Mainstream MDs are
starting to recognize benefits of detox known in other cultures for
thousands of years
A Medical Doctor's Opinion of
Detoxification
by Dr Leong Y.H.
Detox (detoxification) is a
term that has come into popular use in the last decade or so but only
within the realm of alternative or holistic Western medicine.
Conventional, mainstream
(allopathic) medical practitioners have yet to latch on to this
concept, since they're only trained to treat diseases and symptoms
specifically without treating the patient as a whole.
However, the concepts
associated with detox have been recognized and practiced in
traditional Chinese (and other Asian, e.g. Indian Ayurvedic
medicine) society for at least 3,000 years.
Basically, detox is about:
1) Recognizing that the body
is exposed to toxins in the environment through the foods we ingest
and the air we breathe; and
2) Adopting a systematic
approach to help the body cleanse itself of these toxins and avoid
further exposure to toxins.
Detox methods include
dietary changes, fasting, supplements, exercise, yoga, meditation,
improving the environment (using CFC-free hairsprays for example).
New Age methods include aromatherapy, salt baths and skin brushing.
Do I believe in detox? Well,
most of it is plain simple common sense, such as: proper diet, judicious
supplementation, adequate rest, exercise and stress-relieving
techniques.
I always believe that if the
person's energy fields are harmonized and balanced (yin & yang),
then his or her health will generally be good. I also believe that physical
health follows mental and psychical health. So I'm a believer in the
holistic (Western or Eastern) approach to health.
But I draw the line at
certain things. Colonic cleansing to me is unacceptable and
downright dangerous, as people have died from colon perforation,
water intoxication and severe infections. The human intestines are
self-cleansing. There's absolutely no need to do anything else
except eat a healthy, balanced diet. Of course certain herbs and
supplements may help someone with intestinal problems like
dyspepsia, indigestion, wind and irritable bowel syndrome.
As for treatments such as
saunas, foot baths, aromatherapy, etc, I feel the effects are
psychological more than physiological. If you feel good after a good
long soak in the bath, then you'll probably be more relaxed, less
stressed out, get better sleep, and generally have better health. So
there is no harm there.
Massages and spa treatments
basically also do the same thing. Spirit, mind and body must be in
alignment for total well-being, a concept that's only recently been
recognized in the West, but has been acknowledged in India and China
for millennia.
Leong Y.H., M.D. is a
western trained medical doctor with a keen interest in Oriental
medical methods. His websites are
http://www.quick-pain-relief.com and
http://www.chinese-culture.net.
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