DETOXIFICATION

This is a huge topic and the most important category of all. I’ve broken this down into 2 categories. Stopping toxic exposure is first and most important because it is hard to decrease your toxic load if you keep filling up your toxin bucket. The second area focuses on how to help your body eliminate all of the toxins you hold in your body.

STOPPING TOXIC EXPOSURE

PURIFY YOUR WATER

I use a reverse osmosis system to purify my drinking water and I use a shower filter to purify the water that touches my body. A whole house purification system would be ideal if you are able to make the investment. Your skin is a permeable membrane and toxins can get in through the skin.
The reverse osmosis unit removes minerals from your water so you need to make sure you supplement minerals.(see supplements section) I am using the I spring system with remineralizing cartridges

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LJ8EXU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  I am not sure I would do this again because the cartridges are hard to change.
  I am currently using the Nikken shower filter

• https://www.amazon.com/Nikken-PiMag-MicroJet-Shower-System/dp/B01MDJEHAU/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=nikken+shower+filter&qid=1578788248&sr=8-6 and it removes the chlorine stress from my body according to SCIO

EAT ORGANIC FOOD

What we eat is another way for toxins to enter the body. These days most of our food is grown with chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides like glyphosate. Because my goal was to eliminate as many toxins from my body as possible, I decided to buy as much organic food as possible. I had learned that there are several classes of food quality. Biodynamic foods are grown using the best soil techniques that have been developed over centuries. This method of growing taps into the cycles and energy of the earth and universe and produces the most nutritious food. You will find biodynamic food at farmers markets, but not usually in stores.

Meat can be a complex subject. I know that I still need to eat some meat to feel well although I now eat much less than when my body was actively repairing from my Lyme disease. Animals that are naturally grown in a low stress, free range environment and eating an organic diet provide the best quality meat. Most meat sold today has passed through a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) where they are given genetically modified grains to fatten them up and antibiotics because of the crowded, stressful environment. For me I consider this animal abuse and I never buy this type of meat. Use your vote the next time you go to the store or farmers market. The price will be higher but the price will come down as we all ban together to demand healthier food. Remember what goes into the animal ultimately goes into you.

CLEAN UP YOUR CLEANING PRODUCTS

Laundry and Cleaning

Cleaning products are some the most toxic products around. Please investigate your laundry products and dryer sheets. Fortunately, the EWG tracks chemicals in our cleaning and personal care products and has developing a certification, called EWG VERIFIED™, for less toxic products. The EWG’s guide to healthy cleaning is a video describing some of the toxins in our cleaning supplies, while this site: https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners has a list of products and a safety rating for each and a description of offending ingredients. Their ratings encompass five categories: Asthma/Respiratory, Skin Allergies and Irritation, Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity, Cancer and Environment. This will help you find a product that suits your situation. Over time, you will become more familiar with the most toxic ingredients.

BODY CARE PRODUCTS

Again the skin is permeable so what goes on your skin ends up in your body. There are many references in my book to me being sensitive to perfumes. My body knew very early on that there were many toxins in perfumes. Many cosmetics and creams contain endocrine disruptors, heavy metals and carcinogens. Very few of the chemicals in our body care products are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration so you’ve got to do the research yourself. Fortunately, the EWG has you covered! EWG’s Skin Deep Guide can help with this. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

I know it is hard to throw away those expensive cosmetics, so you might try replacing them one at a time. I have been surprised at the quality of the healthy products I have been buying. Sometimes it takes some experimenting but you health is worth it. You will stay beautiful for longer and be healthy from the inside out when you get these toxins out of your life.

If you live close to St. Clairsville, Ohio you can treat yourself to a facial by Roseanne 304-218-1011. She uses only non toxic products and carries a wide range of cosmetics. Look for people in your area consciously using healthier products and ask for organic cosmetics. If we keep asking it will come!

AIR PURIFICATION

There are many air purification devices on the market and after doing some research I decided to use one with a pre-carbon filter and then a HEPA filter. I purchased a WINIX unit from Costco and have been pleased. Some units claim to be more effective, but I guess I was not completely convinced it was worth the extra money.

LIMIT EXPOSURE TO PLASTICS

We’ve all heard about the bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics and how they’ve been replaced by so-called non-toxic alternatives. It is not known if the replacements for BPA have similar issues but many in the alternative health world think they are no better, just less studied.
BPA is contained in the lining of some food cans, coffee cups, pizza boxes and is still in some plastics. BPA is pervasive and we can absorb it through our skin with printer receipts, through our mouth with dental sealants.

Take a look at Bridgit Danner’s website. This article talks about plastics in the kitchen. https://www.bridgitdanner.com/womens-wellness-blog/avoiding-toxins-plastics-in-the-kitchen?

I don’t use much plastic any more. All of my storage containers are now glass. If you do continue to use plastic please do not heat it up. I cringe at the thought of the vegetables I used to buy in those plastic microwavable pouches. Some of the plastic can leach into your food when heated. Again I thought if it was sold it was safe for me. WRONG. Avoid packaged and canned foods and plastic baby bottles for the same reason. Try not to touch grocery store receipts and seek out natural feminine hygiene products.

ELIMINATE MOLD EXPOSURE

It seems mold has certainly followed me around throughout my life. After I moved to Cape Charles I found mold in my upstairs bathroom from a slow toilet leak. I now know my body so well that I knew mold was back in my life. This mold was completely hidden but I knew it was there. I had a contractor cut a hole in my ceiling below my bathroom because I was that sure mold would be there. He thought I was really being extreme because my house looked perfect. Sure enough there it was. We quickly closed the hole and taped plastic over it until Green Home Solutions could treat my house.

In retrospect doing a mold test might have made more sense. The ERMI is a dust sample test that using a DNA based method of testing that will identify and quantify molds. It is probably best to have a reputable company come to your home to do air sample tests for you.

After harmful mold had been identified it must be safely removed. Just dumping some Clorox on it (as the contractor in my book did) was not the answer. The mold spores and the toxic mycotoxins they produced were spread throughout my home. The area should have been tented off with negative pressure and vented outside and then the mold should be eliminated. Some companies use very toxic chemicals to do this so consider this before you hire someone. The company I hired for remediation used a plant based enzymatic product to get rid of my problem. They sprayed this product throughout my entire house to try to eliminate mold spores and mycotoxins that were on my belongings. This was much easier than the last time I went through remediation when I had to wash all my belongings I chose to keep.

The easiest way to know if mold is affecting you is to have a urine mycotoxin test done. I had mine done at Great Plains Labs. A less expensive option is to take an online VCS (Visual Contrast Sensitivity) test. This test is much less exact but may give you a starting place.

STAY AWAY FROM:

Teflon
Throw away any scratched pan. When I looked into PFOA and the fact that it is classified as a probable human carcinogen I knew I didn’t want to take any chances and I threw away perfectly good unscratched pans. Ceramic is a better choice.

Pesticides and Herbicides
These chemicals are particularly damaging to human health. When I lecture I frequently talk about the wonderful dandelion. This is a very healthy food for us and we have been convinced by the chemical companies that we need to eradicate them from our lawns. I have reeducated my eye and I now look at them and see beauty. Just watch a child gleefully blow their seeds throughout your lawn to see pure joy. Let’s all join together to change our idea of beauty and start eating the dandelions in our yard instead of killing them with poison.

I would watch my horses in the springtime selectively graze on dandelions. They are loaded with healthy nutrients and horses still know what is good for them to eat. The chemical companies have somehow convinced people that it is best to use products like Pasture Pro on their pastures because they contain weeds. Some weeds are toxic but healthy horses know not to eat those things. If you really want a weed eliminated pull it out by the root. Other very important “weeds” are being taken out of the horses nutrient supply and medicine chest. To make things worse Pasture Pro contains 2,4-D which has been labeled a possible human carcinogen by the World Heath Organization’s IARC. This chemical was one of the ingredients in Agent Orange. On the bottle for Gordon’s Pasture Pro it says “ No Waiting Between Treatment and Grazing”. I am so sorry that so many of my horse friends are being exposed to this toxicity. There are other ways to get healthy pastures without using toxic chemicals.

Round Up is mentioned quite often in my book and the minute I heard about its effects I started eating a non- GMO diet. Glyphosate has detrimental effects on our gut bacteria, so I try to make sure I am not ingesting it at all. This is very hard to do because as more testing has been done, it has been found that many water supplies and much of our food is contaminated.

Flame Retardants
You would not think flame-retardants could be toxic because children’s pajamas, car seats, our mattresses, and much of our furniture have been doused with it over the years. Some of these chemicals are being now phased out because of potential toxic effects but they will remain in our environment for years to come.

Air Fresheners
Many air fresheners contain phthalates
Consider diffusing organic pure essential oils

Scented Candles
Do some research before buying candles. Some give off toxins and some wicks are loaded with lead.

Halogens
Fluoride, bromine and chlorine can interfere with iodine’s ability to bind at its receptor site. Iodine is critical for proper thyroid function.

• Fluoride
  Most toothpastes and some water supplies contain fluoride. Fluoride is a neurotoxin and can lower the IQ of babies and children. See the Fluoride Action Network (http://fluoridealert.org/) for more information about toxic fluoride.
  I cringed as I learned this because my daughter’s pediatrician prescribed vitamins with added fluoride. I dutifully fed them this poison every day. Sorry girls I just didn’t know any better. Years later when I did hear about people protesting fluoride in the water supply, I just dismissed them as troublemakers. Now that I have had the time to do the research on my own, I regret my closed mindedness.

• Bromine
  Bromine is added to bread as an anti-caking agent. Eliminate flours and breads containing potassium bromate from your diet.

• Chlorine
  Chlorine is added to most municipal water systems and it is also added to swimming pools to kill bacteria. I can’t help but wonder if this chlorine is also hindering our gut bacteria.

• Gasoline Fumes
  Stand downwind when you pump gasoline
  These fumes contain benzene which are very toxic.

• Aluminum Foil
  Do not let it touch your food. It can leach into your food.
  I remember covering chicken and meats with foil as I was roasting and using it to line the grill. When I took the roasts out of the oven the foil would be pitted. I didn’t ever even think that the missing aluminum might be in my food. I now use parchment paper.

This list could go on and on. I don’t mean to overwhelm you, but I am hoping you will be more curious about what is safe for you and your animals.

ELIMINATING ACCUMULATED TOXINS

Now for how to get rid of it all!

• Infrared Sauna
  I still use my sauna almost daily because it makes me feel so good. Before purchasing my sauna I did not sweat and sweating is an excellent way to detoxify your body.

• Chelation Therapy
  Chelation is the process of removing heavy metals from the body. Heavy metals like lead, aluminum, and mercury can enter the body through the mouth and via injection. When these metals accumulate in the body, they need to be safely removed because they can cause significant neurological issues. Chelation can be performed in a doctor’s office via an intravenous infusion or at home using some of the items I’ve listed below. These supplements act to bind to the metal in the body. Binders are then used to help carry it out of the body. It’s important to go slowly and use a reputable system so you don’t cause a temporary worsening of your symptoms.

  After my initial IV chelation years ago I have continued with heavy metal extraction from my body. I use the SCIO and the Deta Elis AP Mini often as well as my sauna. I also occasionally use products from Quicksilver Scientific. I have learned so much from Dr. Shade over the years about detoxification. The sell a black box kit that make the steps for detoxification easy to follow.

Supplements to bind toxins in the GI tract

• Activated Charcoal
• Zeolite
• Clay
• Chlorella

Exercise

Rebounding- jumping on a mini trampoline is a great way to get the lymphatic system pumping

Interval Training

Horseback riding-What a great way to get your lymph moving!

Walking- Any exercise will do just get moving

Epsom Salts Baths

You can get rid of toxins and stress and absorb Magnesium at the same time. I personally pour a lot of Epsom salts into my bath (probably 1 to 2 pounds) and make the water as hot as I can stand. I give myself a lymphatic massage while I am soaking. I always feel great when I get out.

Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil packs can do wonders for inflammation. Our ancestors called castor oil “ the hand of Christ” for good reason. I use castor oil packs on any inflamed area of my body and also over my liver area to assist with detoxification.
To make a castor oil pack use cold pressed organic castor oil and saturate organic flannel three layers thick and lay over the area. Then add heat to the area. Hot water bottles are recommended, but I cover the area in saran wrap and then use a heating pad. I know, plastic and EMF exposure, oh my! I will work on a better way!

Massage

Any kind of a massage is a good massage to me. If you are lucky enough to get a therapist that can really get your lymph moving be grateful. It seems no matter how much I exercise I still need to have frequent massages.

Colon Hydrotherapy

Although I have never used this therapy I think anything that can give you a thorough cleanout is a good idea. I spent much of my childhood constipated and that should have been a sign that I needed to change my lifestyle. This is a very important elimination pathway to keep open.
Julia from the book provides this service: https://www.lotuswellnesscottage.com

Her real name is Judith Toscano and she is a naturopath who specializes in homeopathy and diet.

Coffee Enemas

Yuck! But they are reported to be very effective. The caffeine stimulates the liver to release toxins and they are eliminated with the enema.
This is a link to the Gerson Institutes site and the instructions begin on page 6. https://gerson.org/gerpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Coffee-Enema-Resource-Guide.pdf

Liver Cleansing
There are many herbs to assist the liver, but my favorite is probably milk thistle:
https://drjockers.com/bile-flow-top-15-herbs-to-support-liver-gallbladder/

This link takes you to Dr. Jockers site and they have a good article on the importance of bile flow and 15 foods and herbs to support the liver.
I talk in my book about doing Dr. Hulda Clarks liver cleanse: https://www.drclark.net/en-us/cleanses/liver-cleanse-page/liver-cleanse-recipe

I must warn you that you loose a day of your life, but for me my liver stress disappeared on my SCIO.

Fasting and certain diets can help. Refer to the diet/foods section.