Modern life is filled with toxins that our bodies struggle to eliminate. Key to this process is a healthy colon. What most people don’t know: A salt water flush is a superior and less expensive way to detox your colon than a colonic irrigation procedure.

Colon Protection

A popular adage maintains: “Death begins in the colon.” This medical maxim is more than a mere generalization. When toxins build up in the colon due to insufficient and infrequent elimination, poisons breed, leading to complications, disease and eventually death.

A shocking 85 percent of Americans battle poor digestion and inadequate elimination. And food can putrefy and rot in the body when not properly digested and eliminated. The process is similar to the way unrefrigerated meat rots and turns sour because of bacterial action on animal proteins.

Parasites dwell in the colon, intestines and other organs, feeding off tissues and producing undesirable wastes. When your body transports parasitic wastes and byproducts of improperly digested food through the bloodstream, these substances wreak havoc on the body.

A long-term buildup of toxins hinders your body’s natural ability to get rid of poisons the accumulated effects of which could eventually kill you.

Digestion Optimization

Colon cleansing optimizes digestion and ensures against toxic buildup. But professional colonic irrigations, also referred to as colonics or colon hydrotherapy, can be expensive and rely on the care of a medical practitioner.

But if you are looking for a natural, inexpensive detoxification program to either replace or to complement colonics, opt for the saltwater flush, a simple, at-home treatment that effectively and safely cleanses the colon and digestive system.

Saltwater flushes are not only safer than traditional colonics and enemas, but are also more effective. Colonics treat only the colon, but saltwater flushes move through the entire digestive tract, without any harmful side effects.

Flushing

Salt water has many uses. It is a well-known treatment for a sore throat. You can soak in salt baths to help treat wounds and soothe sore muscles. In a similar manner, the salt in the salt water cleanse promotes the rejuvenating capabilities of the body by gently coaxing the body to repair itself.

Picture a salt water flush as a therapeutic soak for your insides. As your body relaxes, toxins that have been trapped inside your digestive tract — much like the grime and oil that builds up in household pipes — are removed. A good washing cleans those pipes and your body so that fluids and solids move through with more ease and efficiency.

A Simple Procedure

Ingredients:

• 2 level teaspoons unrefined, non-iodized sea salt. Do not use iodized table salt or Epsom salt.
• 1 quart (32 oz) purified lukewarm water.

Equipment:

• Quart jar made of glass.
• Straw.
• Kettle for warming water. Do not microwave.

Instructions:

• Place 2 teaspoons of salt into quart jar.
• Pour in warm water and stir.
• Drink the entire 32 ozs of salt water first thing in the morning, without food and as fast as possible. Most people find it easiest to drink the salt water with a straw.
• After drinking the salt water, lie on your right side for 30 minutes so the salt water reaches the lower right side of the stomach, which houses the opening to the small intestine.
• After 30 minutes, you are free to move about as you wish, though you should remain near the bathroom.

Expectations

Traveling through the small intestines, the saltwater flush triggers contractions that push the liquid through your digestive tract. You can further stimulate the passage of liquids through your abdomen by massaging the area.

While everyone reacts differently and at different speeds, you should feel the need to eliminate within one to two hours. You will need to use the bathroom more than once; intense and frequent diarrhea is common and is a sign that the cleanse is working as it moves through the digestive system.

Nausea and vomiting are also side effects. In fact, hospitals once used cleanses similar to the salt water flush to induce vomiting. Please note that the urge to vomit reduces with each use.

Since the salt water flush is moving through the digestive tract at such speed, eliminating, while brief, may be uncomfortable. The discomfort is temporary, while the lasting effects of the cleanse are impressive. Make sure you pass gas only over a toilet in case liquid emerges.

Tips on Practicing the Salt Water Flush

Herbal laxative teas are good supplements the night before a flush; they intensify the process. Massaging your stomach to help shake up waste matter is also beneficial, speeding up the process. Brisk abdominal exercises also help.

The salt water flush is a safe, natural alternative to expensive colon cleanses. Ridding your body of toxic buildup increases energy, aids digestion, encourages weight loss and promotes a stronger immune system.

Transition

Spring is a transitional season. Nature emerges from her inert, conservative wintry suspension into the high activity of summer. In a parallel fashion, the spring cleanse aims to lighten up our systems and make us more lively and efficient for increased physical challenges and activities.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is intimately related to the wood element, as well as to the liver and gall bladder. Consequently, our spring cleanse mainly focuses on the liver. The liver is linked to turbulent emotions: unresolved anger and irritability.

Spring is characterized by the strong energy of growth and change, so it is important to allow this energy to flow smoothly and unimpeded. By spending more time in a natural setting and engaging in exercises, movement and relaxation techniques beneficial for the heart and mind (such as meditation), you can simultaneously relieve congested emotions and support a healthy liver (and, as a result, the entire body).

Maximizing The Cleanse

Your personal goals should determine the intensity of your detox regimen. But remember that it’s important to begin any type of cleanse under the supervision of an experienced healthcare provider who can guide you in the process — especially if you have health concerns or chronic ailments.

Below are some of my top holistic mind/body preparation tips to help you get the most out of your spring cleanse.

Planning Your Spring Cleanse

A spring cleanse can be as short as three days or as long as 21 days. I find that 10 to 14 days is optimal for most individuals. You can choose to start with a preparation phase, followed by a middle segment that is more intense, and wind your cleanse down by repeating the preparation phase.

Diet: However you plan your detox, the foundation of the program should always be a fresh, healthy diet that focuses on plenty of organic vegetables, either steamed or raw.

Supplementation: High-quality nutritional supplements such as PectaSol Chelation Complex (PCC) helps cleanse the circulation and digestive tract in preparation for deeper and more thorough phases of detoxification. PCC contains both modified citrus pectin and a unique modified alginate compound that function synergistically to bind and eliminate toxins without depleting the body of essential vitamins and minerals.

Hydration: Don’t forget to drink plenty of pure water (and herbal tea); hydration is extremely critical during a cleanse.

Time and Space: Taking time off from work during your cleanse is ideal. Give yourself the space to expand, relax and meditate on the things you wish to let go. That can help you release toxins in all areas of health: emotional, physical, mental and spiritual. If you can’t take time away from work, try to give yourself a few hours every day to create a sacred space to unpeel the layers of obstructions that may be hindering your health and vibrancy.

Environment: Cleansing and purifying your home, work and other environments is also an important preparation step. Cleaning out the stagnant winter energy, dusting and removing pathogens that may be lingering inside your home, and getting rid of clutter in your surroundings can have profound positive impacts on the health of your body, mind and spirit.

Designating a sacred space for meditation, relaxation and contemplation sends a message to your entire being that your commitment to vibrant health, clarity and other important areas is sincere and profound. See what positive changes will arise when you focus your energy into a sacred healing space for yourself.

Preparing Your Mind For Spring Detox

If you had the opportunity to experiment with meditation and inner reflection during the winter, you’ve likely discovered aspects of yourself that you no longer need to hold onto. So, as part of the cleansing process, it’s always useful to decide what it is you’re prepared to abandon as you move forward into the spring.

An expansive approach to detoxification uses the cleansing process as a means of increasing your degree of freedom and openness. Take an example from nature: Just as the day expands from dawn to dusk and the weather warms with the arrival of a new season, we can allow our perceptions to expand. Meditation represents one of the most profound ways to do this. By engaging in regular meditation, we can embrace those things in life that previously troubled us. Letting go of the afflictive emotions that have so much control over our perception of reality is an important part of the cleansing process.

That’s why a cleanse should always begin with the ultimate goal of creating greater freedom and opening up of the self. This can be done with simple meditation practices that focus on your breathing, such as Shamata Meditation. I will be sharing these and other meditation practices at my upcoming Meditation and Healing Retreat, April 26-29 in Petaluma, Calif. For more information on this event, visit http://betterhealthpublishing.com/.

Unfolding

During the unfolding process of cleansing and meditation, our overloads and afflictions are released and allowed to dissipate like dew in the morning sun. As we detoxify and let go of these limiting perceptions and emotions, we find that the same stimuli no longer bring the same responses, and that life naturally grows easier.

A successful cleanse can do all this and more. In addition to more vibrant physical health, we can also develop a deeper sense of compassion and understanding while releasing and transforming negative patterns — allowing us to move forward into the next season with a healthier body and mind.

Gradual Beginnings

A healthy detoxification program should always begin gradually. With so many methods available, it can be difficult to find a simple starting point. As an integrative medical doctor and detoxification expert, I’d like to share some of my top recommended steps for safe and effective detoxification that can provide lasting energy, vitality and overall wellness.

1. Reduce Your Exposure To Toxins

Every day, we are exposed to harmful health-robbing toxins such as bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, PFOA, formaldehyde, PDBEs, heavy metals, etc. from cleaning and beauty products, cookware, the environment and other sources. We are also bombarded with toxins from processed, fried or non-organic foods, alcohol, stimulants, medications and more. These toxins accumulate in the body over time and damage DNA, create inflammation and impair critical biological functions. You can reduce exposure by choosing all-natural foods and non-toxic products whenever possible, and make sure your home and work environments are properly ventilated. Have yourself tested for food allergies if you feel you may be sensitive to gluten, dairy, eggs or other allergenic foods. Allergens can increase the permeability of your digestive tract, allowing toxins to easily enter your circulation.

2. Alkalize Your Diet

Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables high in alkalizing minerals — such as potassium, magnesium and calcium — by eating foods like red potatoes, avocado and Brussels sprouts. Green leafy vegetables are rich in magnesium, while broccoli, sea vegetables, collards, chard and other greens are rich in calcium. An alkalizing mineral broth can be easily made by combining potatoes, celery, parsley, green beans, zucchini, beet tops, kale, onions and seaweed in a full pot of water; simmering for an hour or two; and pouring off the liquid for use. This method makes a highly nutritious, mineral-rich liquid suitable for a seasonal cleanse.

Other alkalizing food sources include liquid chlorophyll and powdered green supplements, as well as the highly alkaline umeboshi plum paste, which is a sour plum commonly used in Japanese cuisine. An alkaline diet can aid in the removal of toxins, reduce inflammation and boost overall health and energy.

3. Pre-Cleanse With Gentle Supplements

Gentle detox supplementation begins with natural ingredients that help to clear toxins from the circulation and digestive systems, while providing overall health support. Start with an organic 10-mushroom formula, which helps remove toxins and provides powerful benefits to every major body system, including the immune system. Modified citrus pectin is another key supplement that safely removes heavy metals and environmental toxins from circulation and digestion, reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, and protects against cancer and chronic illness by blocking harmful galectin-3 molecules.

4. Detoxify Organs And Tissues With Nutrients And Botanicals

After gently detoxifying circulation and digestion, you can gradually advance to more thorough detoxification of organs and tissues where toxins are often stored over time. For deeper, in-depth detoxification, I recommend incorporating compounds, herbs and nutrients such as n-acetyl cysteine, selenium, MSM, alpha-lipoic acid, milk thistle, cilantro, goldenrod, garlic and dandelion leaf. These natural detoxifying agents have their own affinities for specific organs and systems of the body, and work to successfully eliminate toxins without side effects. They also boost vital energy and provide a wide array of antioxidant support to combat the oxidative stress caused during toxin removal.

5. Hydrate

Dehydration can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, thus increasing toxicity. Drink plenty of pure water and herbal tea to help assist the flushing of toxins from your body and keep your natural detox functions running smoothly. Proper hydration promotes better functioning of all your body’s systems.

6. Get Moving

Simple, moderate exercise on a regular basis helps keep the lymphatic system moving, release stored toxins, increase circulation and improve immune response. Movement also aids in releasing physical, emotional and psychological energies that may have you feeling “stuck.” Even just 15 minutes of walking, especially in a natural setting, can offer powerful benefits for detoxification and overall health.

7. Let Go With Simple Meditation

In today’s modern environment, we are often bombarded by stress, anxiety and negative thoughts and emotions. Stress affects us physically by degrading immune function and increasing stress hormones, which promote blood sugar imbalances, inflammation and oxidative stress. You can help clear this toxic burden on your mental, emotional and physical health through the process of letting go. Regular meditation practice is a proactive and well-researched method for easing these burdens, even if you meditate for only 10 minutes a day. Simply sit quietly and focus your attention, as well as your breathing, on a particular object such as a small stone. As thoughts and emotions arise, acknowledge and release them, bringing your attention back to your breath.

Numerous published studies show meditation can improve psychological/emotional well-being and help with issues ranging from cardiovascular disease, inflammation and immune activity to pain, anxiety, depression and more.

Following these relatively easy, yet important, tips for a successful cleanse allows you to quickly feel the benefits of reduced stress and anxiety, decreased inflammation and increased energy as well as improved health and vitality. They are rewards you won’t want to miss.

Toxic Burden

Studies over the past several years reveal that many people’s bodies are burdened with alarmingly high levels of many common, yet dangerous, toxins which are closely linked to numerous chronic illnesses, developmental conditions and behavioral problems. Some of the most prevalent toxins and pollutants found within and around us today include: bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, PFOA, formaldehyde, PDBEs, dioxins and heavy metals. By avoiding exposure to these all-too-common health menaces and taking regular measures to safely detoxify your body, home and surroundings, you can help protect your long-term health and possibly reduce environmental harm:

• Bisphenol-A (BPA): A chemical found in plastic that may mimic estrogen in the body, disrupting endocrine system functions. Each year in the United States, nearly 90 million plastic bottles are produced and purchased, burdening both the environment and your health. BPA from these containers seeps into your beverages at high temperatures, especially in hot weather. To minimize damage to both the planet and your health, try glass or stainless steel bottles and containers, which can be safely re-used by everyone in the family.
• Phthalates: Chemicals that bind other chemicals together and soften plastics. Sources include shampoo, perfumes, soaps, shower curtains and vinyl flooring. Phthalates also may harmfully disturb the endocrine system. Try to avoid using personal care products that contain fragrances which frequently contain phthalates.
• Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA): Substance applied to the surfaces of non-stick products. It’s believed that heating non-stick pans and cookware releases PFOA vapors that you may inhale. PFOA has also been found in drinking water sources. Avoid non-stick cookware and opt for stainless steel or cast iron instead.
• Formaldehyde: A glue resin found heavily in constructed wood products, such as particle board, plywood and fiberboard. This chemical is released in vapor through a process known as “off-gassing.” To reduce exposure, purchase exterior-grade pressed-wood products, which release much lower amounts of formaldehyde. Increasing ventilation in your home can also help reduce indoor air levels.
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): Flame retardants. Although they are in many different products, they get into our bodies primarily from the dust in our homes. Items like televisions and computers contain these chemicals and gradually expel them, letting them concentrate in dust. Breathing in or touching this dust is indeed dangerous, so make sure you regularly clean and dust your house.
• Dioxins: Chemicals produced during combustion, in industrial settings as well as in common incineration and burn processes such as wood fires, backyard waste, diesel exhaust and others. Dioxins also form during bleach processes like paper pulp bleaching, as well as in the manufacture of chemical pesticide/herbicides. Your main route of exposure to dioxins is probably from dioxin-contaminated food. Dioxin  accumulates in fat tissues and can increase the risk of cancer, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular illness, reproductive/developmental problems and other degenerative conditions.
• Harmful Heavy Metals: Lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel and other metals are industrial byproducts. These are alarmingly present in a large number of everyday sources including food (especially mercury in seafood), medicines, water, bath and household products. Unlike beneficial metals such as copper, zinc and iron, harmful heavy metals are not processed by the body. They accumulate in soft tissues, where they eventually wreak havoc by damaging DNA and disrupting critical biological functions.

Detoxify

Safely detoxifying heavy metals and environmental toxins is critical for long-term health and wellness. As an integrative practitioner, I have witnessed many people improve their clinical symptoms and regain their health with a comprehensive, gentle and long-term detoxification program. My top recommendations for the safe removal of toxins and heavy metals have been well researched and shown to reduce toxic body burden without affecting essential minerals:

• Modified Citrus Pectin: First used in Chernobyl to remove heavy metals and radioactive particles, modified citrus pectin is a gentle yet effective chelator of heavy metals and dangerous toxins from the circulation and digestive tract. It also provides a wide range of additional cellular health benefits.
• Modified Alginates: These seaweed-derived alginates help to bind with heavy metals and environmental toxins and allow the body to safely excrete them.
• Medicinal mushrooms: Medicinal mushrooms, in particular reishi and Cordyceps, can help protect against and repair some toxin-induced damages in the body, boost immunity, detoxify tissues, regulate healthy cell replication and boost overall health.
• Antioxidants for Detoxification and Cellular Protection: High-powered antioxidants are crucial for protecting against toxin-related damage. Antioxidants protect DNA integrity, soothe inflammation from toxins, boost immunity, detoxify the body and promote overall health. Glutathione, one of nature’s most potent antioxidants, is produced by the body and is known to detoxify and protect against heavy metals and radioactive toxins. The best way to supplement glutathione is to take nutrients and herbs which act as precursors to glutathione. These include cilantro, garlic, milk thistle, dandelion, lipoic acid, N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) and whey powder. I recommend taking a synergistic blend of glutathione precursors and other botanicals and nutrients specifically shown to remove heavy metals and toxins from deep within the body.

However you plan to detoxify from harmful pollutants, a fresh, healthy diet with a focus on organic fruits and vegetables and plenty of pure water and hydration should be your foundation. Don’t neglect this aspect of health. Otherwise, you leave your body virtually defenseless against a world saturated with toxic substances.

Consider these case histories and see if they don’t convince you of the importance of dealing with dental pathology.

Arthritis Pain

Sam C. was a 10-year-old boy with a diagnosis of severe JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). He struggled to walk due to the pain and arthritis that afflicted his major and minor joints. His doctors offered him treatment with high doses of corticosteroids and gave him a poor prognosis, predicting stunted growth and early death. His mother took him to a chiropractor who recognized that his arthritis started when he had an upper right tooth root canal with a stainless steel crown.

His mother went back to the dentist who had performed the root canal. This dentist refused to extract the tooth because he could not find anything abnormal on his X-rays, and the boy denied any pain in the tooth, surrounding bone or gums. Two more dentists were consulted and both also refused to extract the tooth.

In February 2011, they consulted with Wendell Robertson, D.D.S. Robertson realized that the boy indeed did have dental pain but was in denial. He advised having the tooth extracted, and the socket thoroughly curetted and sterilized with ozone. In two days after this procedure, the tooth pain ended. The arthritic symptoms gradually eased and are now nearly completely gone except when he sprints or takes part in other strenuous exercises.

Seeing The Light

Dan M. was completely blind in August 2011 when he went to Dr. Robertson for dental work. Dan had two teeth extracted and two large mercury-alloy fillings properly removed. Two weeks later, he returned for a follow-up visit and reported he could see blurry outlines of windows and doorways and movement of large objects. A few weeks later, he successfully mowed his lawn with much less difficulty than before.

Although Dan is still seeking a complete cure of his blindness, he has had a near cure after his dental extractions. Further detoxification and cleansing may likely further improve his vision.

Cane Scrutiny

Samantha H. described her hip pain as feeling “like it is out of joint.” But her orthopedist could find nothing wrong on an MRI. Consequently, she was prescribed only pain medication. Samantha was using a cane when she went to Robertson for dental work. After two and a half hours of dental surgery to remove a benign lesion of chronic localized sclerosing osteomyelitis, Samantha could walk without her cane and hasn’t used it since. 

No Growth

Brandon, age 10, came to Robertson for dental work in hopes it could help alleviate his lack of growth. Robertson placed what is called an epigenetic orthodontic appliance in Brandon’s mouth. This device is intended to encourage undifferentiated bone stem cells to grow in parts of the bone plate of the upper mouth.

The appliance created space in the jaw bone. Brandon wore the appliance and began growing taller at the rate of one inch each month for four months. Robertson explains that the appliance relaxed the lower facial bones and allowed for normal pituitary function (inside the skull). The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone and other hormones important for the body’s development.

Late Expectations

These patients did not expect the wonderful results they got from being treated by a biological dentist. But when biological dentistry is combined with proper detoxification and cleansing, you may be able to combat a surprising number of chronic illnesses. Robertson’s clinic website is at www.robertsonbiologicaldentistry.com. You can visit http://www.holisticdental.org/find_holistic_dentist to locate a biological (holistic) dentist near you.

To your health discovery,

Michael Cutler, M.D.
Author, Easy Health Options

They Don’t Ask, They Can’t Tell

Very few general medical practitioners ever ask about the health of their patients’ teeth. Hardly any oncologists ask whether their cancer patients have root canals or mercury amalgam fillings. As a result, most medical doctors steer clear of making recommendations about dental health. When you visit the doctor and are asked to stick out your tongue for a health exam, it is only to look at your throat.

In Western medicine, we have severed the perception of connections between dental health and overall physical well-being. As a result, we have lost a critical vantage point for evaluating the potential root causes of many life-threatening conditions such as cancer, heart disease, immune disorders and more. The good news is this lifesaving integrative perspective is proving its value through the cutting edge field of holistic, or biological, dentistry.

Regular Dentistry vs. Holistic (Biological) Dentistry

Most conventional dentists are only dimly aware of connections between gum disease, chronic dental infection and overall health. Dentists rarely refer you back to your doctor for further testing or give more than the fairly superficial, though important, advice about brushing, flossing and diet. On the other hand, holistic dentistry takes an in-depth look at dental and overall health, guided by leading research in the field. In particular, holistic dentistry looks hard at the relationship between conventional root canals, periodontal disease, mercury amalgam fillings and other all-too-common dental issues and the progression of any number of chronic diseases throughout the body.

In traditional medical systems, such as Chinese and Tibetan medicine, the examination of the mouth and tongue represents a primary diagnostic tool for gathering information about imbalances in the rest of the body. Today, more and more skilled holistic practitioners and dentists are working together within the field of integrative medicine to collaborate on optimal treatment programs for patients. The holistic dentistry movement is gaining a widening appreciation of the holistic perspectives implicit in traditional healing systems and is being driven by the growing body of published research linking dental health issues and chronic illness. Repeatedly, patients with serious, life-threatening illnesses have experienced dramatic health improvements after skilled holistic dentists have coordinated their evaluations and treatments with integrative health practitioners.

Dental Health Linked To Cancer

Of special importance is the link between cancer and dental health. This is an area on the cutting edge of cancer investigation, and scientists have not yet agreed whether there is a direct cause. From a clinical standpoint, however, I, along with many of my colleagues, have seen time and again that there is a strong correlation between chronic infection associated with root canals and the presence of cancer.

Even more interesting, from an integrative medical perspective, each tooth has associated acu-meridian tooth-organ relationships. (In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is home to lines of force — acu-meridians also known as acupuncture meridians — that connect various organs.) Different acupuncture meridians run through the teeth, and specific organs and tissues are associated with each tooth. A chart developed by Dr. Ralph Wilson which you can see here outlines the relationship between each tooth and its associated organs, glands and body areas.

Infected Root Canals Often Don’t Show Symptoms

The most concerning finding in holistic dentistry is that extensive infection can be present in a root canal as well as the bone of the jaw which holds the tooth, in the absence of any direct symptoms. All too often, we rely on our subjective experience of symptoms (like pain) to warn us of problems. In this case, these warnings come usually after significant damage is done, so it is crucial to get proper dental evaluation and testing with regard to root canals and periodontal disease.

At Amitabha Medical Clinic, we refer our patients with root canals for what is called a cone beam scan, which is essentially a CT (or computed tomography) scan of the mouth. A cone beam scan produces 3D digitalized imagery on the computer screen, revealing details which a classic full mouth X-ray does not detect. These scans can tell practitioners whether there is chronic infection in the root of a tooth which needs to be addressed using careful and thorough methods. I encourage my cancer patients to limit the number of CT scans they have because of issues with cumulative radiation; but if you have root canals, the cone beam scan may be the only way to evaluate them. I think it’s worth doing, and the radiation exposure is much lower than a traditional CT. The truth is, the dental profession is largely ignoring the long-term effects of the root canal procedure. For this reason, I encourage you to seek out holistic dentists who have the knowledge and the tools to help you deal with root canals and other common dental issues in a careful and competent way.

Patient Stories

The importance of addressing these types of health issues with an integrative approach are evident in these examples:

• A patient with Stage III colon cancer was found to have infection (with no symptoms) in the root canal associated with the colon. Upon further examination of old dental X-rays, it was found that the tooth had been cracked for many years prior to the root canal. Therefore, it most likely had been chronically infected for a long time prior to the root canal placement and before the colon cancer diagnosis.
• A patient with metastatic breast cancer (with no symptoms) and with several old root canals who was not responding well to her chemotherapy treatments was found to have occult infection in the tooth associated with the breast on the same side as the cancer. The bone above the tooth was almost completely destroyed; the tooth was barely connected. The infected teeth were removed and the area was sterilized with ozone, a specialized form of oxygen therapy. After clearing up the infection, the patient had a better response to the same chemotherapy regimen.
• A patient with endometrial (uterine) cancer who was not responding to treatment and whose surgical scar would not heal because of infection was found to have an extensive infection in the tooth associated with the uterus. She had no oral symptoms. When the tooth was removed, her surgical wound healed quickly, and she began to have a positive response to her chemotherapy regimen.

The Future of Integrative Cancer Therapy

As a health practitioner who specializes in integrative cancer care, I can cite numerous similar clinical examples highlighting the correlations I have seen between dental health and cancer, and the positive effects of clearing up chronic infections in the mouth. Even though we don’t yet understand all of the underlying mechanisms, we have enough evidence to recognize the seriousness and the importance of attention to this area of health. As more and more published research points to the connections between root canals, mercury amalgams, periodontal disease and chronic illnesses, I encourage all of my readers and patients to become familiar with this important area of integrative health. Stay tuned.

The liver is plenty powerful in its role of ruling the kingdom of Bodyland. It removes toxins from the blood, plays a role in protein and hormone synthesis, stores glycogen, and yields bile along with other chemicals that help break down fats and aid in digestion. The liver helps decompose red blood cells, stores blood and regulates how much blood circulates. In other words, the Liver King supervises your inner kingdom, ensures its byways are well-kept and keeps the supply lines of water and food operational.

But there’s a problem in centering so many bodily purposes in one organ. When the liver becomes toxic, running in a depressed state or otherwise succumbing to a state of dysfunction, many things become unbalanced. With a domino effect, when the liver slips below par, the body begins experiencing the signs and symptoms of ill health. A poor-functioning liver impacts a frightening number of other organs.

Multiple Difficulties

A list of symptoms reflecting a dysfunctional liver includes gastritis, nervous stomach, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcer, dyspepsia, hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, colitis, premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, mastitis, fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cysts, genital pain, tension headache, migraine headache, TMJ dysfunction, chronic hepatitis, chronic cholecystitis, hepatomegaly, costochondritis, post herpetic neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, hypertension and poor peripheral circulation.

I find it interesting that Western scientific medicine conceives the liver totally in terms of its direct functions. Yet, in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the liver is viewed also in terms of indirect effects linked to its dysfunction. In other words, when the liver becomes too hot from excessive alcohol, drug or coffee consumption, it begins to “overact on the spleen and stomach and depress the functions of the heart and kidneys.”

In TCM, the liver is recognized as being responsible for storing and regulating blood, for maintaining the free flow of qi (energy) in the body, for controlling the tendons and manifesting signs of its problems in the nails and in the eyes.  

Storing And Regulating Blood

The primary function of the liver is to store up to 55 percent of your total blood volume when the body is at rest. It also regulates how much blood circulates when the body is physically active. In times of emergency, the liver can provide up to 2,000 ml of blood to the heart, giving you greater strength, stamina and mental clarity.

Maintaining The Free Flow Of Qi

The liver is responsible for maintaining the easygoing, free-flowing and harmonious functional activities of the body’s organs. At peak capacity, the liver effectively manages the constant movement of energy in the body. When the liver becomes depressed (slow-acting, sluggish), it suffers qi (energetic) stagnation, which can lead to tiredness, fatigue, cloudy thinking, depression and anger.

Emotional shifts and attitudes such as psychological depression, moodiness, loneliness and anger are the root causes of the syndrome known in TCM as “liver qi stagnation.” When the liver qi (energy) stagnates, it can cause complications in the spleen and stomach or in the heart and kidneys, leading to vomiting, nausea, heart palpitations, insomnia, restlessness, dream-disturbed sleep, cloudy thinking, poor digestion, hypochondriac pain, irritable bowel syndrome, dysmenorrhea and PMS issues as well as soft and brittle nails, blurry vision, red eyes, headache, bilirubinemia (buildup of blood-breakdown byproducts) and erectile dysfunction.

The Liver Controls The Tendons And Manifests In Nails

The liver nourishes the tendons as an aspect of its blood-controlling function. Since the tendons attach muscles to bones, this part of its role reflects its control of the normal physiological activities of the body. So when the liver lacks blood and/or is low in energy (qi), those activities deteriorate. The tendons receive insufficient nourishment to stay flexible, and they grow stiff, inflamed and painful.

It is important to note that TCM defines three types of blood: heart blood, liver blood and spleen blood. Each has its own function in the creation, promotion, distribution, cleansing and storage of blood. The state of liver blood is reflected in the health of the nails. When there is ample healthy liver blood, both tendons and nails stay strong. But when there is restriction (stagnation) or deficiency of liver blood, then the nails become soft, thin and brittle.

The Liver Opens Into The Eyes

According to TCM theory, each yin (nurturing) organ has a body part to which it opens. In this system, the liver opens into the eyes. Therefore, the nourishment of liver blood is responsible for the proper functioning of the eyes. Indeed, the liver meridian (an energetic line through the body) travels upward through the eye system. Consequently, liver deficiency can lead to blurry vision. Liver heat rising upward can lead to red and dry eyes. Liver dampness can lead to bilirubinemia. 

There is much more to the “Chinese liver” than Western medicine recognizes. However, when considering not only its physiological function, but also its meridian route and energetic function, one can begin to understand the vast importance of this organ to overall health and well-being.

From both a scientific, reductive Western perspective and a traditional Eastern viewpoint, the causes of liver dysfunctions are the same. Poor diet along with the excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs (legal and illegal) stress the liver and impair its ability to function properly. Knowing this, it becomes obvious that indulging in poor lifestyle habits that negatively affect the liver leads to a host of problems that are preventable.

You can usually restore the health of the liver by sticking to a liver-friendly routine: Reduce stress, eat nutrient-dense foods and curtail drug and alcohol consumption. A liver-detox program is also a good way to jump-start the liver’s rejuvenation process.

Your body needs a healthy liver to function properly. Pamper your liver and your unimpaired liver will offer you unparalleled well-being.

Sadly, your liver is under constant attack from food additives, household chemicals, environmental pollutants, prescription drugs, alcohol, water chlorination, pesticides and herbicides, and other non-natural chemicals that enter your lungs, skin or digestive system. If liver detoxification function slows, it cannot detoxify these chemicals to be eliminated by the water-soluble mechanism centered in your kidneys. It may eliminate them via the bile system (see below) or may be stashed in the fat in your skin and the fat of other body organs. These are chemicals that promote inflammation. More fat is created as a response to inflammation.

Finally, when the liver is in failure, it also cannot filter the blood. The blood pressure in the arteries that supply the liver also back up and, much like heart failure, contributes to edema and weight gain from fluid retention. A common cause of this is liver disease from drinking too many alcoholic beverages.

You can support your liver with:

• Silymarin (milk thistle): Helps protect liver cell walls from being ripped apart from toxic substances that need to be detoxified.
• Selenium and α-lipoic acid: Supplementary nutrients that support the function of the liver’s enzymes.
• Liver supporting foods: Onions, garlic, artichoke, beets, burdock and leafy green vegetables provide nutrients that help the liver.
• Less grapefruit: contains natural chemicals that hinder the action of liver enzymes.

The Bile System
Because the liver acts like a vacuum, its bile system, which acts as its filter bag, must be emptied from time to time. The bile system helps eliminate fat-soluble toxic waste while boosting the digestion of fats in the intestines.  

Emptying (cleansing) the bile system is easily done periodically like emptying the bag of a vacuum cleaner. You can safely cleanse the bile system in in just one afternoon and night with a simple protocol. But don’t expect to go to work or go out of the house while following this plan.

This cleansing process is suitable for everyone, but schedule it for a day when you have nothing much to do the next day, and preferably even the day after. (Friday is best for most people who don’t have to work on the weekend.)

On your cleansing day, you can eat your normal breakfast. Then, the emptying process begins around lunch time — do not eat any solid food after noon on this day. However, during the afternoon you may drink water or fresh juices, as much as you like. But then, as you approach cleansing time, do not have any fluids after 6:30 p.m., which is 30 minutes before the start of your treatment. This gives your stomach time to evacuate all fluid. Otherwise, the olive oil you use to cleanse may float to the top of liquid in your stomach and make you nauseated.

The treatment protocol is as follows:

Noon: Stop eating all solid food.

6:30 p.m.: Stop drinking all fluids.

7:00 p.m.: Drink one-quarter cup of olive oil followed immediately with one or two tablespoonfuls of lemon juice. Lie down and relax for 15 minutes and get ready to repeat this again.

7:15p.m.: Repeat this exact dosage (one-quarter cup olive oil and one or two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice) and continue repeating every 15 minutes until you have swallowed the entire pint (two cups) of olive oil. If any lemon juice is left, drink it all.

Hours later:  When you have finished the olive oil and lemon juice, lie on your right side and go to sleep for the night. You can expect to have an urge for a bowel movement at about 2 a.m. — or maybe not even until the morning comes. 

Remember, if you have terrible nausea or vomiting sensations, use peppermint oil in the olive oil or chase the olive oil with a small amount of V8 or pineapple juice until you can resume taking the plain olive oil and lemon juice. Try stretching it to 30 minutes between doses if it gets hard to swallow the olive oil and lemon juice. All the green you see in your stool is bile that you have effectively evacuated, and some stones may or may not be there, too, depending on what was evacuated from your gall bladder.

This type of cleansing can be an important step in helping you embark on a more-focused approach to controlling your weight and health.

To your best health,

Michael Cutler, M.D.
Author, Easy Health Digest

A Familiar Culprit…

The common underlying cause of aging and disease is a familiar culprit… inflammation. And it’s also the cause of a poorly functioning brain. When you perform an autopsy on a person who suffered from dementia, there is clear evidence of inflammation in the brain tissue. This is called neurofibrillary degeneration and it actually looks like a fire swept through the brain.

So the question is… what triggers this inflammation? Well, the story is almost the same in every chronic illness. Inflammation is triggered by unnatural foods (overprocessing and additives), stress, lack of exercise, prescription medications, and toxic chemicals. Any or all could contribute to the body’s inflammatory response.

For example, the 30 known and accepted autoimmune disorders are caused by inflammation. These include rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and autoimmune thyroiditis. Fortunately, when a patient goes through positive lifestyle changes, this fiery inflammation is soothed and the symptoms of their autoimmune disorder can be partially or even completely resolved. And yes, the same is true for problems in the brain.

What to do?

Why not just use anti-inflammatory drugs? While it’s true these drugs can reduce your risk of brain problems or memory loss, they often do more damage than the inflammation itself.

For example, the class of drugs called NSAIDS—which includes Advil®—are the 16th leading cause of death in America. In fact, more than 100,000 people a year wind up in the hospital with intestinal bleeding caused by NSAIDS. Of those – 16,000 people die. That’s almost one in five.

Boost your brain—naturally

The good news is that the brain has extraordinary powers of healing. Remember, approximately 90% of your physical body becomes new again every six months because your cells die and new ones are formed. If you provide the right conditions, you can achieve astonishing results.

The first step is an anti-inflammatory diet. This includes nutrient-rich whole foods with less than 50% cooked foods. Patients enjoy fresh juices, steamed veggies, soups, and a number of super foods, all prepared in a tasty way they can ingest easily. They should also eliminate refined sugars, refined fats, and any packaged or processed foods.

The second step is taking supplements to build up your brain. These may include krill oil, an all-natural anti-inflammatory; vitamins typically lacking in the elderly like vitamins D, B6, folate, and B12; Coenzyme Q10 for improved cognitive function; and Phosphatidyl Serine for crucial brain nutrition. PS works best when combined with Omega-3 fatty acids, which is the way it’s offered in Ultimate Memory Formula™ (www.truehealth.com).

The third step is removing heavy metals like mercury and lead from your body. Many leading-edge doctors and naturopaths can administer a DMSA challenge test to determine your heavy metal levels. Once you identify the metals, oral chelation with EDTA can slowly pull them out. A safe and effective choice for oral chelation is Advanced Artery Solution™ (www.truehealth.com).

Here’s the story of a patient who achieved a stunning turnaround using many of these methods. Christine, age 81, was perceived to have a failing memory by her children. Neuropsychiatric and memory tests detected the early stages of dementia. Taking charge, her children employed an all-natural “brain-boosting” plan. When tests were performed again, Christine’s dementia had not progressed as expected. Instead, Christine had improved dramatically and regained a lost part of herself.

What else causes brain problems?

One trigger is toxins stored in your fat cells. The brain is nearly all fat making it perfect for toxic storage.

Other fat cells, especially the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) often seen on the belly of aging men, are known to produce cytokines and other chemicals that directly trigger the inflammation of heart disease and auto-immune disorders.

Poor digestion can also be a trigger for brain destroying inflammation. If you eat highly inflammatory foods, your immune system reacts to them dramatically in your gut and disrupts your digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients.

Hormone deficiency can also affect your brain. Patients with low thyroid, low testosterone, low estrogen, or low DHEA levels have improved mental function when they supplement with natural hormones. However, some people are able to correct their hormone imbalances through dietary changes alone. You’ll rarely find a raw vegan who is not happy and full of mental energy.

In fact, the patients who adopt a seriously healthy lifestyle experience astonishing improvements in their mental and psychological function. They become more alert, have better memory retention,a  brighter mood, and a greater attention span. They feel more energetic and start sleeping better. Last but not least, often their joint pain goes away, their headaches go away, and they even lose weight.

Something you might not think of…

Did you know that negative emotions can have a destructive impact on your brain? The energy of negativity can be a real force upon your body. When you are continuously worried, thinking incessantly, or ruminating on the problems in the world, guess what you’re creating in your brain? You’re creating network of neuro-hormonal connections that reinforce a spiral of negativity that plays out in your mind over and over again.

The result? You’re basically creating your own mental toxins.

That’s why it’s important to generate positive thoughts and emotions as much as you possibly can. Just compare the healing energy of joy and peace to the destructive powers of hate and shame. Wouldn’t you agree that the happiest and most peaceful people are also the ones that look and feel the youngest?

So my advice is… stop entertaining thoughts associated with frustration or fear. Instead, stay engaged in anything that promotes freedom and peace of mind. Use friendships, pets, music, fun activities, or whatever it takes to get you there. You are not a victim of your thoughts—you are their creator as soon as you choose to be!

The “Brain Healing” Cleanse

To improve your brain function, you can use liquid cleansing and water fasting. These have been an integral part of natural medicine and hygienic medicine for more than 100 years.

Dr. Herbert Shelton (1895-1985), master of hygienic medicine, was one of the founders of the American Natural Hygiene Society. Dr. Shelton probably had more experience with fasting than anyone else who ever lived. It is estimated that he supervised more than 40,000 fasts. His greatest tool for assisting patients to reverse disease was to assist them to hydrate their body, while safely going without food for five to 30 days.

With my own patients, I have been amazed by how much liquid cleansing and water fasting improves their health. In almost every case, their skin improves, their joint pains diminish, their headaches vanish, and their energy levels increase.

But that’s not the half of it! Liquid cleansing and water fasting also helps improve blood pressure, alleviate allergies, promote weight loss, reduce depression and anxiety, enhance spiritual connectivity, and increase enthusiasm for life.

Remove the toxins from your entire body

When you undergo a liquid cleanse, the cells of nearly every tissue of your body undergo a molecular change. You’ll release waste materials that have multiplied in your body over the years, including chemical food additives, cosmetics, deodorants, and other unwanted molecules that have invaded your system.

Basically, a liquid cleanse evicts these uninvited visitors from the places in which they’re stored. It’s true you many experience symptoms such as loose stools, sweating, increased urination, mild weakness, or even fruity breath. Don’t worry—these are normal signs that cleansing is occurring.

A key player in the cleansing process is your liver. It chemically modifies unsafe molecules so they can either be utilized or eliminated by your body. Healthy liver is absolutely essential for optimum health. Otherwise, your body socks toxins and pollutants away in the fat of your organs.

That includes the fat in your brain—and that’s not good. Think of the liver as a vacuum. When a vacuum gets a clogged suction hose or the filter bag is full, it can’t clean well because it’s so congested. That’s what happens with a poorly functioning liver and that’s why a liquid cleanse is so important—to clean out your liver and your entire body, and your brain.

Memory loss does not have to be a normal part of aging.  It is possible to take control of your health and your brain, as we discussed here.  So don’t just sit back and let your senior years disappear. Enjoy them and remember a lifetime of memories.