Why, Oh Why, Do We Detox

The onslaught of toxins is phenomenal in our chemically oriented world. Many people think a “detox” means extra fiber and a colon cleanse. But we each have a whole body, not just body parts. And toxic substances are all around us not just in the air, the water, or our earth. There are toxic grocery receipts, cosmetics, cleaning products. Also, jet fuel chemtrails that fall all over our planet daily. Positive ions are given off by clothes dryers, dishwashers, and HDTVs, to say nothing of the toxic dishwasher soap and popular brands of laundry detergents capable of killing children and puppies who ingest them.

There’s a lot of toxicity on television as well.With a nod to Carl Sagan’s Cosmos series, where he often mentions “billions and billions of stars in the Universe” I want you to realize there are trillions and trillions of cells in your body. Each and every one of you. Magic, not visible to the naked eye. We are wonders of creation!

In Chinese medicine we often contemplate how the microcosm reflects the macrocosm. Each and every cell of your body reflects the whole being. Each cell takes in nutrients and removes waste products just like the body does as a whole entity. All the creatures on Earth. Perhaps we even reflect the Universe with its billions and billions of stars with our trillions and trillions of cells.

Like the skin that holds our bodies intact, each cell has a membrane enclosing “organs” call organelles at the cellular level: a nucleus, mitochondria, strands of DNA, and others. Very similar to our organs of brains, hearts, livers, and other organs that keep us alive. If each cell is the microcosm of the macrocosm, how in the world, how in the Universe, do we begin to detoxify?

We need to detoxify each cell. We must get the nutrients into the cell, let the cell extract those nutrients for health and vitality, and discard the leftover waste products lest they slow down the organism. The cellular membranes fueled by trans fats, artificial chemicals, and toxins will become thick and hardened, reducing the ability for the cell to use the available nutrients. Of course, there’s also the fact that trans fats, artificial chemicals, and toxins are not nutritious to begin with.

But nobody eats just trans fats and such, right? When useful nutrition does get into the cell and it is utilized, the cell still must discard the waste products, lest they accumulate in the blood and lymph to a toxic level, causing illness, disease, and early aging. Keeping the cell membrane flexible is the goal then for efficient nutrient exchange and healthy waste removal.

Since you cannot see your trillions and trillions of cells, how do you know if you are toxic? First off, assume it. If you are alive now, and living on this earth, you are exposed to thousands of toxins every day. Some more than others, but it certainly applies to all of us. Besides illness and the signs of early aging, how can you determine the level of your cellular health?

Remember, the microcosm reflects the macrocosm. Toxins are eliminated via nose, mouth, urinary tract, colon, and skin. If all of these systems are in tip-top condition you have less of a worry than the person who gets sick often, is filled with mucous or noxious debris, has dull skin and hair, or may have a bowel movement only every three or four days. If any of these signs are the case, begin self-care. Now you can see why detoxification is recommended for everyone, at the very least once a year, though twice a year would be better for those who are more toxic. Now you can see why detoxifying is so important–why you need water (to keep your cells from becoming crenellated (which means shriveled), and why daily elimination is necessary.

Detox at the cellular level begins with the basics of good water, good food, fresh air, enough rest, some exercise, and especially avoidance of toxins as much as possible. Dishwashers, clothes dryers, and HDTVs all give off positive ions, which are toxic to our bodies. So do cell phones. Living lightly on the earth helps you avoid toxins but few people are able to give up their dishwashers, clothes dryers, and TVs; and especially those cell phones.

But living lightly is its own reward. It helps you avoid toxins. Get rid of plastic that’s in your house as much as possible. Replace or eliminate toxic cleaning products. Use safer choices or make your own products. You’ll breather easier. Forget cosmetics or find simpler, safer products. Get outside for a minimum of 15 minutes a day and breathe deeply. Take a yoga class, walk, or dance. Sleep 8-10 hours a night to give your body time to heal and detoxify. And eat those terrific detoxifying foods like asparagus, avocadoes, citrus, dark leafies, Spring onions, and mushrooms that are appearing in the stores now. And enjoy your deep detox without spending a fortune on detox products.