Detoxification Product Overview

- Making The Right Choice

Using a detoxification product instead of a detoxification diet can avoid the problem of having a restrictive diet that is missing in essential nutrients.

But there are some groups of people that should not follow a detoxification program. These include children and growing teenagers, pregnant women, people with eating disorders, breastfeeding women, and the elderly. The elderly may still find some of these supplements beneficial, but they should take a very gentle approach and take into account their overall health, as well as whatever prescription medications they are on.

Detoxification products can include:

• Milk thistle (also called st mary's thistle)

  Milk thistle is a liver protective herb that helps it regenerate 4 times faster than it usually does. It also makes the liver cell membranes less able to absorb toxic chemicals, and lowers blood fats.

  Milk thistle helps correct glutathione deficiencies. Glutathione is an amino acid that helps maintain a healthy immune system and helps the liver detoxify. The main active constituents, the flavanolignans collectively called silymarin, are potent antioxidants.

  Milk thistle is a very safe herb and can be taken in pregnancy, especially if the mother has hepatitis C. There are no side effects even when it this popular detoxification product ingredient is taken for long periods of time.

  For more information on liver detoxification, see this article.

   

• Flaxseeds

  Flaxseeds are excellent detoxification product for encouraging proper functioning of the bowel. They can go rancid, so it's important to make sure they are fresh. They act as a bulking agent in the bowel, as well as lubricating the intestines. They contain linoleic and linolenic acids, which are essential fatty acids. It can take 2 or 3 days to get the desired effect from them, however. And it's beneficial to drink a glass of water when you take them.

   

• Psyllium Husks

  Psyllium husks make the stools softer and hence easier to pass. They do this by increasing the bulk of the stools as well as their water content. They are very gentle and don't irritate the bowel.

  Psyllium husks create a mucilaginous mass that also absorbs potentially harmful chemicals in the bowel, making them an excellent detoxification product. They can be used in the case of irritable bowel and diverticulitis. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of seeds followed by one cup of water per teaspoon taken. This should be done before food, and can be repeated 3 times a day.

  People with diabetes should only take psyllium under supervision of their doctor as insulin levels may need to be adjusted.

  There are 3 more articles related to fiber and bowel health here:

   

  • Herbal Colon Cleanse - Say No To Lax Laxatives!
  • Fiber Supplement - For Long Term Colon Restoration
  • Dietary Fiber Supplement - Soluble and Insoluble Fiber

   

• Antioxidants

  Antioxidants help protect cellular membranes from both toxins and oxidizing agents. They do this by neutralizing free radicals. These free radicals are responsible for many degenerative diseases and problems, including contributing to the development of cancer. Antioxidants also boost the body's immune system, which is important when taking detoxification products as your body should be at its optimal level to deal with what is released from storage in the tissues.

  Sources of antioxidants are fresh fruit and vegetables, but there are also antioxidant supplements containing things like lycopene (from tomatoes), green tea extracts, and pycnogenol (from grape seeds) if you're concerned you can't get enough antioxidants from your diet.

   

• Green Foods

  Green foods include spirulina, green barley, chlorella, alfalfa and wheat grass supplements. Green foods have a lot of antioxidants and minerals, especially dehydrated barley grass and wheat grass. They have a lot of enzymes, and have an alkalising effect on the body.

  Green Barley also contains the antioxidant SOD. SOD is the first antioxidant the cells use in times of defence, and is considered more powerful than regular antioxidants because it encourages the body's own antioxidants, including glutathione and catalase.

  There is more information on green barley here, including what you should be careful about when choosing a green barley supplement.

  Spirulina is a good source of protein, though it generally isn't taken in enough quantities to supply all the protein the body needs. It also has B vitamins, beta carotene, chlorophyll, and essential fatty acids. The beta carotene it contains has mixed carotenoids that work together to increase the antioxidant effects. Spirulina helps keep blood sugar levels stable, thus reducing sugar cravings, which is important if you're trying to improve your diet as part of detoxification.

Whether you choose a single detoxification product, or a combination of them, try to find the ones most suited to your body's needs at the time. You may feel your bowels are sluggish and need a boost - in this case, psyllium husks or flaxseed would be the best option. Or you may enjoy a drink regularly, or smoke, and so feel a liver detoxification product like milk thistle, perhaps combined with spirulina, wheat grass, or barley grass, is the most effective combination. Antioxidants are always a good choice in detoxification products for smokers and those exposed to a lot of stress.

• Human Intestinal Parasite Cleanse Remedies
• Herbal Colon Cleanse - Say No To Lax Laxatives
• Herbal Cleanse - Bringing Your Body Back To Health
• Chelating Elation

References:
1. C Fisher and G Painter, Materia Medica Of Western Herbs for the Southern Hemisphere
2. E Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days
3. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=60444