Want More Energy, Better Sleep, a Clearer Mind? It May Be Time to Clean Your Organs

Want more energy, better sleep, and a clearer mind? It may be time to clean your organs, says Margaret Durst.

Cleansing the body periodically is one of the tenets of natural health. The purpose of cleansing is to assist the body in eliminating harmful toxins which helps the body run more effectively and efficiently which translates to better health. As adults, 80% of our energy goes towards eliminating byproducts of normal metabolism from our bodies. Our bodies are actually very good at eliminating things that we don’t need; however, our modern diets with lots of refined and processed foods tend overwhelm our bodies and clog not just our arteries, but our livers, colons, lymph system and kidneys as well.

From a naturopathic perspective, most problems with health arise either from deficiency or congestion. Congestion involves both overconsumption and reduced eliminative function. Many of our acute and chronic diseases result from clogged tissues, suffocated cells, and subsequent loss of vital energy. Frequent colds and flus, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and allergies are all consequences of congestive disorders. Read more

Running on Empty: Does Fasting Help or Hurt?

Intermittent fasting is just taking times of fasting and working them into your lifestyle. This can be either daily or a couple times a week. The Los Angeles Times reports that science is beginning to confirm its benefits.

Something about the way Americans eat isn't working -- and hasn't been for a long time.

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Taking that inclination into account, some people are adopting an unusual solution to overeating. Rather than battling temptation in grocery stores, restaurants and their own kitchens, they simply don't eat. At least not at certain times of the day or specific days of the week.

Called intermittent fasting, this rather stark approach to weight control appears to be supported by science, not to mention various religious and cultural practices around the globe. The practice is a way to become more circumspect about food, its adherents say. But it also seems to yield the benefits of calorie restriction, which may ultimately reduce the risk of some diseases and even extend life. Read more