How Your Naturopathic Doctor Restores Healthy Balance Through Detoxification
If you’ve watched late-night TV, chances are pretty good that you’ve seen supposed health gurus claiming that their detoxification products will fix all your health complaints, from fatigue to brain fog (all for the low, low price of $19.99). These fraudulent claims are, in fact, partially true. Detoxification will make you feel better, more balanced, and energized.
The part that isn’t true is that these overhyped, overpriced, ineffective, and potentially dangerous products will help you achieve wellness.
Natural detoxification is the only practical path to wellness, and your naturopathic doctor is uniquely qualified to help you achieve the balance your body needs.
What is Detoxification?
Detox is the natural process of ridding yourself of substances affecting your body’s functionality.
Your body has a built-in system for detoxification through the skin, liver, digestive system, kidneys, and lungs. If your detox system isn’t working correctly, you will feel the effects of a toxin buildup.
An effective detox program will involve any combination of cleansing juices, herbal medicines, supplements, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes. It’s an entirely safe process under the guidance of a trained holistic medicine provider. Using unregulated, ineffective, and potentially harmful over-the-counter products should never be attempted alone.
Do I Need A Detox?
If you’re feeling generally unwell, it’s your body’s signal that something is “off.” The signs that your natural detoxification system isn’t functioning correctly can include the following:
Nausea
Unplanned weight gain
Brain fog
Brittle nails
Fatigue
Hair loss
Anxiety
Sleep disorders (such as insomnia)
Halitosis (bad breath)
Food cravings
General aches and pains
Headaches
Eye bags and dark circles
Swelling and fluid retention
Dull and dry skin
Digestive issues
These symptoms are vague on their own, but when experienced together lead to “I can’t put my finger on it; I just don’t feel well.”
There are obvious factors that cause a buildup of toxins in your body—such as environmental pollution, alcohol, and poor diet. However, some surprising players at work here involve products you use daily. These include personal care products (some shampoos, hairsprays, and makeup), cleaning supplies, plastics, prescription medications, and stress.
Detox isn’t successful unless it identifies all these factors and addresses them, which is why commercial or mass-produced “detoxification” products and methods fail to deliver on their promises. They are not individualized to you and could cause more harm than good.
How Does A Naturopathic Doctor Help With Detoxification?
Your naturopathic doctor will give you the tools to enhance your body’s natural ability to remove toxins, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and healthy again. These methods involve customized wellness plans to cleanse the liver, gut, skin, and kidneys. Your path to detoxification will also include healing and strengthening your gut health.
What Will My Initial Visit to a Naturopathic Doctor Involve?
Your initial visit to a naturopathic doctor will last over an hour. You will receive a thorough evaluation, and your holistic health provider will gather a medical history to identify the root causes of your toxin buildup. A naturopathic doctor can order blood tests to check your internal systems. Your lifestyle and diet will be evaluated to understand the factors contributing to your toxin buildup.
Personalized Detoxification Plans
Once your naturopathic doctor has uncovered the root causes of your issue, a customized wellness plan is created. There is no one-size-fits-all plan for detoxification; your wellness journey differs from anyone else's.
Many patients fear that the fun is over when they visit a naturopathic doctor. Naturopathic medicine has roots in healthy balance. No one tells you not to ride your bike; they ask you to wear a helmet. This common-sense measure protects you while enjoying your ride.
Likewise, your naturopathic doctor isn’t going to remove all fun from your life. They will help you balance your diet and lifestyle for the healthiest outcome. Its about progress and results, not perfection.
Your naturopathic doctor’s wellness curriculum involves adjustments, not prohibitions. Some of these adjustments may include (among others):
An individualized nutrition plan
Herbal and nutrient supplements
Hydrotherapy
Customized exercise plans
Breath and mindfulness techniques to destress
Unlike fad detox products, supervised detoxification with the guidance of your naturopathic doctor will reset your body’s natural detoxification system through balance, moderation, and some easy adjustments.
Aren’t There Commercial Products for Detoxification?
Your drug store is full of alleged detox solutions, from pills to smoothies. These commercially produced products are designed for a single purpose: to separate you from your money. They don’t do what they claim and are harmful and ineffective.
Some of these products claim to be a permanent solution or complete the detoxification process within 24 hours. The vast majority of these detox products will fail if you find them on a supermarket or pharmacy shelf. These products also cause harmful side effects, including dehydration and diarrhea. Truth is they can deplete an already fatigued and under-nourished system.
Unless you have uncovered the root causes of a toxin buildup, such as environmental and lifestyle factors, natural detox systems that aren’t functioning correctly, or an unbalanced gut, these over-the-counter detoxification products will not give you the results you are looking for.
Finding the right detox solution requires guidance and a customized wellness plan with a trained mentor or coach.
These Health Complaints are Not Normal
At this point, you’ve learned to live with fatigue, brain fog, headaches, insomnia, and other common symptoms. Its common to mask them with caffeine and over-the-counter or prescription medications. Its common to accept that feeling unwell is “normal.”
Dr. Camille Koontz, ND, RN of Resilience Health and Wellness, explains, “We recognize that while these symptoms are common, they are not normal. Naturopathic doctors help you take control by getting to the root of the problem and equipping you with what you and your body need to get well again.”
Imagine a new normal. One where you wake refreshed, stay alert throughout the day, feel emotionally balanced, and never open that bottle of Tylenol on your counter. A day where you feel healthy and energized. This new normal is possible through an individualized wellness program built for you by your naturopathic physician. These programs often include detoxification because it is an important component of recovering your health.
Contact Resilience Health & Wellness, your premier naturopathic clinic in Washington, and start making some headway on your health journey. Make “feeling well” your new normal through a customized detoxification program that delivers what generic, commercial products can’t: a healthy and happy you.
Learn more about detoxification and other health topics at our free educational seminars, we host live and virtual classes regularly to empower you with education. Click HERE to register for our next event! Or call our wellness concierge line at (360)922-8692.