The Wellness Prescription

Are you ready to clean out the old and begin the new?

If you are, you may want to consider a Detoxification program.

If you are like many others, the first of the year or springtime are times when you begin to refocus on your health. Many of us have spent the the winter months allowing our routines to fade with the added stresses of the holiday season. We have eaten too much and exercised too little. It is time to get back on track!

Why is detoxification important?

Today we are exposed to more toxins than ever in the water we drink, air we breathe, and food we eat. Over the years toxins can build up in fat, joints, the brain and other tissues leading to a variety of health issues. Stress also directly affects our toxicity. Stress and anxiety release stress hormones which must be detoxified by the body. Negative emotions also produce chemicals within the body that effect overall health. Research shows that over 167 synthetic chemicals and carcinogens (cancer causing agents) are now found in the average human body. In May 2005 the American Cancer Society Stated that "In the United States more than 175 people EVERY HOUR are diagnosed with cancer and another 65 die from it." More than 60 percent of those deaths could have been prevented if Americans adopted healthier lifestyles by quitting smoking, exercising more and eating healthier food.

How can I tell if I'm toxic? Signs and Symptoms

Neurological signs and symptoms include: Headaches, Alzheimer's,Memory loss, Learning disorders, Parkinson's diseas

Endocrine signs and symptoms include: Cancer, Thyroid Dysfunction, Adrenal/Stress, Fertility Problems, Abnormal pregnancy outcomes

Musculoskeletal signs include: Joint Pain/Chronic Pain, Chronic fatigue syndrome/Fibromyalgia, Muscle weakness

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity signs and symptoms include: Increasing sensitivity to exogenous exposures: odors, medications, etc. Allergies, Immune Dysfunction

How can I tell if I'm toxic? Functional Medicine Assessment

Functional Medicine Assessment (FMA) is designed to screen for the following 11 key biomarkers which, if abnormal, could lead to accelerated aging and more chronic health conditions.

• pH balance

• Hydration

• Oxidative Stress

• Liver Stress/Toxicity

• Electrolytes

• Kidney Stress

• Carbohydrate Metabolism

• Adrenal Stress

• Protein Metabolism

• Cellular Respiration

• Anabolic or Catabolic Processes

After analyzing these 11 biomarkers, your Wellness Prescription practitioner will be able to address the underlying cause of illness and create a customized program.

What does a Detoxification program consist of?

There are many common detoxification practices. They include Herbal cleansing, fasting, raw-food diets, whole food diets, and juicing.

• Herbal Cleansing: the practice of taking herbs while on a detoxification diet
• Fasting: the elimination of food and drink, except water, for a period of time.
• Raw-food diets: a diet of most or all uncooked and unprocessed raw foods.
• Whole foods diet: a diet consisting mostly of unrefined, unprocessed foods.

The detoxification program with by far the most research to verify its efficacy is a program by Metagenics consisting of a medical food called, Ultra Clear. Ultra Clear consists of a powdered beverage and a specially designed hypoallergenic diet program. It is also recommended you take a supplement called AdvaClear. The beverage, supplement, and dietary guidelines are designed to specifically aid your body in the detoxification process. As no two people are exactly the same, a single program is not suitable for everyone. The best option is to have a program designed for you that best suites your needs.

What are the benefits of a detoxification program?

Besides overall better health, people can experience improved memory function, an improvement in energy levels, better mood, and loss of excess weight. Ninety four percent of toxins are fat soluble. Therefore, difficulties with weight loss may be due to an overburden of toxins in the body. To compensate, the human body needs fat for a place to store excess toxins, therefore making it very difficult to shed excess pounds.

Have you vowed to be healthier? A detoxification program can get you going in the right direction.

"Health and Wellness is not a destination, it is a journey that must be continued the rest of your life"

Yours in Optimal Health,

Dr. Ryan E, Bentley