Category Archives: Detoxification

Detoxification, General Health & Nutrition

Oxygenate and detoxify your body with Oxygen Elements Max

It can’t be overstated just how about important oxygen is to your body. Now, yes, surely everyone is aware that oxygen is a primary ingredient in the air we breathe in, yet few of us perhaps consider why this is the case – why our bodies actually need this element. Well, put simply, it’s one of the most essential elements for good health.

Indeed, the medical and academic professions agree that the majority of harmful bacteria, parasites, fungi and, yes, viruses aren’t capable of existing in the human body in oxygen-rich environments (in more scientific terms then, they’re anaerobic). And that means, of course, the more oxygen we expose our bodies to, the less likely they’ll become breeding grounds for illness and disease. It’s within our interests to give our bodies as much oxygen as we can.

The effects of oxygen depletion

Unfortunately, while eating, drinking, breathing and merely living our normal daily lives, we are constantly absorbing into our bodies unnatural and synthetic non-food chemicals. Contained in the likes of preservatives, artificial colourings, flavourings, smog, fumes and even hydrogenated oil, all these chemicals can contribute to the oxygen depletion in our bodies.

That said, avoiding consumption of all these oxygen-depleting substances is very difficult, of course; nigh on impossible in everyday life. But, because the human body takes less than a year to entirely reconstitute itself, you can help ensure your body’s fully oxygenated and energised and combat the effects of oxygen depletion by feeding it a three-to-four-times daily dosage of Oxygen Elements Max. It’s a product that, if you find it suits your body, is capable of enhancing its cells and promoting fast, deep and – probably – much-needed detoxification throughout.

Stimulant-free, Oxygen Elements Max then is liable to enhance your body’s cellular oxygenation, improve your endurance and stamina, increase blood flow through your body, detoxify its cells and neutralise harmful pathogens such as free radicals, thereby flushing away lactic acid and efficiently enhancing physical performance.

How Oxygen Elements Max works

Oxygen Elements Max achieves its detoxifying efforts via a chain reaction, which brings about a liberation of the oxygen contained in the water (H2O) in the body, thanks to its various ingredients – including digestive enzymes, metabolic enzymes, 21 different amino acids and as many as 77 trace minerals.

Known by many regular supplement users as either Hydroxygen Plus (its very first name, which was dropped after a complaint from a company that sold a product with a similar name) or Oxygen Elements Plus, the current name of Oxygen Elements Max has been in official use since 2007.

Please note; should you try the product (which, of course, we heartily recommend you do so for great oxygenating and detoxifying results), you may find you experience a difference almost immediately, yet it’s true, naturally, that everyone’s body is different; therefore, it stands to reason that some will find their health improving thanks to regular use of the product over a longer period than others. To wit, we generally recommend a course of 2-3 months (via a seven-drop dosage taken three times a day/ 2-3 bottles a day) so that you may be able to properly assess how effective the product is for your body. Also, if you’re suffering from a serious illness, you may want to try Oxygen Elements Max in a higher-than-standard dose.

Finally, you may well find it helpful and, indeed, enlightening to read of just how much Oxygen Elements Max has benefitted the health of our customers in the past – by reading reviews to be found here and here.

Crystal Energy, Detoxification, Heavy Metals, MegaHydrate

Megadeath to heavy metals: what detox via supplements can do for you

If you try to follow the latest advice and trends in the health world then you won’t fail to have noticed the term ‘detox’ crops up an awful lot. So much so, it might be said to be something of a health buzzword. It means, of course, attempting to remove unhealthy foreign entities that are clogging up parts of your body – and can be undertaken in a variety of ways. Fasting, eating more greens, sipping apple cider and taking high-quality supplements; you name it, you truly can run the gamut in order to detox yourself. But detox yourself of what exactly? You may have heard people undergoing a detox to cleanse their intestines, livers and kidneys, but have you ever heard of someone detoxing heavy metals? It’s far from a bad idea, to say the least – and has absolutely nothing to do with avoiding listening to hard rock music.

 

What exactly are heavy metals?

Basically, heavy metals can be described as dense (semi-)metallic elements that occur naturally in the earth’s soil and find their way into water sources. That said; there are numerous man-made heavy metals too. It ought to be noted that certain heavy metals aren’t hazardous to the human body in small doses (in fact, within these terms, the body actually needs them), but truly hazardous examples like cadmium, lead and mercury can quite happily bioaccumulate; meaning they’re absorbed by the body faster than it can rid itself of them.

So, exactly which heavy metals are we talking about here and what sources do they come from; what modern materials/ foods/ products are responsible for giving rise to them…?

  • aluminium (cookware and deodorants)
  • arsenic (eggs and poultry)
  • bismuth (make-up)
  • cadmium (batteries, cigarettes, coffee and hydrogenated oils)
  • lead (auto exhausts and building materials)
  • mercury (contact lens solution, dental fillings and seafood)
  • thallium (gasoline)

Evidently then, reducing your exposure to the likes of meats, low-quality seafood and hydrogenated oils and trying to use natural deodorants and beauty products will help you to avoid consuming these dangerous heavy metals. But what can you do if and when you do consume them? Well, first, let’s take a look at what they actually do in the body to understand why they should be avoided and a detox attempted…

 

What do heavy metals do in the body?

So, in simple terms, the 23 toxic heavy metals in existence, once inside the human body, are adept at interrupting normal cellular processes. They achieve this thanks to their uncanny ability to bind with protein sites, thus kicking out and replacing metals that naturally occur in our cells. What does this do? It inhibits mitochondria (the chemicals that are critical to making energy in cells), thus resulting in the likes of fatigue and far worse symptoms when heavy metal exposure is long-term. Not fun.

 

Heavy Metal toxicity symptoms

And. speaking of tell-take signs of heavy metal toxicity, there are a good many of them. Yet, while acute toxicity symptoms can be quite obvious to those in the know (breathing difficulties, impaired cognitive and motor skills, severe cramping, vertigo, vomiting and so on), signs of less severely affected health due to heavy metal exposure/ consumption are a more general – they include…

  • aching joints
  • acne
  • bad digestion/ bloating/ gas
  • difficulty digesting fats
  • excess sweating
  • fatigue
  • headaches
  • female health issues (involving hormones, infertility and pre-eclampsia)
  • middle-of-the-night insomnia
  • mood swings
  • severe food cravings

Don’t doubt it, though; if not tackled, heavy metal toxicity can lead to the development of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and even cancer. So, clearly far from good news. Yet, it’s not all gloomy, of course; thanks to detoxing, the nasty things heavy metals get up to in our bodies can be checked via them being flushed out.

 

How to detox heavy metals naturally

Natural, fundamentally healthy and safe ways to detox your body of heavy metals include:

  • Drinking generous amounts of filtered water
  • Regular physical exercise that induces a sweat
  • Maintaining a nourishing and anti-inflammatory diet to support your liver
  • Consuming naturally-derived, high-quality supplements

 

Heavy metal supplements

Yes, as you may have guessed we would, we’ve finally got around to the benefits to be gleaned from well-reviewed, proven and reliably safe-to-consume naturally-derived supplements; those deliberately designed, of course, to help combat heavy metals and flush them out of the body. The following two are especially popular and impressive products (both of them available through us at The Finchley Clinic) that people particularly rate thanks to their unique silica Microcluster technology – which sees their little spheres of silica isolate and encapsulate the heavy metals all the way to their ejection from the body:

Crystal Energy – currently on special offer, this product (in addition to containing silica Microclusters) can instantly turn water into liquid crystals, thus helping to increase flow of water and nutrients across cell membranes to a rate more than two-and-a-half times faster than ordinary water, thereby increasing cell hydration and, in turn, heavy metal detoxification.

MegaHydrate – also on special offer, this supplement comprises silica Microclusters, which can increase hydration, improve cells’ zeta potential to clean the blood, alkalise blood and drive detoxification.

Aniseed Formula, Detoxification, Latero-Formula, Paratrex

The importance of a natural cleanse: how to remove toxins effectively

Nowadays, it seems you can’t pick up a newspaper or surf the Internet without quickly coming across an article that purports a new, dynamic cleanse will be your gateway to good health for the rest of your life. If only that were true. Yet, it is true that cleanses undertaken for specific reasons, thereby seeking specific results, and featuring specific foods/ drinks to consume (or, alternatively, cut out) are well worth your time. And there’s little that’s new about the idea either.

Toxin cleanses and fasting programmes involving the likes of herbs and natural nutrients have been around for centuries, if not millennia, in different civilisations; relied on not just for wellbeing but also insisted on for spiritual purposes by religions. And the reality is that, with so many toxins and harmful organisms in the air, water and environments all around us, it’s all too easy for us to breathe them in, drink, eat and consume them every day of our lives. And, to be honest, that reality’s only getting worse, which means that it’s more important than ever to try and cleanse our livers, colons and other organs of these entities on something like a regular basis.

All that said, whatever the newspapers and ill-informed web articles say, there’s nothing to match a toxin removal that involves fully naturally-derived sources of nutrition – in fact, it’s the only way to do it properly. Here are some very good examples…

 

Liver cleanses

Nowhere in the digestive tract can afford to be overrun by harmful toxins, least of all the liver, which is absolutely critical to the rest of the system for effective natural detoxification. To cleanse the liver – and help it along in its own work then – various foods you might consume include wheat grass and dandelion greens1, 2, as well as beets, carrots, celery, lemons and limes3. Meanwhile, spicier foods like cayenne, cumin, curry, rosemary and turmeric are all good here too4, as well as, drinks-wise, apple juice and simple, purified water (as opposed to coffee, milk and carbonated drinks).

 

Candida cleanses

Candida is a type of yeast that can find its way throughout the body and on the skin; on occasions, it’s especially a problem for women, not least because its overgrowth can cause an infection of thrush in the mouth of throat. Not nice. A candida cleanse aims to get the levels of the yeast in the body back under control by removing many of the sugars that cause it to ‘over-grow’.

So, that means avoiding all kinds of sugar for the duration of the cleanse – indeed, natural foods including (dried) fruits, fruit juices, refined flour and wheat foods, yeast-based foods (of course) and natural sweeteners like agave nectar and raw honey5. Moreover, alcohol’s definitely out, as are old favourites like cheese, picked vegetables and soy sauce. And, while undertaking one, a candida cleanse is only enhanced by consuming organic oregano oil and a probiotic (perhaps Latero-Flora; see below).

 

Cleanses of harmful organisms

To remove harmful organisms, in general, from the body, there are a number of herbs you should make a beeline to consume for a good overall cleanse. For instance, American wormseed, black walnut hull, clove and wormwood are great for creating an environment in the intestines and wider digestive system that’s hostile to toxins and harmful organisms6. Moreover, probiotic supplements (again, see below) are highly advised for helping ensure gut microbiome balance7.

 

Liquid cleanses

While they’re effective, such natural cleanses as outlined above do involve playing about with your diet and altering it for a short period, which inevitably is going to interfere with your energy levels. Should you prefer the idea of a general cleanse that’s not going to get close to ‘wiping you out’ for a while then, a liquid cleanse may be the answer8. As opposed to the others mentioned, it’s all about consuming good amounts of fresh organic fruit juices and vegetable juices, in addition to the likes of oils (coconut, flaxseed, hempseed, pumpkin seed and sesame seed), miso soup, pureed soup and, of course, purified water.

 

Toxin removal supplements

As already pointed out in this article, probiotics especially – but also detoxification-focused supplements in more general terms – can be great additional sources of nourishment (for vitamins and minerals) during cleanses and, should you not fancy going the cleansing route, for helping remove toxins and harmful organisms from your body on an everyday basis. The following then are all available through us at The Finchley Clinic (along with many more):

Paratrex – a supplement that combines herbs and proteolytic enzymes to help eradicate parasites from the body, but in a somewhat slower and gentler manner (thanks to its botanical ingredients) than the harsher approach you’ll find with prescription pharmaceuticals; it’s ideal for this purpose when combined with the following two supplements …

Latero-Flora – a probiotic that primarily contains a unique strain of Bacillus laterosporus, a naturally occurring organism that populates the intestines with beneficial bacteria to help maintain a healthy colon.

Aniseed Formula – a botanical food supplement for maintenance of a parasite-free ecology in the body; in addition to aniseed, it contains cranberry, celery seed, fennel, licorice, peppermint, pomegranate, thyme and turmeric.

 

References:

  1. Drewnowski A. and Gomez-Carneros C. “Bitter taste, phytonutrients, and the consumer: a review”. Am J Clin Nutr. (2000): 1424-1435.
  2. Tokusumi Y. and Takagi Y. “Ectosymbiotic role of food bacteria for paramecium: bacterial detoxification of paramecia-killing toxin contained in wheat grass powder”. Zool Sci. (2000): 341-348.
  3. Koumbi L. “Dietary factors can protect against liver cancer development”. World J Hepatol. (2017):119-125.
  4. Singh U. P., Singh D. P., Maurya S., Maheshwari R., Singh M., Dubey R. S. and Singh R. B. “Investigation on the Phenolics of Some Spices Having Pharmacotherapeutic Properties”. Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy 4.4 (2004): 27-42.
  5. Nikawa H., Nishimura H., Hamada T. et al. “Effects of dietary sugars and saliva and serum on Candida biofilm formation on acrylic surfaces”. Mycopathologia (1997) 139: 87.
  6. Bor T., Gyawali R. and Ibrahim S. A. “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Essential Oils and Combination of Copper and Lactic Acid on the Growth of E. coli O157:H7 in Laboratory Medium”. Foods. (2016): 5 (1).
  7. Surendrannair M., Amalaradjou M. A. and Venkitanarayanan K. “Antivirulence Properties of Probiotics in Combating Microbial Pathogenesis”. Adv Appl Microbiol. (2017): 1-29.
  8. Huber R., Nauck M., Lüdtke R, and Scharnagl H. “Effects of One Week Juice Fasting on Lipid Metabolism: A Cohort Study in Healthy Subjects”. Complement Med Res. (2003): 7-10.

 

Detoxification, Green Magma, Healthy Gut

The marvel that’s Green Magma: great for detoxification and gut health

It’s all too easy to take vitamins and minerals – in other words the nutrients we consume from healthy foods – for granted. Too often, they don’t seem fun, they don’t seem dynamic and the foods from which they derive don’t seem the exciting, tastiest options come lunch or dinnertime. Taste is subjective, though, of course (and many highly nutritious foods – exotic fruits and delicious vegetables – are, generally speaking, very tasty, indeed), but what’s objective is the importance of nutrients. And what they do for our bodies.

Indeed, it’s all too easy to take this for granted; it’s all too easy, for instance, to take for granted the fact that critical nutrients play a much-needed role in detoxifying the effects of harmful micro-organisms in our bodies. Too often we don’t find that exciting, yet for the good of our health, maybe more of us should. After all, there are nutrient-packed supplements on the market that are highly impressive in the good they can do us thanks to their detoxification capabilities.

 

Green Magma ingredients and nutrients

And one such supplement is Green Magma. Derived from barley grass, it was originally developed by the Japanese scientist Yoshihide Hagiwara, who brought together and encapsulated into this single supplement the many nutrients and phytochemicals of barley grass to boost the body’s energy levels, increase its resistance to disease and improve the health of its skin, nails and hair.

More specifically, this fat-free dietary supplement comprises a trio of main ingredients – barley juice powder, maltodextrin (from tapioca) and brown rice; which means it’s a rich source of the likes of Vitamins A, C and K, folic acid, potassium and chlorophyll, as well as amino acids and enzymes.

So much for what Green Magma contains, but how are these ingredients actually captured from their natural source and Green Magma supplements manufactured? Well, it all comes down to a process of ‘juicing’ and spray-drying barley grass; thus, protecting its nutrients (once they’re fully in powder form) from deteriorating. Additionally, maltodextrin and brown rice are blended in with the supplement’s other crucial ingredients to add texture and prevent them all from falling victim to oxidation.

 

Green Magma benefits

So, in greater detail, here are some of the terrific benefits consumers of Green Magma can take advantage of by incorporating it to their everyday diet:

  • Detoxification – environmental pollutants and other toxins can easily and quickly be consumed by and absorbed into the body in the course of everyday life; the more toxic your insides become due to these chemicals the less impact your immune responses will make and the less successfully will cell division be completed, but possessing so many antioxidant properties (thanks to all its nutrients), Green Magma can help your body to fight back

 

  • A rich mix – it could be that Green Magma offers the vast majority of all the nutrients your body needs; indeed, even in single servings, it possesses greater amounts of calcium, magnesium and Vitamins, A, B1, B2, B3, B6 and C than many types of vegetables, while it’s such an effective antioxidant because it also naturally comprises a whole host of chemicals with dynamic antioxidant properties, including alpha-carotene, beta carotene, catalase, selenium, superoxide dismutase, 2-0-glycosylisovitexin and Vitamins C and E

 

  • Chlorophyll – the chemical that ensures vegetables (and, come to that, many plants in general) appear green, chlorophyll has a history throughout civilisation of being relied on for ensuring blood remains healthy, but in Green Magma (unsurprising perhaps, as it’s a key ingredient in this supplement), it primarily operates as a natural and potent detoxifier

 

  • Cardiovascular function – according to a relatively recent study published in peer-review journal ‘Diabetes and Metabolism’, barley grass supplements (including Green Magma then) may well promote ordinary, good cardiovascular function.

 

Green Magma supplements

Now, it is true that, yes, the dietary supplement market is awash with several different products purporting to contain barley grass – and, thus, they claim to offer its so many beneficial attributes – yet, it’s only actually Green Magma that comprises the active, young barley grass plant that’s so potent. To wit, the following Green Magma products are all available through The Finchley Clinic – and at present they’re at special offer prices too…!

Green Magma (300g) – regular supplementation with Green Magma may improve digestion, increase energy and aid detoxification; manufactured using patented processing methods.

Green Magma (150g) – a less copious version of the green barley juice-derived supplement; for best absorption, mix one teaspoon of Green Magma powder into a glass of water or non-acidic fruit juice (approximately 160ml) 1-2 times per day, then drink the solution 20 minutes before or two hours after a meal.

Green Magma (250 tablets) – the supplement in tablet form; users are advised to take six tablets with water 20 minutes before a meal, twice daily.

 

Antioxidants, Barley Grass Powder, Detoxification, Vitamins & Minerals

Glorious Green Magma: how a taste of the Orient can do you so much good

Who’d believe that something so old could be so good for you? Don’t doubt it; barley grass is. It’s been a naturally-derived source for wellbeing since at least 7,000 BC; especially in Japan, where its capacity to aid digestion, detoxification and anti-ageing has long been recognised – and deeply respected. And in recent decades it’s become likewise recognised (and consumed) for these properties in the West.

Primarily, this has been thanks to the efforts of pharmaceutical developer Dr Yoshihide Hagiwara, whom had to give up his day job at the tender age of 38 due to toxic poisoning. Having fully recovered via natural medicines and foods alone, he devoted the rest of his life to investigating green foods and just what they were capable of for the good of the human body. His research led him to publish his conclusions, in which he claimed that barley grass is ‘one of the most nutritionally balanced foods in nature’ and ‘the ideal fast food for the human race’. Strong words, indeed, but it seems that this greenest of green foods and most super of superfoods is capable of backing them up.

 

The road to Green Magma

Technically speaking, barley grass are the young, soft shoots that crop on the barley plant and, in his experiments, Hagiwara unfortunately discovered that the multiple, health-giving nutrients stored in these shoots are destroyed by heat and acidity (when the shoots are either cooked or treated to be transformed into an easily consumable form like a supplement). In which case, he hit on the idea of a unique spray-dry process to create a different kind of extraction. Not only did this successful discovery earn him acclamation in his native Japan, it also led to his patented methods proving the basis for the manufacturing process behind the modern, highly advanced and extremely nutritious version of Barley Grass Powder, namely Green Magma.

Packed full of all the goodness of natural barley grass then, Green Magma is truly a multi-nutrient superfood that’s bursting with more than 70 vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Among its incredible array of ingredients are:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  • Vitamin B3 (niacin)
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
  • Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
  • Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
  • Folate
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorous
  • Potassium
  • Zinc
  • Beta-carotene
  • Phycocyanin
  • Superoxide dismutase
  • Chlorophyll
  • Flavonoid 2”-O-GIV

 

Green Magma benefits

But why is it so impressive that Green Magma comprises all these vitamins and minerals? Well, the fact it does so is what ensures it’s such an enriching, health-aiding supplement; such a potent, dissoluble powder-based (and so very easy-to-consume) version of the original barley grass. It’s the fact it comprises all these vitamins and minerals that it offers those why try it – and take it daily – so many benefits that can help bring relief to a range of conditions and illnesses. For instance:

  • A natural antioxidant – owing to it containing the enzyme superoxide dismutase, Green Magma boasts terrific antioxidant properties, this ingredient enjoying nothing more than to act as a free radical scavenger, utterly neutralising the harmful effects of the opportunistic micro-organisms and so preventing the development of a whole host of illnesses caused by the otherwise resultant oxidative stress (it’s aided in these efforts by the flavonoid 2”-O-GIV); moreover, the presence of alpha-tocopherol in Green Magma successfully stimulates the release of the protein prolactin which may inhibit the growth of cancerous tumours as much as 10 times better than other versions of Vitamin E can

 

  • May improve digestion – as barley grass has a naturally positive, stimulating effect on ‘gut friendly’ bacteria (the ‘good’ rather than the ‘bad’ bacteria to be found in the intestines), Green Magma can help in alleviating inflammation and other symptoms that are associated with gastrointestinal complaints like ulcerative colitis (UC), something which is only boosted by its handy talent for reducing aggressive bowel chemicals, as well as aiding in the flushing out of toxins from the body and assisting in the maintenance of the bowel’s fluid balance

 

  • A natural detoxifier – all heavy metals (e.g. lead) are very poisonous to the human body and require swift removal from it, should trace levels of them been accidentally consumed and thus accumulated, and via detoxification this is something else at which Green Magma comes up trumps, specifically through the work of its trace element zinc; furthermore, barley grass’s naturally occurring chlorophyll and beta-carotene can aid the detoxing of waste mucous and crystallised acids, all of which contributes to the efficacy of the body carrying out metabolic processes and the critical detoxification work that goes on in the liver (note: those in need of detoxification may experience tiredness on first using Green Magma for this purpose; so it’s best to start with low doses of the supplement and build them up slowly over time, owing to its powerful detoxing qualities)

 

  • May restore acid-alkali balance – in its Green Magma version, barley grass makes for a superb natural alkaline source, ideal then for reducing excess acidity in the body and preventing otherwise possible acidosis damage; to this end, thanks to its work at restoring the human body’s acid-alkali balance, it may also aid in the prevention of a wide range of differing complaints, including cardiac pain, constipation, fatigue and sleep disorders

 

  • May improve skin, hair and nail quality – finally, Green Magma may also prove a great contributor to the regeneration of cells without side effects, which is where its ingredients including chlorophyll, iron and Vitamin C come in, as well as the pigment-protein phycocyanin, which inspires the creation of red and white blood cells and bone marrow; indeed, it’s this adept ability to aid renewal in the body that ensures Green Magma also helps to preserve hair and nail quality and keep skin looking youthful.

 

How to take Green Magma

A juice-based version of barley grass then (although it’s also available from The Finchley Clinic in tablet-form; see below), your best advised serving of Green Magma is via stirring a teaspoon of the supplement’s powder in a glass (160ml) of water – or non-acidic fruit juice – and drinking it up to twice a day. For best results, it’s best to consume Green Magma either 20 minutes before or around two hours after a meal; this will enable the nutrients to be absorbed as best as possible in the body. Remember not to mix the powder with a hot drink – heat may well damage the supplement’s active enzymes!

If you’re interested in purchasing and trying Green Magma, we stock the supplement in various dosages; take a look at them all below:

Green Magma (300g)

Green Magma (150g)

Green Magma (80g)

Green Magma (10-day trial pack)

Green Magma (250 tablets)

Burbur-Pinella, Detoxification, Liposomal Glutathione, OREA

The Detoxification Lowdown: Removing Toxins from Your Body Naturally

Chances are you’ve heard of toxins. And if you’ve heard of toxins you’ll have probably have heard of detoxification – which, in simple terms, is the practice of removing toxins from the body. A large array of different illnesses can be caused by the consumption and absorption of toxins – or toxic substances – into the body. To that end then, detoxification is all about reducing the opportunity for these ailments and conditions to develop or, should they have already developed, treating them via a number of tests and techniques – many of the latter ideally being derived from natural sources.

What can detoxification do for you?

As noted then, giving your body a detox may prove to be of great benefit should you suffer from one or more of many varied chronic diseases or conditions. What sort of ailments are we talking about here? Well, everything from diabetes to digestive disorders; high cholesterol to low blood-sugar levels; allergies to arthritis; anxiety to depression; and obesity to chronic infections. Essentially, the reason for this is because all these conditions are likely to be – whether you’re aware of it or not – influenced by environmental factors. Of course, some people can be exposed to high levels of toxic substances due to their occupation and living arrangement or merely by accident, but unfortunately in today’s world, billions of us are increasingly being exposed to more and more toxins on a daily basis.

Furthermore, if you’re a long-time sufferer of immunity issues or one or more allergies then there’s a good chance that detoxification – via testing and a resultant toxin cleanse – could do you a lot of good. Indeed, it may be that in these cases, conventional modern, synthetic medicine has both failed to correctly diagnose and successfully treat exactly what’s wrong with you – the likes of chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, environmental illness or fibromyalgia (a body-wide pain-causing condition that also inhibits mental/ memory function). Symptoms to such conditions are obviously very varied, but together commonly include allergic reactions, hypersensitivity to commonplace chemicals and materials, insomnia, reduced resistance to infection, low-grade fever, insomnia, aches and pains and intolerance to particular food ingredients. If you find yourself often – or simultaneously – suffering from these symptoms, don’t doubt it; detoxification could well help.

The origins of detoxification

As you may have guessed, the idea of purifying the body of harmful things that find their way into it isn’t new. Civilisations have for centuries believed in, nay sworn by their versions of detoxification. Indeed, in the practice of medicine across the millennia, fasting has been deployed as a ‘purifying’ technique since the year dot – the ‘father’ of Western medicine, the ancient Greek visionary Hippocrates (on whose name modern doctors take their oath), highly recommended fasting.

You may also be aware that detoxification traditionally plays a prominent role in so-called alternative medicine – much of whose philosophy and techniques are derived from those of age-old civilisations. And now, conventional medicine is also waking up to the power of cleansing the body of toxins and detoxification benefits; appreciating, as it now does, the influential role environmental factors play in a worryingly high number of ailments. Asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity and, indeed, cancer are all examples of such illnesses that are often attributable to (multiple) toxin or allergen exposure. Believe it or not, the United States’ Centers for Disease Control now claims that the cause behind more than eight in every 10 illnesses lies in environmental or lifestyle factors.

It’s not the just the experts who are waking up to the positive power of detox, however; increasingly so large numbers of the public are too. For instance, more and more people are seeking to rid their bodies of ‘heavy metal’ poisoning via detoxification. The toxicity of ‘heavy metals’, including arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, can do untold damage to the human body.

Toxin bioaccumulation

Meanwhile, through media coverage, people are becoming ever more aware of the dangers posed by synthetic agriculture chemicals, which find their way not just into the food we eat, but also the water we drink and even the air we breathe in. There’s much debate over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in crops, but the use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture is far from diminishing – in the US alone, almost 4.5kg of the stuff is in the food supply, per person per year.

To that end, it’s become almost impossible to avoid the toxins present in much of the food, drink and more we consume everyday. The pesticides and herbicides sprayed on crops aren’t just present in these crops then, but in the fatty tissue of animals that feed on them and these animals, like it or not, tend also to be injected with synthetic hormones and antibiotics; all of which we, as human beings at the top of the food chain, readily consume. So we’re exposed to the full gamut of harmful chemicals added at the different stages of the agricultural process. Experts refer to this as a bioaccumulation of toxins – and it’s precisely this that, over the years, can cause ailments like asthma, chronic fatigue, hypersensitivity to various chemicals and more. All of which means then that people by the barrel-load are turning to detoxification treatment.

Detoxification treatment

So what does detoxification actually involve? The term ‘toxin cleanse’ has cropped up in this article already, but there are one or two things that should take place before the cleansing proper begins. The first all-important step should be eliminating exposure to as many toxic and/ or allergenic substances and materials as possible. Ideally, this should be informed by tests carried out by a trained healthcare professional. That said (as mentioned above), if conventional medicine and its application has failed to pinpoint the actual cause for a sufferer’s ailments then they might conclude to just start eliminating, one by one, as many toxic sources in their life and the environment around them as they can – as Sherlock Holmes opined, once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth!

So, in this scenario, what should you seek to cut out of your everyday experience? Well, think along the lines of heavy metals and other potentially harmful chemicals you come into contact with; that includes then radiation sources (microwaves and x-rays, for instance); polluted water; pesticide- and herbicide-rich food; unnecessary synthetic medication and drugs; caffeine and alcohol; and perfume and scents. The sort of thinking you should apply here extends even to your teeth – do you have fillings? Depending on your age they may have trace levels of harmful mercury; if so, look to have them removed.

Having taken these steps then, you can now move on to the toxin cleanse. First of all, this takes the form of dietary alterations. Switching to a better all-round diet focused on fresh (preferably) organic food and definitely cutting out sugar-heavy, saturate-fat-packed foods is highly advisable, but adopting specific foods here will also aid detoxification (often those that are high in fibre and low in fat; raw vegetable- and fruit-based foods usually get a big up-tick). It’s best to check with a nutritionist and ask them what they advise for you personally.

Detoxification supplements

The second element in your toxin cleanse could well be naturally-derived nutritional supplements crammed full of vitamins and minerals – and so the amino acids, essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are brilliant for driving the flushing out of the digestive and gastrointestinal systems. It’s common among those seeking detox-focused products to go for those that will aid a liver cleanse or a kidney cleanse, or both; it’s an excellent idea, certainly. For starters, though, you may want to take a look at the ‘Detoxification’ section of our website – indeed, by way of example; at The Finchley Clinic we sell (among many detox-promoting products) the following supplements:

burbur-pinella

Burbur-Pinella – a synergistic combination of the plant extracts Burbur (great for blood, kidney, liver and lymphatic system detoxification) and Pinella (for detoxing the nerves in the brain of aluminium and mercury and supporting the immune system).

liposomal-glutathione

Liposomal Glutathione – supporting detoxification, immune health and skin health, the chemical Liposomal is the body’s primary detoxifier and a potent antioxidant; it’s provided in this supplement via the latest, state-of-the-art technique to ensure product stability.

orea

ORËÁ – a whole-body supplement that aims to remove environmental toxins such as biotoxins, heavy metals and solvents from the blood, organs, glands and cellular tissue.

Detoxification, Drive!, Thyroid Health, Thyroid Support Formula

Thyroid facts: how to boost your thyroid health

For many of us, the thyroid is one of those parts of the body we’re aware exists but don’t tend to think about. So long as it’s working away in the background; it’s not in our thoughts – out of sight, out of mind. So much so, in fact, that many of us probably couldn’t say where it is in our body, what it looks like or even what it actually does. Now, that may be all very well, but the problem arises when something goes wrong.

The thyroid is a gland; it’s bow-tie-shaped and sits at the front of the throat. More importantly, though, it’s a critical component in the endocrine system, which is responsible for the running of the body’s glands, ensuring they generate, distribute and control effectively all the hormones that float about the body and help maintain our wellbeing. In fact, so critical to the endocrine system is the thyroid that it’s sometimes referred to as its ‘leader’, which means that if and when it’s harmed by dangerous toxins – specifically those known as ‘endocrine disruptors’, it can cause serious problems. All the more reason then, not just to be aware of the thyroid, but what thyroid health tips you can follow to look after this most significant of glands.

Continue reading Thyroid facts: how to boost your thyroid health →

Detoxification, Latero-Flora, Livatrex, Oxy-Powder

Supplements Versus Toxins: The Importance of A Liver Cleanse

You’d probably be hard pressed to find anyone who’s unaware their liver processes the toxins they put in their body. Yet it may not occur to many of them that, should they be putting too many toxins in their body, it’ll be putting undue stress, wear and tear on their liver. A healthy liver is vital to ensuring a healthy body; and to ensure a healthy liver, you need to take care of it because, although it may be your body’s toxin processor, it’s not toxic-proof – indeed, nothing is.

Whichever way you look at it then, despite society deeming it normal to maintain a diet of alcoholic indulgence and nutrient-deficient, sugar-rich processed foods, living a toxin-laden lifestyle is not normal biologically speaking. As far as your body’s concerned, it’s abnormal. It overburdens the liver, thus potentially causing problems to the body as a whole, with toxins not just overwhelming the liver but finding their way into all sorts of other nooks and crannies of the body.

To that end, detoxification is becoming increasingly recognised as a sensible, nay necessary activity for the body and, of course, the liver especially. But how do you go about such a toxin cleanse – or, in this case specifically, a liver cleanse? What steps should you follow…?

Step 1: Cut out the toxins

An obvious place to start, sure; but first things first, you have to cut out the processed goods and refined sugars and reduce your alcoholic in-take. By over-indulging in these foods and fluids you might as well be waging war on you liver; that’s how it’ll feel for the poor thing anyway. Call a truce and strike peace with this most essential of your body’s organs – and give it far less to do and the opportunity to have a far easier time of it. How about, instead of the toxic foods and drinks, giving the likes of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables a try? Such toxin-free and liver-friendly foods will help happily push the process along – and tend to taste great too!

Step 2: Give herbs a go

Herb-based remedies have been relied on by specialists in indigenous and other cultures for many centuries as therapies to – wittingly or not – aid in removing toxins from the liver and, therefore, for the stimulation of bile, an alkaline fluid the gastrointestinal system produces to help digestion.

Dandelion-Formula

Granted, herbal remedies don’t detoxify the liver on their own, but they could be said to act as detox agents, as they encourage and help mobilise the natural functions of the liver to start cleansing itself. To that then, consuming herbs like organic dandelion root and leaf and turmeric are an important second step in ensuring improved liver health.

Step 3: Go organic

The drawback with relying on herbal remedies, however, is that they can be pricey. Unfortunately, unless you can find them at affordable prices in a health food shop or online, good quality organic foods in their natural form tend to be expensive – and, don’t doubt it, it’s always best to invest in pure, high quality herbs and extractions. Sure, you might be able to buy discount peppermint extract, for instance – but, if it hasn’t been grown in a natural way and so isn’t genuinely organic, how many of the natural benefits (the whole point of purchasing it) are you going to derive from the product? That said, forking out a small fortune for hard-to-get-hold-of herbs and the like isn’t the only way you to go organic – you could alternatively take the supplement route.

livatrex

And, of all the liver cleanse supplements available, the ideal one to go for is Livatrex – available through us at The Finchley Clinic. An all-natural blend of 100% organic and wild-crafted herbs, its formulation is specifically designed to support and drive the natural process of detoxifying, flushing and purging the liver of built-up toxins, fatty deposits and any accumulated stones.

Latero-Flora-60

Moreover, for a great liver cleanse, you can combine Livatrex with the additional supplements Oxy-Powder and Latero-Flora. The former is terrific for helping to loosen intestinal build-up and so aiding the release of toxic substances from the liver, as well as unwanted waste materials, while the latter helps and supports normal digestive function and assists the body in maintaining beneficial colonies of the ‘good bacteria’ that improve health. A win-win all round then for your liver cleansing efforts!

Detoxification, Latero-Flora, Oxy-Powder, Probiotics

Back down to earth with a bump: the January detox and what alcohol does to the gut and liver

If anything defines the seasonal period then it might be said to be indulgence. All that rich food, piled up on plate after plate and meal after meal. And, of course, all that alcohol too. Alcoholic consumption spikes at this time of year and, although there’s nothing wrong with having a good time and unwinding (in fact, it can obviously be good for your health), overindulging in food and drink can be very bad for your health. Especially if you do it often.

No surprise then that in January people can feel like they’ve come back down to earth with a bump and, thus, gut detoxification – or detox as it’s often known – is especially popular with them during that month. And done right; it’s far from a bad idea.

Alcohol-derived gut and liver problems

It’s widely known that excessive – or even unmoderated, regular consumption of – alcohol can cause many health problems. To be fair, there really are too many of them to cover properly in a single article like this, so let’s focus on just a few and, in particular here, one: what effect alcohol can have on what the gastrointestinal system – dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance in the gut)1.

You may not know but the gastrointestinal tract contains an entire ecosystem of bacteria, which are often referred to as gut microbiota. When we think of bacteria, we often only think of ‘bad’ harmful bacteria (the sort that are the basis of infections, for instance) and, sure, they form an amount of the microbiota in the gut, but it’s also made up of ‘good’ healthy bacteria (the sort that form the basis of probiotics that many people take to ensure good gut health). When taken together then, these microbiota are critical for successful digestion, good immunity and even mental health2.

Now, while it’s fairly widely known that an unhealthy diet rich in refined sugars and artificial additives can negatively affect this microbiota balance (tip the scales too much in favour of the ‘bad’ bacteria over the ‘good’ bacteria), too much alcohol can also contribute to this negative imbalance, upsetting and disrupting the equilibrium and intestinal environment3. In addition to dysbiosis, though, overconsumption of alcohol can lead to gut permeability – or ‘leaky gut syndrome’4.

What’s this? Well, it sees ‘bad’ bacteria escape the gut through thin membranes and into other parts of the body (bacterial translocation)3, which can lead to inflammatory issues and injuries in the liver, as well as elsewhere in the body5. And, while we’re on the subject of the liver, too much alcohol can also result in cirrhosis (scarring of the organ) and fatty liver disease (when more than 5-10% of the organ’s weight is fat)6.

How can you protect your gut from alcohol?

Before we go on, it’s probably only fair to address the fact that some experts believe alcoholic consumption, in the form of drinking red wine in moderation, is good for you and can ‘promote’ gut health, owing to it containing polyphenols (chemicals that naturally occur in plants and possess antioxidant properties)2. Indeed, a particular study suggests that red wine increases Bifidobacterium and Prevotella levels in the gut, thus lowering the levels of plasma lipopolysaccharides (an endotoxin whose presence in the intestinal tract triggers an immune response)7.

However, it’s fair to say that, in general, the less alcohol you drink the better for your body it’s going to be. So the trick is not to overconsume alcohol at any time of the year, eat a decent amount of highly healthy, green, leafy vegetables and whole, raw foods. Moreover, you might consider taking a recommended probiotic supplement to promote the growth of ‘good’ bacteria and ensure a balanced gut environment.

Supplements

Speaking of which, if you feel in need of something of a body cleanse or detox following an indulgent Christmas and/ or New Year, the following detox supplements may interest you – they’re available through The Finchley Clinic:

oxy-powder-120-capsules

Oxy-Powder (120 capsules) – a high quality oxygen based colon cleanser that helps promote friendly intestinal flora

latero-flora-60-capsules

Latero-Flora (60 capsules) – its probiotic ingredients help establish friendly colonies that contribute to good health and systemic function and support optimum digestion and helps you absorb more nutrients from food.

References

  1. Mutlu E. A., Gillevet P. M., Rangwala H., Sikaroodi M., Naqvi A., Engen P. A., Kwasny M., Lau C. K. and Keshavarzian A. ‘Colonic microbiome is altered in alcoholism’. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2012 May 1; 302 (9): G966-78. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00380.2011.
  2. Engen P. A.; Green S. J., Voigt R. M., Forsyth C. B., and Keshavarzian A. ‘The Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Alcohol Effects on the Composition of Intestinal Microbiota’. Alcohol Res. 2015; 37(2): 223–236.
  3. Medscape. ‘Alcohol and Gut Microbiota’. medscape.com Pharmacol Ther. 2015; 41 (10): 917-927.
  4. Bode C. and Bode J. C. ‘Effect of alcohol consumption on the gut’. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Aug; 17(4):575-92.
  5. Purohit V., Bode J. C., Bode C., Brenner D. A., Choudhry M. A., Hamilton F., Kang Y. J., Keshavarzian A., Rao R., Sartor R. B., Swanson C., and Turnerk J. R. ‘Alcohol, Intestinal Bacterial Growth, Intestinal Permeability to Endotoxin, and Medical Consequences’. Alcohol. 2008 Aug; 42 (5): 349–361.
  6. Alzheimer’s Association. ‘Korsakoff Syndrome’. Alzheimer’s Association. 2016.
  7. Clemente-Postigo M., Queipo-Ortuño M. I., Boto-Ordoñez M., Coin-Aragüez L., Roca-Rodriguez M. M., Delgado-Lista J., Cardona F., Andres-Lacueva C. and Tinahones F. J. ‘Effect of acute and chronic red wine consumption on lipopolysaccharide concentrations’. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 May; 97(5):1053-61. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.051128.
Detoxification, Immune health, Immune products, Kidney Health, Saponin supplements, Vitamins & Minerals

Don’t Get In A Lather – Turn To Super Saponins

We are – all of us, surely – aware of the wonderful benefit of soap. It plays a pivotal role in keeping our bodies clean. But few of us are aware that some of the chief ingredients in soap are of huge benefit to our bodies when consumed – namely, helping maintain our cholesterol levels, aiding immunity and supporting the gastrointestinal system1.

These ingredients are the plant-based chemicals known as saponins. As they generate a lather when put together with water2, saponins have proved crucial in ensuring saponaria (or soapwort) – one of the many flora they occur in – has been used as a traditional soap for many centuries2. Specifically, when mixed with water, saponins – thanks to their very individual chemical structure – create a foam as well as fatty oils, in the manner of a detergent.

Health benefits

Indeed, it’s this foam-inducing, very individual chemical structure that enables saponins to provide a number of significant health benefits:

  • Cholesterol – when its levels aren’t too high, cholesterol actually plays an important role in ensuring digestion takes place because, in the digestive tract, it’s responsible for fat-soluble molecules mixing together or, in other words, it binds with bile acids, causing the latter’s excretion from the body so they’re not absorbed back into the bloodstream; research conducted on rats suggests a specific type of high cholesterol-packed saponin extract may work to decrease ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol levels, but not beneficial ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol levels3
  • Immunity – in order to fight off the harmful effects of parasites, plants readily call on their saponins and humans can do so too; a study suggests they can be effective at combating candida4, while a specific type of saponin is a good antimicrobial for the mouth5
  • Kidneys – research evidence points to saponins sourced from Terminalia arjuna (an arjun tree) providing therapeutic effects for urinary stone issues6, thus aiding good kidney health
  • Liver – it’s believed by experts that saponins also support Kupffer cells in the liver, thus helping to encourage successful detoxification
  • Blood sugar and bone density – animal studies indicate saponins aid balanced blood sugar levels and contribute to normal bone density7, 8
  • Depression – a number of preclinical reports suggest that saponins may positively contribute to treating depression9.

Saponin sources

Although saponins seem to be rarely talked about, they can be derived from more than a hundred different plants and foods, for instance:

  • Foods – beans, chickpeas, peanuts, quinoa, soy and tomatoes, among many others
  • Herbs – bupleurum root, collinsonia, ginseng, jiaogulan, osha and Tribulus terrestris.

Saponins (extracted from quillaja and yucca) are even used in fizzy drinks like root beer to ensure they have a foamy head.

Supplements

In addition to the above food and drink-based sources, you might consider any of the following saponin supplements – all available from The Finchley Clinic. Not only do they contain the chemicals, they’re also packed full of many more essential nutrients:

cumanda

Cumanda (1 floz/ 30 ml) – typically used for candida management and microbial defence, cumanda bark may support the immune system; contains anthocyanins, cyanogenic glucosides, heterosides, saponins and tannins.

suma-120-vegicaps

Suma (Brazilian Ginseng) (120 and 60 vegicaps) – features 19 amino acids, cobalt, germanium (an antioxidant), iron, magnesium, saponins, silica, zinc and the Vitamins A, B-1, B-2, E and K.

yerba-mate-90-vegicaps

Yerba Mate (90 vegicaps, 100g powder and 40 and 90 teabags) – derived from the yerba mate tree in South America, this product contains magnesium, Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, 15 amino acids, antioxidants (polyphenols), plant sterols and saponins.

 

References

  1. Shi J., Arunasalam K., Yeung D., Kakuda Y., Mittal G. and Jiang Y. ‘Saponins from edible legumes: chemistry, processing, and health benefits’. J Med Food. 2004 Spring; 7(1): 67-78.
  2. Cornell University. Department of Animal Science – Plants Poisonous to Livestock.Updated 09/10/2015 14:58:48.
  3. Malinow M. R., McLaughlin P., Papworth L., Stafford C., Kohler G. O., Livingston A. L. and Cheeke P. R. ‘Effect of alfalfa saponins on intestinal cholesterol absorption in rats’. Am J Clin Nutr. 1977 Dec; 30(12): 2061-7.
  4. Coleman J. J., Okoli I., Tegos G. P., Holson E. B., Wagner F. F., Hamblin M. R. and Mylonakis E. ‘Characterization of Plant-Derived Saponin Natural Products against Candida albicans’. ACS Chem. Biol., 2010, 5 (3), pp 321–332. doi: 10.1021/cb900243b.
  5. Jyothi K. S. M. and Seshagiri M. ‘In-Vitro Activity of Saponins of Bauhinia Purpurea, Madhuca Longifolia, Celastrus Paniculatus and Semecarpus Anacardium on Selected Oral Pathogens’. J Dent (Tehran). 2012 Autumn; 9(4): 216–223.
  6. Chaudhary A., Singla S. K. and Tandon C. ‘In vitro Evaluation of Terminalia arjuna on Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Oxalate Crystallization’. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010 May-Jun; 72(3): 340–345.
  7. Ojewole J. A. and Adewole S. O. ‘Hypoglycaemic effect of mollic acid glucoside, a 1alpha-hydroxycycloartenoid saponin extractive from Combretum molle R. Br. ex G. Don (Combretaceae) leaf, in rodents’. J Nat Med. 2009 Apr; 63(2): 117-23. doi: 10.1007/s11418-008-0298-0. Epub 2008 Dec 3.
  8. Abbas G., Rauf K. and Mahmood W. ‘Saponins: the phytochemical with an emerging potential for curing clinical depression’. Nat Prod Res. 2015; 29(4): 302-7. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2014.942661. Epub 2014 Jul 30.
  9. Meliani N., El Amine Dib M., Allali H. and Tabti B. ‘Hypoglycaemic effect of Berberis vulgaris L. in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats’. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2011 Dec; 1(6): 468–471.