Valor Essential Oil Blend: Empowering The Mind, Body & Soul

Written by Bethany Cox, LMT

For the next nine months, I will be sharing the benefits of the nine Young Living essential oils used in the Raindrop massage.

The Raindrop massage is a technique used for detoxifying the body as well as easing back pain and specific tension around the spinal area.  This massage combines the art of aromatherapy with the techniques of Vita Flex and massage in the application of essential oils to various parts of the body. Rain Drop Technique combines a revolutionary means of bringing balance and harmony to the body, spirit, and mind.

I describe The Raindrop massage to my clients as “an experience rather than a massage, that will leave your body completely relaxed, refreshed and renewed.” The nine essential oils used in Raindrop are applied on the bottom of the feet as well as massaged into the back and dropped along the spine, hence; the Raindrop effect.

The first oil applied in this particular massage, Valor, is used to help balance the body’s energy and calm the nerves. The other eight oils include: Thyme, Basil, Peppermint, Oregano, Wintergreen, Cypress, Marjoram, and  Aroma Seiz.

Valor  balances and relaxes the physical body and works to strengthen the spirit by improving spinal problems such as scoliosis. A blend of Frankincense, Tanactin, Spruce, and Rosewood, Valor releases a strong, yet soothing aroma, pleasing to both men and women. Personally, I love Valor Roll-on! Whenever I start to feel anxious, stressed or worried, I roll this oil on the crown of my head and take a few deep breaths. Immediately, my negative emotions fade, I feel more self-confident, and I can think much more clearly. During my couples’ massage class, I like to diffuse Valor to ease any anxiety in the room. Overall, this empowering essential oil will make a positive impact on your life!

Here’s how Young Living describes Valor: Valor is an empowering combination of therapeutic-grade essential oils that works with both the physical and spiritual aspects of the body to increase feelings of strength, courage, and self-esteem in the face of adversity. Renowned for its strengthening qualities, Valor enhances an individual’s internal resources. It has also been found to help energy alignment in the body.

Here are a few ways that you can use Valor at home:

• Diffuse for any anxiety, phobia or sleeplessness.
• Massage into neck and shoulder region to help release any built-up tension.
• Rub on bottom of feet to help balance and align the body.
• Drop onto wrists or crown of the head to ease anxiety and yield emotional strength and confidence.
• Apply to bruised areas to reduce trauma to the area.

To experience any of our relaxing and therapeutic massages including the Raindrop massage or to purchase Young Living Essential Oils, please contact the Spa Concierge at Seasons – The Spa: (318) 255-1155.

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This post was provided by Licensed Massage Therapist and Facial Reflexologist, Bethany Cox. 

About Bethany:

A graduate of Cedar Creek School, Centenary College of LA (Health and Exercise Science) and Natural Health Institute in Nashville, TN (Massage Therapy), Bethany has many talents! Besides being a smartie (she has always made great grades) and a fabulous massage therapist at Seasons – The Spa, she is an accomplished pianist and golfer. She even played golf in college. Bethany enjoys setting goals for herself and achieving them. Her favorite moment? A hole-in-one! Her favorite way to decompress after a long day? Scrapbooking, exercising, and practicing deep breathing for relaxation.

GM-Oh No! What You Need To Know About Genetically Modified Food

Could it be true? Could the big name cereal makers have carried out extremely misleading ingredient campaigns by labeling their products “all-natural?” Would they knowingly use ingredients that contain high levels of toxic chemical pesticides and genetically modified ingredients?

Unfortunately, it seems to be true. But don’t feel silly or naive if you’ve bought Kashi (Kellogg’s) brand cereals, Whole Foods’ 365 brand cereals, or Quaker Oats thinking you were making a healthy choice over the sugary cereals. It’s easy to be misled by environmentally friendly packaging with leafy imagery and terms like ‘all-natural’ and ‘whole grain’. Pardon the pun but it’s only natural that you would believe that a product that markets itself to be healthy would be free from pesticide chemicals and genetically engineered ingredients. And here you thought sugar was your biggest concern.

Thanks to social media and the recent investigation and findings by the Cornucopia Institute, GMO (genetically modified organisms) has become a very hot topic. The news that “100% of the soy used in tested boxes of Kashi cereal was genetically engineered soy” became a viral firestorm leaving consumers saying “GM-Oh no they didn’t!” A grocery store in Rhode Island recently pulled Kashi brand products from their shelves and posted a sign in its place that reads:

“You might be wondering where your favorite Kashi cereals have gone. It has recently come to our attention that 100% of the soy used in Kashi is Genetically Modified, and that when the USDA tested the grains used, there were found to be pesticides that are known carcinogens and hormone disruptors.” 

The photo of this sign was liked, shared, pinned, and tweeted faster than Kashi/Kellogg’s PR department can say ‘no comment’! Ouch! However, Kashi has since posted a response to this viral photo on their Facebook page.

What are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?

According to The Non-GMO Project, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). Genetic engineering merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial, and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding. Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide.

Why should you care if your food contains GMOs?

According to Organicconsumers.com, GMOs have been linked to thousands of toxic and allergenic reactions, thousands of sick, sterile, and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ and system studied in lab animals. Jeffrey M. Smith, author of Seeds of Deception and genetically modified food expert, says “eating genetically modified food is gambling with every bite.” Smith links genetically modified organisms (GMO) to toxins, allergies, infertility, infant mortality, immune dysfunction, stunted growth, and death.

While there are arguments for both sides of the issue, here is what you should know about GMOs:

• Currently there is no law dictating that food products containing GMOs must be labeled as such.
• According to the FDA, 93% of soy, 78% of cotton, and 63% of corn is currently genetically modified.
• Approximately 80% of all packaged foods in U.S. grocery stores contain GMOs.
• Animal studies have revealed that mice fed a variety of GM foods have experienced a range of health ailments ranging from stomach ulcerations to allergic reactions to dysfunctional immune systems.
• According to a recent CBS News/New York Times poll, 87% of consumers would like GMO ingredients to be labeled, and 53% of Americans say they won’t buy food that has been genetically modified.
• Experts say that if it comes in a can or a box and the label lists soybean oil or corn syrup as ingredients, odds are that it contains GMOs.

Help make a change! Because the FDA does not require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, you cannot  make informed decisions about what you are eating or feeding your family. You can tell the FDA that you want the ingredients in your food clearly labeled by visiting Just Label It‘s website.

The staff at Seasons Wellness Clinic is committed to educating north Louisiana and the surrounding areas with the most scientific and reliable information about healthy living. If you have questions about GMOs, leave a comment below, and we’ll be happy to guide you towards the best information and, hopefully, a happier, healthier life! For more information about Seasons Wellness Clinic and Seasons – The Spa, wander around our website to your heart’s content! Or call our office at (318) 255-3223.

The Top 3 Answers to the Question “Why Should I Take Hormones?”

Recently during a patient’s visit, we were reviewing her most recent OB/GYN appointment. Her physician asked why she was taking hormones. Unable to offer a technical explanation, she simply stated that she felt much better than she did before she began her treatment program.

While the basic question of WHY is a good question by her physician, we actually need to answer three questions.

• What are my individual hormone levels?
• Are my hormones in appropriate balance?
• Is my body metabolizing those hormones in the right way?

The answers to these three questions will answer the one question: “Why should a patient take hormones?”

What are my individual hormone levels?

Contrary to what most think, hormones are not just about individual numbers. Instead, hormones work collectively as a means of communication within the body. I am amazed at the answers I get when I ask postmenopausal women, “Does your body still have or need hormones?”

The answer is a resounding YES, but most people seem to think otherwise. The body must have hormones to survive. For example, those who suffer from Addison’s Disease have a life-threatening deficiency of cortisol (one of the body’s many hormones).

Far too often I hear the comment, “I’ve had a hysterectomy, so I don’t need progesterone.” The truth is having a hysterectomy does not eliminate your body’s use or need for hormones. It just means you are missing your uterus. Hysterectomy or not, millions of cells throughout the body have progesterone receptors and those cells could care less if you’ve had a hysterectomy or what your OB/GYN thinks about progesterone. [Insert laugh here!] These organ systems throughout the body have receptors for progesterone because they need progesterone.

The aforementioned patient’s hormone therapy included progesterone cream and DHEA capsules. Testing results showed her to be deficient in both progesterone and DHEA (read about how we test hormones at Seasons), and thus replacement was needed. In addition to test results, the patient’s clinical symptom history warranted the replacement of these hormones.

So why was DHEA included in her treatment program? Two reasons. The first is that her DHEA levels were low in her testing results. The second reason? This patient had Type II Diabetes and, after some additional testing, was found to have chronic inflammation throughout her body. DHEA has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve insulin function, and reduce obesity, all of which are associated with diabetes. DHEA does this through a complex interaction with the hormones adiponectin and insulin. As insulin levels rise with insulin resistance, adiponectin falls. This hormone imbalance will result in Diabetes for many people.

Additionally, Type II Diabetes has been shown to be the result of chronic inflammation. What does that mean, you ask? Chronic, dysregulated inflammation causes insulin resistance. What is the source of this inflammation, you ask? Fat cells! The obesity epidemic is the root cause of our current healthcare crisis.

Let’s go back to the patient’s hormone therapy. Her test results showed her deficient in progesterone. Because progesterone is a natural anti-inflammatory, it is currently being used in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to reduce inflammation and improve outcomes. In addition, women with low progesterone tend to have significantly more menstrual cramps, the result of inflammatory signals called prostaglandins. Progesterone therapy has been shown to reduce those prostaglandins and thus reduce menstrual cramps.

Are my hormones in appropriate balance?

Hormones don’t exist in a vacuum, as many seem to think. Hormones exist in a delicate balance. The most well publicized imbalance is that of the estrogens and progesterone.  Imbalance of estrogen and progesterone have been linked to many health problems: fatigue, weight gain, headaches, and increased risk of breast cancer to name a few.

I often tell patients that with every cause there is an effect. You can’t give one hormone without affecting many others. The addition of progesterone to the body when it has been chronically low will not only restore progesterone to an appropriate physiologic level, but will also allow estrogen signals to work better. The balance of hormones allows each hormone to work as it was intended. Mind you, we are NOT talking about using synthetic hormones which are simply not what the body is looking for and contain harmful additives. We only treat with bioidentical hormones (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, also known as BHRT). 

Is my body metabolizing my hormones in the right way? 

The final key point is looking at how the body processes hormones (metabolism). Hormone metabolism is just as important as the individual hormone levels and the hormone balance. 

Let’s use estrogen metabolism, for example. Estrogens (there are actually three different types of estrogen) can be metabolized three ways: 2-hydroxy estrone, 4-hyroxy estrone, and 16-alpha-hydroxy estrone. Some of the risks associated with estrogen come from the body metabolizing estrogen utilizing the 4-hydoxy estrone pathway. This pathway results in many dangerous metabolites (break down products). Think of it as turning down the wrong road as you’re driving somewhere, and you end up in a briar patch!

Think about it. Many women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer don’t take bioidentical estrogen nor do they take synthetic estrogen. Their problem, as it relates to hormones, comes from endogenous hormone production (the body’s own hormone overproduction or underproduction), hormone metabolization, and the often undiscussed environmental xenoestrogens (from environmental toxin exposure). In lay terms, the body is metabolizing estrogen using the 4-hydoxy estrone pathway resulting in higher risk of cancer.

It has only been in the last 50 to 60 years that major hormonal imbalances in industrialized countries seem to have come to our attention. Before that, people and their hormones seemed to do just fine for thousands of years. We can attribute much of that to diminishing nutritional value in our foods and continually increasing exposure to toxins. Nutrition and toxins both have profound effects on the body, hormones included.

In conclusion, why should a patient take hormones (BHRT)?

The answer is a summary of the three points we’ve looked at here. By determining current hormone levels, restoring balance, and evaluating the body’s metabolic processes, the body can once again function as God intended it. Should a patient be on hormones? Well, only if you need them. But the truth is few of us have perfectly balanced hormones due to nutrition, toxin exposure, and prescription medication side effects.

At Seasons Wellness Clinic, we use state-of-the-art testing that reveals your body’s biochemistry. With our years of advanced training, we can carefully customize a treatment plan to restore your body, offsetting the damage of poor nutrition, toxins, and prescription drugs. Our goal is to eliminate any need for prescription medication! We want you to be HEALTHY!

WELLNESS IS POSSIBLE! You don’t have to settle for a body that is not working as it should. You can make a conscientious choice towards good health and a longer, happier life.

Other related posts:

Evidence and Crazy Talk, Part 1 of 3

Evidence and Crazy Talk, Part 2 of 3

Evidence and Crazy Talk, Part 3 of 3

 

Get Your Body Back On Track With These 5 Points of Wellness

Featured Essential Oil: Orange

Orange, as a pure essential oil, not only relaxes the mind with its sweet citrus scent, but it is also great for the immune system. It aids as an anti-inflammatory, relieving inflammation caused by infection, fever and toxins. For both ladies and gentlemen, orange can promote good hormones and enzymes along with keeping your metabolism running smoothly.

Orange essential oils offer a magnitude of health benefits and therapeutic properties, including:

• Anti-depressant. Well-known for its uplifting properties, orange essential oil is soothing to the mind and helps to relieve stress. It is refreshing and relaxing and commonly used for the treatment of anxiety.
• Anti-inflammatory. It provides relief from both internal and external inflammation caused by infections. It is helpful in treating swollen tissue by stimulating blood circulation.
• Anti-septic. It inhibits microbial growth and can help ease a sore throat if used in a gargle. It also helps to heal mouth ulcers when used in a mouth wash.
• Improves Digestion. It is known to promote digestion, ease constipation and increase the absorption of vitamin C. Use as a massage oil in the abdominal area.
• Anti-Cancer. D-limonene is a super-nutrient that occurs in Orange essential oil. It has been studied extensively for its ability to prevent cellular mutations and combat cancer tumor growth.
• Encourages Detoxification. Orange essential oil encourages detoxification by acting as a diuretic. It also stimulates the lymphatic system, the bladder and kidneys. Increased urination assists in the elimination of toxins like uric acid, bile and excess salts and helps relieve fluid retention. Detox and cleansing properties help breakdown and eliminate cellulite.
• Skin Treatment. Orange essential oil is shown to promote the production of collagen as well as increase the blood flow to the skin. It is helpful at soothing dry, irritated skin as well as acne-prone skin. It is excellent for rubbing on calluses on the feet.

 

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Bethany Cox, LMT & Facial Reflexologist
A graduate of Cedar Creek School, Centenary College of LA (Health and Exercise Science) and Natural Health Institute in Nashville, TN (Massage Therapy), Bethany has many talents! Besides being a smartie (she has always made great grades) and a fabulous massage therapist, she is an accomplished pianist and golfer. She even played golf in college. Bethany enjoys setting goals for herself and achieving them. Her favorite moment? A hole-in-one! Her favorite way to decompress after a long day? Scrapbooking, exercising, and practicing deep breathing for relaxation.

Seasons Patient, Kathy Burns: “It is a whole new me!”

“My mother has osteoarthritis. When I began to hurt and swell, I just thought it had to be genetics – thanks, mom! I sought treatment for my pain so I went to a General Practitioner. As the pain progressed, I went to a Rheumatologist. The pain continued to grow and so did the amount of prescription pain medication I was taking. I was on my way to getting hooked on pain medicine, and I knew there had to be another way.”

“I asked my physical therapist about alternative ways to treat my pain. That’s when she told me that she was a patient of Dr. Nathan Goodyear at Seasons Wellness Clinic and referred me to him. I made an appointment with Dr. Goodyear and I’ll be honest, I was pleasantly surprised. Dr. Goodyear never herded me in and out like cattle. I would come in his office and we would talk, actually discuss things going on with my health. I could tell that he genuinely cared.”

“Dr. Goodyear designed a custom plan to get my health back on track. Throughout my visits we did blood work, testing, detoxification, and I had B vitamins through IV. Along with seeing Dr. Goodyear, I also saw Valerie Costanza, the Dietitian at Seasons. She taught me what and how to eat. And she taught me what would agree with my body. And as I began to follow what she was telling me, I saw almost immediate results. The swelling in my hands began to go down and my knees stopped aching. My shoulders and my lower back are almost pain-free. It is amazing what the right nutrition can do for you. And as an added plus, I lost weight!”

“I have been feeling better for 8 months now and it is just wonderful. It is a whole new me and a whole new way of life! I wanted to share my story because I know there are others out there that hurt just like I did. There are middle-aged women out there that think their pain is just a part of growing old. But you don’t have to put up with it. You don’t have to take pain medication to feel good. There is another way!” – Kathy Burns

 

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Our goal is to restore our patients’ health by offering a more holistic approach along with cutting edge advancements in traditional medicine all in a comfortable environment. We are dedicated to providing individualized treatment and improving our patient’s quality of life by providing the best complementary and integrative medical treatment available. Our mission is to transform lives, one patient at a time. For more information about becoming a patient at Seasons Wellness Clinic, visit our New Patient Page or contact our Patient Relations Specialists at 318-255-3223.

Healthy Living Tips: A Recipe for All-Natural Bug Spray

Toxins are everywhere. I am always looking for ways to reduce my families exposure to toxic chemicals.  There is nothing more dangerous than home fumigation for bugs, filling every corner of your home with toxins.  These toxins are very dangerous, as they linger in the house and we are continually exposed to them.

I have found a recipe for an all-natural alternative to your everyday bug spray, a home bug spray using essential oils. Not just any essential oil will do here; they must be pure and unadulterated.  For this reason, I use YoungLiving Essential Oils.

Here’s the recipe for an all-natural bug-spray solution.

• 20 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
• 10 drops of Cypress Essential Oil
• 1 cup water

Mix well. Be sure to shake the mixture well before spraying.

You’ll enjoy a bug-free AND toxin-free environment. This solution is great for ants and cockroaches.  I have found that it works with spiders as well. With this approach, you are one step closer to detoxing your home and your life! At Seasons, we carry many Young Living Essential Oils, including peppermint and cypress essential oils. For more information, contact Seasons at 318-255-3223.

Live Healthy. Live Well.

The Sauna Reinvented

The creation of the Infrared sauna has completely transformed the meaning of the word “sauna.”  An Infrared sauna offers 7 times the effectiveness of a traditional sauna because of its ability to penetrate human tissue.

An Infrared Sauna is different from a normal sauna in several ways. It uses large panels to create the most even, effective, and comfortable distribution of heat yet. The panels emit vital infrared rays at a low, constant temperature.

It also warms your body in the same manner as the sun. Sunlight heats whatever is in it’s path through infrared rays. For example, if you were to lay out in the sun for a long time, you may desire some shade. It’s still the same temperature outside but it feels cooler under the shade because you’re blocked from the sun’s infrared rays.

The sun gives beneficial energy but it can also be very harmful. Infrared heat provides all the good benefits from the sun without the negative effects of solar radiation. It heats the body rather than just warming the air and creates a detoxifying sweat to rid your body of toxins at the cellular level. In a regular sauna you can expect your sweat to contain 3% toxins versus an infrared sauna which produces a sweat of 20% toxins.

Several companies compete for the most detoxifying sauna but one brand consistently proves itself. Sunlighten has created several models of the infrared sauna that have made them leaders in the sauna industry. One of the secrets to their success is Solocarbon infrared heating technology. This technology is the only heater of its kind that is capable of raising the body’s core temperature nearly 3 degrees. This gives a sauna the ability to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It also encourages weight loss through a reduction in your waistline.

Weight loss isn’t the only advantage of a sauna. The perks are numerous! A sauna helps rejuvenate and heal the body as you simply relax. A sauna may benefit you in any of these ways:

• Detoxification
• Pain Relief
• Improved Circulation
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Wound Healing
• Skin Purification
• Immunity
• Cell Health
• Muscle Recovery
• Weight Loss

You can enjoy time in our infrared sauna at Seasons – The Spa. For an appointment, call our spa concierge at 318.255.1155. For more information on how a sauna may help you in these areas visit the Sunlighten website.

Related articles

• Infrared Saunas vs. Regular Saunas (fitsugar.com)

Sauna | eMPOWER

 

Seasons would like to give a warm welcome to it’s newest member of the team: The Sunlighten eMPOWER Infrared Sauna. This six-person infrared sauna is the ultimate escape. Whether looking for weight loss, blood pressure reduction, pain relief or simply relaxation, this is the perfect addition to help solve your health and wellness needs.

What is an Infrared Sauna?

Infrared Light
Infrared light is the natural radiant heat emitted by the sun. It is 100% safe and even used to warm premature babies. Picture yourself feeling the sun’s rays on a warm day. That is what it is like to be in a Sunlighten Sauna. This comforting heat warms you from the inside, for a deep and detoxifying sweat.

Sunlighten vs. Traditional Saunas
Sunlighten Saunas use infrared heat rays instead of steam, as is used in traditional saunas. Infrared gently heats the body from within instead of heating the air. It has the ability to penetrate the surface of the skin, which gives your body overall radiant warmth. Traditional heaters only heat the air, which can become extremely hot and uncomfortable in which to breathe.

Carbon vs. Ceramic Heaters
Sunlighten’s carbon-based heating technologies emit more infrared energy at a lower surface temperature. This leads to pain relief, better circulation and more effective detoxification, among several other benefits.

Carbon Surround, Solocarbon® and Solocarbon® Custom Spectrum
While Carbon Surround is the best infrared therapy in its class, Solocarbon® is the most advanced and beneficial technology available. In fact, Solocarbon has been clinically shown to raise core body temperature nearly 3o in a 30 min. session. This is important, because raising core body temperature is the catalyst for nearly all of the health benefits associated with infrared therapy. With the introduction of Solocarbon® Custom Spectrum, Sunlighten now offers a heating technology capable of delivering near, mid and far infrared to more precisely target a myriad of personalized health concerns.

What are the benefits of an Infrared Sauna?

 

 

 

Detoxification
Sweating is the body’s safe and natural way to heal, stay healthy and detoxify. In a Sunlighten Sauna, the average person sweats out 20% toxins and 80% water, while in a conventional sauna, the average person only sweats out 3% toxins and 97% water.

Weight Loss
Studies have shown a 30 minute infrared sauna session can burn upwards of 600 calories. As the body works to cool itself while using an infrared sauna, there is a substantial increase in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate.

Relaxation
Sunlighten saunas deliver the ultimate experience in relaxation. With the most therapeutic infrared heat found in Solocarbon® heating technology, our saunas are guaranteed to help you relax in comfort with an invigorating sweat that will have you feeling stress-free with each session.

Pain Relief
Clinical research on pain has shown evidence of heat responsive pain or HRP, which encompasses several common pain conditions that can be specifically treated with the use of our infrared heat therapy.

Blood Pressure Reduction
Sunlighten’s Solocarbon® heaters were shown in a clinical study by the University of Missouri Kansas City in 2005 to lower blood pressure from a 30 minute infrared sauna session three times per week.

To learn more about the Sunlighten Infrared Saunas, visit their website: www.sunlighten.com or stop by our Ruston location in Northpointe Office Park. Pricing begins at $15 per session, or sign up for an unlimited month for $195. Call 255-1155 to schedule your sauna appointment today!

Toxic World

We live in a toxic world. There is no denying it. And concern over our exposure to toxins as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf Coast are voiced to me on a daily basis.

Oil, however, is not the only toxin to which we can be exposed. Pesticides, insecticides, phthalates, and heavy metals are all toxins. Even prescription medicines are a source of toxins. Prescription drugs and their side effects are the third leading cause of death. They deplete us of vitamins and minerals and block metabolic pathways, the body’s internal communication highway. Vitamins, minerals, and even bioidentical hormones, if in excess, can be toxic to our bodies. The key is balance. When the body’s chemistry is balanced, then the body is able to work at its designed optimal level.

It’s obvious from the oil spill that toxins are a big issue. But what about reversing the damage done by toxins? Can it be done? Detoxification is a hot topic these days. The word toxin comes from the Greek word toxikon meaning arrow poison. This term was first introduced to medicine by Dr. Ludwig Briegger in 1888. Dr. Briegger determined that toxins equal poison to our body.

The idea of detoxification, however, goes back even further than the introduction of toxins to the medical vocabulary. It goes back to the creation of man. Every cell in our body performs detoxification. The most prominent detoxification organs are the liver, kidneys, and skin.

The idea of body cleansing (detoxification) goes back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. They understood that the body cannot continue to receive loads of toxins without eliminating them from the body. Remember, this was an Ancient Civilization, not yet exposed to the toxic world in which we currently live.

With the rise of modern civilization and Western medicine, physicians disregarded the idea of detoxification early in the 20^th century. However, the body of evidence supporting detoxification remains unchanged. Evidence supports the fact that we are exposed to many toxins and these toxins accumulate and overwhelm our God-given detoxification systems.

The oil spill impact. Let’s talk about the immediate and future affects of the oil spill. What can we expect as a result of this toxic exposure? We can expect a significant impact in three areas: water, food, and air.

Water. The impact on the waster is already evident in the large “dead zones” resulting from clouds of methane gas in the Gulf waters. Eventually, the impact will spread to the Gulf’s tributaries as well as our drinking water.

Food. The impact on our food is not yet determined. But we can already see the impact on the cost of Gulf seafood. Based on our current knowledge of mercury toxicity and the fish industry, it is also reasonable to extrapolate that their will be some kind of effects from the oil on seafood from the Gulf and its contributory waters.

Air. The impact on the air is not yet determined. But if we look at the increased risk of lung disease in the Exxon Valdez oil spill clean-up crews, we can assume there might be similar issues with clean-up crews of the BP Horizon oil spill. Suspicious evidence is already appearing in the crops of the lower Gulf Coast states.

The immediate impact on the Gulf region’s wildlife is evident to all. Look to the long-term impact on wildlife in Alaska for clues as to what the Gulf Coast region may face for years to come.

What if the cure is worse than the disease? Cleaning the oil spill with chemical dispersants may be worse than letting Mother Nature clean up the mess all on her own. Let’s look at the long-term results of cleanup for another oil spill.

The 1978 oil spill off the cost of Normandy was cleaned up two different ways due to the large size of the spill and the economic impact of the spill area. Some areas of the oil spill were treated with chemical dispersants, while others were left untreated. The untreated areas had recovered in five years. Yes, you read that correctly. The ecosystems of the untreated oil spill areas returned to normal in just five years. Now here’s the really interesting part. The areas treated with chemical dispersants are STILL recovering. What if that’s the case with the chemical dispersant-treated areas in the Gulf? Oil is a biological compound and will be consumed by bacteria — though the time frame may be long.

Now here’s the real kicker. The chemical dispersant used in the Gulf oil spill is the same used in the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 and was banned in England. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s been banned. But BP (which stands for British Petroleum) used it to clean up the oil spill. Ironic, isn’t it. It was banned in England, but is it okay for us?

Here’s a frightening fact: no person directly associated with the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill is still alive today. In fact, the average age of death was 51. From that, I think it’s safe to say that the toxic exposure that Gulf Coast residents are receiving is not safe for the body.

In 20 years, we will look back and know the long-term effects of this toxic exposure. We will know what diseases developed and what the secondary effects were on our drinking water and our crops. If we are already toxic from everyday exposure to chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, etc., then what will be the result of the added toxins from the Gulf oil spill?

The bottom line? We should not wait. We need to detoxify our bodies. Toxins, whether man-made or man-induced, were not intended to be inside our bodies. It doesn’t take a Ph.D., M.D., D.O. (just fill in your letters) to understand that. It is just common sense.

We need to support the God-created detoxification systems already present in our bodies with proper cleansing, targeted nutrition, conscientious reduction of our exposure to toxins, and, when needed, medically-supervised detoxification programs.

Dr. Goodyear is a board certified and fellowship-trained Metabolic Specialist.

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