Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (75 page)

□ Past 48 hours

Point Scale

0:
Never
or
almost never
have the symptom

1:
Occasionally
have it, effect is
not severe

2:
Occasionally
have it, effect is
severe

3:
Frequently
have it, effect is
not severe

4:
Frequently
have it, effect is
severe

Head

_____ Headaches

_____ Faintness

_____ Dizziness

_____ Insomnia

Total
_____

Eyes

_____ Watery or itchy eyes

_____ Swollen, reddened/sticky eyelids

_____ Bags, dark circles

_____ Blurred or tunnel vision
(does not include near-or far-sightedness)

Total
_____

Ears

_____ Itchy ears

_____ Earaches, ear infections

_____ Drainage from ear

_____ Ringing/hearing loss

Total
_____

Nose

_____ Stuffy nose

_____ Sinus problems

_____ Hay fever

_____ Sneezing attacks

_____ Excessive mucus

Total
_____

Mouth/Throat

_____ Chronic coughing

_____ Gagging, throat clearing

_____ Sore throat, hoarseness

_____ Swollen/discolored tongue, gums, lips

_____ Canker sores

Total
_____

Heart

_____ Irregular/skipped beats

_____ Rapid/pounding beats

_____ Chest pain

Total
_____

Skin

_____ Acne

_____ Hives, rashes, dry skin

_____ Hair loss

_____ Flushing, hot flashes

_____ Excessive sweating

Total
_____

Lungs

_____ Chest congestion

_____ Asthma, bronchitis

_____ Shortness of breath

_____ Difficulty breathing

Total
_____

Digestive Tract

_____ Nausea, vomiting

_____ Diarrhea

_____ Constipation

_____ Bloated feeling

_____ Belching, passing gas

_____ Heartburn

_____ Intestinal/stomach pain

Total
_____

Joints/Muscle

_____ Pain or aches in joints

_____ Arthritis

_____ Stiffness/limited movement

_____ Pain or aches in muscles

_____ Feeling of weakness or tiredness

Total
_____

Weight

_____ Binge eating/drinking

_____ Craving certain foods

_____ Excessive weight

_____ Compulsive eating

_____ Water retention

_____ Underweight

Total
_____

Energy/Activity

_____ Fatigue, sluggishness

_____ Apathy, lethargy

_____ Hyperactivity

_____ Restless leg

_____ Jet lag

Total
_____

Mind

_____ Poor memory

_____ Confusion, poor

_____ comprehension

_____ Poor concentration

_____ Poor physical coordination

_____ Difficulty making decisions

_____ Stuttering or stammering

_____ Slurred speech

_____ Learning disabilities

Total
_____

Emotions

_____ Mood swings

_____ Anxiety, fear, nervousness

_____ Anger, irritability, aggressiveness

_____ Depression

Total
_____

Other

_____ Frequent illness

_____ Frequent or urgent urination

_____ Genital itch or discharge

_____ Bone pain

Total
_____

Grand total

©2009 Institute for Functional Medicine

Most detoxification programs focus on the liver or colon. The liver is, in my opinion, the most overworked organ of the body. It has responsibility for manufacturing 13,000 different enzymes, producing cholesterol, breaking down estrogen, regulating blood sugar, filtering blood, manufacturing bile, breaking down old red blood cells, and detoxifying harmful substances. When the liver loses its ability to easily perform these functions, we begin to feel ill, with many systems out of balance.

Detoxification techniques such as fasting, modified fasting, metabolic cleansing, colonic irrigation, steaming, mud packs, saunas, herbal detoxification programs, and hot tubs all have therapeutic benefits. When choosing a detoxification program, it must meet specific criteria: it needs to (1) work with your life and your values, (2) be thorough, and (3) be gentle and nurturing to your body.

During the past several years, I have personally and professionally relied on three main detoxification programs that are effective and gentle: fruit and vegetable cleansing, metabolic cleansing, and low-temperature steams and saunas. I also recommend
vitamin C flushes between cleansings. Other professionals may prefer fasting programs or colonic irrigation, which in the right hands can be powerful tools for healing. Because there are many fine books on fasting and colonic irrigation, I have not included information about them here.

The elimination diet outlined in
Chapter 15
works well as a gentle cleanse. See
Chapter 15
for more information.

The first cleanse that I ever used was simply fruits and vegetables for 7 to 10 days. Typically you’ll eat between 8 to 12 cups daily of produce.

I used this cleanse as a jump-start for many of the weight control groups I facilitated. While this works amazingly well, some may not feel that it provides enough food to keep blood sugar levels even. So, if it doesn’t feel right to you, don’t do it.

In this gentle cleanse, you may eat all you want of fruits and vegetables, and use olive and sunflower oils, salt and pepper, and other herbs for 7 to 10 days. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices are an excellent source of easily assimilated nutrients and alkalizing minerals and can enhance the detoxification pathways. You can have raw, steamed, juiced, grilled, stir-fried, and cultured vegetables. You can have raw, juiced, cooked, frozen, or dried fruit. You can use canned fruit if it’s packed in its own juice. You can make smoothies. Eat large salads every day. Make salad dressings with lemon or lime and olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Make pots of vegetable soup. Make a batch of roasted or baked root vegetables for something hearty to eat.

It’s important to eat every two to three hours to keep your blood sugar levels normal. The major benefit of this detox method is that you can do this on your own without professional supervision. Of course, if you are under a doctor’s care or taking medication of any kind, you’ll need to let your physician know of your plans. The first few days may require mental and physical adjustments to your new regimen, but most people feel a sense of general well-being. You may notice that many of your outstanding symptoms have disappeared or become less aggravated.

You may also experience some discomfort during the first three or four days. Headaches, bad breath, skin breakouts, and changes in bowel habits are fairly common
and may be the result of withdrawal from caffeine, sugar, alcohol, or other substances. They are an indicator that toxins are being flushed out or that your body is going through withdrawal. To facilitate this, drink a lot of water, diluted juices, and all herbal teas except those containing caffeine. Dandelion tea is especially useful.

Some people develop rashes or pimples as the skin works hard to eliminate toxins. Taking saunas, steam bathing, and massaging your skin with a soft, dry brush or loofa can help your skin. If you are constipated, make sure you eat enough fiber-rich fruits and vegetables (apples, broccoli, pears, sweet potatoes, peas, brussels sprouts, corn, potatoes, carrots, greens, blackberries, bananas, strawberries, raspberries, and spinach). Constipation opens up a chance for toxins to be reabsorbed into your bloodstream, causing symptoms such as headaches and nausea, so add a fiber supplement if needed; psyllium seeds or psyllium seed husks work well. Begin with 1 teaspoon in water, and drink quickly before it turns into a gel. Aloe vera juice may also help regulate your bowels.

After the cleansing, slowly reintroduce healthful foods such as beans, tofu, chicken, and fish. Then add healthful grains, nuts, seeds, and cultured dairy products.

Metabolic cleansing is a gentle yet deep method of detoxification, and it is the best, most thorough program I have used. The foundation of this program is a hypoallergenic-sensitive, rice-based protein and nutrient drink that is designed specifically to assist with phase one and phase two liver detoxification. There are many companies that make this type of product. You can find them in the resource directory at
http://www.digestivewellnessbook.com
.

Use of liver detoxification protein drinks has been researched for its health benefits. These drinks have been reported to be of enormous benefit in people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, weight loss, and other conditions.

I use this product along with the elimination diet that is outlined in
Chapter 15
. If you know that you are sensitive to bananas, melons, or other foods that are allowed on the plan, then avoid them as well. It is possible for people to continue their normal daily routine while on this program.

Typically I begin people with two scoops of the detoxification drink once daily for several days; then increase to two scoops twice daily for several days; then finally continue with two scoops three times daily until they are ready to complete the cleanse.

This program is administered only through health professionals who can monitor your progress, determine when you should quit, and help you adjust if you have any difficulties. Most people find a dramatic alleviation of symptoms and a distinct improvement in energy levels. The high levels of nutrients found in the rice protein drink and in the fruits and vegetables help the liver activate its detoxification pathways and move unwanted materials out of the body. The intention here is to allow your digestive system to rest, relax, and heal itself.

Once you have completed the cleansing, it is important to slowly reintroduce foods back into your diet. Being a food sleuth takes a lot of patience; it’s not always apparent which foods cause adverse symptoms. But with persistent detective work you can discover many of them. Keep a running record of everything you eat and of your symptoms. Food sensitivities often display delayed reactions, so it may take up to 48 hours to feel the effect of a newly introduced food.

You may want to have testing done for food allergies and sensitivities at this time. If you have uncovered a problem, these tests can further pinpoint which foods and substances are making you ill.

I learned this technique from Russell Jaffe, M.D., and am indebted to him for this protocol and many other things. It’s something that I personally use and used with my children. Over the past 20 years, I’ve used this flush with many clients. Although it’s a bit harsh on some people, others say that after the first or second time they feel better than they’ve felt in years. A good-quality ascorbate can be utilized by the body to produce energy. Because of that, I often hear that energy levels have dramatically improved after a vitamin C flush.

Vitamin C has been well researched for its ability to help detoxify bacterial toxins, drugs, environmental toxins, and heavy metals from our bodies. Its gentle and potent detoxification counteracts and neutralizes the harmful effects of manufactured poisons.

High levels of vitamin C help detoxify the body, rebalance intestinal flora, and strengthen the immune system. The vitamin C flush can be used between metabolic cleansing therapies or at the first sign of a cold or infection. If your immune system is weak or you’ve been exposed to a lot of toxins, you may want to do a vitamin C flush once a week for a month or two. On days when you are not doing a vitamin C flush, take a minimum of 2,000 to 3,000 mg. Humans are one of the only animals that do not produce their own vitamin C, so we need to replenish our supply daily.

To do a vitamin C flush, you take vitamin C to the level of tissue saturation. You’ll know you’ve reached it because you will have watery diarrhea. You’ll need to purchase powdered mineral ascorbate C, which is more easily tolerated by most people because it doesn’t change your pH balance. The amount you take varies depending on your personal needs that day. Many of us require about 5,000 mg; others need 15 or 20 times that much. For instance, if you’re coming down with a cold, have chronic fatigue syndrome, or are under excessive stress, you’ll probably need a lot more.

To do a vitamin C flush, take ½ teaspoon, about 1,500 mg, of vitamin C powder, mix with water or fruit juice, and drink. Repeat in 15 minutes. Keep taking ½ teaspoon of ascorbate every 15 minutes until you have watery diarrhea. It’s like you are urinating out of your backside. It will have a brown, green, or yellow color. As soon as you see this, stop taking the ascorbate.

Do not stop with just gas. Rapidly adding vitamin C helps prevent bloating and cramping. Stop once you get diarrhea. Keep track of how much vitamin C you take. This will help you determine your optimal dosage. In divided amounts, take daily one-half to three-quarters of the amount it takes to produce a vitamin C flush.