The liver is one of the primary organs of detoxification.

Its major functions:

• Filters your blood by removing harmful viruses, bacteria, yeasts, foreign substances and toxins
• Metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, proteins
• Breaks down and detoxifies old or excess hormones
• Stores glycogen and fat soluble vitamins and minerals
• Produces bile so that fats and vitamins can be digested
• Balances blood sugar by releasing glycogen when blood sugar is low
• Creates proteins needed for blood cells, hormones and the immune system
• Detoxifies toxic chemicals so that they can be broken down and eliminated through bowel, skin, lungs and urine
• Neutralises drugs and alcohol

Causes of Liver Dysfunction

• High exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution, pesticides on fruit and veg, cosmetics and cleaning products
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Medications
• Heavy Metals
• High amounts of hydrogenated fats in diet
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Gastrointestinal imbalances such as constipation, candida and leaky gut

Signs Of Liver Dysfunction

• Yellow/white coated tongue
• Irritability
• Dark circles under eyes
• Fatigue
• Liver spots (brown spots/blemishes on skin)
• Yellow sclera (white part of the eyes)
• Headaches
• Allergies
• Excessive sweating
• Skin rashes
• Lack of appetite on waking
• Indigestion after eating fatty foods
• Difficulty concentrating
• Waking between 1-3am for no apparent reason
• Poor skin tone

How to Support and Love your Liver

• Protein at every meal for liver detoxification and to repair and renew cells
• High intake of raw fruits and vegetables which are high in antioxidants and protect the liver
• Caraway seeds, garlic, onions, turmeric and beetroot and Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts all stimulate liver detoxification enzymes
• Vitamins and minerals especially the B vitamins,Vitamin C, magnesium, selenium and zinc
• Essential fatty acids such as salmon, flaxseed, wheatgerm, walnuts and sesame
• Herbs such as St Marys Thistle, Schisandra, Turmeric, Dandelion Root, Globe Artichoke and Rosemary all support liver detoxification and regeneration
• Avoid alcohol, drugs and processed foods that are high in saturated fats such as deep fried foods, sugar and preservatives as these will burden and increase the toxic load on the liver
• Exercise regularly to prevent a fatty liver and liver dysfunction

It is important to keep your liver in optimum health as it is the central organ to cleansing and detoxification.

Decrease your toxic load by reducing and removing toxins from your home

• Replace all toxic personal care products and household cleaning products with non-toxic products
• Try eco-friendly cleaners and paints that are low in volatile organic compounds in your house. Cleaners like bicarbonate of soda, eucalyptus oil and white vinegar are great for the environment and your family.
• Install air filters, commit to proper ventilation and have lots of indoor plants to filter the air.
• Buy water filters.
• Use feng shui to get the energy clear in your home. If the chi in your home cannot flow easily it can become stagnant and toxic, trapping negative energies.
• Use natural substances like orange essential oil to deal with pests in your home.
• Wear clothes that are made from organic fabrics. Do not dry-clean clothes.
• Avoid using plastics where you can.
• Eat organic produce where possible or soak non-organic produce in apple cider vinegar/white vinegar.
• Enhance digestion with enzyme and probiotic supplements.
• Stop smoking or drinking alcohol.
• Prevent conflict and criticism in the home as these negative emotions effect our physical health.

1. Exposure to heavy metals like mercury, lead, aluminium, cadmium from the human-made environment
2. Pesticides and herbicides used in agriculture
3. Our nutrient poor, calorie dense diet
4. Highly processed foods with preservatives and added artificial chemicals and additives
5. Genetically modified and engineered foods
6. Damage from alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs and pharmaceutical medications
7. Synthetic hormones and antibiotics consumed via food
8. Poor water supply
9. Polluted air we breathe
10. High stress levels leading to excessive internal stress hormone production
11. Electromagnetic radiation exposure
12. Exposure to chemicals used in housing, construction, domestic cleaning, cosmetics and personal care products

We can not escape these toxic terrors and they accumulate in our body resulting in stress and dis-ease. It is vital to undergo a detox once a year to eliminate these toxins from our system and to support our bodies to function more efficiently and effectively. Escape to one of our detox health retreats where you can take that toxic load off and achieve the optimal health that your deserve.

Why choose organic?

1. Organic food has higher levels of nutrients. There is now plentiful research findings that show organic food is far superior in vitamin, mineral and nutrient content. They are especially higher in antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. Organic foods have higher levels (up to six times) of salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is produced naturally in plants as a protective compound against stress and disease. Salicylic acid acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps combat hardening of the arteries.

Researchers at John Hopkins University looked at the results of 41 studies over a 50-year period and concluded that on average organic food contained 30 per cent more vitamin C, over 20 per cent more iron, 30 per cent more magnesium and 14 per cent more phosphorus than conventionally grown foods, as well as 15 per cent fewer harmful nitrates.

1. Organic food production helps protect future generations. The average child receives approximately four times more exposure than an adult, to at least eight widely used cancer-causing pesticides in food. Food choices made for our children now determine their future health.
2. Organic farming helps protect water quality. Pesticides and other chemicals widely used in conventional farming contaminate ground water and rivers and pollute primary sources of drinking water.
3. Organic food is free of artificial additives. Organic food doesn’t contain food additives which can cause health problems such as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity. The use of antibiotics, anti-microbials, hormones and other growth promotants are prohibited in organic production. In the case that animals are treated with veterinary drugs or chemicals, they are prohibited from being sold as organic. The use of synthetic chemicals as preservatives, colourings, antioxidants etc are also prohibited in the processing of organic foods.
4. Support for small farmers. When we purchase organic food we support traditional farming systems. Most organic farms are small, independently owned family farms of less than 50 hectares. Many family farms have been sold-up during the last couple of decades because of economies of scale – they are not profitable under conventional farming systems. Organic farming could be one of the ways family farms can survive.
5. Organic food production uses less energy than conventional food production. Modern conventional farming uses more petroleum than any other industry. More energy is now used to produce synthetic fertilisers than to till, cultivate and harvest crops. Organic farming is still based on labour intensive practices such as hand weeding, green manure, and cover crops instead of chemicals.
6. Chemical residues are missing or at very low levels in organically produced food. Many studies show that most conventionally farmed foods have pesticide and other chemical residues. Over 400 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming and residues are often present in non-organic food. Research has shown that 30 percent of insecticides, 60 percent of herbicides and 90 percent of fungicides are known to cause cancer. These chemicals can also lead to nervous and endocrine problems.
7. Organic food tastes better
8. Organic food is not irradiated

You cant go Organic?

If you cannot afford to buy all organic or it is not available, at the very least avoid the fruits and vegetables with the biggest toxin load when they are grown conventionally.

The non- organic fruit and vegetables to avoid are strawberries, apples, cherries, apricots, blackberries, pears, raspberries, peaches, imported grapes, spinach, peppers, celery and potatoes.

As these fruits and vegetable  are treated with more harmful chemicals than others:

- Non-organic strawberries are covered in captan, a fungicide that has been linked to cancer, damage to the immune, nervous and reproductive systems, and birth defects.

- Non-organic apples contain diphenylamine, which some experts believe causes brain and nervous system damage, and thiabendazole, which may damage the reproductive system.

- Non-organic celery contains permethrin, chlorothalonil and acephate, all linked to cancer.

- Non-organic spinach will often have up to 40 harmful pesticides on its leaves.

Do the best you can for your own health and environment and GO ORGANIC when you can!

Here at Byron Bay Detox Retreats our detox health retreat  uses all organic produce providing you with optimum nutrition on your journey to renewed health and wellbeing.

www.organicfooddirectory.com.au

A heavy metal is any metallic element that has a relatively high density. Some of the 23 known heavy metals like selenium, copper, manganese and zinc, are are nutritional minerals needed in small quantities to maintain health  but in large amounts can be toxic.

Other heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic and lead are toxic even in small amounts. Once toxic metals have accumulated in the body they are not easily flushed or removed from the body. These toxic metals store themselves in the tissues of the body contributing to nutritional deficiencies and can cause serious health issues.

Toxic heavy metals affect  the nervous system,  immune system, the brain, kidneys and reproductive system where they can disrupt normal functioning. Heavy metal toxicity can produce a wide range of symptoms such as

• Depression
• Numbness, tingling in the hands and feet
• Irritability
• Chronic fatigue
• Insomnia
• Frequent urination
• Poor memory
• Kidney/Liver damage
• Constipation
• Joint pain
• Skin rashes
• Tinnitus
• Impaired immunity
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Leg cramps

Toxic Metals Damage Our Bodies in the following ways:

1. Take the place of nutritive minerals and interfere with our mineral balance in the body
2. Destroy beneficial bacteria leading to lowered immunity
3. Disrupt normal metabolic processes
4. Heavy metals can bind to the bodys protein and may trigger an autoimmune response when the body is unable to recognise its own protein
5. Block detoxification pathways
6. Initiate free radical damage to cells
7. Affect the genetic material RNA and can lead to cell mutations, birth defects and cancer
8. Mercury fillings can create a “battery effect” with saliva in the mouth causing corrosion and damaging the body

We are exposed to heavy metals every day as they are used in industry, food processing and agriculture. Some of thje places where they are found is in personal care products, auto exhaust fumes, batteries, cooking utensils, insecticides, toys, carpets and some pharmaceutical drugs.

Therefore we can see there is no escaping heavy metals in the current world we live in. Heavy metal testing can be done through your naturopath or doctor and there is many treatments available according to the level of toxicity. Treatments may include starting from a gentler approach of chlorella, coriander, zeolite and to a more intense method of chelation therapy.

However with any heavy metal detox it is important to incorporate this in a detoxification protocol where all organs of elimination are supported to minimise any adverse effects or symptoms as the heavy metals are released for excretion. Our detox health retreat assists many clients through heavy metal detoxification in a safe environment with expertise knowledge and experience.

It is important to keep the body alkalised in order to sustain optimum health.  Your blood is to be maintained between 7.35 to 7.45  PH which is slightly alkaline. All of the organs and systems in your body will sacrifice their own health in order to maintain this critical PH level. If you are eating too many acidic forming foods such as sugar, bread, soft drinks, red meat, cheese, cereal, processed foods and alcohol, your liver, lymphatic system and kidneys will be over burdened and their job to detoxify and excrete acid wastes will be decreased. Also as your body becomes more acidic , alkaline minerals are are pulled out of your body in order to compensate for the excess acid. Calcium will be leached from the bones and magnesium and potassium levels will be used up resulting in fatigue, muscle soreness, toxicity and the contribution to further health problems.

It is therefore essential to  include many alkalised foods in your diet in order for your body to detoxify effectively and to assist with the removal of heavy metals from the body. Your cells, the chemical reactions inside them, your beneficial bacteria and your immune system all work better in a slightly alkaline environment.  Alkalising foods consist of fresh fruits and vegetables especially green and their juices, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, tofu, tempeh, organic eggs, chicken, yoghurt, seaweed, olive oil, fish oils, spirulina, nuts and seeds and chlorophyll. The recommendation is 80% alkaline foods and 20% acidic foods  for optimum health.

Liquid nutrition consisting of organic cold pressed vegetable juices is a rapid way to alkalise the system and promote detoxification. Come join us on one of our detox health retreats where you can begin to alkalise your system and begin the journey of optimum health and renewed vitality.

With any detox it is important to keep all organs of elimination open.  At the commencement of a detox acidic toxins are released from fat cells, lymph, organs and tissues, and released in to the bloodstream. If these toxins are not eliminated they recirculate in the body causing “autointoxication” which is a self poisoning of the system.

Therefore it is important to support these organs of elimination to ensure maximum efficiency in elimination, with minimum toxic stress to the organs

* Skin -dry skin brushing, saunas, soaking in hot epsom salt baths, daily plunges in to the ocean

*Bowels -colonic hydrotherapy which also triggers a strong detox response in the liver

*Kidneys -2-3 litres of purified alkalised water/day, diuretic teas such as nettle

*Lungs -deep diaphragmatic breathing with oxygenated air e.g walk in nature and by the sea

*Lymphatics -light gentle exercise e.g walking, yoga, chi-kung and rebounder

With partaking in a comprehensive detox program you will eliminate toxins, alkalise your body and come back to the pure being that you are

There is not only physical mental or emotional toxicity but spiritual toxicity can also occur

Spiritual toxicity results when you become disconnected from your spirit or soul.

Here are some ways to reconnect:

• Meditate
• Use breathing techniques
• Pray
• Sing and chant
• Yoga
• Stillness
• Solitude
• Immerse yourself in nature
• Be grateful
• Serve others

Whatever you do, take time to build some sort of regular spiritual practice into your life. Just as you regularly eat the right food, you need to maintain your soul connection on a daily basis.

Bring a friend for half price to our exclusive upcoming retreat and save up to $2000.  May 7-13th, 2011.

A good cleanse reboots our whole being.  It provides a magnified awareness, a fresh perspective, spiritual renewal and physical rejuvenation.  When we get rebalanced, we get clearer about who we are and who we’re committed to being.  That’s the miraculous and healing power of a cleanse.

Welcome in the winter feeling fantastic and book your next Byron Bay Detox Retreat today!

Are you Toxic?

Common symptoms of toxic overload :

• Low energy/fatigue
• Poor concentration/memory
• Bad body odour
• Digestive problems
• Strong food cravings
• Aches and pains
• Sugar/caffeine/alcohol/drug dependence
• Feeling sluggish when you wake up in the morning
• White coated tongue
• Frequent Illness
• Excess Weight
• Dull appetite and you tend to eat out of habit rather than because you’re hungry
• Prone to flu, colds and cough, or allergies
• Sharp headaches and dizziness
• Depression
• Dull skin or breakouts
• Restless
• Feel that nothing satisfies or nourishes you

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms this is a sign to detox

Join us on of our detox health retreats where you can let go, relax, increase your vitality and bring your mind, body & spirit back in to balance.

“Cleanse Your Body & Let The Healing Begin In The Heart Of Every Cell”