Detox sequencing and implementation of focused phases honors Hippocrates ‘Do no harm’ principle
Detox has always been part of the natural health approach to wellness, leading to the modern detox sequencing of today. Ancient texts taught cleansing and fasting, eclectic and naturopathic practices stressed cleansing, homeopathic philosophy cites remove “morbid influences,” and ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic texts cite scouring the cells of unwanted metabolic accumulations.
The body still requires that ancient wisdom to support its innate self-purification processes — more than ever. But today, the game has changed. New challenges, insightful considerations, and far-reaching scientific discoveries all point to functional changes in how modern-day people cleanse to improve energy, health, and longevity.
What changed?
Foremost, we consider changes in the gut microbiome. Not only has modern science discovered the vast interactions between the gut microbes, the brain, immune performance, and cellular metabolic functions,[1] but the tandem impact of antibiotics in the food supply[2] and alterations in the quality of the food has created an altered “functional organism” within the human body.[3]
Today, dysregulating innate health processes are millions of tons of carcinogens in the global air supply.[4] Tap water contains hundreds of chemicals including chlorine, fluoride, chloramines, pesticides/herbicides, and Rx drugs.[5] Cell-membrane-disruptive electromagnetic frequencies such as 5G, smart meters, and WIFI signals alter cell membrane voltage-gated ion channels.[6]
What worked in the past can still work today, but the risks are higher and the necessary finesse is paramount. Here’s why detoxification phase-strategies are so important:
- Improper fasting can disrupt cellular metabolics and cause immunological confusion[7] [glucose and free-radical processes can raise inflammation].
- WIFI means more permeable blood-brain barriers and altered cell membrane processes [toxins need to be chelated and move more quickly out of the body].
- Nuclear-radiation particles can go deeper into the bones if improperly liberated from adipose tissues[8] [specific support required].
- Cells impeded by various gene risk alleles (MTHFR, PON1, CYP1A2) can struggle to perform.
- Forced cleanses can overload the liver’s ability to perform, allowing toxins greater impact on the brain.
- Medical therapies (vaccines, drugs) risk toxic adjuvants which are linked with autoimmune reactions due to molecular mimicry[9] if the body does not effectively detox them.
Simply put, people are exposed to a massive array of environmental influences and they require specific strategies for effective, no-collateral-damage detoxification. The body must use its genetically-established methods to maintain tissue purity and effective function. This calls for updated detoxification strategies – a cooperative effort between the struggling cell and the chiropractic/nutritional health practices.
Old vs. new detox
In 1980, the eclectic A. Stuart Wheelwright saw first-hand that the old detox methods caused more Herxheimer reactions (aggravations due to toxin dumping). He raised the concern of toxins getting past the blood/brain barrier due to leaky gut.
Today, science demonstrates that leaky gut equals leaky brain. The mechanism cited is zonulin, a molecule which opens the intestinal tight junctions for immune system access to the gut.[10] However, certain pathogenic bacteria can also release zonulin (leaky gut) and this says “open sesame” to the brain barrier.[11]
This is a particular concern because gut dysbiosis increases neurological susceptibility to the SARS CoV-1 virus by providing easier access to the brain.[12]
Wheelwright invented a new plan: Instead of forcing detox, he said, “First build liver function with botanicals, so the liver can handle a greater load of toxins naturally.”
What started as a new detoxification movement in the 1980s is necessary today. With refinements for the gut microbiome, considerations for a person’s unique genes, and a deeper scientific understanding of the body’s “drainage” pathways, a simple, all-inclusive detox sequencing strategy accommodates the biochemical uniqueness of each person, as well as the individual’s circumstances.
Nature abounds in detoxification support. More recently, clinical nutritionists employ glutathione and methylfolate/methylcobalamin[13] to support to the body’s natural, cellular waste-removal systems.
Detox sequencing phases
Phase One – Preparation. Detoxification should start with a “prep phase.” Here we find dietary modifications toward more wholesome, organic foods and elimination of inflammatory and denatured foods, e.g., processed foods including fake meat products, alcoholic beverages, sugar-laden foods, and commercial meat, dairy, and grains.
In the prep phase we look at the downstream purification processes. Key pathways include:
- The liver-gall bladder processes which detoxifies the body via the intestines. Boosting liver function helps support the increased workload of detox. The liver benefits from anti-oxidants and phyto-nutrients.
- Gut microbiome. Pre- and pro-biotic support helps the body lower the set-point of inflammation (less leaky gut).
- Cell membranes. Often damaged and inflamed which impedes nutrient absorption and egress of toxins. Damaged mitochondrial membranes struggle to make ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) energy.
- Mitochondrial (ATP) processes. Detoxification and detox sequencing can’t perform without ATP. Detox is really about restoring mitochondrial health.
- Cellular methylation. Necessary for intracellular, metabolic detoxification.
- Kidneys. The liver often passes water-soluble molecules over to the kidneys for removal. The kidneys serve as drainage support.
Phase Two – Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Support. It just makes sense to next help detox the “storage dumps” in the adipose and ECM. Clean out the “low hanging fruit” and open drainage pathways.
Phase Three – Intra-Cellular Metabolic Support. The next pecking order is for genuine cellular detox. This extends the benefits of the prep phase with continued support for cell membranes, methylation/antioxidants, and mitochondria performance. Cells discard acquired and created toxins which travel to the liver. Glutathione supports the liver, gut microbiome, and intracellular processes in tandem with methylation support. As the gall bladder empties toxins into the small intestines, cutting-edge clinicians employ super-activated charcoal to bind the toxins to prevent resorption downstream.
Brain Phase – Phase Four. Detoxing the brain requires open pathways through the body. By first helping cleanse the tissues and cells, and establishing drainage pathways, the brain’s glymphatic system goes to work to remove acquired and created toxins, shunting them into the lymphatic and blood systems which are prepared to assist in getting the job done. A squeaky-clean brain can better regulate the body’s activities, including G.I. motility and immune system balance.
Today’s environment of new toxins and EMF disturbances demands new strategies for safe and effective detoxification. Chiropractic with clinical nutrition strategies serve at the front ranks of supporting neurological and metabolic health for the body’s innate life processes. Detox sequencing and implementation of focused phases honors Hippocrates “Do no harm” principle, and adapts the age-old self-purification processes to the challenges of modern-day life.
JACK TIPS, known as The WellnessWiz, is a clinical nutritionist, homeopath, and herbalist with over 40 years clinical experience. His specialties include the hologenomics (gut microbiome and genetics), detoxification, and intracellular metabolic activities. An author of 16 books and hundreds of research reports, his publications are featured at appleadaypress.com.
[1] Tomasova, L., Grman, M., Ondrias, K. et al. The impact of gut microbiota metabolites on cellular bioenergetics and cardiometabolic health. Nutr Metab (Lond) 18, 72 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-021-00598-5
[2] Francino MP. Antibiotics and the Human Gut Microbiome: Dysbioses and Accumulation of Resistances. Front Microbiol. 2016 Jan 12;6:1543. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01543. PMID: 26793178; PMCID: PMC4709861.
[3] Singh RK, Chang HW, Yan D, et al. Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health. J Transl Med. 2017;15(1):73. Published 2017 Apr 8. doi:10.1186/s12967-017-1175-y
[4] Kessler, R. Prevention: Air of danger. Nature 509, S62–S63 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/509S62a
[5] Harvard Heatlh Publishing, Harvard Meical School, Drugs In The Water, June, 2011
[6] Martin L. Pall, Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health, Environmental Research, Volume 164, 2018,Pages 405-416, ISSN 0013-9351; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.035. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935118300355)
[7] Alissa Fleck, The Disadvantages of Fasting, SFGate, December 12, 2018
[8] Walker, Stuart, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Facts About Strontium-90, https://semspub.epa.gov/work/HQ/175430.pdf
[9] Segal, Y., Shoenfeld, Y. Vaccine-induced autoimmunity: the role of molecular mimicry and immune cross-reaction. Cell Mol Immunol 15, 586–594 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2017.151
[10] Rahman, Ghosh, Hossain, Linfield, Rezaee, Janigro, Marchi, van Boxel-Dezaire, IFN-γ, IL-17A, or zonulin rapidly increase the permeability of the blood-brain and small intestinal epithelial barriers: Relevance for neuro-inflammatory diseases, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Volume 507, Issues 1–4,
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[11] Fasano A. Zonulin, regulation of tight junctions, and autoimmune diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2012;1258(1):25-33. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06538.x
[12] Sílvia, Nava, Muñoz-López, Álvaro, Segura, Neurological Symptoms of COVID-19: The Zonulin Hypothesis
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[13] Romilly E. Hodges, Deanna M. Minich, “Modulation of Metabolic Detoxification Pathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review with Clinical Application”, Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 2015, Article ID 760689, 23 pages, 2015.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/760689