Detox Reaction Regimen

Summary: Use The Water Cure, using the full amount of Real Salt as directed. Ensure adequate mineral intake with a Multimineral. If extra action is needed, use Planetary Herbal's Stone Free.

This extensive discussion on detox reaction was originally written for the Electroherbalism Frequency Lists Third Edition, but was removed from the final cut as the book had grown too large.

A detox reaction, sometimes incorrectly known as a Herxheimer reaction, is a flu-like feeling that one may get when parasites, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other organisms are killed in the body, by conventional or complementary means. The cellular debris and in some cases toxic or allergenic substances that are released from pathogens overload the body’s avenues of elimination including the kidneys, liver, colon, lymph system, and sometimes even the lungs. When these organs are working in top form and nutrient intake, especially of minerals and water, is sufficient, most detox reactions pass quickly or are not noticed at all. When elimination is hampered from insufficient organ function coupled with a lack of water and minerals, the reaction can be severe.

People in the complementary health community often refer to the detox reaction as a herxheimer reaction. A true Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is defined as “a transient immunologic reaction following antibiotic treatment of early and later stages of syphilis and certain other diseases, marked by fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and exacerbation of cutaneous lesions; due to release of toxic or antigenic substances by the infecting microorganisms.” Physiological effects of a detox reaction include an increase in uric acid, which is neutralized by the body by giving up base minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Urine output is increased by the body to clean the kidneys, and this dehydrates and also depletes minerals, like the ones above plus selenium, all which are important in regulating heart function. This dehydration and electrolyte imbalance is likely the main culprit for most of the symptoms.

MDs are typically only concerned with a Herxheimer reaction when it is life-threatening and requires hospitalization and do not typically consider the detox reaction from the use of electrotherapy devices to be a true Herxheimer. One person who suffers chronic candida (yeast infection) and has experienced the reaction many times made the remark, "Got my typical Herx reaction: cold, dizzy, light-headed, faint, can't-really-think-straight feeling." Others describe it as a "bone-tired feeling." If a treatment is particularly effective and, again, there is a lack of minerals or hydration, the onset of a detox reaction can begin within an hour.

One person who suffers chronic candida (yeast infection) and has experienced the reaction many times made the remark, "Got my typical Herx reaction: cold, dizzy, light-headed, faint, can't-really-think-straight feeling." Others describe it as a "bone-tired feeling." If a treatment is particularly effective, the onset of the detox reaction can begin within a couple of hours of exposure to a bare-rife device or other bioelectronic device.

Those who suffer from detox reaction on a regular basis don’t care what it is called as long as they get over it quickly. It can be crucial to combat the reaction quickly and effectively since most electrotherapy researchers assert that a bioelectronic session should not be performed if one is still suffering a detox reaction from the last one. Some severe conditions can require sessions every one or two days, or even as often as twice per day. If one cannot perform the session as often as necessary to control an infection due to the detox side effects, the use of bioelectronics can be pointless.

Detox reactions tends to be most severe in those who have systemic infections such as candida and Lyme disease, as well as some forms of cancer. Note that a reaction only occurs when pathogens are destroyed and can be a valuable indicator that an effective protocol was used even if there were no indications such as “hits” during the session. Don Tunney of Resonant Light reports that to be reliably effective, Lyme disease frequency sets must be run at least daily. If one is suffering a detox reaction from the day before, this will make them truly miserable unless detox measures are sufficient to overcome the reaction quickly.

Below is an exhaustive description of many of the methods used by people to fight detox reaction. Do not be discouraged since it is typically very simple to avoid or combat detox reactions by merely following the first method of ensuring adequate hydration and mineral consumption, but if further suggestions are needed for severe cases, they are also provided.

Water and Salt

Of the many measures used to combat or prevent detox reactions, the most important is the least expensive - water. Drinking sufficient water is the basis for all effective detox therapies. The Water Cure is a method described by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj in his book Your Body’s Many Cries for Water. This is to divide body weight in pounds by two and drink that many ounces of water each day in divided amounts. For example, if one weighs 180 lbs, this is 90 oz of water per day which is approximately 11 eight ounce cups. With each cup of water, one consumes a pinch of salt (1/16 to 1/8 tsp) along with it. It does not have to be mixed in the water. It can be sprinkled on the tongue or otherwise consumed. It is best to drink the water at least a half hour before meals and two hours after. For every 6 oz of alcoholic beverage or coffee consumed, an additional 10 oz of water should be consumed to compensate for the dehydrating effects of these.

For the salt used in the Water Cure, a good one should be chosen, not one with toxic additives such as aluminum anti-caking agents or mineral oil. Some of the best are pink salts, which are rich in trace minerals. Two products of this type are KAL Real Salt and Himalaya Pink Salt. Other pink salts are now commonly available, even in bulk at some health food stores. Celtic sea salts made for internal consumption are also good, as are many other types of “gourmet” salts which do not remove trace minerals during processing. These include black salt, French sea salt, and gray salt, but these are typically quite a bit more expensive than pink salts of the above recommended brands.

One of the worst cases of detox reactions was reported on the Rife listserver regarding someone battling what he said was a huge tapeworm encysted in his neck. He would use a radiant rife device for hours at a time, which would greatly reduce the size of the lump by the next day, but would suffer such a terrible detox reaction that he could not use the device for a few days afterward. He started experimenting with the Water Cure, boosting the amount of salt and water until he would overcome the reaction within a day. He found that it required almost a quart of water and a tablespoon of salt four time per day to effectively overcome it. This was a very extreme case and amazingly the guy did not suffer ill effects on his heart or kidneys.

Those who regularly report the most severe reactions to bioelectronic therapies have systemic candida infections or Lyme Disease. Some people with Lyme report that their detox reaction can last as long as three weeks. Of course it can, if they are not consuming adequate water and salt or other minerals.

Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and other Minerals

As mentioned above, the body uses alkaline (also known as base) minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium to process cellular debris and counter increased uric acid production when fighting a detox reaction. For this purpose, any alkaline mineral will suffice. The body is good at using what minerals it has on hand for certain purposes that do not require specific minerals such as calcium and magnesium for building bones and teeth. If there are not sufficient base minerals being consumed for combating the detox reaction, though, it will remove calcium and magnesium from the bones and teeth for this purpose, so it is a good idea to ensure adequate consumption of all of them,

Potassium is a common mineral in foods. Fruits and vegetables are the primary source. Eating a varied diet rich in these will usually provide plenty of the mineral. There are potassium supplements available, but they are not often recommended since they can cause electrolyte imbalance and too much potassium can be harmful to the kidneys. At one time, the FDA banned supplements from containing more than 99mg, a paltry amount equal to about 20% of the potassium in a banana. Potassium salts, such as potassium chloride, contain a lot of potassium - about 700mg per ¼ tsp serving. Of course, there are potassium and sodium salt mixtures available at the supermarket but these are not recommended due to toxic additives (see Water and Salt section above).

It is much more difficult to ensure adequate consumption of calcium, especially if dairy products are not used. Since many complementary health advocates advise against consuming many dairy products due to their tendency to cause the body to produce excess mucus as well as other negative side effects, many turn to calcium supplements to ensure an adequate amount. It is even more difficult to obtain 100% RDA of magnesium in the diet, and this is probably one of the most important minerals for overall health.

There are a large number of fine calcium and magnesium combination supplements available today. The most highly recommended by Electroherbalism are the ones that have a 1:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium, not the more common 2:1 calcium:magnesium. Too much calcium can have the opposite effect one wants when fighting detox reactions by hampering kidney, bladder, and even liver function. For the purposes of fighting detox, calcium supplementation should be limited to around 50% RDA, which is probably sufficient even for long term maintenance if the calcium is in a well-absorbed form such as an amino-acid chelate (AAC), citrate, microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (MCHA), or pretty much any form except for the most basic and common type, calcium carbonate.

Calcium carbonate is the worst-absorbed form of calcium. It tends to slow elimination processes even to the point of causing constipation. It may also increase the risks of calcium deposits in the body such as kidney, liver, and gall stones. Many of these harmful effects are mitigated by using a calcium supplement that includes adequate magnesium - at least 100% RDA. The worst calcium supplements contains calcium carbonate with no magnesium and chelated forms of calcium such as calcium citrate are not much better if they do not contain a corresponding RDA amount of magnesium.

There are plenty of well formulated calcium magnesium supplements available today, though. Supplement manufacturers have done their research and produce many suitable products for fighting detox reactions or for general maintenance. 1:1 ratio calcium magnesium supplements, once rare, are now commonly available. One of the top-rated products of this type is Now Full Spectrum Mineral Caps, which are widely available online as well as most health food stores which carry the Now Foods line of supplements. It contains calcium (and phosphorus) in MCHA form plus magnesium in citrate and oxide form along with a large amount of trace minerals including selenium, an antioxidant alkaline trace mineral important for heart function, as well as zinc. Both of these are often depleted when a detox reaction occurs. Note that Now Foods also makes a product called Now Full Spectrum Minerals which comes in tablet form and is not the same formula as Now Full Spectrum Mineral Caps but contains a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium and calcium mostly in carbonate form, so is not desirable.

Other 1:1 calcium magnesium products include Solaray Cal-Mag Citrate, Gary Null’s Bone Health, and Nutribiotic’s Hypo-Aller-C. The Solaray Cal-Mag Citrate (not to be confused with Solaray Cal-Mag Citrate with Vitamin D, which is a 2:1 product), is widely available. Null’s Bone Health is also a calcium magnesium citrate product, but quite a bit more expensive and difficult to find. Nutribiotic Hypo-Aller-C is an effervescent vitamin C and mineral powder which must be mixed in water or juice before use to let it bubble. The full serving size of Hypo-Aller-C contains a lot of vitamin C (2600mg or 2.6g) along with calcium and magnesium (350mg each). Since vitamin C also prevents detox reaction by providing cleansing for the colon, lymphs, and liver, plus provides antioxidant benefits, it is an excellent choice if detox reaction is severe. Note that if one is not used to using vitamin C, using 2.6g at one time will almost certainly cause a strong elimination response and probably even diarrhea. Start with a small amount such as ¼ tsp, and build up.

Another excellent vitamin C and mineral supplement is Alacer’s Emergen-C. It is also an effervescent mineral ascorbates product but comes in small packets, usually 36 per box and in various flavors, with and without sugar. There are different varieties of Emergen-C for specific purposes, such as one with glucosamine and chondroitin to fight arthritis, one that includes a gram of MSM per serving, one with cranberry for urinary tract problems, etc. They can easily be carted around in a purse or pocket for use whenever needed.

Herbs

Herb supplements can be used when consuming adequate water and minerals is not sufficient to prevent or combat a detox reaction and can be especially valuable when organ function is compromised. There are herb combinations specifically for cleansing specific areas of the body, such as the intestinal tract, lymph system, urinary and biliary tracts.

Some of the most popular cleansers used by the general population for cleansing are mainly laxative supplements with added liver and kidney cleansers. These can be good for short term use such as a two week regimen if it is suspected that the colon and intestines are congested, but are not really suitable for long term use to fight detox reaction since they tend to deplete mineral stores in the body. These types of cleansers often come in kits with a fiber supplement to use during the day and a laxative supplement to use at night. However, drinking sufficient water along with 1:1 calcium magnesium supplement, especially one with vitamin C, will clean the intestinal tract by stimulating elimination and is usually quite sufficient for this purpose. A good all-over cleanser for general use is called RenewLife First Cleanse. Unlike some of the RenewLife cleansing products, it does not contain any strong laxative ingredients.

The liver and kidneys are another matter. Although water and minerals, especially magnesium, go a long way to prevent deposits and clean these organs, herbs can definitely improve their action. One herb that is beneficial for both the liver and kidneys is dandelion root. It can even be harvested oneself and used fresh. It is commonly available in health food stores in capsules as well as in bulk. Note that dandelion root is often sold in tea bag form, but it is roasted to simulate the taste of coffee somewhat, but in any people’s opinion, this ruins the taste and may decrease its effectiveness. It is best to find it unroasted. A good method to use dandelion root is to get dried powder in bulk, or use capsules of powder, and put a teaspoon or so of the powder in a gallon of water. Shake well and let it sit a couple of hours. This mild tea can be used for water in the Water Cure described above. Dandelion is also rich in potassium, so provides an additional benefit. This tea can be refrigerated to increase its shelf life, but it should be replaced every 48 hours regardless.

Another herbal supplement that is effective for cleaning the liver and kidneys, but comes in tablet form, is Planetary Formula’s Stone Free. Planetary Formulas is changing their name to Planetary Herbals so it may soon be available only under this new name. It is composed mostly of turmeric, dandelion root, and marshmallow root. Turmeric, whose active ingredient is the popular antioxidant curcumin, is an excellent liver and gall cleanser, prevents urinary tract infections, and is one of the best herbal antioxidants. Marshmallow root stimulates the urinary tract and is especially good when urination causes pain. Stone Free can be taken as directed. It can also be used instead of dandelion root when making a weak tea for use in the Water Cure by dissolving two or three tablets in a gallon of water.

When the liver is severely congested it is usually harboring not just mineral and fatty deposits, but also chemicals, especially petrochemicals. While Stone Free is a good liver cleanser to help remove these, it is probably not as effective to remove chemicals as silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle seeds. A supplement which contains this in a combination is Futurebiotics Silymarin Plus. Besides silymarin, it also contains plenty of choline and inositol to help remove fatty deposits and chemicals and stimulates bile flow. It also contains herbs such as dandelion root and black radish to better remove mineral deposits.

Antioxidant herbs can be beneficial to fight detox reaction. Besides assisting the immune system directly, they protect body tissues from damage caused by cellular debris and toxic substances. Body tissues can be destroyed by the action of the body’s own immune system since when the immune cells are injecting critters or large particles of debris with enzymes to dissolve them (see Enzyme Section below), this can also harm healthy tissues. The most powerful herbal antioxidant for the money is probably curcumin, which is turmeric extract. Besides providing powerful antioxidant protection, it also has other benefits in the body such as controlling pathogens in the intestinal and urinary tract and probably the rest of the body, too. Grape seed extract is another excellent systemic antioxidant made even better when it is produced with the Activin process, which does not use toxic solvents in the manufacturing process. Although not an herb, alpha lipoic acid is a popular antioxidant. It is unusual in that it is both fat and water soluble, so is also a very good systemic antioxidant. Since much of the benefit from herbal antioxidants is from preserving vitamins E and C in the body, it should be ensured that adequate amounts of these vitamins are consumed, perhaps using a vitamin E with mixed tocopherols product such as Now Gamma E Complex and a daily packet or more of Emergen-C.

Enzymes

The immune system uses enzymes to process debris as well as fight living pathogens. One type of immune cell engulfs microbes or debris and injects them with one or more of its limited number of enzyme “packets” to destroy them. Once an immune cell’s enzymes are depleted, the cell dies. It can even die before its enzymes are used up if the pathogen releases enough toxic byproducts when it dissolves. Antioxidants help protect the body cells from this type of damage, which is why antioxidants can be directly beneficial to the immune system.

Enzymes assist the body to fight detox reaction in other ways as well. Proteolytic (protein digesting) enzymes like pancreatin, besides their many other benefits, help the body digest protein and fat. This provides more nutrients to assist detoxification. One of these nutrients is sulfur, which is found mostly in protein in the diet. Although an acid mineral, sulfur aids in the elimination of toxic substances, catalyzes enzyme reactions, and increases cellular all of which are necessary for the body to rebuild and maintain muscles and connective tissues. Enzymes are also one of the best supplement to use when there are congested lymph nodes, which can be the most painful manifestation of detox reaction.

Enzymes are also anti-inflammatory and fight pain, especially when used in large amounts. Enzyme Therapy involves using enzymes in sufficient dose to combat these problems, and is very effective and highly recommended for painful conditions. For this purpose, only non-acidic enzyme supplements are used since using too much of a product that contains an acidic component like ox bile or hydrochloric acid (HCL) can upset the stomach. Suitable enzymes products are usually either pancreatin, a pancreas enzyme, or bromelain, which is pineapple enzyme. Pancreatin tends to offer more digestive power for the money, but bromelain is better absorbed by some people, making it more effective. It may be a question of blood type as to which is more effective (see D’Adamo’s Eat Right 4 Your Type) with blood type A’s doing better on bromelain and pancreatin being more effective for blood type O’s.

Examples of high potency pancreatin products include Enzymatic Therapy Mega-Zyme 10x, supplement that comes in small aspirin-sized tablets and contains full strength pancreas enzymes. It has no odor, unlike many pancreatin supplements. Another example is Source Naturals Pancreatin 8x Digestive Enzymes, which although slightly lower in potency by weight, contains over twice as much activity per serving since it contains a full 500mg of pancreatin per capsule. Naturally Vitamins’ Wobenzym is probably the most popular enzyme product the world over to use in large amounts, although it is not as high in potency and more expensive than the Source Naturals or Enzymatic Therapy products.

Pancreatin potency is measured in USP units of activity. A reasonable amount to use to combat acute pain or detox reaction is 500,000 USP units. This would be 5 capsules of Source Naturals’ Pancreatin 8x, 12 tablets of Mega-Zyme, or 26 tablets of Wobenzym. However, Wobenzym does contain additional digestive ingredients such as papain, bromelain, and other nutrients, and the Mega-Zyme does include critical cofactors for enzyme absorption, so as little as half these amounts may be as effective. But this provides an illustration of why some complementary health advocates recommend using truly huge amounts of enzymes such as Wobenzym when fighting serious diseases, sometimes suggesting that the tablets not even be counted but used by the handful. This should not be necessary when using a high potency enzyme product.

Some people prefer not to use pancreatin, particularly vegetarians, and as mentioned earlier, blood type A’s may find bromelain more effective for their needs anyway. Bromelain is usually measured in either GDUs (gelatin digesting units) or MCUs (milk clotting units). Although it varies a good deal, MCUs are usually double the amount of GDUs, i.e., a bromelain product of 4000 MCU potency would be the equivalent to one of 2000 GDU potency. GDUs can be confusing, though. GDU is typically a measure of bromelain potency per gram, so when a bromelain products states it is of 2000 GDU potency and comes in 500mg capsules, it contains 1000 GDU per capsule. Adding to this confusion is some bromelain products, usually combinations, state the bromelain potency per capsule. Either way, a good amount to take per serving is 10,000 GDUs for acute detox and pain problems. Since bromelain comes in such a wide range of potencies, it is very important to ensure one of adequate strength.

Some bromelain products contain as little as 200 GDU potency in which case 100 capsules at a time might be necessary. High potency products include Now Bromelain, which is 2400 GDU and requires 8 capsules at time.

Vitamins

A multivitamin can be helpful to prevent and combat detox reactions, especially if there are nutrient deficiencies preventing optimal organ functions. B vitamins, for example, are required by the liver to function. As mentioned in the Herbs section above, a major action of antioxidant herbs is preserving vitamins C and E in the body, so using a multivitamin will ensure that one gets the most benefits from them. The best multivitamins contain vitamin E in the form of mixed tocopherols, a good amount of vitamin C, sufficient B vitamins, and minerals, which are all required to fight detox reactions. Some contain enough calcium and magnesium such that separate supplementation of these minerals may not be needed.

Still, the most important nutrients to fight detox reaction are minerals and a product like Now Full Spectrum Mineral Caps provides sufficient major (macro) and trace minerals such that using a multivitamin is not necessary in most cases, although if there are low energy levels caused by detox or poor diet, they can be very helpful. Another factor to consider is that B vitamins as contained in multivitamins should not be used when there is an infection of fungus or parasites since they can stimulate their growth.

Probiotics

Another class of supplements that is found to be helpful are those which stimulate beneficial bacteria production in the intestines. Some think that bioelectronic therapies may affect even beneficial bacteria in the intestines and this is likely true, but not really much of a problem in most cases. There are over 400 different species of intestinal flora and it would be difficult for a frequency set to target anything but a small proportion, frequency-wise anyway. However, when pathogens are destroyed by bioelectronics, they do release toxins and cellular debris, and perhaps even hydrogen peroxide, which can affect nearby benficial organisms. A good example of this is the use of 800/802 and 1550/1552Hz, which are often used to address e. coli overgrowth. Some people report that these frequencies work as reliable laxatives for them. This may be caused by some other action of the bioelectronic device, such as merely stimulating intestinal action, but it is more likely caused by the body ridding itself of the debris which was created.

What is probably an even more beneficial action of probiotic supplements is by stimulating the body to produce additional B vitamins. Many B vitamins are formed inside the body by the action of beneficial flora. When they are formed in this manner by using probiotics, they do not appear to stimulate pathogens such as fungus like candida or parasites like roundworms, unlike when using B vitamin supplements. Instead, probiotics appear to control these pathogens, so provide an additional benefit.

A probiotic supplement should contain as an ingredient fructo-oligo-saccharides (FOS), also known as inulin. Examples of these include the combination supplements Jarrow’s Jarrodophilus and Nutrition Now PB-8. These include a number of strains of probiotic bacteria, but the FOS is probably the most important ingredient since it helps stimulate many different beneficial strains of bacteria found in the gut. FOS alone can be used for the purpose, and it is very inexpensive. FOS powder products such as Now Inulin can be used as a healthy, high-fiber sweetener, too.

One of the best supplements to boost beneficial bacteria production as well as heal damaged intestinal tracts, fight pathogens, and ensure a healthy flora is made oneself: Cultured Cabbage Juice. Thanks to Chris Gupta of New Media Explorer (newmediaexplorer.org/chris) for popularizing this excellent recipe.

Cultured Cabbage Juice by Chris Gupta

To implant friendly lactobacteria in the colon and heal damaged mucus membranes of the G.I. tract, you need to drink about 1 and 1/2 cups daily. Here is how to make it.

Fill blender with chopped green cabbage and add distilled water until about 2/3 full. (Do not use well water or tap water). Beat at high speed in the blender for one minute. Pour mixture into bowl and repeat with two more batches. Cover with Saran wrap or similar material and let stand at room temperature.

After 3 days, the cabbage juice solution is ready to use. Strain the mixture to separate the liquid from the pulp. Place the cultured cabbage juice in refrigerator. Drink 1/2 cup of this solution diluted with an equal part of water 2 or 3 times each day. When the supply gets low, make second batch just like the first one, except add 1/2 cup of the juice from the first batch to the second batch. This batch will be ready in just 24 hours since the starter greatly speeds the process.

This process may be repeated indefinitely. Each serving contains several billion friendly lactobacteria. The lactic acid in the culture cabbage juice will purify the G.I. tract and kill most strains of fungi, parasites, and other pathogens. You should drink this mixture until your stools float in the toilet bowl and are odor free. When that happens, you may lower your dosage to one serving per day for maintenance.

Kefir

When Chris Gupta was asked for permission to include his cultured cabbage juice recipe in this book, he suggested that the kefir description on his website also be included since, like cultured cabbage juice, kefir is also an excellent probiotic supplement. The kefir recipe was posted anonymously to the New Media Explorer website.

Kefir is a yogurt-like drink. It is traditionally made with a culture that includes both lactobacillus strains as well as soil-based organisms, which are otherwise rare in beneficial bacteria supplements. Good kefir is available for sale at some health food stores, but the only type that is commonly available that is recommended by Electroherbalism is Helios brand, which includes active cultures. Lifeway brand kefir is available at many health food stores and even supermarkets, but is really just drinkable yogurt, and not even very good yogurt at that in Electroherbalism’s opinion. However, it can still be beneficial since it is now made with inulin as a sweetener and as stated earlier, inulin is probably more beneficial to intestinal flora than even active strains of bacteria.

Note that in the following long description of kefir, extolling its benefits, that no real recipe is provided. Kefir cultures are available at many health food stores in small packets of powder. The basic recipe is provided with the product and can be modified based on the suggestions below.

From New Media Explorer (newmediaexplorer.org/chris):

Kefir is a cultured dairy product, not unlike drinking-style yogurt, but more tart and refreshing and has more therapeutic value than yogurt. Kefir is made from grains, or "starter" (which can be purchased from health food stores), and milk: cow, goat, mare, sheep, soy or rice. With proper care, kefir grains can be used over and over again for a lifetime. It is best made from raw, fresh, whole, organically-raised goat or cow milk as it has not been pasteurized and contains enzymes which help break down fats and proteins and makes it less mucus-forming.

The friendly yeast and bacteria in kefir are crucial for restoring and maintaining a healthy flora colony in the small and large intestine. Its acidity creates an inhospitable environment for parasites and other unfriendly organisms. It is especially beneficial during and following antibiotic treatment and packs a powerful one-two punch when combined with probiotics such as an acidophilus/bifidus complex nutritional supplement.

Kefir is especially useful for children in order to keep their immune systems strong since they are exposed to many viral and bacterial infections at school and daycare. Kefir may prevent stomach ulcers which are often caused by the helicobacter pylori bacteria. Kefir is nature's natural antibiotic and, along with cultured vegetables and probiotics, helps rebuild the inner ecosystem.

Kefir contains:
* A complete protein (all the essential amino acids) which is critical for healing
* Tryptophan to help calm the nervous system
* Abundant calcium and magnesium
* Vitamin B6
* Phosphorus (an important mineral for utilizing carbohydrates, fats and proteins for growth, cell maintenance and energy)
* Biotin (another B vitamin which assists in the manufacture and oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates)
* An excellent source of Vitamin B12 which activates important mineral elements and is essential for longevity. B12 cannot be made synthetically--it must be grown in bacteria or molds. It builds immunity, increases energy and counteracts allergens. B12 needs calcium for proper absorption, and nature has provided that as well in Kefir.
* Kefir is also rich in Vitamin B1 (thiamin) which is known as the "morale vitamin" for its beneficial effects on the mental attitude and nervous system. Thiamin is linked with enhanced learning capacity, growth in children, improvement in muscle tone of the stomach, intestines and heart, and is essential for stabilizing appetite and improving digestion.

Kefir helps stop food cravings because an inner balance is achieved and nutritional deficiencies are corrected.

Kefir provide a "sour" taste, one of the five tastes necessary for balance in the body, according to Chinese medicine.

Kefir is cooling to the body, so is an ideal food for the summertime, or when you have a fever or any condition of body heat (i.e. menopausal hot flashes)

Over time, the skin becomes moist and creamy, with a noticeable refinement of the pores. It can be used externally to help moisturize the skin for all skin types. Fermented milks contain lactic acid which is a naturally occurring source of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).

Kefir's friendly bacteria automatically show up in the vagina, but if there is a vaginal yeast infection, you can implant them more directly by using the kefir as a douche.

While Colonic Therapy helps cleanse pathogenic yeast from the large intestine, such yeast colonize in the small intestine also. Fermented foods like kefir and raw cultured vegetables have a cleansing effect on both the upper and lower intestines. The liver functions better as a result, releasing its toxins into a clean colon, as it was designed to do.

Kefir helps produce more pleasant breath, healthier, sweeter-smelling bowel movements and helps eliminate flatulence.

Start with 4 ounces in the morning on empty stomach, and every other day increase the amount until-you are able to drink a full 8 ounce glass.

If you are detoxing, wait 3 to 6 months before introducing Kefir.

Drink a lot of water to help pass the mucus through the body more quickly. Get adequate exercise since heat burns up mucous accumulations. Use proper food-combining to make kefir less mucus-forming.

Food Combining Rules for Kefir. As a dairy product, kefir should be eaten alone on an empty stomach or combined with:
1) Raw or lightly steamed vegetables. Try a salad with kefir dressing, or use kefir for a dip with raw veggies.
2) Acid (sour) fruits such as strawberries, lemons, limes, grapefruits, pineapples, cranberries or blueberries.

Kefir makes an excellent fruit smoothie which is delicious and very popular as a breakfast for children and adults. Children will like the addition of favourite fruits and the smoothie may be sweetened with a few drops of Stevia (an-herbal sweetener which does not affect insulin levels). A little unrefined flax seed oil or a butterscotch-flavoured essential oil combination from Omega Nutrition are especially good for children with eczema or who are hyperactive. You may also add to the smoothie Hemp Oil which is a balanced source of essential fatty acids and tasty, Lecithin granules (1-3 tsp.), probiotics, and natural flavourings such as nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.

To ensure that kefir is not overly mucus-forming, do not combine it initially with proteins or starches. A general rule of thumb is to wait 3 hours after dairy before eating protein or starch foods. However, kefir's protein is predigested, the yeast and bacteria speed up digestion, and you need only wait about 45 minutes to an hour before eating something else. Once your inner ecosystem is restored (anywhere from 3 months to a year), you may experiment and try kefir at the end of a meal, or before bedtime to help with relaxation and a sound sleep.

Remember to brush your teeth after consuming kefir as its bacteria produce an acid condition in the plaque that can lead to tooth decay.

Do not take Vitamin C with a kefir meal. Kefir is such a powerful digestive aid that it may prevent Vitamin C from reaching the bloodstream. If you have a cold or infection, stop the Kefir and take therapeutic doses of Vitamin C (1000 mg. per hour to bowel tolerance).

Whether you take Kefir on a regular basis, for a short time, or maybe just two or three times a week, trust the wisdom of your own body and learn to listen and heed its signs and signals. The important thing is to keep colonizing the intestinal tract with beneficial bacteria as research shows that it disappears once probiotic therapy is discontinued.

Other Therapies

There are many other therapies that people find helpful for fighting detox reactions. Many of them address clogged and swollen lymph nodes, which tend to take longer to resolve than most other detox reactions. Swollen lymph nodes are often a sign of infection, too, and some people have them for years even if they are not using bioelectronic therapies but suffering a long term, low-grade infection.

The lymphatic system has three major functions. It gathers interstitial fluids (those between tissues and organs) and returns them to the bloodstream plus absorbs fats and fat soluble vitamins from the digestive tract but its well-known function is that of filtering the lymph, the fluid that flows through the lymph system carrying immune system cells called lymphocytes which fight infection, disease, and gather debris for disposal from the body.

Lymph nodes form a chain that extends throughout the body, mostly in the abdomen. Swollen lymph nodes are most noticeable when they occur in the armpits, groin folds, and neck. Lymph nodes can swell to a very large size if they are congested or diseased, so it is important to address them effectively if they are a problem.

Since the lymphatic fluids are mostly composed of water, drinking an adequate amount is the most important therapy. If the fluids are thick from dehydration, it is very difficult to stimulate them to flow freely even if they are not battling infection or cleaning up an excess of cellular debris. Once there is adequate hydration, there are many methods that can be used to quickly addressed swollen lymphs.

A popular method to address swollen lymph glands is to massage them. There are deep tissue massage therapists that specialize in this type of massage and people who have severe problems sometimes report miraculous results. Lymph nodes that are near the surface can be massaged oneself, too. When massaging a lymph gland, it should be worked towards the direction it flows if this can be determined. They typically flow in a direction toward the top of the lungs. Although not really a good massage oil since it is so thick, castor oil will help reduce lymph glands faster when it is used. It can be diluted with one-quarter grain (not isopropyl) alcohol. Adding a little rosemary oil adds further to the effects by stimulating blood flow as well as providing a mild antiseptic effect to fight pathogens which may be harbored in the gland.

Hot baths or spa tubs are another excellent therapy for swollen lymphatic glands. Aiming a jet of water to massage the lymph often results in a quick resolution, especially when the water is at hot as possible. Hot baths are excellent for detox in general, especially when epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) is added to the bath - use a cup or two. The body will absorb some of the magnesium and more efficiently than when taking it in supplement form, too. To address a single area to greatly increase circulation of lymph (as well as blood), fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and bring it to the bath. Again, with the bath as hot as is possible while not being uncomfortable, soak the affected area for at least three minutes. Raise it from the hot water and apply the ice pack for thirty seconds. Repeat this twice more by putting the area back in hot water for three minutes, reapply the ice pack thirty seconds, and repeat once more, then end in hot water. This is a form of hot and cold water immersion and the effects are usually immediate and often profound. Hot baths also provide the benefit of causing increased sweating, which is yet another avenue of detox.

When toxins, especially metals, and metabolic wastes from cellular processes accumulate in muscle and other body tissues it can be hard to remove them. The most effective method to do so is by sweating them out. Saunas are made for this purpose. Unlike steam rooms, saunas provide a dry heat and because there is little humidity in a sauna, the temperature can be raised much higher while still staying comfortable. For complete instructions, see the excellent Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy by Nenah Sylver. From her website: “Our ancestors had a rather simple view of it: sweat, jump into snow or cold water, repeat. Sauna bathing was relaxing. It could be undertaken as a purification ritual. Practiced with family and friends, it was a time for socializing. But who would have thought that sweating was a complex affair? Or that saunas could play such an important role in remedying what ails us?” Note that alternating hot and cold therapy is practiced with traditional use of the sauna, which greatly improves lymph and blood flow, as stated earlier.

Miniature trampolines, or mini tramps, were popular in the late 1990s as a method of clearing lymph nodes as well as providing overall detox for the body by stimulating blood flow, sweating, and deep breathing. As they fell out of popularity with the general public, so they did as a method of detoxification. However, any aerobic exercise will provide much of the same benefit, but the bounce effect that made mini tramps so effective for lymphs is really only significant in a few sports such as jogging and bungee jumping.

Summary

After reading all of this, don’t lose sight of the fact that water and minerals are still the most important supplements and are sufficient to effectively address over 90% of acute detox issues. Without sufficient amounts of them, all the other supplements and therapies will make little difference. For overall health and the prevention of detox problems in the first place, though, regular exercise and a nutritious diet are very helpful.

Detox Reaction from the eRegimens website: Detox reaction is a flu-like feeling that one gets when parasites, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are killed in the body, by conventional or complementary means. One person who suffers chronic candida (yeast infection) and has experienced the reaction many times made the remark, "Got my typical Herx reaction: cold, dizzy, light-headed, faint, can't-really-think-straight feeling." Others describe it as a "bone-tired feeling." If a treatment is particularly effective, the onset of the herxheimer can begin within a couple of hours of exposure. Muscle and joint pain become more pronounced. Reactions typically last up to two days but can last longer if steps are not taken. When the kidneys, liver, colon, and lymph are working effectively and there is plenty of water, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients, the reaction will be unnoticed for most minor infections. Treatments which can kill pathogens should not be resumed until the reaction has passed, except in rare cases. Physiological effects of a herx include an increase in uric acid, which is neutralized by the body by giving up base minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Urine output is increased by the body to clean the kidneys, and this dehydrates and also depletes minerals, like the ones above and selenium, all which are important in regulating heart function. This dehydration and electrolyte imbalance is likely the main culprit for most of the symptoms. Until the body has recovered, antipathogenic treatments can not be continued or the load will build up and make it that much worse. If one is fighting a pathogen which requires treatment every three days and is not taking steps to minimize detox such that four days or more are required to recover, it is of no use to continue treatment. Hopefully this illustrates how very important it is to control detox reactions. Summary of necessary supplements from Electroherbalism Cancer Regimen, and is appropriate for treatment of most maladies.The following MUST be taken in sufficient amounts to be able to withstand therapeutic use of a Bare-Rife generator without side effects. It is best to start at least two days before treatment commences. It is also advised to eat adequate protein and (good) fats, plus plenty of non-starchy vegetables. Magnesium - 100 to 250% RDA per day. Oxide form is laxative, but very inexpensive. Use if there is elimination difficulty. Chelate forms like AA chelate, citrate, asportate, etc, are not as laxative, and should be used if there is diarrhea. Use less if loose stool persists and is not welcome Calcium - 50-150% RDA per day. Carbonate form can cause hard stools, but can be used with magnesium oxide to balance if money is short. Best are chelate forms like asorbate, citrate, AA chelate, but carbonate form is best if there is excess stomach acid. The preceding two supplements are typically available together in a cal-mag supplement. Two with a 1:1 ratio of cal-mag are Solaray Cal-Mag Citrate (contains some magnesium oxide), and Country Life Calcium Magnesium Potassium (all chelates). Use this type if is there is any elimination difficulty. If stool is typically too loose, use a 2:1 ratio chelated cal-mag like Solaray Calcium Magnesium or Country Life Calcium Magnesium Complex. Sodium - up to 100% RDA per day in diet. Do not use a low sodium diet unless necessary. KAL Real Salt is the best salt product to use. Potassium - at least 100% RDA in diet. Found in most fruit and vegetables and also in No Salt, which is potassium chloride. If not enough is eaten, consider using potassium citrate. Water - at least 1/2 gallon per day. Use carbon filter tap or pitcher water as from a Brita, Rubbermaid, Pur, etc. High potency multivitamin which includes 400IU vitamin E, 25000IU beta carotene / vitamin A activity, 70-200mcg selenium and chromium, and 100% RDA or more biotin and folic acid, like VegLife Multi (small caplets), Nature's Way Daily Two, or Twinlab Daily Two. Optional Cleanser. Use if the above supplements do not prevent detox reaction. Choose one or more of the following: Essiac tea, kombucha tea, Euroalt tea, Planetary Formula's Stone Free, Nature's Herbs Dandelion Goldenseal, Nature's Herbs Dandelion Yellowdock, Nature's Herbs Dandelion Goldenseal, Nature's Way KB, Michaels KID, Naturol Diurtabs. Do not use more than one strong diuretic. Use less if there is too much pressure in kidney or bladder. An inexpensive, easy, and effective plan for cleansing is to dissolve 4 Stone Free tablets in 2 quarts of water. Drink throughout the day. If this is not enough action, take up to half recommended dosage tablets along with it. Chew fennel seeds to improve the action of the turmeric (in Stone Free) and to prevent stomach upset or acid indigestion, if desired. Use of Stone Free is highly recommended since it is an effective liver cleanser as well as a highly regarded lymph and kidney supplement. It is also a good antioxidant, such that the supplement below will probably not be needed. Optional Antioxidant. Use an antioxidant/antiinflammatory if any swelling results which is not caused by edema (water retention) or controlled by above supplements. Stone Free contains turmeric, one of the best antioxidants for the money, and in addition to the ones included in the multivitamin, should be plenty for most purposes. If more action is needed, the following are all good. Choose one: cat's claw, Now Boswellin (mostly curcumin, which is turmeric extract), bromelain/vitamin C/quercetin combination, pau d'arco, grape seed extract. Kitchen herbs may also be used as discussed in Electroherbalism regimen.

Links Herbal Detox: Different Ways to Detoxify Your Body