If you feel sluggish, depressed (i.e. Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD), fatigued and get sick often in the winter, fall and spring, I highly recommends doing a Metabolic Detox/Cleanse, which is a 21-day diet and lifestyle process designed to create a personalized rejuvenation experience. The best time to do this is the end of summer (mid-September) and/or beginning of winter and spring (early December, early April). I can provide instruction and support to meet your specific needs. As your body cleanses you will experience the benefits of improved function, and your symptoms will begin to resolve. You will then find yourself thinking that you haven't felt this good in a long, long time.
The main purpose of metabolic cleansing is to enhance elimination by inducing the release of accumulated toxins from the tissues and to facilitate their subsequent detoxification and removal from the body. An accumulation of toxins occurs when elimination cannot keep up with the production of cellular wastes or the absorption of toxins from the environment, which occurs primarily in our intestines, but occasionally via the lungs or skin. Although everyone is affected somewhat differently, a significant toxic burden can lead to all manner of diseases. Therefore, it is important to remove these toxins in order to restore health. It is also vital to incorporate the skills you will learn during this program into your lifestyle to maintain your health.
Our overall health is a reflection of the health of our cells and their ability to work together in harmony to maintain balance. Our cells constantly take in nutrients and oxygen from the blood, do work (grow or create products), and then give off wastes. In addition to the wastes normal function produces, we are further burdened by toxins absorbed from our environment by the intestinal tract, especially in cases of maldigestion, poor food choice, and dysbiosis (parasitic, bacterial, and fungal infections). For the purpose of simplicity I will refer to anything the body cannot use for its benefit as a "toxin". Some toxins are genuinely toxic, or poisonous, but most are benign and just in the way of normal functioning. Although our elimination functions are going around the clock to clear toxins, their efficiency and productivity are affected by many factors, including stress, exercise, diet, and the time of day/month/season. To account for variation of function and burden, the body has the ability to store toxins that cannot be cleared immediately in fat and connective tissue (the water-rich matrix around all cells). Toxins remain in these storage sites until the blood transports them to the organs of elimination for final disposal. When the organs of elimination (liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs, and skin) are burdened with excessive toxins, they will show signs of distress.
Are you paying attention to your body? Rashes, pimples, or offensive body odor indicate the skin is stressed. Frequent, painful, or urgent urination, or dark, offensive-smelling urine indicate the kidneys are stressed. Gas, diarrhea, and constipation are the first signs of intestinal stress. Green mucousy stools, itchy skin, or right-sided chest and back pain indicate the liver is stressed. Congestion, coughs, or wheezing indicate the lungs are stressed. From headaches to hypertension, each of us will show signs of stress differently, depending upon our weaknesses and the nature of the toxins we are burdened with. These signs of distress mean it is time to act; it is time to enhance elimination. Ignoring these signs will cause distressed organs to become diseased, resulting in a dramatic reduction in health and longevity.
The best way to enhance elimination is with Metabolic Cleansing. Metabolic Cleansing is a comprehensive strategy that boosts the eliminative capacity of the liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and skin with a specialized diet and supportive nutritional therapies. In addition, it incorporates therapies that increase the movement of wastes out of cells and tissues and into the blood for transport to the organs of elimination. This is accomplished with natural medicines and nutritional supplements, a supportive diet, gentle exercise, and other circulation enhancing techniques, extra rest, acupuncture, and spa therapies (water/thermo therapies). Colon hydrotherapy, constitutional hydrotherapy, and enemas can be added to improve the results. Another important component is to "put your mind to it," to move forward assertively with a positive outlook on the process. Counseling, especially in a group setting or sharing with intimate friends and family takes metabolic cleansing to another level. Emotional detox helps us to "let go" and achieve real resolution of issues. Together this comprehensive approach prevents the unwanted side effects common to other "fasting" or supposed detox protocols and instead creates a powerful health recovery event ... one that you will be inspired to repeat again and again, in part or in its entirety, as a valuable health promotion and health maintenance tool.
The three-week Metabolic Cleansing Plan eliminates toxins that interfere with healthy function ("bad stuff out"), complements a Strength Plan ("good stuff in"), and rounds out a comprehensive approach to health recovery. The first week is a protein-sparing modified fast and focuses on supporting the organs of elimination, especially the liver, and creating a powerful rest and recovery event. The average patient experiences a 50 percent reduction in total symptoms by the end of the first week. During the next two weeks, the foods avoided during the cleansing week are slowly reintroduced. Not only does this aid the body in resolving acute symptoms (i.e. colds and flu), it goes a long way toward reducing the effects of chronic degenerative diseases. The second and third weeks are also an opportunity to uncover hidden food intolerances and build a health-promoting diet, one that more accurately reflects each person's individual needs. As a result, Metabolic Cleansing participants experience a significant reduction in unwanted symptoms and are moved to integrate these valuable recovery skills into their everyday lives.
Dr. Stacie Han, ND, LAC, attended Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, where she received both her doctorate in naturopathic medicine and masters in acupuncture and East Asian medicine. She is a member of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians and NCCAOM board certified in acupuncture and oriental medicine. Dr. Han offers naturopathic medicine and acupuncture services at Alliance Healing Arts in Seattle, Washington. To schedule a consultation with her, send an email to info@alliancehealingarts.com or call 206-632-5500.