by Brenda Cobb

One need not hike to the nearest chemical plant or walk through just-sprayed farm fields to be exposed to dangerous chemicals and toxins; they abound in the everyday environment. And everyday exposure over years and decades means that human health— organs, glands and overall energy—is compromised.

Many toxic heavy metals, including mercury, aluminum and lead, have passed down many family lines over hundreds of years. One person’s toxins can increase the risk of developing certain diseases in their descendants for generations to come.

Anxiety, memory loss and depression have been associated with heavy-metal toxicity. Even small amounts of mercury can accumulate in the brain and cause mild to severe brain diseases. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a popular practice for conventional doctors to give mercury elixirs, which were thought to be a miracle cure for most illnesses. The potions literally made many patients go crazy. They often lost jobs and families due to the decline of their sanity and mental health. Thankfully, this practice was abandoned, but even today mercury is still used in silver amalgam fillings in many dental practices. Its presence can damage the liver and central nervous system.

Aluminum, a potent neurotoxin, has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It builds up in the lungs, liver, kidneys and thyroid.

Even though many highly dangerous pesticides such as DDT are now banned, they linger inside the body and can continue to cause problems. The additives, preservatives, colors and dyes found in many processed foods add to toxicity levels and have been linked to a number of diseases.

While this can sound pretty scary, there are things that can be done to eliminate toxins from the body.

The Power to Heal

Raw vegan foods have the power to heal the body and support its ability to cleanse it of toxins. Raw foods supply large amounts of highly absorbable vitamins and minerals directly to the cells along with an abundance of enzymes that give the digestive organs a break from the hard work required to digest cooked food. The high water content in fresh fruits and vegetables optimizes cell hydration and enhances kidney function. Raw foods also help cleanse the lymphatic system, which helps eliminate toxins.

Detoxification with raw and living sprouted foods can also bring spiritual benefits. The high vibration in these special foods lifts us up and gets us more connected to the body and the world around us.

Sometimes detoxification can bring on uncomfortable side effects, including fatigue and nausea. Such symptoms can be reduced and often eliminated completely by cleansing the colon with colonics and enemas. Colon cleansing can remove toxins, but it also can remove some of the beneficial bacteria that reside in the colon, so it is important to use a powerful, completely spore-based, broad-spectrum probiotic to replenish the friendly bacteria.

Raw vegan foods have the power to heal the body and to support its ability to cleanse it of toxins.

A holistic therapy that is helpful during detoxification is the far infrared (FIR) sauna with chromo therapy. FIR heat penetrates deeply into the joints, muscles and tissues, speeding up oxygen flow and increasing circulation. This helps stimulate fat cells to release waste and harmful toxins. The chromo therapy colors adjust body vibrations to frequencies that help create health and harmony. Each color possesses specific vibrational frequencies that relate to different physical symptoms. For example, pink acts as a cleanser and helps eliminate impurities in the bloodstream. Yellow can be used to purify the skin and help with indigestion and lymphatic disorders.

It’s quite easy to blend some alkaline fruits and vegetables together to create a good-tasting detoxification smoothie that binds onto toxins, undigested proteins, viral waste and unproductive bacteria and moves them quickly out of the intestinal tract. It can even provide a heightened sense of well-being and help peopl feel more energized and alive.

Strawberry Green Smoothie

2 cups spinach 2 cups strawberries 1 apple 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp turmeric 2 cups alkaline water

Blend all the ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.

Brenda Cobb is author of The Living Foods Lifestyle® and founder of The Living Foods Institute, which offers healthy lifestyle programs, products and courses on nutrition, cleansing, healing, anti-aging and more. For more information, call 404-524-4488 or 800-844-9876, or visit www.LivingFoodsInstitute.com