Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Detox finished and Boy, was it successful!

Dear Reader,
For once I actually managed to do the whole 7 day program pretty much as prescribed.  This liver/gallbladder cleanse doesn't leave you starving.  I was able to use 3 servings of Instant Soy Protein Mix each day and eat all the steamed or raw vegetables I wanted, plus gluten free whole grains.  Several key elements included lots of water and organic juice (I chose vegetable juice and pomegranate juice, as apple juice is too sweet for me and increases my appetite).  The 2nd key element is the final day: nothing to eat after lunch which should be eaten by noon.  Then two doses of digestible Epson Salts, one at 5 and the other at 8 and then, believe it or not, 1/4 cup of olive oil to drink at 9:30 at night followed immediately by going to bed.  On day 7, you take another dose of Epsom salt in the morning and then follow the juice, vegetable and fruit intake during the day.  On day 5 and on day 8 I had a colonic, my first ever.

Colonics:  have you ever had one?  I pictured a messy, smelly procedure with urgent rushing from a flat surface to a toilet.  Not so.  A soothing practitioner inserted a tube in the rectum and then began a gentle flushing of water exactly at body temperature.  At the first sense of urgency the flow was reversed along with effective massaging of my belly.  No bad smell.  No mess.  She was able to watch the flow of bile and other material and could see when all was clear.  I was not bloated and gassy the way I have been after a colonoscopy.  In fact, it was a pleasant experience.

While on the table, the practitioner gave me the best description of the digestive system at work that I have ever heard, and I have been to dozens of lectures on health and digestion and read quite a bit.  It must be true that when the student is ready, the teacher appears.  The food you eat must land in an acid environment in the stomach. First you have to chew it enough so it is already a slurry.  In an acid PH stomach, the food is digested and naturally opens the trap door into the small intestine where the soup of nutrients and fiber slowly descends allowing the little silla along the walls take up the nutrients they need. Dr. Shaklee was fond of saying "give the body the nutrients its needs and the cells will self select."  That's just what happens in the perfect digestive process.  Finally in the colon all the liquid is absorbed and the stool remains. When it is soft and full of fiber, it passes normally within 12 - 24 hours from the time the food is eaten.

In the malfunctioning scenario, food in the stomach doesn't find enough acid to break it down. It sits there putrifying, creating gas and discomfort.  Some people experience acid reflux, the putrification rushes upstream to the throat.  Bad news.  The gas build up bursts open the doorway to the upper intestine and undigested food begins to pass through the lengthy digestive tract.  The silla can't take up nutrients because they haven't been broken down into absorbable matter.  You haven't been nourished by your food.  Once in the colon, the putrification continues and the material may sit for 24 to 72 hours or longer, drying out and stuck.  Hence constipation.

I was also told that I needed to eat slowly, take three deep breaths before beginning to eat, drink no water with my meals and sip warm water with a little lemon and sea salt for electrolytes between meals.  They sent me home with 2 types of digestive enzymes to add to my Shaklee EzGest.  Since I have suffered from constipation (before Shaklee), and gas and bloating (even after Shaklee) and have evidence that I don't absorb my nutrients very well.  This was very instructive.  Since the colonic yesterday, I have been following a normal diet reintroducing eggs and fish.  I've taken my digestive enzymes with each meal (right after taking a couple bites).  I have had no gas and feel light and energetic.  I lost 5 pounds this past week as well.

Be well.  Perhaps this cleanse would help you.  If you would like a copy, please let me know and I will send it to you.

Betsy

Betsy Bell's Health4U
4455 51st Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98116
206 933 1889
888 283 2077

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Spring Detox

Dear Reader,

The time came for me to cleanse the digestive system. Why?  Low grade sinus trouble.  Aches in the joints.  Put on 5 pounds due to lack of exercise when my left foot developed a serious problem.

I've been following the Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse developed by Dr. Richard Brouse on the Sunnyside Health Clinic in Clakamas, OR.  Dr. Brouse works with people who want a natural approach to better health and he prescribed Shaklee supplements along with his therapies.

It's a 7 days cleanse and I have copied the whole program below.  I love that I get to eat all the vegetables I want, use Shaklee's Instant Protein Drink Mix (no carbs) and drink lots of water and organic juice.  So I'm not hungry or light headed.  It's possible to continue with your life on this cleanse.  If you need to eat in a restaurant, just get sides of vegetables and salad with no dressing and take your protein shake before you go.

I'm on day 4 and I've already lost the 5 pounds I gained when inactive for a couple of weeks.  I'll have my first colonic ever tomorrow at Seattle's Tummy Temple.  Now that will be an experience.

If you want to experience a really clean digestive system and have no severe health issues that would require someone like Dr. Brouse to provide advice, I would be glad to guide you through this one.  This is my 2nd round (the last one was a year ago in the fall) so I know the benefit first hand.  Fall and Spring when you are well are the best times to do a cleanse.

Here's the program. Y:\PATIENT HANDOUTS Masters\LIVERGB FOR CLINIC .DOC
Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse Outlined
Shopping List:
Epsom Salt Shaklee Alfalfa
Fresh fruits and vegetables Shaklee Fiber Plan
Grapefruit juice Shaklee Herb Lax
Herbal tea-optional Shaklee Instant Soy Mix
Organic apple juice Shaklee Liver DTX
Organic olive oil Shaklee Optiflora Probiotic and Prebiotic
Organic raw nuts, seeds and whole grains
Substitutions:
Organic apple juice may be substituted with vegetable juice
Shaklee Instant Soy may be substituted with Shaklee Whey Cinch
Days 1 – 5:
Eat fruits, vegetables, raw nuts and seeds and whole grains. Snacks between meals
as needed.
Daily, drink four 8 oz. glasses of apple juice and at least eight 8 oz. glasses of pure
water. Preferably, drink these at room temperature and between meals.
Discontinue any medications that are not absolutely necessary.
Exercise
Colonics or Enemas
Avoid:
Any milk products
Animal and fish products
Fried foods, high-fat foods
Sugar products
Caffeinated drinks
Day 6:
Eat breakfast and lunch before noon.
Drink only water until 4 PM. You may have a snack no later than 2 PM, if needed.
Discontinue everything else.
At 5 PM, drink 2 tsps Epson Salt in ¼ cup water
At 8 PM, drink 2 tsps Epson Salt in ¼ cup water
At 9:30 PM, drink ½ cup Olive Oil
Go to bed immediately after Olive Oil, lie on your right side with your knee pulled
close to your chest for 30 minutes.
Day 7:
One hour before breakfast drink 2 tsps Epson Salt with ¼ cup water
You may continue this diet for the rest of the day, supplements included
Y:\PATIENT HANDOUTS Masters\LIVERGB FOR CLINIC .DOC
Liver and Gall Bladder Cleanse
The liver and gallbladder cleanse has been around for a long time. There are several
variations that can be found, many of them highlighting special products. Dr. Brouse has
recommended the following cleanse for many of his patients since 1977. We have
continued to hear successes that have drastically changed patients’ blood results,
allowed others to forego gallbladder surgery, and produced better general health. Their
comments have encouraged Dr. Brouse to make a few minor changes and be more
specific in the directions. For some patients with specific health challenges, the cleanse
will need to be customized for their specific needs. Conclusively, this specific
liver/gallbladder cleanse has proven to be very successful and is the one of choice.
The Liver
The liver is our internal cleaning and maintenance system that filters toxins, bacteria
and antigen/antibody complexes from the blood that are absorbed from the intestines. It
also detoxifies pollutants, hormones, toxic substances produced by fungi, histamines,
and ammonia in the blood. The American lifestyle causes the function of the liver to
slow down causing accumulated toxins. Fat deposits in the liver cause excess cholesterol
to enter the bile making it thick and clumpy, forming stones in the liver. When our liver
is overworked and toxins accumulate, symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, muscle
aches, constipation and bowel disturbances, digestive disturbances, allergies or
neurological dysfunctions may occur.
The Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ underneath the liver that stores bile made
by the liver. Bile aids in digestion by emulsifying fat for further digestion and absorption
in the small intestines. Gallstones are a common problem usually caused from a highanimal
fat diet. Research has discovered that heredity can also contribute to gallstone
formation. The most common type of gallstone is made up of crystallized cholesterol
combined with bile salts. Gallstones may not cause any symptoms or may cause severe
pain centered on the right side of the abdomen. This cleanse not only gives these
organs a time out, but also detoxifies the liver and allows any gallstones to be easily
eliminated.
Who and When
This cleanse is recommended for people over 25-years-old, who are not pregnant or
nursing. If you have large gallstones, seek advice from your natural doctor about this
cleanse. When health symptoms indicate a congested liver or gallbladder, the cleanse
can be followed any time. The best results come with repetition. It should be repeated
every three to four weeks until two consecutive cleanses do not produce any gallstones.
When repeated within up to four weeks, the first part of the cleanse can be done in
three days, making the cleanse a five day process. A maintenance program can then be
followed with the cleanse twice a year. The best time for these cleanses are in the
spring and fall when these seasonal changes encourage our bodies to detoxify.
Y:\PATIENT HANDOUTS Masters\LIVERGB FOR CLINIC .DOC
Instructions for the cleanse:
Choose seven consecutive days that are stress-free, and the last two days can
be spent at home.
Exercise:
If you are currently exercising on a regular basis at least 30 minutes, three times a
week, continue. Morning, before breakfast, is the best time to exercise for most people.
If you are not currently exercising, and are physically able, walk briskly 20 minutes
every day for the first 6 days of this cleanse.
Medication:
Avoid taking any medications that are not absolutely necessary. They interfere with the
liver’s cleansing efforts.
Cleansing the Colon is Advised:
Cleansing the colon before, during, and after the cleanse is highly recommended. This
process increases the over-all detoxification process, encourages a more thorough
liver/gallbladder cleanse, and allows the stones easier passage through the colon.
Potential headaches and nausea will be eliminated or minimized when the colonics are
implemented with the cleanse.
The following is a list of methods to cleanse the colon:
1. Colon Hydrotherapy at a health-care facility; There are two basic types of
colonic procedures that can be found at a health clinic. The gravity-fed colonic
machine is an open system where the patient has control of the flow and
elimination of the water. This system is highly recommended. The closed system
includes a small tube (which carries water) inside a larger tube (which removes
the waste material) inserted into the rectum. A therapist controls the water flow
and pressure.
2. Home Colonic: This method is a great choice when a colonic from a therapist is
not available. A colonic board can be obtained that will allow you to perform a
colonic in the privacy of your home and at a time that is convenient for you.
Colema Boards of California sells a plastic formed board that is comfortable, easy
to clean and store. With this board, colonics can be taken throughout the year
for on-going cleansing.
3. An Enema: When a colonic is not available, a series of enemas are
recommended during the cleanse.
Y:\PATIENT HANDOUTS Masters\LIVERGB FOR CLINIC .DOC
The first five days:
The first five days of this cleanse begins the detoxification process and prepares the
body to eliminate gallstones and “sludge” from the liver and gallbladder. The cleanse
diet is vegetarian to alkalize the body’s chemistry, which creates higher quality and
thinner bile.
Eat/ Drink:
􀂃 Drink and eat most foods and liquids at room temperature or warmer. This will
contribute in keeping the bile thinned.
􀂃 This diet is largely fruits and vegetables, preferably organic and many eaten raw.
(This is a great time to use your juicer – drink several glasses of fresh vegetable
juice each day.) They can also be eaten steamed, stir fried, baked, or made into a
soup. Dried beans can be included in your daily diet. Most fruits and vegetables
promote detoxification, but the following list are high in glutathione and some in
sulfur, which help the liver and gallbladder detoxify and thin the bile: beets,
radishes, carrots, garlic, onion, artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussel
sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, romaine lettuce, avocado, watermelon, papaya,
rhubarb, kiwi, plums, pears, apples, cherries, figs, grapefruit, lemons and limes. If
these are difficult to obtain, look for frozen organic fruits and vegetables. The above
mentioned vegetables, when made into a soup with turmeric and oregano,
contribute to cleansing the liver and gallbladder.
􀂃 Drink, daily and between meals, four 8-ounce glasses of roomtemperature
apple cider or juice, preferably organic, Another option, instead
of the cider, is to mix one teaspoon of Shaklee Fiber Plan in a glass of vegetable
juice, preferably freshly juiced. Also, two fresh organic apples or cranberry juice
without sugar can replace one serving of juice each day. People with hypoglycemia,
diabetes, candida, cancer or stomach ulcers should replace the apple juice with the
vegetable juice.
􀂃 Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of room-temperature pure water each
day, preferably between meals. Herbal tea can be substituted for water. Shaklee
Performance can be used in moderation.
􀂃 Raw organic nuts and seeds can be eaten in moderation. Most contain arginine,
which helps the liver detoxify ammonia. They also contain glutathione and omega-3
fatty acids which support normal liver detoxification.
􀂃 Shaklee Instant Soy Mix can be mixed into a drink three times a day. If soy is an
allergy, use the Shaklee whey Cinch.
􀂃 Whole grains such as rice, barley and oats can be eaten when simply cooked in
water. Whole grain, high fiber breads can be eaten in moderation.
􀂃 Stevia and small amounts of honey or maple syrup can be used.
Y:\PATIENT HANDOUTS Masters\LIVERGB FOR CLINIC .DOC
􀂃 Organic olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil can be used in salad dressings
and stir-fries because, as fruit oils, they do not contribute to toxicity.
􀂃 Eat until comfortably full; do not over-eat or under-eat.
􀂃 Snack between meals as needed; this is a perfect time to drink a protein
smoothie, have a piece of fruit, or eat a handful of raw nuts or seeds.
Avoid:
􀂃 Any milk products - (mucous formers)
􀂃 Animal and fish products; including eggs, red meats, poultry - (create toxic
residues in the liver and decrease the solubility of bile).
􀂃 Fried foods, high-fat foods and fats.
􀂃 Sugar products and sugar substitutes.
􀂃 Caffeinated coffee and teas, and sodas. (Note: If caffeine has been a daily
consumption, gradually decrease the amount taken each day to avoid headache
withdrawals.)
Supplements:
Continue your regular food supplement program. If your current program does not
include the following list of supplements, add them to your daily list to be taken
throughout the day with your meals. They are very important to cleanse and prepare
the elimination system to excrete liver sludge and gallstones:
1 to 4 Herb Lax
10 to 40 Alfalfa
1 to 4 Liver DTX
3 to 7 grams Shaklee Fiber Plan
1 to 2 Optiflora Probiotic capsules and Prebiotic powder
3 servings of Instant Protein Soy Mix or whey Cinch
The Importance of These Supplements:
Herb Lax: The amount will vary for every individual. Take enough Herb Lax throughout
the day to be just above the effect of diarrhea. This combination of herbs and soluble
fibers is a natural gastro-intestinal purgative that will help with bowel cleansing by
removing accumulation of metabolic wastes.
􀂃 Buckthorn bark reduces irritation caused by an inflamed gallbladder, and detoxifies
the liver.
􀂃 Fennel seed powder reduces irritation to the mucous membranes of the
gastrointestinal tract and increases bile production in the liver.
Y:\PATIENT HANDOUTS Masters\LIVERGB FOR CLINIC .DOC
􀂃 Rhubarb root thins the bile in the gallbladder and promotes liver cleansing.
􀂃 Culver’s root detoxifies the liver and increases bile flow from the gallbladder.
Alfalfa: Take a small handful of Alfalfa tablets with each meal. The high level of
chlorophyll in alfalfa promotes an alkaline state in the blood, deodorizes the body,
reduces the effects of inflammatory endorphins, helps normalize blood lipids, detoxifies
the liver by stimulating bile flow, and increases the kidneys’ filtration rate.
Liver DTX: This combination of herbs and extracts should be taken during this cleanse
and in your regular daily nutrient regime. Its benefits give antioxidant and bile-flow
enhancing properties that protect and stimulate the body’s normal ability to maintain
healthy liver cells.
􀂃 Milk Thistle extract helps make the proteins that contribute in the regeneration of
liver cells and stimulates the liver to produce additional bile for improved digestive
function.
􀂃 A blend of Schizandra and Reishi mushroom extracts have antioxidant properties
that protects and detoxifies the liver.
􀂃 Dandelion extracts, turmeric and artichoke improve and maintain normal bile flow,
􀂃 stimulate a sluggish gallbladder, promote blood purity, and remove excess water to
improve overall liver function.
Fiber: The Shaklee fiber is a combination of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble
fiber possesses passive, water-attracting properties that help to increase bulk, soften
stool and shorten transit time through the intestinal tract. With the cleanse, this is very
important to move toxins through the body as quickly as possible so they do not
reabsorb into the bloodstream. The soluble fiber undergoes active metabolic processing,
supporting the friendly bacteria in the intestine.
Optiflora Prebiotic Powder and Probiotic Capsule: The powder contains FOS and
inulin that feeds the ‘friendly “bacteria in the capsule. The Optiflora system is needed
during this cleanse to ensure a healthy environment for the extra elimination through
the colon.
Instant Protein Soy Mix: This vegetable based protein contains minimal amounts of
fat and cholesterol, provides all the essential amino acids, high levels of calcium,
antioxidants and better lipid metabolism control. It is a high-quality, easy to digest
protein that can replace animal proteins. All of these factors make it the best choice for
a healthy liver and gallbladder.
The 6th day:
Eat your normal vegetarian breakfast and lunch (at noon). Drink water until 4 PM.
A snack can be eaten no later than 2PM. Then discontinue taking food supplements and
eating any food because it may inhibit the stones from flushing out.
Y:\PATIENT HANDOUTS Masters\LIVERGB FOR CLINIC .DOC
At 5PM - dissolve 2 teaspoons (if you are 150lbs. or under) or 3 teaspoons (if you are
over 150 lbs.) of Epson Salt in ¼ cup of warm water and drink it. Follow it with a choice
of ¼ cup of water mixed with ¼ cup of fresh lemon or lime juice or 1/2 cup undiluted
grapefruit juice.
At 6:30 - If you are too hungry to go without food until the morning, eat a raw apple or
avocado.
At 8PM - repeat the above instructions of the Epsom Salt Drink.
At 9:30PM - drink ½ cup olive oil (if you are 150 lbs. or under) or 2/3 cup olive oil (if
you are over 150 lbs.). Follow it with a choice of ¼ cup of water mixed with ¼ cup of
fresh lemon or lime juice or 1/2 cup undiluted grapefruit juice. Go to bed immediately.
Lie on your right side with your right knee pulled close to your chest for at least 30
minutes. Note: Some people have reported slight to moderate nausea after taking the
olive oil. The nausea should diminish and disappear by the time you go to sleep. If the
olive oil induces vomiting, do not take any more olive oil. Go to sleep and finish the
cleanse the next day.
The 7th day:
Throughout this day, stay close to a bathroom because you may experience diarrheatype
elimination that may have gallstones. (A colonic this day will make elimination
easier and more complete.)
One hour before breakfast, repeat the above instructions of the Epsom Salt Drink.
The rest of the day, eat your vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner with supplements
included.
Congratulations! You have just completed the Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse.
Your regular diet can be resumed on the 8th day.
Repeat the cleanse It is advised to repeat this cleanse in the next two to four weeks
to continue the detoxifying action of the liver and gallbladder, especially when there are
more gallstones suspected. The repeated cleanses can be done in 3 to 4 days, with the
last day including the Epsom salt and olive oil.
Keep the Liver and Gallbladder Healthy:
Eat lots of vegetables and fruits, preferably organic and fresh. The vegetables listed in
the “EAT:” section and raw seeds and nuts contain phytochemicals that help thin the
bile.
􀂃 Legumes should be included in your menu every day. The antioxidants and fiber
keeps these organs running smoothly.
Y:\PATIENT HANDOUTS Masters\LIVERGB FOR CLINIC .DOC
􀂃 Consume less animal products, especially red meat. “Clean” fish is a good source of
protein that promotes liver health. Soy protein, taken daily, reduces the saturation of
cholesterol in the bile, thus reducing the potential for stones.
􀂃 Use olive oil regularly, because it thins the bile.
􀂃 Drink at least 8 glasses of pure water every day.
􀂃 Continue to take Liver DTX, Alfalfa, Optiflora, and fiber on a daily basis.
􀂃 Do not skip meals. Better yet, eat several small meals throughout the day. Avoid
overeating. Lose excess weight slowly, because quick weight loss can cause
gallstones.
􀂃 Take the least amount of medication as possible. Avoid environmental chemicals,
and food additives. These choices will ease the toxins that pass through the liver.
􀂃 Avoid fatty or fried foods. Low fiber foods, such as white flour products, encourage
congestion. Limit the consumption of sugar products.
􀂃 Coffee and carbonated beverages should be eliminated or used only occasionally.


Be Well, 


BetsyBell's Health4u
4455 51 st Ave. SW
SEattle, WA 98116
206 933 1889