Detoxing to coax beauty from within
The practice of detoxification has been around for many years in different forms with different approaches to ridding the human body of harmful chemicals. With industrialization, humans are exposed to more toxins than ever before. Now the challenge is to help the body release harmful elements that can put it at risk for illness. According to Dr. Hans Gruenn, the solution is “Total Body Cleanse.”
During his recent lecture at the Santa Monica Public Library, Gruenn shared his knowledge about removing toxins that hamper the body’s ability to fight disease.
“We are exposed to 80,000 chemicals and many of them are still unidentified. Many go undiscovered until humans show signs of sickness as a result of them,” Gruenn says.
What exactly do toxins do to the body? According to Gruenn, they block enzymes, create free radicals, acidify the body, affect circulation, create an oxygen deficiency and produce inflammatory reactions.
“Detoxification is attained in spas throughout Europe, which approach the spa concept in a detox-oriented manner, whereas American spas approach the spa concept in a beauty-oriented manner,” Gruenn says.
The phrase “beauty comes from within” takes on its most literal meaning when toxins take over the average adult’s body and ultimately cause disease.
The different ways of exposure to chemicals and toxins that affect a person’s body are ingestion, inhalation and physical contact.
One example of physical contact is personal care products. Women were found to have a higher exposure to chemicals than men. The culprit: cosmetics.
Gruenn points out that, “You are surrounded by a sea of chemicals, especially the chemicals that you have under your sink.”
Household cleaners and sterilizing agents are filled with harmful chemicals that, with enough exposure, can affect the body negatively. These are items that even children can inhale simply by being in the same space with them.
Acting on its own, the body naturally flushes out chemicals and toxins, primarily, this is accomplished by liver, colon and kidneys. The secondary way of toxin release is through the skin, throat, stomach and sinuses.
This secondary way of release is how toxins can cause rashes or eczema, vaginal infections, or sinus infections.
Gruenn stresses to never suppress any form of excretion such as vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating. These are good things that show toxins escaping the body.
“If the body doesn’t find easy ways to excrete toxins, [they] will go deeper into the body and potentially produce cancers,” Gruenn warns.
“Being healthy is having low exposure to chemicals, getting lots of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and proteins as well as having a good detoxification capacity,” Gruenn says.
Whatever the effect of toxins, some do handle toxins better than others. These people are not as sensitive to the chemicals, but Gruenn reminds that, “The exposure will catch up with the person once they begin to reach their forties and fifties.”
Toxins attack an older adult’s body in its Achilles’ heel. Gruenn says, most often leading to joint pain.
“Most people who have toxins in their bodies don’t even know it until they start showing symptoms, by which time it is too late,” Gruenn says.
Gruenn recommends that Santa Monica College students get as much sleep as they can, especially since nighttime is when the parasympathetic system renders the body dormant enough to excrete toxins, as opposed to the during the day when it is actively processing and absorbing nutrients.
“It is important for college students to understand the importance of being healthy and detoxification now, for the insurance of their own health in the future, and the potential of having a good life,” Gruenn says.
Gruenn advises to detoxify at least twice a year during spring or fall to avoid the weather extremes of summer and winter.
Movement is always needed to facilitate detoxification.
Sweating, a result of continuous movement, is a good sign, since everything that the liver cannot handle leaves the body with sweat.
Gruenn also believes that is important to “shower as soon as possible after sweating to wash off the toxins on the surface of the skin. If the sweat is not cleaned, it will naturally be absorbed back into the body.” This can cause the skin to develop a negative reaction, such as breakouts.
Gruenn leaves us with three points to be aware of our health. After eating, a person should never feel bloated, gassy, tired or sleepy. Also, a meal should not interfere with a good night’s sleep. Post-meal discomfort and sleep disruption are symptomatic of gut toxicity.