Achieving Optimal Health Through Detoxification

Health is one of our most important assets, yet few individuals live as though that were true. Many are unaware of the possibilities for achieving or maintaining optimal health. They may take it for granted and turn over the responsibility to others to take care of them, still unaware of all that they can do for themselves.    

Naturopathic Doctors are trained to fill in this gap in health care in educating clients about the process of health, healing and wellness on all levels of their being. We educate our clients about prevention while supporting them to eliminate the causes of illness and disease (not just the symptoms) in non-invasive ways in the shortest amount of time possible. Naturopaths make a real difference in individual lives and in their health care costs. I have personally made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of my clients.    

Recently, I recommended that a client try a Naturopathic approach for a “pinched nerve” in his elbow instead of getting an operation that cost $5000. Together, we’ve worked in a variety of ways to release tension in the shoulder muscles, effect appropriate response to stress on a daily basis, improve his posture and healthily change the way he uses his arms with his piano playing. In the process he is changing his diet, is off his cholesterol medication and is now looking at his depression, diabetes and blood sugar levels in a whole new way. He has even found that through a change of diet that he can reduce his insulin intake to half its former levels. While he is very happy to learn more about what he can do for himself, he feels more powerful, seeing that he is improving his long term health and wellness and reducing health care costs.

One of the areas that I most like to specialize in with clients health care is cleansing and detoxification, especially because the clients receive such great results. In such a short period of time, clients often observe changes that they may not have thought possible.

Currently, there are over 85,000 synthetic chemicals registered for use in the US. More than 90% of these chemicals have not been tested for their effects on human health. Many of these chemicals such as dioxins, PCB’s and DDT are linked to cancer. Shockingly, 200 of these have been detected in human breast milk. In 2003, 40,000 women are expected to have died from breast cancer and an estimated 267,000 new cases are expected to have been diagnosed. Breast cancer is just one of the ways in which toxic environmental overload shows up in a disease process. Other disease processes include infertility, endocrine disorders, thyroid imbalances, learning disabilities, suppressed immune system, arthritis, miscarriage and reproductive failure.

This year at the University of Texas, a toxic flame retardent from  various consumer goods was found in human breast milk. Levels of this class of chemical called PBDE’s (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are found to be 10 to 100 times higher in the breast milk of American women as opposed to European women, because European legislation mandated their elimination years ago. PBDE’s are substances commonly found in furniture, computers, automobiles and animal fat.

Synthetic chemicals including solvents, pesticides, fuels, flame retardents and heavy metals are present and accumulate in water, air, soil, and food. These chemicals accumulate in animal and human body fat and can remain there and in breast tissue for decades. When mothers breastfeed their babies, pollutants are often passed along to the infants.

Animal studies show that damage from environmental exposure of toxic chemicals does developmentally effect the nervous system tissue of the fetus. Exposure in first trimester of pregnancy is when the fetus is most vulnerable and the toxins most harmful.

In 2002, two “body burden” studies for human exposure to toxic chemicals were accomplished. At Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, the Environmental Working Group tested urine/blood of 9 volunteers & found: “167 chemicals of which 76 cause cancer in humans or animals, 94 are toxic to brain and nervous system and 79 cause birth defects or abnormal development. The Center for Disease Control found 116 environmental chemicals including dioxins, PCB’s, phthalates, DDT and other pesticides in 2,500 US citizens during 1999-2000.

Researchers at the University of Washington analyzed the urine of 100 school children and found that 99 had detectable levels of pesticides in their systems. Only one child had no evidence of exposure because he ate organic foods.

Dr. Linda Birnbaum from the Experimental Toxicology Division of the EPA states that “dioxins can promote the growth of endometriosis, a painful condition which may produce scar tissue and infertility.    

Other research has found that pesticides frequently found in drinking water are associated with lower sperm counts in men. The male sperm count has actually dropped 50% in 50 years. Theo Colburn’s book “Our Stolen Future”, discusses the many toxic effects of hormone disruptors or chemical pollutants on our health and the environment. From hyperactivity from PCB’s to infertility, cancer, thyroid and endocrine disorders and mercury in immunizations which has been correlated to autism, we cannot underestimate the effects of the present environmental pollution epidemic. 

You may ask, “why are there so many toxins in our food, air and water?” or “how can increased use of pesticides and herbicides on genetically modified crops  be healthy for me and my family?”

You might think that the government was looking out for our welfare. At this point though, industry is actually being given more leeway to pollute than 10 years ago. Certainly most individuals believe that industry should be required to prove the safety of any chemical both for human health and the environment before it is put on the market. But at this point, we are not being safeguarded.

Presently the effects of toxicity from Water Pollution, Pesticides, Nicotine, carbon monoxide, caffeine, nitrates can result in:

• Undermining health and vitality and contribute to chronic illness and disease
• Result in fatigue, allergies, obesity, digestive problems,  and chronic afflictions
• Overload normal channels of elimination for toxins such as the liver, kidneys & intestines
• Overburdened eliminative systems (kidneys, colon, skin etc.) 

Excess weight problems can arise from preservatives, food additives, alcohol and environmental chemicals because the body produces fatty tissue to store these harmful chemicals. This toxic buildup causes preventable illnesses such as: headaches, cancer, depression, fatigue, bloating, excess weight, poor digestion, insomnia, water retention and premature aging.

To reverse many of these chronic illnesses and imbalances individuals may use cleansing and detoxification and juice fasting to support the process. Dietary changes, organic foods, herbs, enzymes and exercise are also important in this process. In doing any type of cleansing it is very important for your safety to see a qualified practitioner who can guide you through the detoxification process.

Juice Fasting Program By Becky Mulkern, ND 

Today, 1000’s of individuals have participated in my juice fasting program. Some have even done it by phone. They have lost weight, improved their energy, eliminated symptoms, reversed chronic illness, learned a great deal about nutrition and changed their health forever. It is a easy and enlivening program taught for groups and individuals and adapted to each individuals needs and health conditions. It is a 4 week program, involving a transition week at the beginning and end and a 2 week juice fast in the middle (all adaptable to the individual). Individuals are surprised to find that it is so easy to do. Many wish that they decided to join the program earlier. During the process I am available to provide support and answer questions while the process is unfolding.   

Becky Mulkern is a Naturopathic Doctor who has had a practice at the Center for Natural Health in Conway, NH for 30 years. She may be reached at 603-447-3070. www.centerfornaturalhealth.com