How to Detoxify Effectively

By Bee Wilder

Also see Heavy Metals and Natural Chelation

Definitions

  • Antioxidants — substances that are capable of reversing the damaging effects toxins and which help the body detoxify.
  • Toxin — poison.
  • Detoxify — to get rid of toxins/poison or the effects of them.

Table of Contents

Diet Plus Supplements Are Most Important!

To detoxify effectively a good nutrient-dense diet and some supplements are most important. The reason is because the diet and supplements work together to provide all of the nutrients the body needs to heal and detoxify.

Detoxifying Diet:

  • Moderate protein, mainly from animal meats, eggs, and seafood.
  • High "good" fats and oils, i.e. butter, coconut oil, lard, and other natural occurring fats from animals and fish, as well as oil soluble vitamins A, E and D, and omega-3 essential fatty acids (from cod liver oil or fish oil).
  • Low carbohydrates (any foods not classified as protein or fat).

For a complete description of a good and damaging foods and substances that need to be eliminated see Foods that Damage, Foods that Heal.

If you have candida/ yeast overgrowth see How to Successfully Overcome Candida

Supplements

You will be much more successful if you only take the supplements listed below. If you are currently taking any other supplements it is advisable that you gradually go off of them.

Many supplements are recommended by others, i.e. naturopaths, dieticians, and other healthcare professionals, because they do not understand what constitutes a truly good nutritious diet.

Therefore they recommend supplements that are obtained from nutrient-dense foods contained in Bee's candida diet, and which are much easier for the body to digest and utilize.

Iodine is only required in trace amounts in the body and you will get all that your body requires by eating butter and by taking the recommended amount of good ocean sea salt (1-1/2 teaspoons minimum per day). Too much iodine causes just as much problem for the thyroid as too little.

Amino acids in supplement form or in powders are another example. Such supplements are processed in pill or powdered form, often from soy, which has been hydrolyzed.

Hydrolyzing is the chemical method of producing monosodium glutamate (MSG), and MSG is a neurotoxin, meaning that it is poisonous to nerve tissue, or to the brain or spinal cord.

Animal studies have linked MSG with brain lesions, retinal (in the eyes) degeneration and obesity. Such products may be advertised as "all natural," but they are far from it, and they cause a lot of serious damage in the body.

Unfortunately, MSG and related substances are not always labeled. Calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, textured protein, hydrolyzed protein, carrageenan, and citric acid always contain MSG; soy foods, nutritional yeasts, protein powders, malt flavorings, amino acids and various mixes labeled "flavorings," "natural flavors" or "seasonings" usually contain MSG.

MSG is frequently formed during processing even if not deliberately added to a food product — just one more reason to avoid processed foods, and some protein powders and supplements.

Amino acids are made from proteins within the body, so real foods like eggs and meats are much easier for the body to digest and utilize compared to any processed amino acids.

See these other supplements and treatments that are not recommended:

Macrominerals

Seven (7) macrominerals are required by the body, meaning your body requires 200 mg or more — all other minerals are only required in small amounts (trace amounts):

  1. calcium - foods plus supplement
  2. magnesium - foods plus supplement
  3. chloride - contained in ocean sea salt
  4. sodium - contained in ocean sea salt
  5. phosphorus - found in meats and eggs
  6. potassium - found in many foods, i.e. eggs, meats and vegetables
  7. sulphur - found in eggs, meats, lemons, garlic and many other foods

Calcium/Magnesium Citrate

The best calcium and magnesium supplement is the "citrate" form. The label should state the "elemental amounts" (meaning the amount that is absorbed) and it should contain an equal ratio (1:1) of calcium to magnesium.

Many calcium and magnesium supplements contain a ratio of 2:1, in which case a separate supplement of magnesium citrate must be purchased in order to equal out the amounts taken.

It is commonly recommended that 1,000 to 1,200 mgs of calcium be taken daily, with half that amount of magnesium, but that is not correct. In fact taking such a high amounts of calcium will cause imbalances in the body and will be very damaging in the long run.

Most of us are more deficient in magnesium than in calcium, so it is important to take at least an equal amount until you see how your body reacts.

Most people will do very well on 600 mgs each of calcium and magnesium, or less. Muscle cramps indicate you need more magnesium, and possibly less calcium. Deeper muscle aches and pains indicates you've taken too much calcium and if your muscles feel stiff you need more calcium.

It is difficult to balance calcium and magnesium correctly, and each individual must find their own optimal levels by trial and error. Your body can only handle a maximum of 500 mgs of calcium at a time so doses must be split up.

Eggshells are a great source of calcium. Eggshell calcium contains healthy, balanced calcium because it also contains trace amounts of other minerals.

Eggshell calcium is probably the best natural source of calcium, and it is easier for your body to digest and absorb than tablets or capsules. One-half (1/2) teaspoon of powdered eggshells equals 400 mgs of calcium. See Calcium Made From Eggshells.

Calcium/Magnesium Maximum Dose: 300 mg (or less) of each twice a day, depending upon how much is contained in the diet from other sources.

Vitamins A, D & Omega-3

Recommended Daily Amounts:

Vitamin A: 20,000 to 30,000 IUs

Vitamin D: 800 to 1,200 IUs

Omega-3: 2,000 to 3,000 mg

The best source of all three (3) of these nutrients is Cod Liver Oil which is taken in the winter months when it is not possible to get enough Vitamin D from the sun. Buy a good quality product that is unrefined, containing natural occurring vitamins A and D if possible.

See the Cod Liver Oil for more information. Also see Cod Liver Oil Products/Brands with Nutrient Levels which compares some brands, and lists extra supplements required in order to obtain the recommended daily amounts listed above.

Some brands of cod liver oil are processed to remove all the natural vitamins A and D, and then synthetic vitamins A and D are added back in. These products are acceptable if only the daily recommended amounts are taken.

Too high of levels of synthetic vitamins A and D can be toxic, however this is easily handled by discontinuing their use one day every month.

The best overall brand of cod liver oil of those that were evaluated is Green Pasture Blue Ice and Dr. Ron's Blue Ice — you only need one (1) teaspoon per day plus 10,000 IU of Vitamin A from a fish liver oil capsule, i.e. cod, halibut, shark, etc. Ensure it does not contain vitamin D.

If the cod liver oil brand available to you does not contain enough vitamins A or D buy them separately. They are available in a fish liver oil capsule, i.e. halibut, cod, shark, etc.

Fish Oil is taken in the summer (Omega-3 only) plus a vitamin A supplement, IF you can get enough exposure to the sun. In order to achieve optimal levels of vitamin D from the sun, 85% of body surface needs exposure to prime midday sun (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM). About 100-200 IU of vitamin D is produced for each 5 percent of body surface exposed.

Light skinned people need 10-20 minutes of exposure, while dark skinned people need 90-120 minutes. It takes about 24 hours for UV-B-stimulated vitamin D to show up as maximum levels of vitamin D in the blood. Please note that natural body oils are critical to this absorption process.

Because the body needs 30-60 minutes to absorb these vitamin D containing oils, it is best to delay showering, bathing, or swimming in a chlorinated pool for one hour after exposure.

The best fish oils are from "wild-caught cold-water fish," i.e. anchovy, arctic cod, herring, krill, mackerel, salmon, and sardine.

Fish Oil & Vitamin A Dose: Take 2,000 - 3,000 mgs of fish oil per day, along with 20,000 — 30,000 IU of vitamin A from a fish liver oil capsule (without vitamin D), i.e. cod, halibut, shark, etc.

Vitamin B Complex

Only buy vitamin B complex that is balanced according to the following list. (Note: Some supplements do not contain all of the following B Vitamins):

  • 50 mg Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
  • 50 mg Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
  • 50 mg Niacin (B3) - not niacinamide which is synthetic — see Note
  • 50 Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
  • 50 mcg Vitamin B-12
  • 50 mcg Biotin
  • 1 mg Folic Acid
  • 50 mg D-Pantothenic Acid
  • 50 mg Choline
  • 50 mg Inositol
  • 50 mg Para Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA)

Note: If you cannot buy vitamin B complex with niacin (B3), you should buy it separately and take it in addition to the vitamin B complex tablet. Niacin causes flushing, redness, and itchiness of the skin, but that because it dilates blood vessels, even the tiniest capillaries, which releases radiation and other toxins from the body.

Radiation from the sun and other sources accumulate, building up in the body — remember all those terrible sunburns? Niacin also chelates out heavy metals from the body and provides oxygen for the body.

In high doses, up to 1,500 mg daily, it is used to clear out clogged arteries. Do not buy non-flushing niacin, which is a different formula specifically designed to lower cholesterol, which does not provide the same benefits as niacin.

Vitamin B Complex Dose: Take 50 mgs twice a day plus 50 mgs of niacin twice a day if it is separate.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful detoxifier and antioxidant, particularly because it stimulates the body to make hydrogen peroxide which is known to kill cancer, parasites, viruses, bacteria, and candida/yeast overgrowth.

Take 4,000 mgs in divided doses per day, i.e. 1,000 mgs 4 times per day. The vitamin C supplement to take contain 1,000 mg of a vitamin C (ascorbic acid) along with rosehips, citrus bioflavonoids, hesperidin and rutin. You need to start with small amounts and gradually increase them in order to avoid getting loose stools. Start with 500 to 1,000 mg per day and only increase it every 5 days.

If you wish, you can take ascorbic acid crystals in water. Do not buy ascorbic acid that is buffered or contains any other nutrients like calcium, magnesium, sodium, etc. It must be taken with foods, and after drinking it you should rinse out your mouth with plain water since it is hard on the teeth.

You can safely take a lot more vitamin C, up to 20,000 mg per day, but in order to avoid loose stools it must be gradually increased over a period of time. Since vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin the body throws off what it does not need. Vitamin C does not accumulate in the body like oil soluble vitamins.

Minimum Vitamin C Dose: Take a minimum of 4,000 mg per day, in divided doses.

Vitamin E

Only buy a natural source vitamin E. Natural source vitamin E is indicated by the small "d" in front of the different types of vitamin E, such as d-alpha-tocopherol.

The synthetic version of vitamin E begins with "dl", i.e. dl-alpha-tocopherol. Most vitamin E supplements are derived from soy, which must not be taken. Vitamin E Clear Base or dry base formulas are soy-free.

Vitamin E Dose: Take 200 IU twice a day or 400 IU once a day.

Minerals

Minerals are very important for all functions in the body. That is why minerals are called "the building blocks of the body." They are also important for detoxification. The best way to obtain enough minerals is:

  • By consuming a balanced diet as noted above.
  • By taking calcium/magnesium supplements as noted above.
  • By drinking good filtered water that contains plenty of minerals, along with at minimum of 1-1/2 teaspoons of ocean sea salt, which contains over 84 minerals, i.e. Celtic Sea Salt (Nature's Cargo in Canada), Himalayan, etc.

    Note: Ocean sea salt provides the proper amounts of sodium and chloride, which are two macrominerals required in higher amounts by the body. As noted above adequate macrominerals, other than calcium, magnesium, sodium and chloride, are contained in the diet, i.e. potassium, sulphur, and phosphorus.

Mineral Dose: Take a minimum of 1-1/2 teaspoons of ocean sea salt per day in addition to good filtered water that contains minerals.

One of the best ways is have the Electrolyte Drink: 1/4 teaspoon of ocean sea salt and the juice of 1/2 of a freshly squeezed lemon added to 6 ounces of filtered water - drink 6 times a day (drink 3 of those glasses with meals to aid digestion).

How the Diet & Supplements Help You Detoxify

The diet plus supplements helps you detoxify not only because it provides all of the nutrients the body needs so it is able to detoxify more effectively, but also because it is high in "good fats" such as butter, coconut oil, lard, and other natural occurring fats from animals and sea foods, in addition to all of the important oil soluble vitamins and omega-3 essential fatty acid.

These fats, vitamins and omega-3 are the best antioxidants the body can use so it is able to effectively eliminate toxins and heavy metals.

Coconut Oil

Coconut is a powerful antioxidant which also chelates out heavy metals. Buy a good quality coconut oil that is expeller or cold pressed, and unrefined, unbleached and not deodorized. Coconut oil is part of the diet. See Coconut Oil Resources and Websites

Coconut oil will create healing and detoxifying reactions which makes some people think they are allergic to it, however this is not the case. Healing and detoxifying reactions include an upset stomach, gas, bloating, diarrhea, extra mucus, etc. which the body creates in order to clear out toxins.

Coconut Oil Dose: Start with 1/2 teaspoonful three (3) times a day and gradually increase it every 4-5 days up to 5-6 tablespoons per day which are taken in split doses and with meals that contain protein and other "good" fats. Note: 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon.

Garlic

Garlic is very effective in helping the body eliminate toxins and heavy metals. It is also antifungal, antiparasitic, antibacterial and antiviral and it stimulates the immune system, improves circulation, lowers high blood pressure, prevents clotting of the blood, in addition to many other health benefits — see Garlic.

It is best when it is raw and crushed which begins a chemical reaction that mixes and releases its health giving benefits.

Garlic Dose: Start with 1 average sized clove per day and gradually increase it to 3-5 cloves per day, mixed in foods or taken with meals. Garlic tea is also very good. Drink 4-5 cups spread throughout the day.

Clove Spice

Clove oil, whole cloves and clove tea are the most powerful of any antioxidant and they are wonderful for detoxification – see Cloves & Clove Oil. See this Clove Tea Recipe.

Probiotics

Probiotics help digestion and they also help the body detoxify.

Cabbage Rejuvelac

Cabbage Rejuvelac is the very best probiotic! It is the easiest and least expensive way to plant healthy bacteria in the digestive tract is to take cabbage rejuvelac. Cabbage is a vegetable that is teeming with several healthy strains of lactobacteria, including lactobacillus.

All you need is cabbage and water that is free of chlorine. See the Cabbage Rejuvelac recipe, which also explains how much to take.

Probiotic Supplements

Probiotic supplements are also good for detoxification. Since 95% of the beneficial organisms in the digestive tract are lactobacteria, which is the simplest form of lactobacillus just like those contained in cabbage rejuvelac, those containing lactobacillus are recommended. Freeze-dried acidophilus lactobacillus are the most common form available:

  • Buy acidophilus lactobacillus that is not based on dairy and 'free of' soy, wheat, dairy, sugar, yeast, gluten, and artificial coloring or preservatives.
  • It should contain at least 2.5 billion active organisms, or cells, per capsule.
  • It should be contained in dark bottles or opaque containers to avoid deterioration by heat and light, and kept refrigerated, even in the store.

Note: It is not advantageous to buy a product with more than 5-6 billion active organisms per capsule because it is more beneficial to take divided doses (3-4) with a total of 10-15 billion units per day.

If the product contains too many units per capsule, the capsules can be dumped out and mixed in water, so less can be taken at a time.

There are many other probiotic and prebiotic products available, with many companies making wild claims about their products in an effort to increase sales. These companies use "marketing" ploys in order to distinguish their products from others.

For a list of such claims, and products not recommended please see the Probiotics Section of the article How to Successfully Overcome Candida.

Probiotic Supplement Dose — Start with one capsule per day, with or without food, and gradually increase it to 1 capsule 3 times a day if your product contains 5-6 billion active cells, to a total of 10-15 billion active cells per day.

It will not hurt you to take more but taking excessive amounts is a waste of money and it will not speed up the process of implantation.

Improving Digestion Improves Detoxification

  • Eat plenty of protein from meats and eggs, which increase stomach acid and stimulate the gall bladder.
  • Eat a high "good fats"diet, i.e. coconut oil, butter, lard, extra virgin olive oil, chicken and goose fat, fish oils, and other natural animal fats.

    These good fats help pull nutrients out of foods and they help detoxification and eliminate heavy metals. Coconut oil and butter do not require bile for digestion like other fats.
  • Add ocean sea salt to foods, which helps pull nutrients out of them.
  • Take Betaine Hydrochloric Acid with Pepsin - see the How To Take Hydrochloric Acid Supplements.
  • Eat lacto-fermented foods and drinks, i.e. sauerkraut, kimchi, and cabbage rejuvelac,, that are pre-digested by the fermentation process which helps overall digestion and detoxification. They also help the body eliminate heavy metals.

Baths Help the Body Detoxify

Taking baths with Epsom salts, salt or 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide helps draw toxins out through the skin.

Add two cups (500 grams) of Epsom salts or one cup of salt to the bath. You can also mix Epsom salts and salts half and half. Soak for 15-20 minutes.

Use 1/2 cup of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide in 1/2 a bathtub of very warm water. Soak in the tub until you sweat.

Hydrogen peroxide must be handled very carefully - See the article Hydrogen Peroxide and Its Many Benefits for cautions, and how to mix it and handle it.

Dry Skin Brushing Helps Detoxification

Do dry skin brushing to stimulate the liver and adrenal glands, and to help them decongest and dump their toxins.

Dry skin brushing also increases the ability of the liver and adrenal glands to handle toxins. Jumping rope or rebounding on a mini trampoline are alternatives to dry skin brushing.

Lemons & Limes Detoxify

See these articles for the wonderful detoxifying benefits of lemons and limes.

Coffee Enemas

The benefits of coffee enemas for detoxification cannot be overemphasized. Coffee enemas will decongest and flush the liver and the adrenals and help the entire body detoxify. Many people have experienced tremendous relief of their symptoms and renewed energy levels after doing coffee enemas.

Enemas can be done anytime, but they are highly advised early on in your healing program. See Coffee Enema for Liver and Adrenal Detoxification.