Optimal Detox

Christopher Vasey is the author of a number of books on natural medicine. Here he presents a more detailed account of the benefits of detoxification, based on the naturopathic assumption that accumulation of toxins is the primary cause of illness. He distinguishes between two forms of toxins – colloidal and crystalline – which differ in their effects, and need to be eliminated through different pathways. Colloidal toxins are more liquid and affect circulation and the function of organs, while crystals can damage tissues and accumulate in joints or form stones in the gallbladder or kidney. The terrain represented by the body can suffer either from overload or nutrient deficiency, and there are various outlets for waste, including phlegm, sweat, urine and stools. The primary cause of toxins is diet, so adjustments in diet are necessary for change to occur.

The author includes a number of very helpful charts explaining this important distinction between toxin types, including the fact that crystals are water-soluble, while colloidal substances are not. Later in the book, the reader discovers the different illnesses caused by these two forms of toxin. For example, many problems of the circulatory system are caused by colloidal toxins leading in some cases to a thickening of the blood, which not only slows circulation, but can also lead to clots. Crystal diseases can appear in the skin and manifest as arthritis. The later stages can lead to degenerative disease including cancer. It is well known that degenerative disease is not present to nearly the same extent in indigenous societies unaffected by Western diet. There are also chapters on sources of toxins, drainage methods and ways of regulating your food intake. This is a very accessible and insightful book.