Dr. Uday Jani to present secrets of detox March 1

Dr. Uday Jani will present the secrets of diet detox from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, at the Lewes library.

"PCBs, plastics, pesticides, herbicides, paint fumes, automobile exhaust, secondhand smoke ... we're exposed to toxins all the time in the air we breathe, the water we drink and in many of the foods we eat. It is an unfortunate truth that Americans of all ages are carrying over 219 toxic chemicals in their body at any given time," says Jani, a local internist with a fellowship in integrated medicine. "Each year, the average person is exposed to 14 pounds of toxins, making it essential to periodically restore the body's ability to cleanse itself."

These toxins come from air (pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, radiation, auto exhaust); water (bacteria, mercury, metals, solvents); lifestyle (cosmetics, nicotine, alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter drugs); food (artificial additives, preservatives, coloring, meats that contain hormones and antibiotics); and cleaning products (chlorine bleach, ammonia, disinfectants). Internal toxins, such as undigested food, stress, unresolved trauma and even unhappy relationships can also cause problems.

Jani explains that while the immune system, liver and kidneys normally work together to remove toxins, when levels accumulate and exceed the body's capability to remove them, an increased toxic burden is the result. A host of ills accompanies an impaired capacity to detoxify, ranging from digestion issues, muscle aches and fatigue to difficulty concentrating, excessive sinus problems and puffy, dark under-eye circles. "It becomes difficult to feel completely well," he says.

It may be unavoidable, but is the damage inevitable? A thorough detoxification program can completely revitalize the body and improve overall health by targeting both the gastrointestinal system and the liver, says Jani. Choosing the right foods and nutrients can enhance the body's detoxification process.

"Patients with GI issues experience increased levels of incoming toxins, and aren't able to properly absorb nutrients," he says. "Detoxification is the least expensive and noninvasive approach to treatment."

True detoxification occurs in the liver, says Jani, and is very different from conventionally billed detoxes that are simply colon cleanses which flush out the intestines. The liver is the primary organ for detoxification in the body, via a two-step enzymatic process changing fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble forms that can then be excreted.

Eating foods such as kale, cabbage, broccoli, turmeric, cauliflower, garlic, beets and arugula aids the process, as well as ingesting essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B and D, amino acids and antioxidants. Many herbs like milk thistle also help in detox.

Detoxification has also proved superior to traditional dieting, says Jani. The rebound effect so familiar and frustrating to dieters is eliminated. "Cutting calories results in fat loss, which increases toxic density. That triggers the body to create more fat to protect the body from toxins, and the weight is regained," he says. True detoxification, however, removes toxins, creates lean muscle and releases excess fat. "Adopting a clean, balanced way of eating helps keep the body lean naturally, and minimizes the toxic burden," Jani says.

The approach is comprehensive and proven effective, says Jani. "The proper digestion of food and absorption of nutrients to eliminate toxins will ultimately renew wellness," he says.

Dr. Uday Jani, a board-certified Internist, completed a two-year integrative medicine fellowship in 2012 at the University of Arizona under Dr. Andrew Weil, the founder of iIntegrative medicine. The fellowship has achieved international recognition as the leading integrative medical education program in the world. Jani is in private practice at Shore View Personal Care. For more information, call 302-684-0990 or go to www.udayjanimd.com.