Detox & Disease

Detoxification seems to be such an important component in battling Lyme disease or any chronic illness.  If your detox pathways are blocked, then you are essentially "spinning your wheels".  You want to make sure this is not the case, and that your body is functioning at max capacity.  Here are some suggestions for implementing detox into your regimen.

Products, services, & Things to try at home:

• Infared Sauna - These saunas warm the body in the same manner as natural sunlight, but without the side effects of the sun.  This heat therapy increases circulation and stimulates the sweat glands that cleanse and detoxify the skin.  These saunas have also been reported to reduce pain and speed up the healing process.  Read about the 7 benefits of using an infared sauna.  Looking to buy one for home use?  Check out these portable devices [link 1, link 2] (I am in no way endorsing these, they have just been recommended by others).
• Lymphatic Drainage - This is a type of massage that helps to stimulate the lymphatic system.  Many people with Lyme and other chronic illnesses (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, etc.) have found it to be very helpful in their recovery.  Read more about lymph drainage.
• Skin Brushing - our skin is responsible for 25% of our detoxification each day.  Body brushing stimulates the lymphatic system so the lymph can circulate through out the body and travel back to the large vessels for excretion.  Read more about skin brushing.
• Epsom Salt & Baking Soda Baths - These help to remove toxins from your skin.  Add 1-2 cups of salts or 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda and soak for 20-30 minutes.
• Lemon Juice Tea - A lemon has 3x the amount of vitamin C as an orange.  Juice one lemon and pour it into a mug.  Add boiling water and a pinch of stevia.  Drink up!
• Smilax - Many naturopaths and herbalists report that Smilax assists in binding neurotoxins to help remove them from your system more quickly and efficiently.  I use the formula from RestorMedicine, although I'm sure there are plenty of other formulas out there.
• Green Drinks - a green powder with chlorophyll is great for helping your body to cleanse itself of toxins.  I really like Nanogreens, they've even got 10 servings of fruits & veggies mixed right in.

Some Helpful Articles (Thanks to the MDJunction Community for bringing these articles to my attention) about Lyme disease and detoxification:

• Detoxification is a vital part of the Lyme cure
• Detoxification is important during Lyme treatment
• Cleansing Neurotoxin Overload

Detoxify Your Body

Detoxification is a very important part of my daily life. I've learned how important it is (especially when you have a chronic illness) to eliminate toxins from your body. As I begin a new (and much more aggressive) treatment regimen, it is more important than ever for me to detox. If I am not diligent about this, the toxic load in my body can accumulate and when that happens there are many nasty side effects.

So, who should detoxify?  EVERYONE.  Why?  Because in today's society, we are constantly bombarded with chemicals that can seriously compromise our health.  Better to take preventative action now, than have to repair the damage later!  Here are some suggestions for anyone looking to detoxify:

• Greens - green vegetables contain chlorophyll, which is a natural detoxification agent.  Chlorophyll has also been shown to have anti-carcinogenic properties, as proven by a NIH study in 2007.(1)  Wheat grass shots are another great way to get your chlorophyll!
• Dry Skin Brushing - our skin is responsible for 25% of our detoxification each day.  Body brushing stimulates the lymphatic system so the lymph can circulate through out the body and travel back to the large vessels for excretion.  To see a video about dry skin brushing, click here.
• Epsom Salt Baths - scientifically known as hydrated magnesium sulfate, epsom salts help to promote perspiration and draw acidic waste through the pores of the skin.  (Caution: If you have high blood pressure or any heart condition, some suggest that you should not take an epsom salt bath!  Check with your doctor first.)  To read more about the benefits of epsom salt baths, you can read about it on the care2 website.
• Glutathione - the best way to consume this product is through a liquid liposomal formula or intravenously.  Glutathione in pill form is not effective, so don't waste your money!  (An effective product example: Tri-Fortfy from Advanced Nutritionals, this a powerful glutathione-based antioxidant that acts as a detoxing agent).  Results from a 2007 study published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention, shows that glutathione may enhance detoxification of carcinogens.(2)
• Water & Fiber - adding fiber to your diet will help detoxification by promoting regularity.  If you are not regular, accumulation of toxins in the gut (and possibly in the body if you have leaky gut) is inevitable.  Drinking plenty of water is absolutely necessary when you eat fiber!  Drinking water alone helps to dilute/eliminate toxins, cleanse the skin and our kidneys.
• Exercise - this helps to stimulate elimination through the skin as we sweat.  Additionally, it helps to stimulate circulation and our lymphatic system, both of which are important for detoxing.
• Herbal Formulas - there are many herbal formulas out there that assist with detoxification.  I take a specific herbal formula (Dr. Nicola's Detox #2), but there are many other options out there as well.  Milk thistle is said to be beneficial with liver protection and detoxification.(3)    

References:

1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9683196

2) http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/16/8/1662

3) http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/milk-thistle-000266.htm