The Detox Summit - Free Online Event

The Detox Summit Free Online Event

The Detox Summit is a free online event hosted by Deanna Minich PhD in collaboration with the Institute of Functional Medicine.  "Detox" is a term that means many different things to different people, from drug and alcohol detoxification to nutritional detox, or cleanses using food, smoothies and juices.  The Summit brings together 30 experts in the areas of medicine, nutrition and personal growth to discuss all aspects of detoxification to help participants (listeners) return to a healthy state of wellness.  During this event, participants can expect a well-rounded, credible approach to a much-debated issue and to learn to navigate their way through today's toxic terrain by recognizing toxins, what to do about them and how to change their lives for a healthier lifestyle, as well as:

The Detox Summit - The Institute for Functional Medicine

• Learn about environmental toxins in food, air and water
• Understand internally generated toxins, like thoughts, emotions and behaviors
• Recognize toxins and eliminate them
• Focus on breakthrough solutions to gain more energy and vitality

The conference will be broadcast from August 4 - 11, 2014 and will feature the following experts who will discuss and address the following issues:
(For more information and to register go to The Detox Summit)

Jeffrey Bland, PhD - Father of Functional Medicine, Author

The Biochemistry and History of Detoxification

• History of detoxification
• Detailed description of how the body eliminates toxins, especially through the liver
• How nutrients improve detoxification

Mark Hyman, MD - Bestselling Author, Functional Medicine Expert

Metabolic Disturbances and Detox

• Relationship between chronic disease and toxicity "Diabesity"
• Health effects of toxins like sugar and food chemicals
• Power of a detox to promote health and healing

David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM - Bestselling Author, Renowned Neurologist Brain Health Expert

Toxicity and Brain Function

• Relationship between diet and brain health
• Why carbohydrates, especially sugars, and toxic to the brain
• Why the type of fat you eat is so important for health and detox

Alejandro Junger, MD - Bestselling Author and Founder of the Clean Program

The Many Approaches to Detox and Coming Clean

• The necessity of detox for health
• Why detox needs to be personalized to the individual
• Juicing vs. food vs. supplements for detox

Martha Herbert, MD, PhD - Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston

Autism and Detox

• Toxic exposures of all types and their effect on the brain
• The emerging connection between autism and toxicity in pregnancy
• Overcoming chemical burden in the unborn and children

Elson Haas, MD - Practicing Physician of Integrated Family Medicine, "Father of Clinical Detoxification", Author

Staying Healthy with Nutrition and Detox

• Incorporating traditional medicine approaches into a nutritional, biochemical detoxification
• The importance of following the cycles of nature, seasons and the body's rhythm in detox and healing
• How to personalize a detoxification by becoming aware of the body's needs

Soram Khalsa, MD - Board Certified in Internal Medicine

The Environment is Toxic and It's Making Us Toxic:  Epigenetic Influences

• Sources of toxicity in our daily environment: focus on the home and food
• Importance of detox before conception and pregnancy
• Keeping our children free of toxins by taking everyday precautions in our environment

Kelly Brogan, MD - Boarded in Psychiatry/Psychosomatic Medicine/Reproductive Psychiatry and Integrative Holistic Medicine

Toxicity and Impact in Women and Children's Health

• How women can take precautions to become less toxic
• Dangers of inflammation to mother, fetus and child
• Top recommendations for cleaning up the womb

Kara Kitzgerald, ND - Faculty at the Institute for Functional Medicine; Private Practice in Sandy Hook, Connecticut

Labs to Assess Toxin Load

• Best labs to assess your exposure to heavy metals and other environmental toxins
• Tests you can ask your doctor to run to see if you are toxic
• Compelling clinical pearls on how to address heavy metal and environmental toxicity

Aristo Vojdani, PhD, MSC, CLS - Professor of Neuroimmunology at the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies; Chief Scientific Advisor for Cyrex Labs, LLC

Cutting-Edge Diagnostics for Toxicity

• Environmental triggers and the effect on the immune system
• Understanding how the immune system responds to toxins
• Labs to detect the presence of autoimmune reaction

Michael Stone, MD, MS - Family Physician, Faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine

Methylation and Toxicity

• Importance of methylation in detoxification
• How to assess with lab tests whether you are methylating properly
• Physical signs that your body is toxic

Sayer Ji - Author; Educator; Founder of GreenMedInfo.com

Transcending the Detox/Retox Cycle through Radical Nourishment

• Simple yet potent diet and lifestyle detox tweaks to get you clean
• Health myths that lead to toxic overload
• Why we're in a post-organic era, and what to do about it

David Wolfe - Masters in Nutrition, Health, Eco, Nutrition; Natural Beauty Expert

Nature's Solution to Toxicity is Food

• Epigenetics of eating and connection to health
• Super foods for detox
• Impact your immune system through medicinal mushrooms

Jeffrey Smith - Author, Filmmaker, Executive Director

GMOs as Food Toxins

• Why GMOs are toxic to the body
• How to avoid GMOs in your food choices
• How to eat a low-GMO diet

Tom O'Bryan, DC

Gluten as a Toxin

• Why gluten is a toxin in the current food supply
• What is leaky gut and how does it relate to toxicity and gluten
• Eating intolerant foods and inflammation

JJ Virgin, CNS, CHFS - Author, Fitness Expert

The Virgin Diet: Lose Weight and Feel Better Fast When You Drop Toxic Foods

• How food intolerance is the real cause of weight gain and poor health
• Toxic foods and which ones are holding your health hostage
• Connect the dots between what you eat and how you feel

Marci Shimoff - Best-selling Author

Detoxing and Happiness:  How to Raise Your Current Happiness Level

• A powerful process to open your heart and dissolve pain, heartache and emptiness
• Take a fresh approach to deal with negativity in your mind, relationships and environment
• Take away tips on essential happiness habits to live a life of freedom, joy and ease

Thomas Moore, PhD - Bestselling Author

Detoxing the Soul

• Is there a role of toxins for the health of our body and soul?
• A call to look at toxins as a messenger of greater personal growth
• The toxicity of beliefs we choose

Char Sundust - Teacher, Healer and Speaker in the Native American Tradition, Founder, Sundust Oracle Institute

Living in Harmony with Nature as the Ultimate Detox

• Mentoring your mind by uniting with nature's rhythms
• Importance of recognizing the whole within the sum of its parts and within each other
• Ways to come into union with the spectrum of nature for greater happiness and soul satisfaction

Rainbeau Mars - Actor; Author; Health, Fitness and Beauty Expert

The Full-Spectrum of a SuperStar Cleanse

• How to do yoga without stretching: The importance of "being on the mat"
• Physical and mental ingestion is the key to living properly: beauty and food tips
• Tips to unleashing the SuperStar within to break through toxic habits

Mary Ellen Chalmers, DMD - Functional Medicine Dentist; Faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine

Functional Dentistry: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Inflammation and Toxicity

• Your mouth is a telltale of your toxic burden and health
• Dental materials, disease and root canals can contribute to patient inflammation and toxic load
• Controversies around mercury amalgam and safe removal/replacement

Joseph Pizzorno, ND - Founding President of Bastyr University, the Leading Naturopathic University; Author of 10 Books

A Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Approach to Detoxification

• Detoxification is a foundational principle of natural and functional medicine
• Sources of toxic mercury in the environment
• A complete protocol for removing mercury

Garry Gordon, MD, DO, MD(H) - Co-Founder of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM); President of Gordon Research Institute (GRI), Father of Oral Chelation

Survive and Thrive in a Toxic World

• Toxins are the single, most common, underlying factors contributing to ALL diseases
• The impact of the depletion of the earth's electromagnetic field
• Energy medicine therapies, daily oral chelation and detoxification protocols

Joel Kahn, MD - Clinical Professor of Cardiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Founding Member of the International Society of Functional and Metabolic Cardiovascular Medicine

Get Heart Smart Before Your Ticker Gets Sicker

• Heavy metal is for music not your heart: role of toxins in hypertension and cardiovascular disease
• How toxins make your heart unhealthy
• Tips to protecting your heart from the buildup of toxins

Kristi Hughes, ND - Associate Director of Education at the Institute for Functional Medicine

Sequencing a Detox

• How to do a detox safely
• Doing Detox in a functional medicine way: what does that mean and how to do it
• Using dietary supplements during a detox:  which ones and how to take them

Aviva Romm, MD - Board Certified Family Physician, Certified Midwife, Herbalist, Author

Toxic Shock:  How to Minimize the Risks of Living in a Chemical Stew

• Getting over your fear of herbs and how to use them safely in a detox
• Learn about key herbs that positively influence detoxification
• Minimize risks and repair the damage from environmental exposures with herbs

Lise Alschuler, ND - Board Certification in Naturopathic Oncology

Cancer Processes and Detoxification:  Focus on Glutatione

• The start of cancer and disease can come from oxidative stress
• Toxins and cancer: the connection
• How to increase better energy by boosting glutathione, the master antioxidant, in the body

Frank Lipman, MD - Founder, Eleven Eleven Wellness Center; Author

Building a Better Microbiome:  Gut Bacteria and Detox

• Optimizing your microbiome to prevent obesity and chronic diseases
• How to make the gut inhospitable to intruders
• Using a detox protocol to strengthen your digestion and boost your microbiome

 Amy Myers, MD - Practicing Functional Medicine Physician and Founder of The Myers Way

Thyroid Dysfunction, Autoimmunity, and Toxins

• The thyroid and its sensitivity to toxins
• Signs that the thyroid is sick and what you can do to help thyroid health
• How toxin load can lead to autoimmune conditions

Terry Wahls, MD - Board Certified in Internal Medicine; Physician and Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Iowa

Dietary Approaches for Autoimmune Toxicity

• Toxins can turn on or silence genes related to autoimmune diseases
• Food that can help lessen toxin burden in autoimmunity
• The Wahls Diet™ improves the detoxification enzyme efficiency and effectiveness

How to Naturally Cleanse Your Body [Infographic]

How to Cleanse the Body Naturally
[Infographic] by Lauren Coutts

Our bodies become toxic for many reasons.  Conventionally grown produce (pesticides), packaged and processed foods (preservatives), cosmetics, personal hygiene and household cleaning products (industrial chemicals) are good examples of our daily exposure to a whole host of toxins.  We eat, drink, breathe in and absorb toxins through our skin all the time - in our modern society, it is virtually impossible to avoid environmental toxins.

Exposure to environmental toxins has been linked to an overproduction of unchecked free radicals which, in turn, is implicated in premature ageing, weight gain and obesity, and various degenerative diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease.

Research indicates that one of the best defenses against free radical damage are antioxidants.  Antioxidants are nutrients that are found in various plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.  Certain foods (such as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) are rich in phytochemicals that are thought to be especially beneficial to fighting free radicals.

In recent years, the idea of "cleansing" or "detoxing" has been been popularized by commercially created formulas, diets or programs - mostly in connection with weight loss.  Many people have the idea that they need to periodically cleanse or detox and resort to extreme measures that can be dangerous.

Although an "intensive" periodic detox, like Panchakarma which is done under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic practioner, can be very beneficial, it is important to realize that exposure to toxins and consequent overproduction of free radicals is an ongoing, daily event.  Therefore, an effort to detox or cleanse should be a continual effort.

There are many natural ways in which to natural cleanse your body on a daily basis, as this infographic illustrates and explains:

• Refrain from smoking, drinking excessive alcohol and decaffeinated beverages and eating too much sugar.
• Exercise on a regular basis.
• Drink plenty of clean water throughout the day and warm lemon water first thing in the morning.  To determine how much water you need to drink, see this water chart.
• Manage stress levels through meditation, journaling or discussing your problems with a friend, family member or within a trusted support group.
• Eat foods rich in dietary fiber like kale, broccoli, almonds, beans and legumes, berries, apples, chia and flaxseed.
• Avoid acid-forming foods like dairy, beef, pork, shellfish, peanuts, sodas and white or wine vinegar.
• Take extra care of your liver by regularly consuming certain herbs, spices and foods like milk thistle, ginger, garlic, lemon, chorella, turmeric and dandelion root.

Related:

Is Your Diet Toxic?
Why Dehydration Makes You Fat and Sick

Colon Cleansing Foods

15 Foods that Cleanse the Liver

Infographic design:  Lauren Coutts

Is Your Diet Toxic? [Infographic]

Is Your Diet Toxic? [Infographic]
from TimetoCleanse.com

Toxins and Body Weight

The top functional medicine physicians and holistic health experts agree:  toxicity is a major contributing factor in weight gain, as well as the inability to lose weight.   The general advise is to detox on a regular basis by eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fiber - all of which are thought to block the absorption of and/or help remove various harmful environmental toxins from the body.

Conventionally Grown Produce and GMOs

Unfortunately, many nutrition experts believe that conventionally grown produce is part of the problem, not the solution.

Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are generally grown in soil that is depleted in naturally occurring minerals and are laden with a toxic cocktail of chemicals - herbicides, insecticides, pesticides and industrial fertilizers.

Consequently, conventionally grown produce is not only significantly less nutritious but often contains relatively large amounts of chemicals and toxins, many of which have been shown to be allergenic, carcinogenic and otherwise harmful to human health.  Long term exposure (even in very low doses) to some of these toxins has been linked to nerve damage, cancer and birth defects.

Additionally, it is suspected that genetically modified crops (GMOs) are not safe for human consumption and yet it is estimated that up to 75% of foods sold in typical U.S. grocery markets contain GMO ingredients.

In view of these facts, it is easy to see how eating lots of conventionally grown produce can be harmful to one's health.

In a detox protocol calling for consumption of mostly fruits and vegetables, such as a juice cleanse, ingesting lots of conventionally grown produce can mean ingesting lots nutritionally bankrupt food and plenty of pesticides  - this, of course, defeats the entire purpose of a cleanse which is to rid the body of toxins, regain health and lose some weight and excess fat!

Infographic

As this very excellent infographic entitled "Is Your Diet Toxic?" points out, there are a number of things you can do to obtain the health benefits of fruits and vegetables, to safeguard your detox or cleanse efforts and to otherwise protect yourself.

Tips for Detoxing and Cleansing

The first step is to become an informed consumer.   Be aware of how food is grown and processed both here at home and in other countries that import food to the U.S.

Understand the difference between conventionally grown and organically grown.  Choose locally grown, organic produce that is currently in season whenever possible - especially when it comes to the so-called "dirty dozen" (peaches, celery, strawberries, sweet bell pepper, spinach, nectarines, cherries, lettuce, apples, pears, imported grapes and potatoes).

Learn to read labels and avoid packaged (including packaged salad), processed, canned and frozen foods, many of which often contain hidden GMOs.  Be aware that the term "all natural" is virtually meaningless.

Look for the specific country of origin of the food (i.e., where it was grown or processed) and be weary of labels that say "packed by", "distributed by", "manufactured for" - labels like these give no indication of where the food really came from.

Related:

How to Remove Toxic Apple Wax
Clean Food Labels

Infographic Source and more information at Time to Cleanse - Is Your Diet Toxic?

Top Foods That Chelate the Body of Heavy Metals [Infographic]

Top Foods That Chelate The Body of Heavy Metals
Infographic from NaturalNews.com

Heavy Metal Exposure

In our modern, outwardly clean and even sterile homes, offices and shopping centers, many of us often do not give much or any thought to the potential risks of heavy metal toxicity.

In fact, toxic heavy metals are present all around us - in our food, water, air, cosmetics and personal hygiene products, medicines, household cleaners, gardening supplies, furniture and furnishings and various other items that we come into contact with on a daily basis.

Heavy individual metals and metal compounds (such as arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium and aluminum) accumulate in the body over time and have been linked to an array of ailments and chronic diseases - everything from fatigue, depression and mental fogginess to heart disease, certain cancers, birth defects, dementia, and neurological and immune system disorders.

Chelation Therapy

Conventional treatment, called Chelation Therapy, involves the use of chelating drugs and usually requires intravenous infusion of a prescribed medicine, together with infusions or ingestion of certain vitamins and minerals.

Fortunately, research and studies suggest that certain foods and herbs may play a key role in both minimizing exposure to as well as removing heavy metals, pesticides, environmental pollutants and metabolic waste from the body.

These foods and herbs include the following, as this Infographic illustrates:

✿ Fruits and vegetables containing pectin such as apples, bananas, grapes, carrots and radishes

✿ Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage

✿ Sulfur-rich foods such as onions and garlic

✿ Cilantro

✿ Parsley

Always buy locally grown, organic fruit, vegetables, herbs and other foods.   This is especially mandatory if you are using these foods to detox, cleanse or chelate the body of environmental toxins.  If organically-grown produce is not readily available in your area, consider growing your own - garlic, onions and herbs like parsley and cilantro are relatively easy to grow both outdoors and indoors on the window sill.

Related

Is Your Diet Toxic?
Colon Cleansing Foods
15 Foods that Cleanse the Liver
10 Herbs that Heal

Infographic


Infographic source, more information and healthy living tips at:  Natural News - Top Foods that Chelate the Body of Heavy Metals

Reference and further reading:  Herbs and Heavy Metal Detoxification

Colon Cleansing Foods [Infographic]

In his book, Complete Colon Cleanse: The At-Home Detox Program to Restore Good Health, Boost Vitality, and Ensure Longevity Dr. Edward F. Group III writes that our modern world is swarming with toxins.  These toxins infiltrate and poison the body and accumulate in the colon.  The result is weight gain, fatigue and various other medical conditions and health issues.  Dr. Group maintains that cleansing the colon improves all aspect of one's general health and specifically helps to:

✔ Lose Weight
✔ Lower Blood Sugar
✔ Increase Energy
✔ Improve Awareness
✔ Reduce Inflammation
✔ Alleviate Irritable Bowels
✔ Stop Headaches and Allergies
✔ Appear More Youthful

Today, there are many colon cleanse and detox products and services on the market.  These include supplements, colonic hydrotherapy (colon irrigation) and various other treatments and therapies.

But, one the best natural ways to cleanse and maintain a healthy colon is to reduce the the toxin load by eating organic produce that is high in fiber and to regularly consume certain foods and herbs.

This infographic illustrates some of the best foods and herbs that are thought to be very effective in cleansing the colon and keeping it healthy and include:

✿ Alfalfa Sprouts
✿ Aloe Vera
✿ Chickweed
✿ Cloves
✿ Fermented Foods (Kefir)
✿ Fennel Seeds
✿ Flax Seeds
✿ Mango
✿ Organic Fruits (Apples, Grapes, Pineapples, Papayas and Kiwis)
✿ Peppermint
✿ Probiotic Yogurt
✿ Pumkin Seeds
✿ Spirulina
✿ Tea Tree Oil
✿ Wheatgrass
✿ Wormwood

Related:
15 Foods that Cleanse the Liver


Infographic Source:  PositiveMed

Infographic: Guide to Greens

The nutrition experts agree:  a diet rich in leafy green vegetables (aka "greens") is essential to good health and is instrumental in preventing and reversing disease, including obesity.

Greens also play a key role in weight loss and healthy weight maintenance because they are:

❤ Low in calories
❤ High in dietary fiber
❤ Nutrient dense
❤ Have powerful cleansing and detoxification properties

Leafy greens are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (aka phytochemicals) and provide many health benefits across all body systems.

Many leading dietitians and nutritionist recommend eating generous amounts of a wide variety of leafy greens on a daily basis.

This infographic entitled "Guide to Greens" provides an excellent reference on the nutritional composition and health benefits of the following 13 types of leafy green vegetables, including how to select, store and prepare them:

Arugula
Belgian Endive
Cabbage (Savoy, Red, Napa, Bok Choy)
Chards (Swiss and Rainbow)
Collards
Dandelion Greens
Escarole
Frisee
Kale (Lacinato and Curly)
Radicchio
Spinach
Turnip Greens
Watercress

Related:
The Benefits of Going Green
8 Produce Picks for Better Blood Pressure

Infographic Source:  Unknown - please contact us for credit

Infographic: 5 Colors of Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients (aka phytochemicals) are natural compounds or chemicals found in vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, tea and other plant foods.

Phytonutrients are thought to have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cellular repair, detox and cleansing, and other health-promoting and disease-preventing properties.

Although it is estimated that there are 25,000 to 40,000 phytonutrients, scientists have only recently started to study them.  Thus far, mounting research suggests that they may be very effective in preventing and treating a wide range of medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Many phytochemicals are concentrated in the pigment of fruits, vegetables and other plants and are what gives these foods their fabulous color.  This is where terms like "colors of health", "eat your colors" and "rainbow of health" come from.

Although the USDA now recommends that half (or 50%) of the new "Chose My Plate" should consist of fruits and vegetables, studies show that only a small percentage of Americans eat the daily recommended amount of plant-based foods and, hence, are not getting the valuable health benefits of phytonutrients nor essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

This infographic entitled "5 Colors of Phytonutrients", illustrates many of the foods containing important  phytonutrients and briefly describes their health benefits for each color group.

Further Reading:
The Health Benefits of Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals:  The Cancer Fighters in the Foods We Eat
What is the Special Nutritional Power Found in Phytonutrients?


 Infographic Source: Natural Healthy Concepts

Infographic: 15 Foods That Cleanse Liver

The liver performs many vital functions, including purifying the blood and cleansing the body of harmful chemicals and environmental toxins.  ► Your Amazing Liver

A properly functioning liver is not only essential to good health, but also plays a key role in weight loss and ideal weight maintenance.  In turn, maintaining a healthy weight, especially around the stomach (i.e., keeping belly fat at bay) is the first line of defense in the prevention of obesity, diabetes, arthritis, coronary heart disease, strokes, certain cancers and a variety of other chronic medical conditions.

There are many liver detoxification and cleansing products on the market.  However, it is thought that detoxifying the liver should be done on a regular, daily basis.  This can be accomplished by eating foods.

This infographic entitled "15 Foods that Cleanse Liver" lists some of the best foods that detoxify the liver (and in many cases, the kidneys and other organs as well).

Whenever possible, organic versions of these foods should be consumed, since conventionally grown fruits, vegetables, grains and spices are usually contaminated with harmful insecticides, herbicides and pesticides and are nutritionally inferior.  ►  Know Your Food Labels - What Are You Eating?

More health information about these foods:
Apples
Arugula
Avocado
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Garlic
Grapefruit
Green Tea
Lemons
Spinach
Turmeric
Walnuts

Related:
Top Foods that Chelate the Body of Heavy Metals
5 Herbs that Your Liver Will Love

Infogaphic Source:  Health, Fitness and Me