What is cleansing detoxification?  Why might you need it? Not to be an alarmist, but during the normal course of the day, while you’re drinking your tap water, eating, or even breathing the air around you, your body is ingesting toxic heavy metals which have the potential to overwhelm the natural functions of your body. It’s not something that happens in a day, but, rather, cumulatively over time and it can begin to wreak havoc on many of your body’s basic functions.

Heavy metal toxicity can impede brain function affecting your mental dexterity. The central nervous system can be overwhelmed and react with body pain, headaches, seizures and depression.

Heavy metals are present in many of the elements we come in contact with each day. Some of the more common metals are mercury, lead, aluminum, arsenic, and cadmium. Mercury is the greatest threat as it comes in many different forms such as methyl mercury, metallic, and salt with methyl containing the most potent toxins.

The body uses certain natural metals in its life functions. Metals such as selenium are vital to enzyme production in the fight against cancer and other diseases. Metals, when occurring naturally in the body, provide healing properties, however, when introduced into the body in large quantities, they can also present a danger.

Each body is somewhat unique in how it can process heavy metal toxicity. While some people can become seriously ill with an over exposure, others may have a higher tolerance. In either case, it is considered sound advice to conduct a heavy metal detox to cleanse the body and help it maintain its normal levels of heavy metals.

One method of heavy metal detoxification is to use chelating agents that bond with the metals to deactivate them. Then, as they move through the blood stream, they are processed through the kidneys and liver and passed out of the body as waste.

Chelating agents are nutritionally present in many food and natural supplements. Some of the more effective agents are found packaged as supplements.

Cilantro. This common herb is effective in the removal of heavy metals and the restoration of cells in the body.

Chlorella. Produced by green algae, this chelating agent, which can be found in drink or supplement, is a popular detoxification aid.

Milk Thistle. Also known as silymarin, milk thistles aides the liver and helps in the protection of red blood cells.

Magnesium. Another naturally occurring metal that the body uses to generate immune boosting enzymes. It can be found in supplement forms or in some common foods like spinach and Brazil nuts.

Mega H. Studies have shown that Mega H is effective at using water for nutrient replenishment and waste removal at the cellular level which is a vital detox process.

There are some known side effects to heavy metal detox. Some people have allergic reactions to the agents that are introduced during detox. This mostly stems from the release of heavy metals from all of the nooks and crannies in which they were hiding. So, at least for a period of time, the body reacts to the agents as if they were toxins. Once the immune system realizes who the bad guys really are, it takes the fight to the toxins.

By slowly introducing the body to the chelating agents, through a homeopathic dilution administered every few days, the immune system can make its adjustment more quickly.

Heavy Metals Testing: Consulting with your doctor or doing a convenient home lab test yourself will help you to determine whether you have heavy metal toxicity.  The test is painless and can be done on urine, saliva, nails or hair.To order your test kit: Test Country

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The major percentage of blood being filtered by the liver is from the portal vein, which carries blood from the intestines. The liver can remove a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites from the blood, which is desirable, as we certainly do not want these building up in the blood and invading deeper parts of the body. Infections and parasites often come from the contaminated water supplies found in large cities, and indeed other dangerous organisms may find their way into your gut and blood stream from these sources. This can cause chronic infections and poor health, so it is important to protect your liver from these microorganisms. The safest thing to do is water that has been filtered and sterilized. High loads of unhealthy microorganisms can also come from foods prepared in conditions of poor hygiene by persons who are carrying bacteria, viruses or parasites on their skin. Foods, especially meats that are not fresh or are preserved, also contain a higher bacterial load, which will overwork the liver if they are eaten regularly.

The liver neutralizes a wide range of toxic chemicals, both those produced internally and those coming from the environment. The normal metabolic processes produce a wide range of chemicals and hormones for which the liver has evolved efficient neutralizing mechanisms. However, the level and type of internally produced toxins increases greatly when metabolic processes go awry, typically as a result of nutritional deficiencies. These non-end-product metabolites have become a significant problem in this age of conventionally grown foods and poor diets.

Many of the toxic chemicals the liver must detoxify come from the environment: the content of the bowels and the food, water, and air. The polycyclic hydrocarbons (DDT, dioxin, 2,4,5-T, 2,3-D, PCB, and PCP), which are components of various herbicides and pesticides, are on example of chemicals that are now found in virtually all fat tissues measured. Even those eating unprocessed organic foods need an effective detoxification system because all foods contain naturally occurring toxic constituents.

The liver plays several roles in detoxification: it filters the blood to remove large toxins, synthesizes and secretes bile full of cholesterol and other fat-soluble toxins, and enzymatically disassembles unwanted chemicals. This enzymatic process usually occurs in two steps referred to as phase I and phase II. Phase I either directly neutralizes a toxin, or modifies the toxic chemical to form activated intermediates which are then neutralized by one of more of the several phase II enzyme systems.

Proper functioning of the liver’s detoxification systems is especially important for the prevention of cancer. Up to 90% of all cancers are thought to be due to the effects of environmental carcinogens, such as those in cigarette smoke, food, water, and air, combined with deficiencies of the nutrients the body needs for proper functioning of the detoxification and immune systems. The level of exposure to environmental carcinogens varies widely, as does the efficiency of the detoxification enzymes, particularly phase II. High levels of exposure to carcinogens coupled with slow detoxification enzymes significantly increases susceptibility to cancer.

When optimum nutrition is provided the liver operates efficiently. A great many people however, do not eat the right kinds of foods to provide the liver with everything it needs for the elimination of the extra toxins bodies are exposed to daily. If nutrition is compromised through poor dietary and lifestyle habits, this will impede cleansing detoxification processes, and other organs will suffer as the body retains these toxins.

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Cilantro, like topical application of epsom salts, is a mild chelating agent. They won’t hurt anything. When my son tested positive for lead poisoning, we used zeolites. (ZNatural from Trilogy Essentials) Follow-up tests showed the lead level decreasing, until it was, eventually, in normal range. Zeolites don’t have any of the negative effects of chemical chelation, like toxin dumping.

There are many labs that will mail you a test kit. You just send back a hair sample. http://www.detoxmetals.com/Hair-Testing.html http://www.hairanalysistest.com/ http://www.doctorajadams.com/ElementalHairAnalysisLabBuy.html

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Therefore, my recommendation is this: If you are not concerned with aluminum toxicity, or use anodized aluminum cookware with other cookware materials, anodized aluminum cookware is fine to use. However, if part of your normal health routine is to minimize your exposure to metals, or you sometimes do a heavy metal detox diet, I recommend avoiding anodized aluminum cookware” What do you think about this issue?? are the makers of this cookware being dishonest or evasive in their advertising?
Personally I would take this with a large pinch of salt – and despite my Hypertension the salt is probably less harmful than the aluminium “Their biggest argument is that the amount of aluminum leached from anodized aluminum cookware is a mere 35 micrograms. That is a small amount. By itself, as a single dose, it is not harmful.

Therefore, my recommendation is this:” On what would they base that? A slow cooked stew, some boiled carrots? There is no way of predicting the maximum leaching as cooking times and temperatures will greatly vary. Also the impact of Aluminium varies from person to person – I don’t want Alzheimers thank you -so I will try to avoid Aluminium cookware. Leastways until they prove it is safe! {UPDATE} Sources please for any good scientific tests. The link between Aluminum and Alzheimers includes Bauxite mines so cooking is way down the line.

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Learn what chelation is and how and why we should remove toxins and heavy metals from our body.

Duration : 0:8:58

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Detoxification systems such as metallothionein, cytochrome P-450, and bile are adversely affected by mercury. Metallothionein binds toxic metals in the body to prepare them for excretion. Mercury ties up this material so it cannot clear out other metals such as lead, cadmium, and aluminum. Mercury from amalgam binds to -SH (sulfhydryl) groups, which are used in almost every enzymatic process in the body. Mercury therefore has the potential to disturb all metabolic processes.

A small proportion of total body mercury is excreted in various forms directly in the urine without being bound to protein. In low dose, steady state conditions, such as the dentist who has worked at a similar exposure level for years, the urinary output very accurately reflects the total body burden and this is why urine monitoring is so important.

The following is a list of nutrients that facilitate the removal of heavy metals.

Mega H-: The negative hydride ions in Mega H- alter the water consumed with the food and supplements in our diet, to have a lower surface tension and an increased conductivity. A low surface tension in the extra cellular fluids is also important in the removal of toxins from the cells and into lymph and venous blood for removal from the body. Tap water has a surface tension of approximately 73 dynes/cm. The water around our cells has a surface tension of approximately 45 dynes/cm. It is necessary, that the body reduces the surface tension of water we consume in order for nutrients to pass through cell walls, and for toxins to pass out of the cells. Mega H- in water expedites this process. Glutathione: Contains cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid. The liver manufactures glutathione whenever extra cysteine is available. Blood glutathione levels change in direct proportion to the amount of cysteine is in the diet. One 50 milligram capsule or tablet, three times a day taken on an empty stomach. Individuals with insulin deficiency should not take glutathione.

Methionine: Methionine levels are a major determinant in the liver’s concentration of sulphur-containing compounds, such as glutathione and cysteine. As methionine is the precursor for the manufacture of cysteine in the body, extra supplementation of this critical amino acid should increase available cysteine. Animal studies have shown that methionine protects rats from the toxic effects of lead and mercury. Chelating agents such as DMSA (dimercapto succinic acid) and DMPS (dimercapto-propane sulfonic acid) bind to cysteine for excretion. L-cysteine bound to mercury (L-penicillamine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, DMSA and glutathione complexed with methylmercury) resembles the L-methionine molecule and can cross the blood brain barrier. L-methionine inhibits the transport of these complexes into the brain. Methionine increases the bioavailability of glutathione. Most of the cysteine required for the resynthesis of glutathione must originate from methionine and not from cysteine generated by the catabolism of glutathione. Patients taking only D-L-methionine increased mercury excretion in the urine by 60% over the excretion rate before taking the methionine. Lead excretion was also increased. The L-form is rapidly metabolized by the liver and does not offer a sustained antioxidant level. Over half of the D-form is slowly metabolized by the same pathways as excess L, and acts identical to L as an antioxidant. The benefit of the D-L form of methionine is the D form provides sustained blood levels allowing he L-form to be converted to other sulfur antioxidants. Babies need 22 mg/Kg body weight of methionine on a daily basis while adults need 10 mg/Kg of body weight daily.

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC): NAC forms L-cysteine, cystine, L-methionine, glutathione (GSH), and mixed di-sulfides. Stimulates the body to produce large amounts of cysteine and glutathione, thus greatly augmenting plasma and red blood cell content of both cysteine and glutathione; Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM, like fresh garlic, provides a bioavailable dietary source of sulfur. MSM exerts a direct beneficial effect in ameliorating a variety of allergic responsees and pain associated with systemic inflammatory disorders.

Milk Thistle (silymarin): Silymarin provides support and protection against liver toxins which can cause free-radical-mediated oxidative damage. Silymarin is many times more potent in antioxidant activity than vitamin E. In addition, it increases liver production of glutathione and protects red blood cell membranes against lipid peroxidation and hemolysis. Chlorella: Is a food-like all purpose mild chelator of heavy metals; it is a specially processed green-algae type of food that is taken with meals and is quite tolerable and pleasant for many. But since chlorella is so easily contaminated, the manufacturer’s quality control is important. Nature’s Balance is a source of high quality chlorella that can be taken as a part of a person’d detox program.

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Prescription Drugs in Our Water Supply!

Contaminated Drinking Water!

The safety of America’s water supply is of growing concern. In the first nationwide investigation of its kind – the Associated Press has found that at least 41 million Americans are drinking tap water that contains traces of prescription drugs and many are wondering if the water is safe to drink. The investigation has revealed that almost every drinking water supply in this country that has been tested for pharmaceuticals. The water testing results proved to be positive. 24 major metropolitan areas from across the country have been shown to have trace amounts of everything from sex hormones to drugs given to livestock, anti-seizure medications, prescription pain killers, even the anti-depressant ingredient found in Prozac.

Virtually no water suppliers in the country filter out these chemicals entirely because the treatments systems as they are now were not designed to filter out these dangerous pharmaceuticals.

In Philadelphia water testing scientists found 63 different pharmaceuticals in the untreated watershed and 56 in the actual drinking water showing that only a few were eliminated by the filtration system. The EPA does not yet require water companies to even test for these chemicals. Prescription drug use has climbed in America by about 13% in recent years to about 3.8 billion a year and Americans buy almost as many non-prescription drugs. It all passes through our bodies and into the water supply.

It has been determined that the concentration of drugs from the water supply that Americans are ingesting is very low at one part per billion. An example would be a sugar cube dissolved in an Olympic-sized swimming pool – that would be about one part per billion. For some chemicals there is no concern at that concentration level but for others that are designed to be effective at very low doses the concern is much greater.

There have been links found via water testing at the Stroud Water Research Center in Pennsylvania, between water-borne drugs and the feminization of male fish because they are being bathed in these compounds so the concern now is how will this effect humans who consume for decades these same mixtures via the drinking water supply? The risks are unknown at this time as are the solutions. Home filtration systems are not designed to remove all of these drug contaminants and bottled water often comes from the very same source as the tap water.

Here is a sampling of some of the drugs that have been detected after water testing  in the American water supply:

Acetaminophen

Caffeine

Cotinine

Azithromycin

Estradiol

Roxithromycin

Tylosin

Virginiamycin

Phenytoin

Meprobamate

Sulfamethoxazole

Carbamazepine

Estrone

Naproxen

Diclofenac

Clofibric Acid

Fluoxetine

Codeine

Dehydronifedipine

Diphenhydramine

Sulfathiazole

Amoxicillin

Prednisone

Tetracycline

Ibuprofen

Carbadox

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I took a heavy metal test and my uranium level is .45 which per the test is very high. How do I get rid of it? My doc says that lots of people in my city have high levels of uranium now since its in the water. Has anyone gotten rid of it successfully or at least some of it? Does EDTA work?

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Test Your Water:

Excerpt from Brenda Watson’s Detox Strategy (PBS Special) where Brenda Watson, C.N.C. discusses the toxins that can be found in our water supply.

Duration : 0:4:14

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Does body cleansing and a detoxification diet really make you feel healthier? What is a good diet to stick to?  What should I avoid and what should I eat or drink more of?  I smoke cigarettes and drink but I’m trying to quit and get in shape.

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