Detoxifying the body is kind of like giving yourself an oil change every 7000km. Harmful levels of toxins (gasses, acids, bacteria, cholesterol, metals, free radicals) can build up and ultimately, cause disease (inflammation being the first sign of disease) in the body. The liver, the lymph, the intestine, the kidneys and the bowel are pretty good at eliminating wastes. However, if we consume unhealthy foods and drinks, don’t consume enough vitamins and minerals, have stress, don’t get enough sleep, don’t drink enough water, don’t exercise enough, recycle negative thoughts, don’t breathe enough fresh air, are surrounded by radiation waves ( which is most of us), our elimination system becomes over taxed with toxins, and we find ourselves in need of an oil change, or better, a good and thorough house cleaning.

There are a variety of cleansing techniques available. There are regimens that require you to take pills, or drink certain liquids, or control your diet for a certain amount of days/weeks/months. Probably anything that does the opposite of what causes a build-up of toxins in the body would be a great start. Unfortunately, changing our habits even for a few days, no matter how harmful they are, is hard. Because I have seen the benefits of detoxification, a successful detox is essential for a healthy life. I will share with you my personal detox system of choice.

Every year I spend 1-2 weeks at the Optimum Health Institute (OHI), www.optimumhealth.org.  I find it helpful to go to a place that offers me refuge from my habitual routines, a place where it's easier to do it differently. It is a beautiful place offering lots of support. OHI is a non-profit and therefore, very affordable, relatively speaking.

Photo: Contributed

The foundation of their program is wheat grass juice (www.annwigmore.org ), raw detoxifying foods, food combining, colon therapy, and positive mindful techniques. OHI also provides a fantastic variety of impassioned instructors educating and equipping participants with tools for change so that the participant can take the program home with them. This program is challenging, but to take a couple weeks out of our year is the least we can do for our body and mind.

The testimonies that come out of this program are inspiring. People who entered the front door in a wheel chair due to excessive inflammation, left walking. Others left with prolonged pain relief, shrinking tumors, released from depression and substance abuse, and ultimately, a change of lifestyle that gave them a new lease on life.

Detox works. The body needs time to rest and be rejuvenated. Start experimenting with different cleansing techniques. Start thinking and researching ways to move your body towards health so that you can experience life to its fullest potential.