An increasingly important aspect of health today is our internal relationship to our external environment. Since the industrial revolution, the number of chemicals used in various industries has expanded enormously. As a result, our physical, cognitive, and emotional health has suffered–often at a subtle level, and increasingly at an obvious level. For example, decreasing indoor air quality is a significant contributing factor to the quadrupling of the Canadian prevalence in childhood asthma since the 1970′s. Even our outdoor air quality (ie, smog) has been attributed to aggravating asthma, chronic respiratory and cardiovascular illness. Our food supply is also a source for concern – it has been found that even low-grade exposure to pesticides over time (ranging from home gardeners to farmers) has been associated with skin problems, infertility, neurobehavioral changes, and certain cancers. It is no wonder that the fastest growing sector of the agricultural industry has been organic, chemical-free farming. Our water quality is also questionable: the Walkerton, Ontario tragedy has shown how our food-production practices can affect our water quality. Tap water tests have shown up to 2000 different chemicals are present, and most of them are unregulated. It is apparent that our world is increasingly toxic, and that little emphasis has been placed on assessing personal exposures, or strengthening our bodies to deal with this burden, or on promoting the elimination of this unwanted load.It is interesting to note how many cultures around the world have incorporated elimination/detoxification techniques into their way of life or worldview. As one local example, the indigenous peoples of North America have always incorporated sweating as part of a mind-body-spirit-heart method of purification, called the “sweat-lodge”. It is only now that we know toxic elements and fat-soluble chemicals can exit the body from the sweat (note, other important minerals can exit this way as well – eg: zinc). Indigenous peoples also developed an understanding and respect of how certain plants could activate excretory organs such as the kidneys, digestive tract, and the skin.If we additionally consider how people can carry issues in their minds and spirit, a holistic approach to addressing toxin accumulation becomes clear. Our society has lost these valuable tools for clearing the mind and body of toxins, and it is important for our future health that we re-learn these and other methods.In my naturopathic practice, detoxification is of paramount importance, and I highly recommend that adults undergo a complete detoxification program at least once every one to two years, and short programs at every change of season. Commonly, this will involve assessing current toxin burden (medical and mental-emotional history, exposure questionnaire, physical exam, and blood/urine/stool/hair tests) and then developing a customized program and follow up. The program may include• Far-infrared Sauna Treatment – 10-100 hours
• Intravenous Nutrient Support
• Nutritional and Dietary Changes, Herbal Medicines
• Colon Hydrotherapy – 3-6 treatments
• Oil-Dispersion Hydrotherapy – 6-10 treatments
To learn more about these effective treatments, please visit my website.Whether you are an athlete or sedentary, young or young-at-heart, have overt illness or are interested in prevention, detoxification can be the key to resolving your health issues, or towards improved function and renewed vitality. To learn more about what you can do, book your customized assessment and treatment program by calling Four Seasons Naturopathic Wellness at 905-597-7201.