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This digestive system cleanse is suited for first-timers, as a pre-cleanse before a fast, for people with mild digestive symptoms, or as a general preventative measure. This duration of this cleanse is usually two to three weeks.
Instructions 1. Activated charcoal Activated charcoal binds intestinal toxins and unfriendly microbial growth and excretes them in the stools. 500-600 mg three times per day 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals and medication. 2. Bentonite clay If activated charcoal is unavailable, bentonite clay can be used. Bentonite is a type of edible clay that acts as a bulk laxative by absorbing water to form a gel. It binds toxins such as pesticides and helps to carry them out of the colon. Bentonite clay can be found at the health food store. 1 tablespoon liquid bentonite 2-3 times per day 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals and medication. 3. Psyllium Psyllium is a dietary fiber that supports normal bowel function. It cleanses the mucus lining of the intestines and increases the bulk of the stools. 1 teaspoon psyllium powder three times per day. Stir psyllium into 8 oz water and drink immediately. Take with activated charcoal or if using bentonite, stir it into the psyllium water. 4. Probiotics The digestive tract maintains a balance between healthy and potentially harmful micro-organisms. Probiotics, the supplement form of healthy micro-organisms, have been used for many years to increase the proportion of protective bacteria and for the prevention and treatment of many health conditions. 1 capsule three times per day. Continue taking probiotics for several weeks after the cleansing period is over. Here are some things to look for in a probiotics supplement: The most common strains of probiotics are Lactobacillus acidophilus for the small intestine and Bifidobacterium bifidum for the large intestine. Look for a combination of the two strains. Probiotics should always be refrigerated before and after opening. Each capsule or dose should contain more than 1 billion viable bacteria. The minimum therapeutic dose is suggested to be 108-109 cells per day. More bacteria per capsule or dose is preferable, since the bacteria must survive during shelf life and then after ingestion, during transit through the acidic conditions of the stomach and hydrolytic enzymes and bile salts in the small intestine. Updated: July 23, 2007 |
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