Mainstream medicine is generally disapproving of even the most reasonable internal body cleansing programs.
In the Q & A section of the Mayo Clinic's website, gastroenterologist Michael Picco, M.D. said, “There is no evidence that detox diets actually remove toxins from the body. Most ingested toxins are efficiently and effectively removed by the kidneys and liver and excreted in urine and stool.”
Karyn Calabrese, a chef and raw foodist, attributes her longevity, energy, and overall health to regular detoxification.
“Doctors are taught to treat illnesses after the fact and are not really taught preventive medicine," she said, "It's the system that’s in place in the medical community; it’s not the doctors’ fault.”
Now at 62 Calabrese has the looks and energy of a woman half her age. She said her mother died at 49, her grandmother at 50, and her great-grandmother at 60.
“It’s why I started doing all of this. I didn’t come from a long line of women with a long life span. I went from being a vegan to a vegetarian to a raw-foodist. I haven’t eaten meat, chicken or dairy for 39 years,” she said.
She began her journey with wheat grass, growing it in her yard, juicing it for herself and then selling it to others. Calabrese is now the owner of Kayrn's Fresh Corner Cafe, a raw vegan gourmet restaurant in Chicago's Lincoln Park. She also runs the holistic wellness center next door. She is passionate about sharing what she's learned about living health. She said she has no degrees or certifications in health or nutrition.
“I’ve used my body as my laboratory. I wanted to take control of my health and I want to help others to do the same,” said Calabrese.
She believes feeding the body properly and cleansing it internally is necessary for being truly healthy and knowing this has improved her health over the years.
What the Cell Eats, You Eat
“We have layers and layers of toxicity [from the natural by-products of foods consumed and pollution in the environment] built-up around our bodies’ cells. We live off of the gases from the liquids of food. If you have a lot of putrid rotting material [in your body] then this is what is also feeding the cells,” said Calabrese.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Picco, said in the experts' section of the Mayo Clinic’s website, that most ingested toxins are efficiently removed by the kidneys and liver and excreted in urine and stool.
Calabrese believes there is only one disease. A toxic body causing the poor assimilation of nutrients by the cells.
According to Calabrese her students have given testimonials of losing 30 to 60 pounds. They report having more energy, feeling lighter and have a greater sense well-being. One client with diabetes said after taking Calabrese's detox class her physician told her she was no longer within the diabetic range.
"This is all anecdotal," said Calabrese, "I can't prove this, because I'm not a scientist. I'm not a doctor. But people in my detox classes come with different health challenges and everybody reports transformative results."
Physicians explain that the weight loss people experience is a result of the low caloric intake of most of these detox diets and the general sense of well-being is psychological because people believe they are doing something good for their body.
Calabrese's 30 Day Detox Program
Week 1: People have a choice of either going raw food vegan or cooked vegan.
Week 2: Everybody goes 100 % raw and if they choose people can do some form of colon therapy
using different herbs and things to help pull more of the toxicity out of the body.
Week 3: A small fast of juiced wheat grass or other vegetables.
Week 4: Re-introduce the foods that each client feels comfortable including in their regular diet.
Medical professionals say the best diet has fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and unsaturated fats. Calbrese believes it takes more than being a vegetarian to be health.
“You meet very few vegetarians, vegans, or raw foodist that look healthy, if they are not detoxifying also,” she said.
Calabrese said her goal is to wake people up and get them to listen to their bodies. And like all animals, people instinctually know what their body needs. She said her method of cleansing may not be for everyone. But she believes that regularly detoxifying the body is the key to a long and health life.
Many people use detoxification programs to lose weight and look good. But Calabrese said it’s not about losing weight.
"It’s about getting rid of the toxicity around the cells so that the body can [access the nutrients it needs] and operate at optimal capacity," she said. " And if you don’t take care of your body, the most magnificent machine you’ll ever be given, then where are you going to live?”
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