This is the time of year when patients ask me if it is time for a detoxification or cleansing program. I find it important to discover what the patient needs to be detoxifying from. Of course, there are the usual offenders in our environment, the foods we eat, the water we drink and air we breathe.
Certain foods can create toxins in our bodies. For example, eating too much sugar can increase candida or yeast in our digestive tract, which can make us feel tired, depressed and can cause skin rashes. Food dyes, coloring and pesticides can also be toxic for us, as are certain cleaning agents.
Heavy metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic are toxic to our bodies. They can come from coal processing, gold and silver mining, old paint, old home water pipes, and polluted foods to name a few.
I determine what the patient needs to detoxify from by doing lab testing. For example, to determine if there are excess heavy metals in the body, I will do a urine test for the patient, and then with a binding agent that takes a sample out of the cells to show what is stored in the body.
In the digestive tract, toxins can be determined by doing a stool test to look for evidence of bacterial overgrowth, candida overgrowth as well as parasites. These create a burden on our systems and can create diarrhea, bloating, nausea, skin rashes, acne and many other symptoms.
To treat the body that is overburdened by toxins after determining what toxins are there, I use specific nutrients to protect the body’s cells, to bind toxins and to help the body to excrete these toxins.
Glutathione is one of the nutrients I use to help the body protect itself from toxins. It is a nutrient that is produced by our body. When the body is overwhelmed by toxins, glutathione is depleted and the cells are not protected from toxins.
Diseases associated with glutathione depletion are:
Neurogenerative disorders: Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s
Chronic age-related diseases: cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and hearing impairment
Glutathione treatment is administered by intravenous route and can also be inhaled via a nebulizer. These are the best routes of administration. The pill form does not bring enough glutathione into the system.
There is a mind-body relationship with glutathione. Meditation has been demonstrated to increase glutathione levels in the body by at least twenty percent. This is a reminder of how we need to incorporate quiet, relaxing practices into our daily routine.
At Holman Health, we can help you meet your detoxification and cleansing needs. We offer IV therapy, supplements, doctor’s visits, and acupuncture to fine-tune your body so you can begin the new year with wellness.
Naturopathic Physician & Acupuncturist in Utah
