I work in the spa retreat industry as the resident Pilates teacher at the Como Shambhala Retreat at Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos. Right now the big spa buzz word is “detox”. People want detoxifying diets, detoxifying spa treatments, detoxifying products, and detoxifying activities such as Pilates and Yoga. Needless to say, I was more than interested to read a detox book written by well known PBS personality, bestselling author, and naturopathic doctor Brenda Watson, along with the prominent vascular and gastrointestinal surgeon Dr. Leonard Smith.
”This is the most important book I will write in my career. In June 2006 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nearly one-quarter of global disease is caused by environmental exposures... [saying] ’Well-targeted interventions can prevent much of this environmental risk,’ saving what could amount to millions of lives every year.”
We all know that our environment is full of synthetic and toxic chemicals that we must encounter and try to process every day. Watson begins The Detox Strategy by recommending a lab toxicity screen so that he reader can identify exactly what toxins and how much of them s/he is dealing with. These tests are relatively inexpensive (costs range from $79 to $359) and can be done by mail through analysis of feces, hair, liver function, blood, and/or urine. Hair can actually tell the best story, so is often the preferred sample. She also offers a self quiz for those unable to do the laboratory testing.
While she admits that it is impossible to live in the 21st century and avoid or eliminate toxins altogether, Watson offers attainable goals to limit and manage exposure to environmental toxins while strengthening our bodies’ ability to manage such substances.
Her program is a 6 part RENEW-al, composed of steps to: Reduce exposure to environmental toxins; Eliminate the toxins currently in the body; Nourish the body’s cells to support natural detoxification; Energize the body via exercise and relaxation; and maintenance of Wellness. None of this is crazy and at its most basic there are small steps that are easy and inexpensive to take and maintain.
For example, we can reduce exposure to toxins through air and water filters, natural non-toxic cleansers and body care products, organic foods, and probiotic and enzyme supplements. We can eliminate toxins already in our bodies through herbal cleansing regimens that involve taking morning and evening herbal cleansing supplements while also drinking lots of water, and if possible adding baths, saunas, and colonics. We can nourish our bodies through eating good whole foods (organic where possible), adding certain supplements known to help strengthen our cells, such as antioxidants, EFAs, amino acids, fiber, etc. Exercise, deep breathing, meditation, and other body-mind practices help us energize. And the combination of these steps leads to wellness.
Watson clearly explains and outlines every step of the process, giving options from the least invasive changes to the most radical. She explains why the changes are important and has done the research to back up her claims. I was prepared to not like this book, thinking it too difficult to implement and riding on the detox bandwagon, but Watson has done a great job of providing complex information in a clear, easy to understand, and most importantly easy to implement manner. Well done!
Article comments
1 - roulette strategy man
Is detoxing likely to help with kidney issues? I'm looking for something to help with dialysis patients.
2 - michael
I have been using Kombucha tea and found it to be quite good. The tea has antibiotic, antibacterial and antiviral properties and purifies the body by binding to toxins and promoting their excretion.