detox Archives - Rise to Human

Solitude makes us tougher towards ourselves and tenderer towards others. In both ways it improves our character.
Friedrich Nietzsche.

Here we are, ready for more? The last post covered some prevention methods. Usually deficient aspects of our lives. This post carries prevention methods that are one of two things. Empowering or giving TLC to neglected aspects of your life. Let’s start with the not so straight forward and progress to the straight forward stuff. After all progress is moving forward in a straight line.

Before we get to phytochemicals, the neglected part needs to be discussed.

Detox.

This isn’t about juicing nor fasting, there’s a time and a place for that, rather this is more about proper elimination. The source of elimination is not limited only to the ivory throne. Your body exudes on a daily basis. the skin, the lungs, urine, and yes bowel movements. Let’s get our hands dirty. Remember to wash them afterwards.

Toxic Avengers

Toxins affect the immune system greatly. The body is designed to handle toxins, but ultimately the body is responsible for any repair. An example, a surgeon may stitch a wound shut, but the body finishes the job. Your body is willing to detox. Allow it. Detoxification is done through the liver in two stages.

Do not overburden your liver. No matter how bad it has been. — Do not overburden your liver. It will not vomit toxic rainbows either.

Phase 1 and 2 detox

The liver breaks down toxins into a less toxic form. Some are ready to be expelled, others are still toxic and need further processing.

Phase II converts toxins into nontoxic water-soluble forms. These are excreted through urine or bile into the digestive tract and into the toilet, down the drain to never be seen again.

Glutathione, the master antioxidant, is the number one step in phase II. Do not wastefully deplete your supply. Many toxins are willing and able to do that to you. Mercury can exhaust it, but you have tools to safeguard it.

Detox Organs. An Overview

Detox liver
Cleanse colon
Clear blood and improve lymph flow.
Aid the connective tissue.

The Liver.

The liver filters microbes form blood. It also converts toxins into less harmful substances. We can assist the liver with food and with herbs.

Protective/assistant herbs and nutrients:

Milk thistle
Celandine
Dandelion
Methionine
Choline
Betaine (not HCI)
Vitamin B12
Folate

Foods

Liver
Beets
Radishes
Seed sprouts
Dandelion greens
All greens

The Large intestine.

Don't push it. Colon does not do well under stress. — The colon needs some love too.

The 2nd most important organ. Microbes in gut are essential to detoxing foreign material. The large intestine is responsible for expelling toxins into the ivory throne.

Herbs to help the colon:

Any plant. Fiber gets fermented in the digestive system and freely forms butyrate acid. This acid is an energy source for the colon. Eat adequate fiber. Butter is another great source of butyrate acid. In terms of foods, butter is the highest source of it.

Lastly to aid elimination, squat to poop. This reduces pressure in the colon making for an easy smooth drop. Avoid constipation. You want your large bowel eliminations to make you proud. If you eat three times a day, you should poop three times a day.

Blood and lymph

How to clean blood and why should you care? Lymph is responsible for clearing out microbes. Lymph also aids in clearing blood toxins. White blood cells are very active in the lymph system. By improve your lymph flow you improve the removal of foreign invaders like our infamous coronavirus. How do we improve the flow?

Exercise. Yes, moving the body moves the lymph. Specifically aerobic exercise. Any vibrating force aids in moving the slush of dead viruses and junk through the side streets of lymph. Whether the thudding of your feet on the ground, or the rhythmic motion from a massage.

Inversion are great as well as gravity helps drain the lymph. Use inversions with a table or the free version, handstands. For an easier version do a downward dog variation.

Herbs for the lymph.

red clover
yellow dock
echinacea

Connective tissue

A great defense system. Connective tissue, think tendons and ligaments, help to cushion the body and are affected by stress. It can be easily damaged by toxins and diseases like inflammation.

If an infection is present, the lymph and blood have it. Tendons, ligaments and fascia exchange fluid with the lymphatic system. This causes the connective tissue to store some toxins. Exercise helps clear the connective tissue. It improves blood flow to the connective tissue. Acupuncture and massage help move fluids out of these tissues. Because of self-isolation, foam roll it out.

These were the primary elimination organs. Secondary organs are as follows:

Secondary organs

Kidneys maintain fluids and filter the blood.

Promote kidney function

Drink enough water. Take mild diuretics to aid elimination.

Use natural diuretics such as:

Carrots
Parsley
Peaches
Corn silk tea

supportive herbs

Uva ursi (tea)
Nettle (tea)

Lungs, the respiration system. Mucous membranes trap microbes and other particles. You can rinse sinus passages to help clear it. Qigong and pranayama help cleanse the lungs by removing stale air.

Breath. Consider attending a sauna a few times a week if possible.

Skin excretes waste via sweat and oils. Consider dry brushing [7] before showering to remove excess dead skin cells or a have detox bath. Remember the skin also absorbs what’s in contact with it. Avoid exposure to any toxins to prevent immunity reduction.

A Final Word.

Restoring the innate immune function.

Most of us have a hindered and weak immune system. The first step towards improvement is becoming aware of your body. What you feel, and how you feel.

Notice fever when it is present.

Fever feels like an all over body warmth with a flushed face. A fever under 101 degrees, manage at home. Resting and increasing fluids is enough. Use cool cloths to relax the fever a bit. Once it is unmanageable, go to the hospital. This means you have tried everything for at least a day or two and no change. Conversely, if it is over 101, that needs more assistance.. Fever plays a vital role. [1] Do your best not to ignore or cover those symptoms. Doing so may prolong the infection and is associated with higher mortality.[2][8]

Rest at the first sign of illness. This is your body telling you to self-isolate.

Remember how to rest.

Draw the shades, avoid light, do nothing.
Play only soothing music or meditate.
Sleep when sleepy.

On inflammation

Rest. Improve your omega 3 status and lower your omega 6 intake. Use DHA, EPA or GLA omega fatty acids, not ALA. Animal sources of omega 3s are better absorbed and used than plant sources.

For chronic inflammation, exercise and reduce stress to regulate cortisol better. At home remedies exist to lower inflammation, but the culprit is usually the omega 3 status.

Good sources of Omega 3s:

Wild ocean fish and some freshwater fish. Avoid farmed fish.
Pastured eggs
Grass-fed animal meat and dairy.
Algae oil (only if you are vegan.)

Onto the main event. A preventative list consisting of herbs and immune modulators. Feel free to pick one from each category to use for prevention. These herbs either reduce inflammation or boost the body’s fighting ability. An adept boxer does not wear boxing gloves to knock out an opponent. The gloves are to prevent injury to the striking hand.

Prevention herbs

Astragalus

not antiviral, good for prevention.[9]

Dose: 9-30 grams in water simmered for a tea or 500mgs caps 2-3 times daily.

Cordyceps

Immune modulating and anti-inflammatory.[5]
Boosts natural killer cell and helper T-cell counts.[6]

Dose: 6-15 grams dried herb made into a tea or 500mg-1000mg 3 times daily 10-20 mins before food.

CAUTION: contraindicated in fevers, active colds and flus.

Ginseng

Prevents cold and flu.[10][11]
Lowers stress.
Increases liver function.

Dose:100-300mgs daily or boil 3-10 g Korean ginseng for 1 hour. Otherwise follow manufacture’s instructions.

CAUTION: Do not take when ill. Avoid taking if you have high blood pressure, take mao inhibitors, or anti Parkinson’s drugs.

He shou wu

For prevention.

Dose: 9-15 grams of root as a tea in one-quart water boil 30-45 mins. Take 1 cup daily away from food. If taking pills, follow manufacturer’s recommended dose.

Coronavirus stands no chance. White blood cells don't do or die, they die but do. — Despite burning pain and fiery inflamation, white blood cells will stab coronavirus.

Immune enhancers

These regulate and boost the immune system. During these days, we can all use a boost; however these are not 100 percent necessary. All the previous steps are enough in preventing illness. These are more like icing on the cake. Should you choose to trend down this path, select 1-2 carefully. It can be dangerous to go alone, take these.

CAUTION: Avoid these if you have an autoimmune disorder or are taking any immunosuppressing drugs.

Acemannan

This is an aloe vera leaf extract .

increases T-cells and cytotoxic cells.[12]
best to not eat lots of aloe as this can cause diarrhea.

Take manufacturers recommended dose.

Arabinogalactan

polysaccharide in carrots radishes pears.
may cause gas or bloating
raises NK cells and macrophage activity and may sync with vitamin C[3][4]

Dose: 1-3 tbs a day in water possibly with vitamin C

Beta 1,3 D glucan

found in mushrooms.
cordyceps is one of the best out there for antiviral components.
stimulates macrophages. 72 hours after ingestion[13]

Dose: 100mgs(mouth) or other recommended dosage.

Mushroom immuniceuticals.

Several pertain to this category specifically: AHCC and MGM.

MGM=hemicellulose B

increases NK cell activity

Dose: 3-4 grams daily times 3 for 14 days to load then 1-2 grams daily times 2

AHCC=hemicellulase alpha 1, 4 glucan

Activates the immune response and may reduce viral shedding.[19][20]

Dose: 6 grams throughout the day.

Reishi

Antiviral effects and immune modulator.[15]

Take manufacturers recommended dose.

Dairy and others.

Colostrum

Potent immune factors [17]

Dose: 1-4 grams daily on an empty stomach.

Lactoferrin

concentrate from colostrum.
binds to iron making it harder to get for microbes.
boosts T cells and macrophages.[18]

Start slow with these in case of dairy intolerances.

Folate

Take folate and avoid folic acid or other synthetic forms.[16]

Preventative dose: 800mgs daily. During viral infection take 1-5 grams.

Germanium

Trace mineral found in mushrooms like shitake
Better to eat the mushrooms for this one

If you can afford the supplement 275mgs 3 times daily.

For Chronic Or Acute Inflammation.

Cat’s claw

Anti inflammatory antioxidant [14]
Take standardized.
Look for 8 percent carboxyl alkylesters

Take manufacture’s recommended dose.

Curamed

Outstanding anti-inflammatory effects.

Follow recommended dosing.

CBD oil.

This one is harder to recommend due to legal issues and quality issues. I’ll list one here. It may be listed as hemp oil to bypass any legal issues. Note that you need to be aware of your local laws and abide by them.

Reduces inflammation
Lowers stress/anxiety

Take the recommended dose.

Tag: detox

War On COVID-19 part 7 The Prevention Awakens