Detoxification (also known as internal cleansing or purification) has been in use for over a century. The issue of toxicity has arisen because of our increasing exposure to toxins in our water, air, and food. Simply couple this with a poor diet that does not support optimal cellular functioning, and the impact upon health can become devastating.

The body removes toxins by direct filtration in the liver or by excreting those toxins as part of the bile or urine after the toxins have been processed by the liver. The mechanism by which the liver processes the toxins is the cytochrome P450 phase I and phase II pathways. Toxins are also removed via the cytochrome P450 phase I enzyme system in the lungs, brain, kidneys, adrenal cortex, testes, spleen, heart, muscles, skin, and in the cells lining the intestine.

The liver has many roles in detoxification. It filters the blood, produces and secretes bile, and enzymatically processes toxic chemicals. The process of detoxification and the preparation of the toxins for excretion take place in two distinct biochemical phases, known as the cytochrome P450 phase I and phase II detoxification pathways. Phase I can either convert the toxin to a water soluble form to be excreted either through the bile or urine, or modify the toxin to what is referred to as a primary metabolite. Primary metabolites are acted upon by one or more of the several phase II processes. In Phase II, the conjugating substances are attached to the phase I product (primary metabolite) to facilitate its excretion through the bile or urine. Phase II reactions typically take place through methylation, glucuronidaton, acetylation, sulfation, glutathione conjugation and amino acid conjugation. If the phase I-generated reactive molecules (primary metabolite) are not transformed into excretable compounds, toxic intermediates can build up.

Weight Management

The National Institutes of Health (NIH); the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES); leading medical journals; and the media all report that many Americans are overweight. How is this happening? Americans are consuming large portions of the wrong kinds of foods, such as refined foods and snacks high in sugar, instead of balanced meals that include good-quality proteins (fresh meat, poultry, and fish), fruits, vegetables, and small amounts of whole grains. These poor diet choices combined with a sedentary lifestyle promote weight gain.

Many Americans address their weight issues by trying quick-fix weight management programs. Because these programs do not take into account the long term needs of the body, these dieters do not experience permanent results. In addition, many quick-fix programs are not designed to be utilized for an extended period of time. Post-dieters who go on these programs become frustrated because eventually all the weight that was lost comes back.

The ideal weight management program does take time. It needs to be gentle, reduce excess fat stores, be high in fiber and lower in fat, and ensure that the amount of metabolic energy being used is greater than the amount of calories consumed. Once the ideal weight is reached, maintaining it requires that the amount of energy expended is equal to the energy intake.

Our bodies are like cars with a main fuel tank and a reserve tank. When one tank runs dry, the engine draws fuel from the reserve tank to meet its needs. Our bodies run in a similar fashion. Say for instance, a person walks on a treadmill for 20-30 minutes. During this time, they have burned off their main fuel - the sugar in their blood, liver, and muscles. Once that fuel is depleted, their body turns to fat (their reserve fuel tank) for additional energy.

Healthy liver function supports the body in burning fat for energy. The nutrients and dietary recommendations in the Standard Process purification program revolve around feeding the body the nutrients it needs to support optimal liver function. In addition to its role in fat burning, the liver also synthesizes fatty acids from amino acids and sugars and assists in producing lipoproteins, cholesterol, and phospholipids. The liver manufacturers the glucose tolerance factor (GTF) from chromium and glutathione. GTF partners with the body's natural insulin to regulate and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The liver converts any sugars that are not required for immediate energy needs into glycogen, cholesterol, and fat. Glycogen is stored both in the liver and in muscle tissue. The fat and cholesterol can be deposited in areas such as the buttocks, abdominal region and vasculature.

Purification Program

The Standard Process purification program is a gentle program that feeds the body, more specifically the liver, the nutrients it needs so it can perform the actions normally required of it. At the same time, the program requires that you make lifestyle changes to aid in the removal of the majority of toxins you are exposed to and modify the diet to stabilize insulin levels.

Purification Products

The following Standard Process products are used as important components of the purification program: SP Cleanse®, SP Complete™, Gastro-Fiber®, and SP Green Food™.

SP Cleanse®

SP Cleanse enlists the detoxifying properties of over 20 different whole foods and botanicals in this vegetarian nutritional supplement. The phytonutrients from these ingredients help the body eliminate exogenous toxins along with the end products of cellular metabolism.

The vitamin complexes, minerals, and phytonutrients in SP Cleanse support the body's elimination routes by:

SP Complete™

SP Complete is a whole food and botanical supplement that can be blended with water and fruit to make a nutritious supplement shake. It offers a balance of essential macro- and micronutrients from plant sources in a highly bioavailable form.

The natural whole food ingredients used to formulate SP Complete deliver powerful antioxidant components that promote cellular health and support healthy cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous system function. Whether taken alone or with meals, a supplement shake made with SP Complete provides essential vitamins and minerals during the purification process.

Gastro-Fiber®

Dietary fiber comes from the cellular walls of plants and has specific effects on different aspects of gastrointestinal function. Gastro-Fiber contains phytonutrients from psyllium, Collinsonia root, apple pectin, fennel seed, and fenugreek seed. These whole-food factors function synergistically to:

• Help cleanse and lubricate the intestines
• Encourage regular elimination
• Promote pH balance throughout the gastrointestinal tract
• Supports short chain fatty acid production

SP Green Food™

SP Green Food is made up of five organically grown whole food concentrates: Brussels sprouts, kale, alfalfa, buckwheat, and barley grass. In addition to their natural bioavailability, these foods contain vitamins, minerals, and other unknown synergistic cofactors that support the cytochrome P450 phase I and phase II detoxification pathways.

Program Choices

There are two programs from which to recommend: Optimal Intensity Program and Modified Intensity Program. Both offer many benefits. Choose the one that best fits your particular needs.

Optimal Intensity Program: Garden Variety

Garden Variety is a purification program that consists of eating only vegetables and fruits. Vegetables contain many vital nutrients, and their enzymes work as natural cleansing agents. Raw vegetables have stronger cleansing ability than cooked, but all vegetables are beneficial. For example; beets purify the blood; asparagus promotes healthy kidney function; and artichokes enhance liver function.

Food Intake: Weeks 1-3

For the first three weeks, you should consume only the items listed here in addition to your supplements and shakes. Use organic fruits and vegetables if available.

Unlimited fresh vegetables

*May be steamed for four minutes

Salads with unlimited fresh vegetables

• Salad dressings are not permissible
• Nuts, seeds, and beans (including green beans) are not permissible

Fruit—eat twice as many vegetables as compared to fruit (1 serving = 1 cup)
Examples include but are not limited to:

Spring water (at least 8 glasses per day)

REFRAIN FROM CONSUMING ANYTHING NOT LISTED
When followed as directed, this purification program has shown in clinical practice to offer great rewards in terms of desired outcomes and patient satisfaction. Any alteration of the instructions allows for variables that could decrease the benefits of the program; therefore, it is recommended that the instructions are followed completely and not modified.

Supplementation—Garden Variety

SP Complete™ and Gastro-Fiber® are recommended throughout the Garden Variety program; SP Cleanse® is recommended for week one only; and SP Green Food™ is recommended for weeks two and three.

Week One

• 2-3 SP Complete shakes per day (click here for the shake recipe)
• 7 SP Cleanse capsules 3 times daily without food/but with shakes or water
• 3 Gastro-Fiber capsules 3 times daily without food/but with shakes or water

Weeks Two & Three

• 2-3 SP Complete shakes per day (click here for the shake recipe)
• 3 Gastro-Fiber capsules 3 times daily without food/but with shakes or water
• 5 SP Green Food capsules 2 times daily without food/but with shakes or water

Exercise

It is recommended that you walk at least 4 times per week for 30-45 minutes. Strenuous exercise should be avoided during the three-week period.

Modified Intensity Program: Wholesome Medley

Wholesome medley is a purification program that consists of eating vegetables, fruits, and protein. The whole foods in Wholesome Medley support all the major organ systems during purification.

Food Intake: Weeks 1-3

For the first three weeks, only the items listed below should be consumed in addition to the supplements and shakes. Use organic fruits and vegetables if available.

3-4 oz. of unseasoned meat, fish, or poultry twice daily
Simply prepared—broiling, baking, etc.

Unlimited fresh vegetables

*May be steamed for four minutes

Salads with unlimited fresh vegetables

• Salad dressings are not permissible
• Nuts, seeds, and beans (including green beans) are not permissible

Fruiteat twice as many vegetables as compared to fruit (1 serving = 1 cup)
Examples include but are not limited to:

2 servings of brown or wild rice (not instant) per day (1 serving = 1 cup)

Spring water (at least 8 glasses per day)

REFRAIN FROM CONSUMING ANYTHING NOT LISTED
When followed as directed, this purification program has shown in clinical practice to offer great rewards in terms of desired outcomes and patient satisfaction. Any alteration of the instructions allows for variables that could decrease the benefits of the program; therefore, it is recommended that the instructions are followed completely and not modified.

Supplementation

SP Complete™ and Gastro-Fiber® are recommended throughout the entire program; SP Cleanse® is recommended for week one only; and SP Green Food™ is recommended for weeks two and three.

Week One

• 2-3 SP Complete shakes per day (click here for the shake recipe)
• 7 SP Cleanse capsules 3 times daily without food/but with shakes or water
• 3 Gastro-Fiber capsules 3 times daily without food/but with shakes or water

Weeks Two & Three

• 2-3 SP Complete shakes per day (click here for the shake recipe)
• 3 Gastro-Fiber capsules 3 times daily without food/but with shakes or water
• 5 SP Green Food capsules 2 times daily without food/but with shakes or water

Exercise

It is recommended that you walk at least 4 times per week for 30-45 minutes. Strenuous exercise should be avoided during the three-week period.

If you have any questions or comments about this detoxification/purification protocol, please contact Dr. Akin.

Copyright ) 2004 Bruce Bond D.C.
Synergistic Therapeutics: Combining Whole Food Nutrition and Herbal Medicine for Common Ailments: First Edition
Used with permission. All rights reserved.