Here’s What Canadians Need to Know about Cleansing

The effects of chronic exposure to stress, chemical pollutants, poor diet and environmental toxins take a toll on our health. Let’s face it; we live in a toxic world and we cannot deny it.

Here are the facts

• Today, there are between 300 and 500 chemicals in the average person’s body that were not present before 1920.
• There are more than 75,000 synthetic chemicals on the market today and each year there are thousands of new chemicals sold or used in new products.
• Each and every second 310 Kg of toxic chemicals are released into our air, land, and water by industrial facilities around the world which amounts to approximately 10 million tons each year. Of these, over 2 million tons are recognized carcinogens.
• Each year, air pollution prematurely kills up to an estimated 16,000 Canadians.
• This means air pollution leads to more premature deaths in Canada than traffic accidents, but generates less media attention and less government action.

Ideally, it would be great to avoid all of the pesticides and other chemical pollutants however this is simply not feasible. Therefore it is up to us to take responsibility for our own health and well-being and the first step towards optimal health is cleansing and detoxification.

Most people in Canada start out with vibrant health, but by age 30 begin to develop ‘minor’ irritations. These small problems become more serious, causing our health to fall into further decline. Eventually, chronic disease sets in and even everyday activities can cause pain or suffering. There are countless benefits to total body cleansing. After completing a cleanse many people report increased energy, improved digestion, weight loss and a feeling of better overall health.

How do you eliminate toxins?

The body has seven channels of elimination which are directly utilized to eliminate toxins:

The Liver – changes or detoxifies harmful toxins into substances that can be safely eliminated from the body.

The Colon – eliminates toxins from the liver as well as the waste which has accumulated in the intestines.

The Blood – flows through the vascular system and carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body while removing harmful waste.

The Lymphatic System – eliminates poisons from cells through a network of vessels that extend throughout the body.

The Skin – eliminates waste and toxins through perspiration.

The Lungs – expel toxins through breathing (ex. Carbon dioxide). Deep breathing stimulates lymphatic flow to eliminate toxins.

The Kidneys – receive water-soluble waste from the liver, so that they can be further filtered and finally eliminated through the bladder.

What should you look for when choosing a total body cleanse?

Always look for products that are “clean” meaning free from binders, fillers or excipients. You also want to ensure that the products are free from harsh ingredients. Herbal laxatives such as cascara sagrada and senna are commonly used in herbal cleansing products. These can become addictive over time and lead to a lazy bowel. It is better to use products that contain gentler options such as magnesium hydroxide or triphala. Last but not least, you do not need to fast, drink strange juices or follow a restrictive diet. A good herbal cleansing program should be formulated to work regardless of diet or lifestyle.