maintain health. They are known as the seven "channels" of elimination. They are the liver, lungs, lymphatic system, colon, kidneys, blood and skin. When these seven pathways are working optimally, the body eliminates waste and detoxifies itself naturally 24 hours a day. When the body is able to perform this natural detoxification optimally, disease simply does not exist. When any of these seven pathways are compromised, complications arise giving a foothold to a host of messengers (symptoms) and disease.

When the body confronts a foreign substance or toxin, it uses these pathways to purge the toxin as quickly as it can. Unfortunately, any of these pathways can become burdened by the toxins that surround us in our environment, whether from food, air, water or having been directly exposed to toxins and chemicals. In this case the body is forced to store the toxins it cannot eliminate properly through these seven pathways of elimination. The body then struggles to eliminate them again, or, stores it deep within the tissues. This stresses and compromises the cells of the body. Cells in this condition do not perform at their best, which compromises the entire body and its systems.

If someone is experiencing ill health, then one or more of these seven pathways are not functioning properly. If our bodies did not eliminate waste and toxins daily, we would die immediately. Unfortunately, our lives today are bombarded with toxic overload from food, air, water and other environmental causes. It is important to do all we can to support each and every pathway of elimination, allowing it to perform its function of constant natural detoxification, which ensures cell health and a strong immune system.

A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, pure water in sufficient amounts and high quality natural food, rest, fresh air and the right supplements is essential to supporting the seven pathways and giving them every edge necessary to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively.
The Seven Pathways of Elimination:

The Liver. The liver has 500 distinct functions, which is more than any other organ. It is a factory that metabolizes food, filters toxins, and it converts substances into a more friendly substance that is needed by the body. It is also a storage center of vitamins, fats, and sugars, as well as other nutrients. The liver builds chemicals that the body needs and it works hard to breakdown toxic substances such as alcohol. The liver excretes toxins into a fluid called bile. The liver even helps to clean the blood (another pathway of elimination). Ways to help the liver function at its best is to not introduce any new toxins or chemicals through food or water. Eat a natural whole foods diet and drink purified or spring water. Cut back on any unnecessary medications with your physician's approval.

The Lungs. Toxins are expelled as a gas through the lungs. This exchange takes place through proper breathing and is enhanced and accelerated by exercise (notice how you breathe when exercising!). Breathing and exercise oxygenates the blood and removes toxic waste more effectively. Proper breathing and exercise also strengthens the lungs allowing them to perform their functions even better. Ways to help the lungs function at their best is to ensure that exercise and deep breathing is done daily and with fresh air. You can do this breathing exercise any time you think about it: Breathe out as much air in your lungs as possible, even more than you think you can. Hold that empty state for five seconds and then slowly breathe in new fresh air through the nose until the lungs are full, taking in even more air than you think you can. Hold that full state for five seconds. Repeat five times.

The Lymphatic System. The lymphatic system is like a metabolic garbage can for the body. It carries out dead cells, nitrogenous wastes, fat, infections, viruses, heavy metals and other toxins. The lymph system needs movement to allow it to carry out this waste from the body. Brisk walking with exaggerated arm movements is very effective. Rebounding on a mini trampoline is also extremely effective. This type of exercise provides the stimulus for drainage of toxins and poisons. This is critical because the lymph system does not have its own pump; it is dependant on movement. The body was meant to move! The lymph system dumps its toxins into the blood stream to be carried out of the body. For those that are not able to move due to injury or severe illness, consider a lymphatic massage.

The Colon. The role of the colon is critical in maintaining health and a healthy immune system. The colon transports waste out of the body. It is crucial that the colon eliminate toxins effectively. Otherwise, the body will reabsorb the same toxins it was trying to eliminate, and it begins to compromise nutrition absorption, healthy flora balance and toxin elimination. If the body experiences constipation, or if the bowels are lined with toxic waste (encrustations), or if the bowels are slow, then the toxin level increases and pathogenic microorganism grow and outnumber the normal healthy flora. Probiotics can help re-establish the balance of healthy flora. However, if the bowels are slow and sluggish, the cycle continues. An effective colon cleanse to remove the encrustations is important. This can be achieved by changing the diet to whole natural foods, adding fiber such as psyllium, effective probiotics, and in some situations a natural, non-toxic oxygen based colon cleanse such as Oxy-Powder.

The Kidneys. The kidneys work hard to cleanse the blood. They produce the waste urine. The greatest support for the kidneys is lots of pure water. Drinking at least half your weight in ounces (if you weigh 150 lbs, then drink at least 75 ounces of water) is recommended, however, more is better. Spring water or reverse osmosis water is best.

The Blood: Blood is a liquid organ. Blood and the circulatory system perform optimally when the walls of arteries, veins and capillaries are free from being coated with inorganic waste. These structures need to be free flowing in an elastic and expanding environment. When the arteries, veins and capillaries are coated they become weak and brittle and the cleaning pathway is severely compromised. Several other pathways of elimination use the blood system to "dump" their toxins into, so it is imperative that the blood system work properly. Next, the liquid blood itself needs to remain cleansed. This can be accomplished by a whole natural food diet, and taking digestive enzymes between meals.

The Skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body. It is responsible for a whopping 30% of the detoxification efforts of the body. Using natural soap, dry brushing and sweating maintains healthy elastic skin capable of releasing about two pounds of toxins daily. Dry skin brushing helps in removing dead skin and keeps the pores open. This can be done with a dry skin brush found in most health food stores. Good skin care ensures this pathway continues to function optimally and also helps relieve some of burden that may be placed on the other pathways of elimination. It is imperative to perspire to eliminate toxins through the skin. Regular exercise can achieve this, or a sauna or steam bath. Our bodies want to be well and will do all it can to get well. Give it the right opportunity and you will see how magnificent your body is!

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After reading last month's column on fungus control, the following letter was received from a reader:

Hello Jenine,

I'm just writing in response to the article entitled "Fungus Control". After working on the article to prepare it for the Web site, I ran right out and purchased some Oreganol. I began taking the wild oregano, diluted with my daily intake of blueberry and pomegranate juice. I had been suffering from a mild form of asthma that's usually triggered by dust and other allergies and had become accustomed to using my inhaler every morning.

About 2-3 days after including wild oregano in my "daily routine", with the exception of using my inhaler after a big cleaning project, I haven't come remotely close to using the inhaler. I also feel better in my body and even lost a few pounds.

I look forward to more improvements and benefits, but in the meantime, I just wanted to say….Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Darren Hood
Lakeshore Guardian Webmaster

• • •

Dear Darren,
Thank you for your comments! Congratulations for implementing what you learned! I am so happy you have found relief from the mild asthma and the need to use the inhaler much less, if at all. The benefits of feeling better and dropping a few pounds must feel good too. Isn't it amazing what the body can do when given the right opportunities with the right products?

Sincerely,
Jenine

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For Oxy-Powder or for more information on products discussed here, for books by Doug Kaufmann and Cass Ingram, for products discussed on Know the Cause by Doug Kaufmann and his guests, and for my own personal recommendations as a holistic nutritional consultant, visit me at www.drjenine.com.

References:
http://chetday.com/spencedetox.html
http://www.ringwoodhealthclinic.com/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/
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**DISCLAIMER: The law requires that I must state the following: The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to either directly or indirectly diagnose, give medical advice or prescribe treatment. Unless specifically referenced, the information has not been scientifically validated or approved by any government or regulatory agency. Please consult with your physician or other licensed health care professional for medical diagnosis and treatment. Recommendations are based on nutritional support to rejuvenate the body and based on what I would do for specific needs.