It is no accident that so many people are instinctively seeking ways to restore internal balance. If we are not processing foods and eliminating waste properly, optimal health becomes impossible.
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Info on parasites, heavy metals and cleansing.
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Question on healing: How do you know what type of detoxing you need? There are detoxes for parasites, colon, liver, etc. Does a person need all of them?
Healing Facilitation Response: Yes, I agree that the choice of cleanses out there can be quite daunting. I have taken cleanses for every system of the body at different times in my life. In addition, I routinely do colon and liver cleanses a couple of times a year, whether I think I need them or not. However, that's me. I self-treat and have for years so I'm willing to take responsibility for making those choices.
If you have any type of medically diagnosed problem involving the colon, liver, blood, kidneys, or immune system, you should always check with your doctor before going on any type of cleanse.
It can also be challenging to diagnose cases of candida, or systemic yeast, without medical testing but if the symptoms are there, a cleanse may be benefical. The symptoms of candida infection including having a strange taste in your mouth when you eat sweet foods, frequent yeast infections, food allergies, a burning pain in your throat or your mouth, chemical sensitivities, thrush, chronic fatique, problems with concentration, menstrual problems, and more.
Assessing your need for Heavy Metals cleansing: An accumulation of heavy metals in the body is another reason many people cleanse. Heavy metal levels can be tested medically and you should be tested if you feel heavy metal toxicity could be present.
Who is at high risk for heavy metals poisoning? If you've worked in atmospheres with chemicals, such as in at a service station, in a beauty salon, or as a painter, you may have heavy metal poisoning.
If you've worked in construction work for any length of time, I'd just about bet you've been exposed to heavy metals in welding, sanding, painting, or other situations. Good idea to cleanse regularly if working in any type of industrial or automotive industry.
If you have one or more dental amalgams (fillings), you may be at risk for mercury poisoning.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of heavy metal poisioning, you may wish to be tested and then, assuming toxicity is found, take a heavy metal cleanse or see a doctor about chelation therapy.
Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning include a decrease in motor skills and balance. If you notice yourself becoming more clumsy, and it lasts over time, suspect heavy metals.
Problems with balance and/or decreased motor skills may be indicative of other medical conditions besides heavy metal poisoning so it's important to look at other symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, but a marked lack of coordination is one that is very common.
Additional heavy metals poisoning symptoms:
A word of caution: When doing heavy metal cleanses and body detox programs aimed specifically at cleansing heavy metals, it is vital to do this in a way that supports your immune system and replenishes minerals that will be flushed out with a cleanse, along with harmful heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, etc.
Drinking more water is also vital when doing this type of cleanse, as well as making sure your bowels are moving on a regular basis to assist with heavy metal detoxing.
Mercury is released primarily through the bowel so you must have good elimination during a cleanse for it to be effective. I personally use the Internal Cleanse Kit because it is so comprehensive and covers all the bases for a really good cleanse.
In detoxing as in all healthcare choices, monitor your body response and do not continue any cleanse if you become ill or feel you are having adverse affects beyond normal detox symptoms of temporary fatique and flu-like symptoms.
Assessing your need for a colon cleanse: The colon is rather easy to self-assess. You know whether you often feel bloated or sluggish after meals. You know if you are constipated or not.
One note on constipation.....Among most practitioners within the holistic health community, a person who experiences less than 2-3 softly formed and effortlessly eliminated bowel movements per day would be considered to have below-optimal eliminatory function.
In the medical profession, the definition of constipation is far less strict. Some doctors will say one movement a day is normal. Others will even say it's ok to go a day or two without a movement. I even had one lady tell me that her doctor said it was ok that she only went once a week. I found that astonishing.
If you must strain to have a bowel movement, or sit and wait for one to occur, you are constipated to some degree because normal bowel movements are softly formed and pass easily. Consider a colon cleanse whenever you see signs like these (again, in the absence of a medical condition) which indicate that the colon is toxic. Also look at your water intake. You may not be taking in enough fluids to keep waste moving thru the colon.
Signs of normal elimination: If you go to the bathroom at least two times a day, with bowel movements consisting of soft, unformed, fairly odorless stool of a honey-colored consistency, you most likely have a fairly clean colon.
Signs of toxicity or colon congestion: If your bowel movements do not meet the above criteria, you most likely have toxicity and would feel better with a colon cleanse. Some signs of poor elimination are hard balls of stool rather than soft, slender strings of stool, or having to strain to eliminate.
Symptoms of Parasites: In addition to a toxic colon due to impacted fecal matter and toxic chemicals, you may also be harboring parasites. Suspect parasitic infestation if you notice anal itching at night, pasty-looking skin, pimples on the buttocks area, belching, an abnormal amount of gas, noticably bad breath, cravings for certain foods, recurrent bronchitis, frequent headaches, a feeling of always being hungry, etc.
Because there are hundreds of different parasites, the symptoms for each one vary but a prolonged infestation of any type of parasite can deeply effect your energy levels, ability to absorb nutrition and the state of your mind so parasites are nothing to take lightly when cleansing. If you suspect parasites, look for a colon cleanse that also includes anti-parasitic ingredients or do a parasite cleanse separate from the colon cleanse.
In addition, if you work in environments that are toxic (beauty salons, around paint or auto fumes, printing houses, copy places, welding atmospheres, either as a welder or near welding, etc..) then you probably would benefit from a heavy metal cleanse once or twice a year as well, to keep levels of heavy metals concentration down. When working in known sources of heavy metals, if you begin to exhibit symptoms of heavy metals poisoning, it's a good idea to get yourself tested.
Reducing your need for a colon cleanse: Of course, you can reduce the chances of colon congestion by greatly reducing or completely eliminating the following, as well....processed foods, fried foods, white flour products, refined sugar, etc. while upping your intake of pure water and high-fiber foods. Moderate exercise, 2 to 3 times a week, will also be helpful in promoting healthy elimination.
Detoxing and Cleansing Health Disclaimer: The holistic health care information contained in this body detox article is not intended to replace other medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals. Any action taken based on the contents found in this or any educational health information provided is at the sole discretion of the reader.
If you suspect you may have heavy metal poisoning, get the proper tests to find out what metals are involved and their concentration in your body. If you have colon problems such as IBS, colitis, diverticulitis or Krohn's Disease, please consult with your doctor before undertaking a colon cleanse or detox.