DETOXING DEMYSTIFIED

Newspapers and magazines devote a great deal of column inches to the benefits and different types of detox regimes. Equally in recent years, there have been just as many column inches devoted to comment from medical professional who claim that the body needs no assistance in removing toxins.

Could they both be right? Yes, the body is perfectly designed to remove that which is not required - that's if the elimination organs are working efficiently. In addition the body's function is affected by the change in the length of daylight. The Circadian rhythm is an internal clock that plays a critical role in sleeping patterns. When the days shorten or lengthen, then the internal clock changes. This is done by the secretion of Melatonin. Not only does this affect our sleeping patterns but also affects other hormonal responses in our body.

Historically, our European counterparts undertake 'drainage' every spring and autumn as they recognise that the change in seasons requires an adjustment to diet and lifestyle. Drainage covers a range of dietary measures from just drinking more water, eating more vegetables, eating less sugar and starch, to taking regular seaweed treatments.

So what is really going on. It would appear that the body does undergo a change with the seasons - more readily seen in the coats of animals - but we need to work with our body and not make it harder to do its job. If you undertake a rigid diet which excludes vital nutrients, then your body is going to battle to get you through the day. If you take herbal 'potions' to eliminate toxins then you are possibly overloading your liver and kidneys to a point whereby they become overloaded and can't do their job efficiently. This means all the 'toxins' go straight back into the blood stream.

The Institute of Oligotherapy therefore suggests that, yes you must acknowledge that your body is adjusting to the change in seasons, but it needs measures which assist and support, not measures which totally overload. So, while we are adjusting to this our endocrine system - hormones - needs support as do our liver, pancreas and kidneys. Laboratoire Bioligo have produced an excellent trace element complex which addresses all these areas. This complex - No. 16 - coupled with a sensible eating plan should leave you feeling well able to embrace the earlier mornings and, hopefully, warmer days.

The Bioligo complexes can never override, overload, or put out of balance any system of the body and is totally safe to use at any age.