Detoxification Techniques

Elson M. Haas, M.D. practices Integrated Medicine and is founder and director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin, San Rafael, CA. He writes and lectures extensively on topics relating to Preventive Medicine, Nutrition, and Detoxification.

Some of the reasons to begin a detox program include when you experience congestive problems, are having regular headaches, or when your allergies are acting up. Another good time to start would be when your blood pressure is getting too high and your cholesterol is rising.

Haas points out that there are various levels of detoxification, everything from juice cleanses to changing your diet in certain ways that allow your detoxification to begin. Even drinking more water and getting more exercise help.

The regimen you follow will greatly depend on your level of toxicity such as when going through a substance abuse program, or doing a detox as part of your regular preventative health care.  Note, however, care should be taken to insure a safe and effective removal of toxins. Detoxification therapy programs, particularly for substance abuse, should be followed only after a consultation with a qualified health care provider. Pregnant women, convalescents, diabetics, hypoglycemics, people with mental health problems, those with metabolic imbalances, and people taking medications should not undertake a cleansing program unsupervised.

Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., of London, England states a key question to ask yourself: "am I well enough to undertake rapid and active detoxification or should I string the process out and do the job slowly?" For the most part, however, anyone can benefit from a detox program if done in the right way at the right time.

Proper Testing for Toxins
There are a few simple and inexpensive tests used to ascertain levels of toxicity in the body. Tests can involve analysis of stool, urine, blood or liver function, as well as hair analysis. However, physicians who are not familiar with detoxification may be reluctant to perform such tests. Some of the most useful standard testing options include:

Glucose tolerance test (GTT or blood-sugar test)
This test measures the blood level of glucose, the most important sugar in the body. Symptoms of lethargy, dizziness, or irritability may be caused by an abnormally low blood-sugar level, or hypoglycemia. An abnormally high glucose level may cause frequent urination and chronic infections.

Hair analysis
This valid scientific measurement is often criticized and maligned. However, the advantage to this test is that when as little as three inches of your hair is analyzed, you're observing growth over a period of three to four months. Therefore, you can obtain the average level of the body's status over a several-month period. In addition, when examining hair, you're looking at a relatively stable part of the body, as opposed to the blood, which is in a constant state of flux. Hair reveals the presence of toxic metals very well, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and aluminum. The downside to this particular test is in the proper interpretation of the results. Many labs overinterpret by overemphasizing data of minor importance, or wash the hair prior to testing. This is a relatively inexpensive, yet extremely accurate, test to have done. Note: You can use thinning sheers to gather your hair sample from the back (close to your neck) of your head.

SMA-24 blood test (Sequential Multiple Analyzer)
This is the standard blood test and should always be done on an empty stomach. No food, juice, coffee or tea six to eight hours prior to the test. The first item on the SMA-24 is the glucose level. Next are the sodium levels. Then blood urea/nitrogen, cholesterol levels, and triglycerid levels. In addition, a complete blood count will be done as well as tests on sedimentation rates and thyroid function.

Testing should always be done by a physician and be preceded by a complete medical history. A complete and thorough medical history is very important as certain symptoms are early warning signs of what later may be a serious health condition.  As an example, problems on the surface of the skin, such as a rash, blemishes or red, blotchy skin, may signify underlying toxicities requiring treatment.  Headaches, fatigue, and Pre-menstrual syndrome also can provide clues.

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