A Fresh Start for the New Year

Rejuvenate your cells and restore health with simple and effective techniques for a thorough whole body cleanse.

Some medical experts consider it a “silent epidemic.” Others refer to it as “toxic overload.” But no matter what it’s called, there’s plenty of evidence that we are under serious assault by environmental toxins. According to 2002 estimates by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 7 billion pounds of industrial compounds -- containing 650 different toxins -- are released into the environment each year. Unfortunately, many of those compounds end up in the air, water, food – and eventually our bodies.

One example: a 2003 study by Mt. Sinai School of Medicine examined blood samples from more than 210 individuals, some of whom were residents of rural coastal areas and largely consumed organic food. The samples revealed 167 different pollutants in subjects’ blood, with an average of 91 pollutants per person. Fifty-three of those substances were recognized carcinogens, known to cause cancer. Researchers found heavy metals, insecticides and pesticides, dioxins and other industrial contaminants, and phthalates, substances common in plastics and personal care products that have been linked to reproductive and organ damage.

An isolated study? Not by a long shot. The Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, published in 2005, had similar findings, and there are plenty of others with similar conclusions.

From a human perspective, the accumulated exposure to these toxins takes a heavy toll. Scientists point to an epidemic of chronic degenerative diseases among Americans. Consider this sampling:

• The CDC estimates that 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer. Plus death rates from the disease have not improved since the 1950s;
• 70 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, making it the number one cause of mortality in the U.S. every year since 1900 (with the exception of 1918 and the Spanish flu pandemic);
• 43 million Americans suffer from arthritis, with an addition 23 million complaining of joint pain – and those figures have increased 74% in less than twenty-five years;
• 16 million American adults have asthma, a figure that has more than doubled recently. Children under the age of five are currently experiencing the highest rate of increase;
• Personal prescription drug expenditures soared 1350% between 1980 and 2002, rising from $12 to more than $160 annually.

The conditions listed above – cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases – are not an inevitable part of aging caused by longer lifespans. By and large, they are the result of accumulated damage to cell membranes, DNA, tissues, organ functions and biological processes created by years of exposure to damaging substances. And exposure to even extremely small amounts of some toxins can be problematic.

The heavy metal mercury is a good example. Even though fish is considered a healthy addition to the diet, eating large amounts of certain types of fish may result in high levels of mercury in the body. Symptoms of mercury poisoning may include attention deficit disorders, memory loss, depression, fatigue, headache, anxiety, tremors, pain or numbness in extremities and autism.

Of course, mercury is only one of hundreds of substances that can compromise health. And the combined effect of all the various pollutants is truly unknown. But there is a silver lining here. Regular detoxification reduces the toxic load on our bodies, and there are plenty of different ways to do that. Detoxification is especially important because it’s nearly impossible to avoid environmental pollution.

A good place to start a detoxification program is by determining which toxins may be causing problems. Blood or fecal tests, hair and fingernail analysis, 24-hour urinalysis and other methods can provide details on the substances that may be affecting your health.

Depending on the findings of those tests, there’s a veritable smorgasbord of detox options to choose from. Some may be more personally appealing than others. One simple way to help your body eliminate toxins is by drinking at least eight glasses of clean, ionized water every day. Exercise, especially on a Rebounder-type mini-trampoline, encourages circulation in the lymphatic system, which plays a role in removing toxins from the body. Focusing on a diet of organic foods, fasting, juicing, practicing cleansing breathing exercises and replacing conventional household cleansers with safer, natural products are other good ways to reduce exposure to toxins.

If you need to take detoxing a step further, your physician can recommend specific treatments. Here’s a look at a few of those possibilities:

• Far Infrared Sauna (FIR) uses radiant energy instead of convectional heat to induce sweating, which helps remove toxins from the body. FIR is especially useful for removing alcohol, nicotine, cholesterol, PCBs and certain heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium and aluminum.
• Light Beam Generator stimulates the lymphatic system, the body’s very own toxic waste removal manager. Light Beam Generator is especially helpful for individuals with compromised immune systems.
• Chelation Therapy, which can be done orally, intravenously, rectally or topically with applications to the skin, is often recommended for removing heavy metals from the body. During chelation, substances that bind with heavy metals are introduced into the body, so the metals can be eliminated in the urine.
• Body Cleanse, or Foot Detox, involves placing the feet in salted water containing an ion generator. A small current creates ions with both positive and negative charges. These ions attach themselves to toxic substances, and then painlessly release them into the water.

To find out more about detoxing options, schedule an appointment with a Center for New Medicine physician, and make this New Year the healthiest ever!

ASK DR. CONNEALY

Q: I heard that the Coca-Cola company is going to begin using stevia in some of their Coke products! Great news, if true. Have you heard anything along those lines?

A: We have seen stevia popping up in several products as alternative sweeteners, and we’re glad that this change is occurring. Stevia, which is derived from a shrub, has several advantages over sugar. For example, it contains no calories or carbohydrates, and it has none of the negative side effects of artificial sweeteners.

That said, however, we still think it’s generally best for people to stick with tea and good, clean, filtered or ionized water! Bottoms up! And remember, taking charge of your own health is the most rewarding journey of all.

Get a Headstart on Snacking Smart

Whether you’re looking to lose a few pounds picked up during the holidays or just want to make healthy eating part of your new year, healthy snacking can help.

How many healthy eating plans have been derailed by hunger pangs? It’s a safe bet that the answer to that question is “Plenty”! Snacking is a good way to avoid diet meltdowns – if it’s done right. But if “snack” translates into a high-calorie indulgence like mocha latte and a half-pound muffin, it could add up to more calories than a standard meal.

Instead of letting hunger and temptation team up to get the best of you, plan ahead. Stock up on fresh produce and satisfying, low-carb fare that’s easy to pack for work and travel. That means spending more time in the produce aisle and avoiding shelves filled with pre-packaged convenience foods, like chips, crackers, cookies and the like. And yes, that includes the “only 100 calories per serving” goodies, which usually are made with processed flour, high fructose corn syrup and/or artificial flavorings and preservatives.

If convenience is an issue, supermarkets offer plenty of pre-packed, washed and trimmed veggies and fruits these days. And let’s not forget that Mother Nature provides most fruits in her own ready-to-go “packaging.” Some may need a good washing, but many don’t even require that. What could be faster than peeling a banana, kiwi or orange? Voila -- instant snack!

For variety, don’t overlook nuts. Research has shown that adding small amounts of nuts to a weight management plan can be an effective way to avoid hunger pangs without sacrificing flavor. Plus, nuts are good sources of healthy fats, fiber and other nutrients. Just remember the key words here are “small amounts.” In general, that means about one-quarter cup or less, depending on the type of nut. Be sure to choose unsalted versions and beware some of the “dry roasted” products – they may contain flavor additives like MSG (monosodium glutamate), which has been linked to a long list of health concerns.

When planning for the day (and yes, planning meals and snacks in advance is highly recommended; otherwise, it’s too easy to grab whatever’s available), a good rule of thumb is to limit each snack to either a protein or a nut serving and/or non-starchy veggies or half a food bar.

For beverages, unlimited servings of naturally decaffeinated teas are fine, but remember that regular green tea does contain caffeine. Fresh, pure spring or ionized water is always an excellent choice. Skip the products that provide flavor with artificial sweeteners and other chemicals. A better choice: add a slice of cucumber, a half strawberry, bit of melon, or wedge of citrus to turn plain water into an instant treat.

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