Hippocrates, the father of medicine, stated, “Disease is an expression of detoxification.” Living in a chemically oriented society has made toxicity a much greater concern for the 20th century. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average American consumes four pounds of pesticides each year and has residues from more than 400 toxic substances in their body. More than 3,000 chemical additives are found in the foods we eat.

The incidence of many toxic diseases has increased as well, with cancer and cardiovascular disease at the top of the list. Arthritis, allergies, obesity and many skin problems are other troubles that occur as a result of toxicity. In addition, a wide range of symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, pains, coughs, gastrointestinal problems and problems from immune weakness can all be related to toxicity.

Purification is merely the internal cleansing and detoxification of the body. Think of it as "spring cleaning" for our insides. What we eat is as important, if not more important, than merely eating less. There is a strong link between our nutrition and diseases that we acquire. Diets that are high in calories, particularly saturated fats and processed or refined foods, are linked to a higher risk for many chronic diseases.

Evidence suggests that high intake of fruits and vegetables, along with limited intake of calories, saturated fats and cholesterol, reduces oxidative stress and may lower the risk of all-cause mortality, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Eating nutrient-rich foods is also important, because the chemical compounds in these foods play an important role in supporting the body's detoxification processes. For example, certain chemicals from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts affect the enzyme detoxification functions of the liver.

So, detoxification diets that emphasize whole foods—natural, unrefined, unprocessed foods like fruits and vegetables—may help to support the body's detoxification functions and decrease oxidative stress. Integrating more whole foods into our diet after cleansing also may help us sustain the health benefits of a cleanse.

In order to remove natural toxins and help maintain a healthy weight, the purification (or detoxification) process is necessary to achieve optimum levels of health and wellness. It is designed to assist your body through this natural process. Our body endures external toxins on a daily basis, including pollutants, chemicals and pesticides. As a result of normal metabolic function, our body also produces waste products internally. A purification/weight loss program helps the body rid itself of these toxins when it is overburdened with them and minimizes weight to maintain health and vitality.

Toxins contribute to a wide variety of conditions that include weight gain and intense food cravings, sleeping difficulty or fatigue, gastrointestinal problems and poor digestion, low or reduced libido allergies and difficulty with concentration or mental fog.

A purification/weight-loss program may produce increased mental clarity, more restful sleep, increased vitality and energy levels, increased weight loss results and management, significant reduction in bloating, improved digestion function, noticeably clearer skin with less blemishes, shinier and more healthy looking hair and lessening or disappearance of past health conditions.

A purification/weight-loss program is not a diet. It should be a lifestyle change, because it includes only whole foods that are unprocessed and void of toxic chemicals. It helps to create better eating habits while it cleanses and detoxifies the body while maintaining a healthy weight and healthier lifestyle by nourishing and purifying the body.

Fruits and vegetables are consumed on a daily basis and it limits saturated fats and high-calorie, refined foods. By nourishing the body with nutrient-rich foods, it provides a complex combination of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that are necessary to promote optimal health and protect the body.

Dr. Tim Harrigan, a chiropractic physician offers a 21-day purification/weight-loss program at Synergy Wellness, 6031 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson. For more information or appointments, call 520-818-8857 or visit NaturalHealthTucson.com. This program is only available through certain healthcare providers.