The body is made up of cells that are turned over at regular intervals, at a rate of about 30 billion a day. Each day, cellular enzymes break down 30 billion old, worn-out cells that can no longer properly absorb and utilize oxygen and other nutrients. This results in the generation of large amounts of cell debris. Moreover, each one of the 60-100 trillions cells that make up the body generates metabolic waste products that need to be disposed of without delay. Under normal conditions, the lymph and blood swiftly remove these waste materials from the tissue that surrounds the living cells (connective tissue). If this naturally occurring waste matter is not removed promptly, it begins to accumulate in areas of the body that are not suited for such a purpose. Eventually, congestion occurs and the body needs to employ more drastic measures of self-preservation. Once stored waste has reached a certain limit or threshold, it might seriously impair the functions of these parts of the body – intestines, the liver bile ducts, gallbladder, the appendix, and tonsils. To avoid the danger of damage to healthy cells, or even organ or system failure, the body begins to employ oxygen free radicals, enzymes and destructive bacteria (putrefaction-causing) to help break down the mixture of dead cells and metabolic waste. Toxins are an unavoidable by-product of this healing attempt by the body. At this stage, the immune system becomes engaged in trying to remove both the waste matter and the toxins, as well as any weak and damaged cells. This response is commonly known as “inflammatory disease.” Inflammation is now increasingly recognized as the common, most immediate cause of every acute and chronic disease process. But, as described above, inflammation or
infection it is not a disease as such, but a simple survival attempt of the body. There are various organs and systems in the body that are designed to efficiently deal with the daily-generated waste products.
• The liver breaks down cellular components, detoxifies drugs, alcohol and noxious substances.
• The lungs remove the highly acidic metabolic waste product carbon dioxide and other gases.
• The kidneys and bladder remove excessive blood plasma, as well as uric acid, urea, ammonia and other waste matter coming from the liver.
• The colon excretes fecal matter, mucus, dead bacteria and parasites.
• The hair and nails remove proteins, mineral salts, pigments, and oil.
• The skin, being the second largest organ of elimination, eliminates sweat and 40-60% of all the waste in the body.
• The lymphatic system, which has to circulate and purify 18 liters (19 quarts) of waste- loaded lymph fluid, plays a major role in the detoxification process.
All of this activity, of course, requires copious quantities of water. When the body becomes dehydrated, the blood becomes too concentrated (thick) and subsequently draws water from nearby cells.
Although the blood is made thinner through this maneuver, the connective tissue surrounding the cells and the cells loose precious water required to excrete and remove metabolic waste. The result is congestion, that hinders the waste matter from leaving the body. (To go on a hydrating program refer to the guidelines in the section ‘Drinking Water – The Greatest Therapy of All,’ Chapter 6) By contrast, a well-hydrated body is capable of both nourishing itself and detoxifying its cells tissues. This ensures that the body’s equilibrium, or balance, is maintained at all times. During a well-hydrated state, all the various activities in the body can be conducted in a flawless manner because there is no congestion or hold-up anywhere.
In their naturally occurring amounts, waste materials have a slightly stimulating effect. This helps maintain the functions of elimination. However, if the body’s energy is depleted and immunity is subdued due to an excessively stimulating diet and lifestyle, or insufficient water intake, the continuously necessary process of detoxification and waste removal is disturbed or obstructed.
All disease is caused by obstruction. If an obstruction, for example, shows up in the liver, it is most likely due to gallstones in the bile ducts. This affects the nutrient supply, metabolism and energy distribution throughout the body. A constipated colon leads to back-flushing of waste, thereby flooding the body with toxins. A kidney stone can lead to retention of urine and raise the pressure of the blood against the arteries. Lymphatic blockage leads to lymph edema, heart congestion, cancer, obesity, and almost every chronic illness. The various types and intensities of toxicity crisis (diseases) result from the various forms and locations of congestion in the body. In truth, though, if one part of the body is sick, the entire body is sick. It is simply not possible to divide such systems as the cardiovascular, immune, lymphatic and nervous systems into segments that don’t influence one another in a profound way. The severity of disease is largely determined by the amount of toxins, gallstones, kidney stones, fecal matter, metabolic and cellular waste the body has accumulated.
The basic remedy for the most common diseases is to stop all unnecessary "energy leaks," clear up the blocked bile ducts of the liver, remove kidney stones/sand, clean the passages of the gastro- intestinal tract and provide enough fresh air, clean water and nutrient-rich food to sustain all bodily functions, including the elimination of the daily-generated metabolic and cellular waste products. The
following list provides you with an overview of possible factors that have congesting effects on the liver, produce kidney stones, dehydrate the body and sap its energy.
• Not drinking enough water
• Drinking cold beverages, especially when the body is hot
• Overeating
• Insufficient nourishment
• Highly processed and refined foods
• Ill-combined foods
• Coffee, tea, alcohol, other stimulants
• All carbonated beverages
• Tobacco, narcotics
• Medical drugs, such as statins, steroids, antibiotics, etc.
• Irregular daily routine
• Insufficient sleep
• Watching too much television
• Exhaustion, strain, stress
• Environmental hazards
• Pollution, both indoor and outdoor
• Anger, rage, envy, greed, fear, jealousy, egotism, anxiety, etc.
• Lack of harmony and happiness
• Extreme and excessive habits
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Over-stimulation of the senses
• Injuries
Any of these or similar causes of depleting energy in body and mind cause a build-up of toxicity in the body fluids and lead to a toxicity crisis (acute illness). The crisis is necessary to mobilize the immune system, find an outlet for the toxins and return the body to a state of equilibrium or balance. If the causes remain intact, however, and continue to weaken the body even further, it is left with no other choice than to develop a continual toxicity crisis, which is known as chronic disease. The following section deals with the part of our body where toxins are most likely to be produced first – the digestive system.