The Hindu Business Line : Brain is a great oxygen-guzzler

Toxin is a poisonous substance, generally of plant or animal origin. Known for long, toxins were used for tipping arrows. "Toxic elements are not just found in our food, environment and water, they exist in the form of highly dangerous emotions and thoughts in our minds, too," alerts Tanushree Podder in, Detoxify Your Way to Health and Happiness, from Viva (www.vivagroupindia.com).

"Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralising toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph, and skin." So, why bother oneself about an automatic process? Because "the world today is laden with more pollutants and external toxins than the body can handle."

You can be sure a detoxification programme can help you if you are suffering from ailments such as skin rashes, nausea, indigestion, headaches, and joint pains. One of the easiest methods of detoxifying is fasting. It is important, however, that during fasting you don't undertake any strenuous mental activities; also, keep the mind free from stress.

Another technique is juice therapy. Podder informs that the juice of cucumber and onion activate the pancreas and help in the production of insulin.

In a chapter on detoxifying the lungs, one learns that the brain is a great oxygen-guzzler. "It requires more oxygen than any other organ. If it doesn't get enough, the result is mental sluggishness, negative thoughts and depression." Through a simple diagram, the author explains how stress leads to tightness of chest muscles, which in turn causes inefficient breathing, leading to lowered immunity to diseases.

Do you know that every day an estimated 450 grams of toxins leave the body in sweat, carried through the skin? This is possible, only if the pores are open, says Podder. She explains that the lymphatic system acts like the trash collector, "sucking up metabolic garbage, toxins and excess fluid."

You may be amazed to know that the lymphatic system is filled with millions of one-way valves, and these allow unidirectional flow of lymph fluid, usually upward against gravity. You can stimulate the movement of this fluid through external massage, muscle activity and vigorous exercise.

The book teaches you to not only to relax but also identify toxic thoughts! "Our mind has the capacity to process approximately 92,000 thoughts per day," notes Podder. "Our lives would be significantly enhanced if at least three of these thoughts were positive, and self-affirming." Vital read.

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