Toxic singer Britney Spears is on a health kick. Not content with looking better on the outside, the 26-year-old wants to look good on the inside too and is having regular colon cleansing sessions at a clinic in Beverly Hills. A source at the clinic said: “Cleansing a few times a week gets rid of lingering stuff in the colon. Britney’s had the treatment before and says it makes her feel great, more upbeat and energetic.”

FACTS:

An occasional colon cleanse can ward off digestive problems and help treat existing ones. Even though the body naturally cleanses itself, many people (including myself) believe that a good colon cleanse can be very beneficial to one’s health.

The colon is responsible for all elimination of waste. All of the food that we consume ends up in our bowels, and what is unprocessed by the body can remain as waste by-products and toxins attracting parasites. When the colon is clean and healthy, we can experience an overall well-being. When the colon is congested with stagnant waste, poisons will back up into our system and pollute the internal environment, including all other organs such as liver and kidneys. This process is also called autointoxication or self-poisoning.

The truth is that our colon, for most of us, is in an unhealthy state, filled with mucoid plaque and toxins… plain and simple it’s just a complete mess. Our colon is clogged up, causing constipation, digestive problems, and more. How did we reach this state? By consuming unhealthy foods, selecting poor lifestyle choices and being exposed to environmental influences.

Mucoid plaque (also known as chronic feces) is created when the body produces mucus to protect itself from potentially toxic substances. Mucoid plaque acts as a health threat by reducing the absorption of nutrients, impairing digestion, providing a haven for parasitic microorganisms, acting as a reservoir of toxins, promoting the development of cancer, causing skin conditions and allergies, and reducing bowel transit time. The average person has 10-20 pounds of this toxic mucoid plaque in his/her intestines! That would be some easy weight loss, not? And healthy at the same time!

People with a healthy colon should have 1-2 relaxed bowel movements per day. If you do not, you may be experiencing problems with colon function, and you need to follow the advice below.

MYTHS:

Although there are many different colon cleanse home recipes and supplements available on the market today, many of them are expensive, unhealthy and have poor results. The cleanses that omit food and nutrients for longer than 3 days (and up to several weeks) are obviously very unhealthy. The ‘Lemon Detox Diet’ for example will cause nutrient deficiencies, muscle atrophy, and reduce metabolic rate.

CONCLUSION:

Many cleanses use a lot of the same ingredients. Psyllium seeds and husks, for instance, are frequently used because they are known to flush waste out of the colon effectively. Probiotics also turn up frequently in colon cleanse recipes and products because they help enhance the population of beneficial bacteria that live in a one’s gut. Many herbs are commonly found in colon cleanses as well, including aloe, fennel, garlic, prunes, pectin, ginger, licorice, kelp, senna, alginate, cascara sagrada, and goldenseal.
Although there are literally hundreds of colon cleansing home recipes and products available, some of the simple ones are often the effective ones. One of these simple and commonly used colon cleanse home programs is Dr. Mike’s Cheap 5-step Colon Cleanse Program:

My recommendation is to follow my personal protocol:

1. Mix equal parts of apple juice and spring water together (1/2 glass each) and add 1 tbsp. each of liquid bentonite clay, colofiber and psyllium husk seeds. These ingredients are all available at most health food stores. Mix until you get a thick substance and swallow. Follow up that concoction immediately with a mixture of 10 oz. spring water, 1 tbsp. honey and 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar. It’s that easy. Repeat the above procedure daily for 1 week initially, and then for 3 consecutive days, once every month.

2. I personally supplement with the Natural Visions’ Cleanse which contains most of the herbs mentioned above, which aid in cleansing the colon and the body. I recommend you use the supplement for 3 months and then be off the supplement for 3 months, and so on.

3. Increase your fiber intake and reduce your fat and sodium intake. Take at least 30 mg of fiber a day. Purchase natural fiber supplements, or increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. A high fiber diet eases constipation, helps with weight loss and reduces the risk of developing digestive problems.

4. Drink more pure water, at least the amount of ounces equaling half of your body weight in pounds (for example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink a minimum of 75 ounces of pure water/day).

5. Perform a water cleanse once every 3 months. This is by far the most basic of all colon cleanses. Just drink water for 3 days…no caffeine, no alcohol, no food and no calories. Be careful not to over-hydrate or dehydrate. Spring water or purified water is your best choice.
The total cost to keep up with my recommendation will be less than $250 every 6 months. I’m sure it’s worth to keep your gut and intestines clean for that little money!

The Benefits of Colon Cleanse
• Increased Energy Levels
• Reduce Chronic Fatigue
• Weight Loss
• Get rid from Acne and other acute Skin problems
• Relief from Gas
• Reduced Stomach Pain & other GI/digestive problems
• Improved concentration
• Better absorption of vitamins and minerals from foods
• No Chronic constipation
• No bad Breath

Yours in Optimal Health,

Dr. Mike.

Resources: Colon cleanse Central, Colon Cleanse Zone, 3 day Colon cleanse.

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Body toxins enter the blood and are carried throughout our circulatory system, affecting every organ and cell. Eventually, our cells and tissues are literally ‘swimming’ in contamination. This constant circulation of toxins taxes the immune system which must continually strive to destroy them. Eventually the body’s own cleansing and detoxification system becomes overburdened.

We know that we have THE POWER to improve our health and well-being; and we have to do it one step at the time! Optimal nutrition is a key factor; how well these nutrients are absorbed by our body is another key factor; and how well and regularly we eliminate our body from waste products and harmful toxins, is yet another vital key!

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Any cleansing program should begin in the colon (the last part of the digestive system). The colon’s job is to compact the chime, absorb water, and receive B-vitamins that are produced by healthy intestinal bacteria. One of the world’s most renowned nutritional experts, Dr. Bernard Jensen, PhD. states: “In the 50 years I’ve spent helping people to overcome illness, disability and disease; it has become crystal clear that poor bowel management lies at the root of most people’s health problems. In treating over 300,000 patients, it is the bowel that invariably has to be cared for FIRST before any effective healing can take place.” When the colon is clean and healthy, we can experience an overall well-being. When the colon is congested with stagnant waste, poisons will back up into our system and pollute the internal environment. This process is also called autointoxication or self-poisoning. That’s why we discussed probiotics, digestive enzymes, and their respective importance earlier in this book!

Besides the use of effective probiotics and digestive enzymes, our body also needs plenty of dietary fiber. Our S.A.D is deficient in plant fibers. Fiber is indispensable in maintaining a healthy colon and will assist in complete, fast and easy bowel movements.  Good, quality supplements contain both soluble and insoluble fiber and are formulated to loosen the stool, absorb and eliminate fat and toxins, reduce transit time, and make elimination effortless and complete.

After cleansing the colon, it is just as important to detoxify the liver, kidneys, arteries and every single cell in the body. Drinking plenty of pure water, consuming your ESSENTIAL nutrients daily, and eating SMART are KEY!

Yours in Optimal Health,

Dr. Mike

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Colon health is something that many people are not as conscious of as they should be. Probiotics are the opposite of antibiotics. We know that our doctor prescribes antibiotics when a bacterial infection is suspected. The invader is eating us and we are fighting it, thus causing inflammation.

Antibiotics kill the bad as well as the good germs in our gut. These ‘good’ germs are called probiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that probiotics are “live organisms which, when consumed in adequate amounts, provide measurable health benefits.” The most commonly used strains are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These life strains of good germs assist with digestion, nutrient absorption and enhance our immune system.

Probiotics not only aid in cleansing the intestinal tract and walls, but also kill viruses and parasites, normalize bowel movements, produce many important enzymes, increase the bio-availability of other nutrients such as vitamin B, K, calcium, lactase and fatty acids and strengthen our immune system.

Probiotics also produce Lactoferrin as a by-product of their metabolism. Lactoferrin is an iron-building protein essential in retrieving iron from foods we consume, and therefore can relieve iron deficiencies.

As part of a meal or meal replacement, probiotics break down hydrocarbons, resulting in our food being split in the most basic elements. This allows for maximum absorption through the digestive system!

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The daily recommended dosage is 1 billion live bacteria. This dosage is recommended daily because the beneficial effects last only up to 1 week when consumption is discontinued. When starting on probiotics it may take several weeks to feel effects since the micro-flora in the intestines need to adjust.

The problem with probiotics on the market (health food stores and companies that sell nutritional supplements alike) is that:

1) They may put these ‘good’ germs into their ‘bottles’ alive, but many times they are DEAD prior to consumption. Since these probiotics are dead, they won’t do anybody any good!

2) With special coating and technology, these good germs can be kept alive; however in order for them to get to the intestines they have to pass through the stomach. Unfortunately, all live germs will be killed by the stomach acid, and never reach their destination: the gut!

So, the idea of supplementing with probiotics is great, but the ability to deliver these live germs to the gut has been the challenge.

We will need to find a product that delivers these ‘good’ germs to our gut…ALIVE! Or we need to make sure we use a germ that is ‘armoured’ and has its own protective layer against stomach acid.

Yours in Optimal Health,

Dr. Mike

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Detox flush – Is it really the best option in cleansing your bodily system? In life, lack of knowledge comes at a very high price (and is for sure the number 1 cause of death, it’s not heart disease, trust me). It can easily cost us our most precious commodity, our health! We live in a highly toxic world where our water is undrinkable, our food is poisoned with thousands of chemicals, and our air is polluted. Furthermore, our food is also virtually devoid from any nutrients. As people, we try to compensate for this lack of nutrients by eating much larger quantities; and to make things worse, only few of us exercise regularly and are able to cope with the stresses of life.

Since the start of the Industrial revolution, thousands of new chemicals have been introduced to our environment. These cell-damaging and deadly toxins are invisible and insidious. Like a remorseless killer, they break down all body systems at the cellular level. This process is slow (day by day) and undetectable, UNTIL disease finally signals its presence. The first sign may be a harmless rash OR a deadly cancer!

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Some scary statistics…

1. There are currently well over 10,000 different chemicals used in food processing and preservation. The average American is exposed to 50,000 chemical agents in his lifetime and only a small fraction of these have been studied for their effects on humans.
2. Almost 1.5 billion pounds of pesticides are sprayed on wheat and vegetable crops in the US each year; that’s more than 5 pounds per person! According to experts, only 2% of these pesticides actually serve to protect the crops while 98% is absorbed by air, water and the food itself. There are currently well over 1,500 different organophosphate pesticides used in over 50,000 products in North America alone. These pesticides were developed in Nazi Germany in the 1930’s and their chemical agents were used during WWII. Currently, they are classified as weapons of mass destruction and are banned in most nations; except for in the US of course. Another great job of the FDA who’s really looking out for us!
3. There are also another 24.6 million pounds of antibiotics utilized in factory farming per year. A sampling of the average grocery store milk showed the presence of over 80 different antibiotic residues (more about milk later).
4. The average American consumes 150 pounds of sugar and 566 cans of soft drinks (soda or ‘liquid candy fortified with carcinogens and biological warfare chemicals’) each year! What if I also told you that on average we consume 150 slices of pizza, 120 pastries or desserts, 120 orders of French fries, 190 candy bars and 45 large bags of potato chips. Looking at these astonishing numbers it is no surprise that every other American is chronically ill!
5. Oh, I almost forgot! Our pharmaceutical drugs (the ones that are supposed to ‘cure’ us) also contain a fair amount of these harmful and toxic chemicals (additives as well as environmental pollutants).

So, I hope you agree that it is impossible to avoid the constant on-slaughter of toxic waste from every possible angle, but we can sure MINIMIZE this on-slaughter by educating ourselves and being aware of these SILENT KILLERS. We can put a healthy detoxification practice in place to regularly and effectively rid our body from these toxins.

Yours in Optimal Health,

Dr. Mike

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Cleansing the colon should be the first step in any any detox cleansing program (the last part of the digestive system). The colon’s job is to compact the chime, absorb water, and receive B-vitamins that are produced by healthy intestinal bacteria. One of the world’s most renowned nutritional experts, Dr. Bernard Jensen, PhD. states: “In the 50 years I’ve spent helping people to overcome illness, disability and disease; it has become crystal clear that poor bowel management lies at the root of most people’s health problems. In treating over 300,000 patients, it is the bowel that invariably has to be cared for FIRST before any effective healing can take place.” When the colon is clean and healthy, we can experience an overall well-being. When the colon is congested with stagnant waste, poisons will back up into our system and pollute the internal environment. This process is also called autointoxication or self-poisoning. That’s why we discussed probiotics, digestive enzymes, and their respective importance earlier in this book!

Besides the use of effective probiotics and digestive enzymes, our body also needs plenty of dietary fiber. Our S.A.D is deficient in plant fibers. Fiber is indispensable in maintaining a healthy colon and will assist in complete, fast and easy bowel movements.  Good, quality supplements contain both soluble and insoluble fiber and are formulated to loosen the stool, absorb and eliminate fat and toxins, reduce transit time, and make elimination effortless and complete.

After cleansing the colon, it is just as important to detoxify the liver, kidneys, arteries and every single cell in the body. Drinking plenty of pure water, consuming your ESSENTIAL nutrients daily, and eating SMART are KEY!

But first things first! We need sufficient amounts of probiotics, digestive enzymes and dietary fiber to cleanse our colon, along with other nutrients proven effective for optimal colon cleansing. These include: oat bran, psyllium husk, prunes, citrus pectin, ginger, fennel, licorice, rhubarb, kelp (seaweed), senna, aloe vera, alginate (brown algae), cascara sagrada, and goldenseal among others.

Psyllium husk is the covering of seeds grown on a plant, named Plantago Psyllium, which flourishes in the Middle East. Psyllium husk has long been recognized as an excellent means of getting more dietary fiber into one’s diet because it has a high fiber count in comparison to other grains. Oat bran, also a good source of fiber, has about five grams of fiber per 1/3 of a cup. Psyllium husk, on the other hand,   approximately contains 71 grams of fiber for that same 1/3 of a cup!

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This heavy dose of dietary fiber makes psyllium husk the choice of many who manufacture dietary fiber supplements and powders like Metamucil. For those suffering from constipation or diarrhea, appropriate daily dietary fiber intake can help improve these conditions. As psyllium husk travels through the human digestive tract, it absorbs water, but is not digested. This results in stool that is bulkier, but also softer, translating to fewer problems with passing stool.

Although most associate psyllium husk with improving digestion, clinical studies have also shown that it is beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol.  Some studies have also suggested that regular use of psyllium husk supplements may help pass more fat in stools, translating to weight loss. Other studies suggest psyllium husk may also be helpful in lowering blood sugar counts. These studies are still in their infancy and have yet to truly prove that psyllium husk can be beneficial in these ways.

Possible adverse reactions may include diarrhea and flatulence if consumed in higher doses. Some people are severely allergic to psyllium husk. The most important thing to remember when taking psyllium husk is to take it with lots of water.

Prunes are a dried type of plum. As a food, the health benefits of prunes are significant. They have long been used to maintain healthy bowel activity, and are particularly helpful in ending constipation. A ¼ cup serving of prunes contains a healthful 12% of one’s daily dietary fiber needs. Prunes are also high in vitamin A, and potassium, and are known for their antioxidant benefits, containing a fair amount of beta-carotene.

Pectin is a soluble fiber from apples and citrus fruits, and is commonly used to make jellies & jams, relieve constipation (acts as a bulking agent) and protect against colon cancer.

Ginger has many health benefits! Most importantly, it is probably the most powerful, natural anti-inflammatory on this planet! Ginger is also used to cleanse the colon (bowel disorders), and stimulate circulation. It can relieve dizziness, sweating, nausea, headache, fever, cold/flu symptoms, and pain. Ginger is a strong antioxidant with antimicrobial properties (used to treat sores and wounds).

FennelI is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb with culinary and medicinal uses. Fennel contains anethole, and its polymers act as phytoestrogens which explain the medical properties. Fennel is mainly used with purgatives to allay their side effects.

Fennel water has properties similar to those of anise and dill water: mixed with sodium bicarbonate and syrup, these waters constitute the domestic ‘Gripe Water’, used to ease flatulence in infants; it also can be made into a syrup to treat babies with colic or painful teething. For adults, fennel seeds or tea can relax the intestines and reduce bloating caused by digestive disorders. Essential oil of fennel has these properties in concentration.

The licorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas), native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. Powdered licorice root is an effective expectorant, and has been used for this purpose since ancient times, especially in Ayurvedic medicine where it is also used in tooth powders. Modern cough syrups often include licorice extract as an ingredient. Additionally, licorice is also a mild laxative and may be used as a topical antiviral agent for shingles, ophthalmic, oral or genital herpes. It is also used as an aid for healing stomach and duodenal ulcers, and can be used to treat ileitis, leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease as it is antispasmodic in the bowels.

A common and affordable sweet for children in parts of the United Kingdom and Europe was a tender stick of rhubarb, dipped in sugar. Rhubarb is used as a strong laxative and for its astringent effect on the mucous membranes of the mouth and the nasal cavity. The roots have been used as an aggressive laxative for over 5,000 years. Therefore, rhubarb also has been used occasionally as a slimming agent.

Kelp compounds cleanse the digestive tract and eliminate toxins. They absorb toxins from the bowel and provide bulk for stool.  Kelp is also an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, sodium and Iodine.  As you may already know, iodine is crucial for thyroid function and increases metabolic rate. Iodine strengthens connective tissues (hair, skin, nails) and is effective in the treatment of hypothyroidism, enlarged glands, debility, fatigue, eczema, psoriasis, arthritis & obesity.

Senna is a large group of around 250 species of flowering plants, native throughout the tropics. Senna is currently used in medicine as a laxative. Sennas act as purgatives and are similar to aloe and rhubarb in having as active ingredients anthraquinone derivatives and their glucosides. The latter are called sennosides or senna glycosides. Senna acts on the lower bowel, and is especially useful in alleviating constipation. It increases the peristaltic movements of the colon.

Aloe vera extracts have strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activities and have been used as an immunostimulant. Aloe vera has been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics, and is also associated with lowering blood  levels. The consumption of aloe vera juice has also been traditionally used internally for healing and soothing of digestive conditions such as heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome due to its laxative properties.
Alginate (also referred to as Algin or Alginic acid) is a viscous gum, abundant in cell walls of brown algae. Alginate is effective in absorbing poisonous metals from the blood.

Cascara sagrada (Spanish for “sacred bark”) comes from the American buckthorn tree native to the western coast of North America. It’s is a laxative and one of the few herbs approved as an over-the-counter drug by the FDA.  The main ingredients of cascara sagrada are anthraquinones, which stimulate the bowel.

This herb also provokes secretion of fluid and minerals into the large intestine and inhibits their reabsorption. It is therefore recommended for situations in which a soft, easily passed stool is desirable, such as with hemorrhoids or following rectal surgery.

Goldenseal is one of the most popular herbs on the market today. It was traditionally used by Native Americans to treat skin disorders, digestive problems, liver conditions, diarrhea, and eye irritations.  Goldenseal is bitter and therefore stimulates the secretion and flow of bile, and can also be used as an expectorant. It also has strong activity against a variety of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, such as E. Coli and Candida. Goldenseal is used for infections of the mucus membranes, including the mouth, sinuses, throat, the intestines, stomach, urinary tract and vagina.  Goldenseal was also the center of a myth in that it could mask a positive drug screen. This false idea was part of a novel written by pharmacist and author John Uri Lloyd.

I hope you learned more about the importance of colon health and how to continue to cleanse your colon with nutrients that stimulate and balance the digestive system and promote healthy bowel movement!

Yours in Optimal Health,

Dr. Mike

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