by Laurie Lynch, N.D.
When God created the human body, a center in the brain was charged with the responsibility of directing the removal of waste products. (This center includes portions of the medulla, pons, hypothalamus, hypophysis, pituitary stalk, fourth ventricle, and cerebrum.) When we speak of elimination, most people immediately think of the bowels, but this is only one channel of elimination. Normal elimination through the sinuses, lungs, skin, and kidneys is equally important.
The Lungs, obtain oxygen from the air and supply it to the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide and certain other wastes from the bloodstream. Under certain situations, such as a cold, the lungs may require the aid of the eyes, sinuses, bronchioles, etc. to help eliminate the excess wastes.
Exercise is a natural way of increasing elimination, as the lungs are strengthened and the rate of gaseous exchange increased. Here are some examples of some breathing exercises; breathe out all the old stale air, completely empty the lungs to start. Hold that empty state then slowly breathe in through the nose, filling the lungs, hold that state. Repeat five times. Chi Gong or Yoga contains many breathing methods which can be helpful.
The Skin has many functions, and is the largest organ of elimination. It eliminates wastes through sweating, and when toxins are excessive, it uses processes such as acne, boils, eczema, measles, poxes, psoriasis, and other kinds of rashes and itches, to remove them from the body. Even the tongue is sometimes used by the body as an organ of elimination. This is very noticeable when you have a furry or coated tongue.
The Kidneys filter our blood of toxic waste and excess water and send it to the bladder for elimination. The best way to aid the kidneys is to drink plenty of good quality water. (WalMart and various health food stores have a water filtering machine. Bring glass jugs and get the best RO water for only 37 cents a gallon.)
The Lymphatic System (adenoids, tonsils, appendix, spleen, nodes, vessels, etc.) is a major part of our garbage disposal system. It aids in detoxification of wastes to prepare them for elimination, and moves out dead cells, micro-organisms, and tumor particles. Unlike the blood, lymph has no pump to force it through its vessels, which extend to every corner of the body. Lymph circulation depends upon muscle action, and the legs are its pump. Bouncing exercises are the best to help move the lymph. (Jumping jacks, etc.)
The Liver further detoxifies wastes. It filters and removes large amounts of toxic matter such as dead cells, microorganisms, chemicals, drugs and particulate debris from the blood stream. "It passes these detoxified materials either through tubes to the small intestine for passing on to the colon or back to the bloodstream for forwarding to the kidneys where they will be excreted in the urine. An example of liver detoxification may be seen in the case of alcohol ingestion or its formation within the body by bacteria due to indigestion. The stomach and intestines do not digest alcohol. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream as alcohol and circulates until eliminated. The liver detoxifies the alcohol to a great extent and passes it on to the kidneys for excretion. The liver, the body's foremost chemical factory, varies its chemicals to the need in neutralizing or detoxifying poisons in the blood which pass through it" (Internal Purity, http://www.joyofvitality.com/Cleansing_Regimes.html ). If the liver becomes overloaded or inefficient, toxins, dead cells and microorganisms accumulate and contribute to illness. The liver has over 500 other functions, so it's important to keep it clean and healthy.
The Bowels or colon eliminate digestive and metabolic wastes that are excreted into it by tubes from other organs. However, the bowels rarely eliminate completely in the Western world today. Through self-abusive diet, lifestyle and poor bowel care, the bowel has become sluggish and a retains toxins and germs that get reabsorbed into our bodies and damage the tissues and organs. The bloodstream then becomes poisoned and is unable to remove dead cells and waste. This results in immune depletion, fatigue, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, and mood swings. It's important to eliminate after every meal. Because food is meant to be retained in the system for only 24 hours, and if not eliminated in time, putrification occurs, causing autointoxication.
During toxic and/or microbial overload, the body will undertake massive eliminative measures. The respiratory system may produce mucus to kill microorganisms and flush the toxins from the body. The mouth may be used in vomiting; the bowels in diarrhea; the mucous membranes as outlets from the circulatory systems (lymph and blood); the kidneys are used for increased urination; and the skin is sometimes used to eliminate through sweating and eruptions. When these organs of elimination are working properly, we periodically go through what is termed a healing crisis (the body house cleans), and dumps large amounts of wastes.
To learn how to
safely and effectively cleanse, detoxify, and
regenerate the organs of elimination, and the rest
of the body, call Laurie Lynch, N.D. for a
Wellness Consultation @ (910) 426- 5159.
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Colon
Problems
by Laurie Lynch, ND
You've heard the saying, "death begins in the colon", so that's where healing must begin, with proper colon care.
Do you experience one or more of
these symptoms - abdominal pain, bloating and gas, colitis, constipation,
diarrhea, indigestion, allergies, poor appetite, backache, bad breath and body
odors, coated tongue, fatigue, sluggishness after meals, gallstones, headache,
high cholesterol; fever, joint stiffness, vision problems, weakness, poor
memory, depression, irritability; skin rash, or weight problems? If so, you
may have colon
problems.
Why is colon care important?
Colon problems come in many forms, irritable bowel syndromes (IBS), irritable
bowel disease (IBD), leaky gut, hemorrhoids, Crohn's disease,
diverticulitis, polyps, and colon cancer. The
US
has the highest incidence of
Colon
cancer in the world. Up to 50% of Americans have colon polyps. Every American
eventually has diverticulosis, and every American eventually develops some type
of colon problem, so it's time we learned what's causing it and how to prevent
and eliminate these causes.
The colon is our body's sewage disposal system. The colon is designed to hold food for 24 hours, after which gas, rotting, harmful bacteria, toxins, and fermentation develop. When this sewage backs up, it causes a variety of physical and mental problems. Poisons from a toxic colon can damage and age the body. The bowels should move about 2 hours after every meal. To check your colon's transit time eat some raw grated beets with a meal. The time between ingestion and the last bit of red color in the stool is your transit time.
What causes colon problems?
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Yeasts are a major cause of colon problems. Yeasts are single-celled organisms that reside in the mucosal lining. Yeast can grow into a fungal form that grows root-like tentacles that drill deep into the mucosal lining, poking ‘holes’ in the gut, and often causing cancer.
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Man-made chemicals such as antibacterial cleaning agents, herbicides, pesticides, drugs such as pain relievers, can damage the gastrointestinal lining. Antibiotics, anesthesia, and some other drugs kill the good intestinal flora and cause harmful yeasts overgrowth. Synthetic Laxatives can disrupt the colon’s natural peristaltic movement and are addictive. Enemas and colonics liquefy the fecal matter and it, with its harmful bacteria and toxins, is reabsorbed into the blood stream and spread throughout the body and brain. They also flush out the good intestinal flora and promote yeast overgrowth.
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Malfunctioning immune system can cause white blood cells to accumulate in the gut, where they release damaging chemicals.
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Malfunctioning glands and organs could cause constipation.. If your stomach or small intestine is malfunctioning, or you don’t chew well, partially undigested food will reach the colon and putrefy.
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Not eliminating when needed, but waiting until it's convenient, is also damaging to the colon and toxic.
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Chronic stress suppresses the immune system, alters intestinal function, and causes gut permeability and inflammation.
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Spinal problems as nerve pressure in the lumbar area can adversely affect the colon.
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Tobacco and alcohol - Persons smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day are 250% more likely to have polyps. Persons who drink have an 87% increased likelihood of having polyps, and those who both smoke and drink are 400% more likely to develop polyps, says gastroenterologist, Donald E. Mansell, MD
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Poor eating habits such as eating before the previous meal is digested, improper food combining, and not drinking enough water add to the problem
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is a major cause. The SAD is deficient in necessary nutrients and fiber, contains too many refined and processed foods loaded with sugar, refined flour, artificial food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives, all of which can stress the immune system, and cause the accumulation of toxic chemicals. The SAD can actually deplete nutrients and energy rather than supply them. Its high fat content can cause colon cancer. Heated vegetable oils and meat fat, when exposed to air can form malonaldehyde, can cause colon cancer. Diets low in fruits, vegetables, vegetable protein and fiber worsen colon problems.
How can colon problems be safely prevented and corrected?
|
Here's one of my favorite healthy-colon recipes: (These fresh raw nutrient-rich foods are both healing and tasty).
OAT GROAT PILAF
1 cup whole OAT GROATS (soaked 24
hours in purified water, drained)
½ cup toasted slivered ALMONDS,
optional 1 stalk CELERY
2 Tbsp RED ONION or
GARLIC 1/4 each RED and GREEN BELL
PEPPER
2 Tbsp fresh
PARSLEY 2 Tbsp grated
CARROT or BEET (beet has slight laxative
properties)
1/3 cup SUNFLOWER SEED or LENTILS
(soaked 24 hours and/or sprouted)
Finely chop veggies, mix, and serve on ROMAINE LETTUCE.
DRESSING
1 ½ Tbsp fresh LEMON
JUICE 3 Tbsp OLIVE
OIL
BRAGG'S AMINOS to
taste 1/8 tsp CAYENNE PEPPER
1/4 tsp TURMERIC powder
Mix and pour over pilaf.
Laurie Lynch is a Wellness Consultant, Naturopathic/ Nutrition Doctor, Master Herbalist and certified Hypnotherapist at the Living Well Health & Education Center, (910) 426-5159.