Customer Reviews

The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps

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As my readers may know, I work in the spa retreat industry as the resident Pilates Teacher at the Como Shambhala Retreat at Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos. Right now the big spa buzz word is "Detox". People want detoxifying diets, detoxifying spa treatments, detoxifying products, and detoxifying activities such as Pilates and Yoga. Needless to say, I was more than interested to read a Detox book writtenn by well known PBS personality, bestselling author, and naturopathic doctor Brenda Watson, along with the prominent vascular and gastrointestinal surgeon Dr. Leonard Smith.

"This is the most important book I will write in my career. In June 2006 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nearly one-quarter of global disease is caused by environmental exposures... [saying] 'Well-targeted interventions can prevent much of this environmental risk,' saving what could amount to millions of lives every year."

We all know that our environment is full of synthetic and toxic chemicals that we must encounter and try to process every day. Watson begins The Detox Strategy by recommending a lab toxicity screen so that he reader can identify exactly what toxins and how much of them s/he is dealing with. These tests are relatively inexpensive (costs range from $79 to $359) and can be done by mail through analysis of feces, hair, liver function, blood, and/or urine. Hair can actually tell the best story, so is often the preferred sample. She also offers a self quiz for those unable to do the laboratory testing.

While she admits that it is impossible to live in the 21st century and avoid or eliminate toxins altogether, Watson offers attainable goals to limit and manage exposure to environmental toxins while strengthening our bodies' ability to manage such substances.

Her program is a 6 part RENEW-al, composed of steps to Reduce exposure to environmental toxins, Eliminate the toxins currently in the body, Nourish the body's cells to support natural detoxification, Energize the body via exercise and relaxation, and maintenance of Wellness. None of this is crazy and at it's most basic there are small steps that are easy and inexpenive to take and maintain.

For example, we can reduce exposure to toxins through air and water filters, natural non-toxic cleansers and body care products, organic foods, and probiotic and enzyme supplements. We can eliminate toxins already in our bodies through herbal cleansing regimens that involve taking morning and evening herbal cleansing supplements while also drinking lots of water, and if possible adding baths, saunas, and colonics. We can nourish our bodies through eating good whole foods (organic where possible), adding certain supplements known to help strengthen our cells, such as antiixidants, EFAs, amino acids, fiber, etc. Exercise, deep breathing, meditation, and other body-mind practices help us energize. And the combination of these steps leads to wellness.

Watson clearly explains and outlines every step of the process, giving options from the least invasive changes to the most radical. She explains why the changes are important and has done the research to back up her claims. I was prepared to not like this book, thinking it too difficult to implement and riding on the detox bandwagon, but Watson has done a great job of providing complex information in a clear, easy to understand, and most importantly easy to implement manner. Well done!

Last year I accumulated all of Debra Watson's books, learned about the digestive system and the merits of a clean colon, and divested myself of 20 lbs. of body fat. With this book I aimed to get enough inspiration and information to repeat the feat this year. So far, I've lost 3 lbs. of body fat since I got her newest book, but I also have become more conscious of all the different ways we pollute our bodies, our homes and our world.

What I like about her books is that she makes it easy and guilt free to just change a small thing at at time. The cumulative effect is great and you don't feel like you've had to toss out your pantry, remodeled your home or be conversant about the latest sign of global warming. She just gently nudges you to make the small changes that will make a difference.

By the way, she looks a lot younger and better with her new haircut!

This book covers every area regarding detoxification. All the way from the air we breath, the thousands of chemicals we put on our skin, in our bodies, vitamins, minerals and products we use, I loved this book. I am going to start making small changes.....for myself and my daughter.

This is a great book to introduce people to the concept of toxicity in the body. I am tired of the comment "Well, there's chemicals everywhere, whatya gonna do!" Well, what you need to do is to educate yourself to the realities of the toxic soup that we live in. Alarming yes, but denial will not make it go away. Knowledge is power and the sooner you get on board and learn what you need to do to cleanse yourself, particularly your digestive tract, the better off you will be. Who wants to enter that medical nightmare ?
Brenda Watson is a voice that is finally being heard and I am very happy that she has done the PBS specials and offered plenty of educational materials. I can't say that I support all of her product offerings, as a Nutritionist I have my own preferences. Nevertheless, her books are all good, especially for the layman who is willing to learn the truth about the environment we live in. Highly recommend !

Author Brenda Watson does it again. Full of useful information not only from an eating view but the things around your house that you use for cleaning and caring for your home all can make you feel better!Resource section very handy information for finding websites and products.

This book is a great read for those who are new to wanting to eliminate as much toxic material as possible from their homes and bodies. It is also great for the old-timers who have been doing so for a while.

I purchased this book, because I have been in a 10 month weight loss mode. While I go to a nutritionist, and do some detoxing, this book is full of simple ways to get the toxins out of your system and do this for your life time. I would recomend this book to anybody who wants to cleane your insidebody and keep it that way.

This is an excellent book to read. Lots of knowledge on creating a healthier body from within. Very easy to read (I couldn't put it down)!

In general, the author promotes avoiding synthetic, particularly volatile toxins, and consuming natural foods with as few additives as possible. This is good advise, but I didn't need to spend this much money to be reminded. I found the book verbose with more than half of it seeming to be filler. With so many health books on the market, this is not one that I would recommend. I was also a little suspicious of ingesting dozens of herbal additives while detoxing since those could be problematic also. I wish I had selected a book whose author(s) had better medical credentials. I am a bit suspicious of programs that promote a lot of supplements because there can be quackery involved. The ideas of going natural and avoiding potential toxins in one's food, clothing, furniture, toys and environment is a good ideal though.

Although this book is a bit dramatic and state certain things in a very conclusory manner, it is great for learning how to start your first detox.