CLINICAL DETOXIFICATION AT ATRIUM HEALTH SERVICES (Part One)The road to optimal health, while highly individualized, is built upon the bedrock of core principles common to all humankind. Paramount among these principles is the concept of detoxification. As global warming illustrates, we live in an increasingly toxic world. The accumulation of these poisons undoubtedly has serious effects not only upon human health but also every organism on the planet.
During my undergraduate studies in pre-medical college in the early 1970's, I discovered a report by the American Cancer Association which concluded that at least 90% of cancers at that time were due to environmental toxins. The report's recommendation was to develop a vaccine to keep people from getting cancer when exposed to these various toxins. While some skeptics would argue that the scientific literature is inconclusive with respect to human toxicity and its relationship to disease, this conclusion has serious flaws. One of the most important considerations is the concept of synergy.
Synergistic EffectsFor example, most humans can drink a few beers without any negative repercussions. They can likewise take a prescription-sized dose of barbiturates for some ailment without serious consequence. If the two are combined, however, it can prove deadly. That is because the synergistic effect of these two substances together is much greater than a simple summation of the two effects.
The FDA currently allows untold thousands of man-made toxic substances into the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. Not only is it impossible to predict the effects of the combination of all these different ingredients, but it is even more difficult to predict their effects upon a given individual. Sherry A. Rogers, M.D. may have said it best in the title of her book, Detoxify or Die. While we agree with Dr. Rogers" basic premise, we have found certain methods of detoxification to be more effective than those she promotes.
IntroductionMost cleansing procedures target specific components of detoxification. In her ground-breaking book, Clinical Purification, Gina L. Nick, Ph.D., N.D. illustrates that detoxification is a complex, multi-step venture requiring intervention at various levels. In order to truly cleanse the system, one must begin at the intracellular level. If a toxic substance is trapped within cells or structures such as nervous system, bone, liver, etc., attempts to rid the body of toxins will be compromised until the toxic substances are extracted from those structures.
As an example, this concept is crucial in detoxification of heavy metals such as aluminum, lead and mercury. These metals often concentrate in bone and nervous tissue and are thought to result in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Eventually the essential avenues of exit include the skin, lungs, colon, liver and kidneys.
To complicate matters further, all of these various structures depend upon nutrition, nerve supply and vital energy to perform their functions optimally. For example, if one has a spinal misalignment resulting in decreased nerve energy to the kidneys, they may be unable to function or detoxify properly. If one has a cranial distortion affecting the pituitary gland, then that individual may not sweat normally and thereby be deficient in skin detoxification. Another individual may be deficient in a micro nutrient or trace mineral inhibiting liver or colon function, and the result can be improper detoxification. Ultimately, detoxification is simply one of five essential steps in the nutritional process which are:
1. Ingestion
2. Digestion
3. Absorption
4. Assimilation
5. Elimination
Improper function of any of the first four will result in compromised detoxification. Each of these functions is intimately dependent upon the others.
The overall vitality of the organism is a further component in the detoxification process. If you have overall low vitality, your body is going to be less likely to have the appropriate energetic resources to detoxify optimally.
For example, in some individuals, exercise or proper breathing may be the best activity to increase detoxification. Because the human body is a complicated and integrated system, it is erroneous and far too simplistic to blame all conditions and diseases upon toxicity. However, the importance of detoxification is often overlooked and bears serious consideration. Since the environmental liabilities are inescapable, it is recommended that all persons interested in optimal health engage in a routine detoxification program.
At Atrium Health Services, we promote a variety of techniques and procedures tailored to the individual that fall into basically two separate categories:
1. Generalized detoxification.
2. Specific detoxification.
It is useful to explore the distinctions between general versus specific detoxification.
General DetoxificationMost programs have a one-size-fits-all approach to detoxification. At Atrium Health Services, we realize that the individual nature of each patient encompasses a vast range of needs, sensitivities and personal characteristics. With this in mind, we offer a variety of approaches to detoxification.
General procedures include therapies such as saunas, fasting, juice fasting, raw food diets and similar programs. Each of the above-mentioned approaches can accelerate human detoxification by facilitating the natural physiological mechanisms. These are, of course, excellent things to do. However, due to the complexity and nature of some of the toxic substances we all encounter, these measures may not yield optimal results.
Some toxic substances are too chemically complex to be effectively processed by simply increasing the body’s natural mechanisms. Utilizing the wealth of information outlined in Clinical Purification by Dr. Gina L. Nick, Ph.D., N.D., Standard Process Inc., a leader in whole foods nutrition, devised SP Cleanse®. This product contains a specifically-formulated collection of nutrients and herbs designed to facilitate and promote detoxification at every level. This is the most generally effective detoxification product we have encountered. SP Cleanse® stimulates detoxification out of the tissues from the intracellular level into the blood stream and enables each of the organs and systems of detoxification to do their jobs more efficiently.
It is essential to understand that if a "blockage” at any level or stage of the detoxification process occurs, you can experience a “backup” or “congestion” of the entire chain of events. This is why we believe that SP Cleanse® is not only the best product available but also the best place to begin a detoxification program or to use routinely on an ongoing basis. It can also be an effective adjunct to any detoxification program.
FastingFasting is a time-honored approach to detoxification, and many people have reported extraordinary results from an extended fast. At one time fasting clinics were found throughout Europe, and the relief that many achieved from often debilitating conditions was amazing. If you are interested in fasting, we would encourage you to investigate some of the literature on this subject.
A true fast is a mental, emotional and physical, if not spiritual, experience. Ideally, it should be conducted only under conditions of greatly reduced stress; thus, in our modern-day society it tends to be very impractical. However, if you are so moved to investigate this approach, and we suggest you work with a qualified professional to monitor your progress.
Many experts are wary of advising fasting methods for most people, especially if they're very sick. Because we are subjected to a wide variety of very complex toxins, they feel that this “cocktail of poisons,” if released too quickly in the body, may have negative side effects. The true traditional fasting state can produces significant discharge of toxic materials. Very often intracellular poisons are released into the bloodstream and cannot be easily discharged from the body. As a result, the individual may experience undue discomfort, if not damage, from the inability to fully excrete the toxins being released. In other words, the strict water fasting can be too harsh for many systems due to the multitude and concentration of toxins that exist in modern man.
This again underscores the value of utilizing SP Cleanse® by Standard Process Inc. in your detoxification procedures. This product effectively facilitates the detoxification process from every level, beginning from the intracellular to the exiting from the body.
SP Cleanse® DosageIn our experience we find a wide range of individual responses to any detoxification program. The recommended first step in detoxification is to take SP Cleanse® along with your regular diet. The suggested dosage is seven capsules with a large glass of water three times a day between meals. If your system is particularly toxic or you tend to be highly sensitive, the recommended dosage would be three to five capsules with a large glass of water three times a day between meals for a month or so. Should even this reduced amount lead to undesirable symptoms or other negative effects from detoxifying too quickly, simply reduce the dosage to a comfortable level, even if it is only one or two capsules per day.
If you know yourself to be overly toxic or have prior experience with detoxification and choose to increase the dosage, we have had patients take ten or more capsules three times a day (again, with a large glass of water) in order to accelerate their progress. However, if you are less familiar with detoxification, then the lower dosage is recommended for a trial period of a week or so in order to evaluate your response to the process.
SP Cleanse® is truly one of our single most important and effective detoxification products. If one uses only SP Cleanse® as a detoxification program without any other measure, you will make significant progress toward optimizing your health and possibly even preventing toxic-related diseases in the future.
For the beginner in detoxification programs, we recommend a 2-3 month regimen if using SP Cleanse® alone. Many individuals report feeling better while on the program, and these improvements tend to last even when one is placed on a maintenance regimen. Others report no discernable difference while detoxifying. Whether or not you will actually have any noticeable improvement in your overall well-being is unpredictable. One of the commonly-reported positive outcomes is an improvement in bowel function and increased energy levels.
As stated earlier, certain cancers are known to be caused by specific toxins in the environment. But the person who is accumulating these toxins does not necessarily suffer any adverse effects until it is way too late when the cancer is discovered. Experts in the field generally conclude that the onset of the cancer process begin 5-10 years prior to the tumor becoming large enough to be detected. As with cancer, the effects of toxic buildup may not be realized for several years. Therefore, it is equally likely that the full therapeutic effect of a detoxification program may only manifest after years of intervention. This is why it is recommended that routine and active detoxification by products such as SP Cleanse be made a part of every wellness program.
It should be noted, however, that during the initial stages of the detoxification process, others may actually experience lowered energy levels. This is an indication that you are indeed toxic, and greater energies are being spent eradicating those toxins from your body. If you have too vigorous a reaction, we recommend you simply cut back on the SP Cleanse®, increase your water intake and continue the program for a longer period of time.
For further information concerning Clinical Detoxification at Atrium Health Services including Level 2 and Level 3 programs, click HERE
As always, first consult with an appropriate health-care specialist before beginning any Standard Process or other nutritional program
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