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Equinox Detox: Large intestine and lungs

8/9/2017

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Fall is a great time for letting go and moving on from those things and behaviors that are not nurturing our best possible life. It's a time to grasp hold of those things and behaviors that promote our best possible life. It’s also harvest time when we decide what is worth holding on to nurture us through the winter.

Fall is large intestine and lung time:
  • Time to clean out the pipes
  • Get good bacterial culture going
  • Improve mucous membranes
  • Improve digestive capability
  • Prepare for the coming winter cold   and flu season
Benefits of cleansing the intestines and lungs:
  • Weight loss
  • Waist size diminishes, loss of  belly fat
  • Improved digestion    
  • Better insulin levels
  • Immunity enhanced now and
  • for the coming winter
  • Resolving chronic nasal congestion, sinusitis, skin disease, and asthma
  • Increase relaxation and energy

Why during the fall?
Fall is the season associated with the metal element. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the
metal element governs the mind, organization, order, and stability. We tend to be more reflective,
turning inward to our work, our families and our homes during this time. It is a time to organize and
prepare for the winter season ahead and a time to reflect on our lives.

Emotionally, this is the season associated with grief and sadness. It is important to keep the mind
clear and “let go” of negative emotions, which can impact health more strongly during the fall.

Fall corresponds to the lungs, skin, and large intestine. The lungs and large intestine are in charge
of respiration, digestion, and elimination. Common symptoms associated with lung and large intestine imbalances are respiratory problems, such as asthma, shortness of breath, frequent colds, and sinus
infections, as well as constipation and skin problems.

The body is particularly susceptible to wind and cold during the fall. Dryness can cause symptoms of coughing, dry nose, sore throat, dry skin, dry hair and scalp, dry mouth and cracked lips, and hard and dry stools. Adding more nourishing yin foods to your diet can promote body fluid, soothe the lungs and protect you from dryness. Squash, pumpkins, pears, onions, and dates!

In the fall, eat fewer cold, uncooked foods — such as salads — and more warm, cooked foods.
Switch from salads to soups and steamed vegetables such as winter squash, winter peas, broccoli,
sweet potatoes, and yams. Incorporate yellow and red foods into your meals. Start your day with hot
oatmeal.

Sleep is another important aspect of staying healthy in the Fall. The ancients advised that people
should retire early at night and rise with the crowing of the rooster during the autumn. “Soul and spirit should be tranquil and to keep their lung pure they should not give vent to their desires.”

The transition from Summer to Fall is a time when the Qi is instable. The Qi from healthy lungs should descend. If the Lung Qi goes upward, it is “rebellious,” and the person experiences a cough. The Lungs inhale the Heavenly Qi (air) and exhale the “dirty “Qi (carbon dioxide). Now is the time to strengthen your Qi to prepare for winter and get a “tune-up” from your acupuncturist to strengthen your immune system.

A toxic situation
Research has shown that cancer, neurological diseases, and chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis are directly related to toxicity. These can be caused by exposure to toxic substances or through lack of sufficient nutrient support for detoxification. The body detoxifies both at the cellular level and in the organs of detoxification.


What does Toxicity Feel Like?
  • Allergies
  • Weight Gain / Food Cravings
  • Joint Inflammation / Pain
  • Fatigue / Difficulty Sleeping
  • Headaches
  • Psoriasis, Eczema, Warts
  • Irritation, Anger, Emotional Instability
  • Neurological Disease / Reduced Mental Clarity
  • Digestive Disturbance

Phase I and Phase II
Phase I and Phase II are complex chemical reactions that require nutrients to enzymatically deactivate the toxins and them turn them into water soluble compounds to be excreted by the kidneys, large intestine, liver or lungs. Phase I and Phase II must be balanced or there will be a backfire and re-toxification of the cell.

Phase I, Phase II,  and the enzymes required for full balanced and function vary greatly from person to person.Gut micro flora can produce compounds that either induce or inhibit detoxification activities.Compromised barrier function of mucosa allows toxins more easily to transit to circulation without an opportunity to support detoxification.

Easy Detox Methods:
  • *Far infra red sauna weekly or more.
  • *Soaking in a salt rich very hot tub with Epsom Salt weekly.
  • Use essential oils for extra relaxation.
  • Brush dry skin with a firm bath brush, always brushing toward the heart.
  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) to stimulate movement of lymph
  • Chiropractic to bring parasympathetic nervous system in line
  • Acupuncture to jumpstart the body's energy system
For more information or detox therapies, contact our office today. 
Learn more about our Fall Detox program
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Healthy, Functional First Steps toward Weight Loss

8/4/2017

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The internet is full of weight loss advice. Try this, cut that, take this pill, run more, eat less, the list goes on and on. Oftentimes, this information overload can leave you a little frustrated, confused and uneasy about where you should actually start. No matter your goals, the journey of weight loss should be embarked upon with positivity, kindness and feeling informed and empowered through every step.

From a functional perspective, weight loss is about the individual. A one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss (and wellness as a whole) ignores the unique needs for you, your body and your personal goals.

If you’re ready to start your journey of self study and empowerment in health and wellness through weight loss, here are some healthy, functional first steps:

1. Research
Don’t be distraught, this isn’t the type of research you had to do back in school! In functional medicine we start every program with research to better understand all of the factors regarding your health goals.

If your goal is weight loss, you’ll want to start observing all of the things that are at play. Specifically, start to research and reflect on the following:

  • Why do you want to lose weight?
  • Have you tried losing weight in the past? If so, what were your results, obstacles and how was the overall experience?
  • What is your current diet?
  • What is your current exercise routine?
  • What is the quality of your life at home, socially and with work?
  • What toxins are you exposed to?
  • How do you perceive yourself? Positively? Negatively?
  • How would you rate your overall mood, day-to-day?
  • Do you have any knowledge of hormonal imbalances in your body?

2. Record
The above questions aren’t intended to be a one-time interview. Perhaps start to consider your health and wellness as a relationship you have with yourself that is
rooted in consistent observation and self study. As you research and reflect on the above questions, record them down in a journal.

We recommend doing this regularly—whether that be daily, weekly or monthly.  It’s important to remember that you (and your body) are constantly evolving and changing. An answer on Monday may be incredibly different on Sunday, so be kind and just record what you authentically observe in that moment.
Once you get in a good routine with your journaling, review your entries. This practice of self study and wellness tracking can really shed light on repeat habits, behaviors, thought patterns and more that are impacting your weight loss goals.

3. Detox
Now that you are an active listener to your body, you will want to prepare it for change by creating a fresh, clean “canvas” through detoxification. A comprehensive detox program will rid yourself of any lingering toxins of your past (both physical and mental).

​For more information or to join our detox program, click here.


4. Eliminate
After healthily detoxifying the body, it is time to eliminate the things that brought the toxins into the body in the first place. By avoiding (or fully eliminating) these triggers, foods or behaviors you will better support your overall health and weight loss goals. Below are a few ideas of things that you will want to avoid or eliminate from your environment.


  • Processed foods: processed foods often carry toxins, genetically-modified organisms and chemicals that throw your body out of its natural rhythm.
  • Heavy metals: similar to processed foods, heavy metals can disrupt your body and its natural processes, causing weight gain and other health issues.
  • Stress triggers: removing yourself from stressful environments, or avoiding stress triggers will greatly impact your overall wellness. Repeat exposure to stress or overstimulation often causes weight gain and other health issues.
  • Other toxins: be wary of your consumption of other toxins like alcohol, tobacco, medicines, drugs, etc.
 
5. Make a plan
Once you have observed the body, recorded your findings, cleansed yourself of toxins and toxic environments/foods/items, it is time to create your weight loss plan. Take into account all that you have learned thus far in steps 1-4.

Set realistic goals that work with your schedule, your responsibilities and your body. As mentioned before, the most successful of weight loss plans are rooted in consistency and self study. Be sure to listen to your body and make adjustments as you need that will support you. For example, if you notice that you are having trouble avoiding particular foods that you know to avoid—dig deeper and interpret why. Are you stressed or uninspired? Are you no longer enjoying the healthier food alternatives? Make adjustments to help keep yourself happy and on track with your goals.

For more information on healthy, functional first steps toward weight loss or our weight loss programs, contact us today!

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​and the surrounding Hampton Roads area.  Dr. Janine Lex's specialty in intertwining her skills with functional medicine, nutrition, chiropractic care and acupuncture to best suit each individual patient allows for maximum pain relief and optimal healing.  ©2017 Vitality! Functional Medicine