Naturopathic In Oakville Articles

Naturopathic Medicine: Detoxification for a Healthy Body
Dr. Samantha Ristimaki, BSc, ND (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine)

In the past, detox usually entailed fasting and drinking fluids. This unfortunately depletes the body of valuable nutrients that are required for the liver’s detoxification pathways. Fasting may even cause the body to become more toxic.

Today, naturopaths and functional medicine practitioners who understand the complex functions of the metabolic pathways of the liver can help recommend an individualized detoxification program that enhances the function of the liver. Specific detox plans can be created to deal with your health concerns.

Our environment and food are filled with pollutants. The liver is the major organ responsible for removing toxins from the body. When the body is stressed, the elimination processes do not function optimally to remove toxins and toxins that remain in the body are stored in fat cells. Over time, this can be linked to chronic illness.
People with specific health concerns should consider doing a cleanse to remove the internal factors that irritate the body and promote inflammation. Healthy people should be proactive in their health care and do a cleanse in the fall and spring to improve the body’s overall function.

Even healthy people should consult a naturopath before embarking upon a cleansing regime to design a program that is neither too harsh nor too gentle. Programs can be tailored to last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. They can be as simple as eating a specific regime of healthier foods or as complex as utilizing supplements, sweating, sauna treatments and skin brushing to help rid the body of unwanted toxins.