There are diseases and viruses with symptoms similar to those associated with toxicity, such as mononucleosis, hepatitis, and Epstein-Barr, which weaken the body (especially the liver) and have symptoms such as fatigue, as well as changes in digestion, appetite, skin, and sleep patterns.

	Everyone who lived in the last year of the 20th century has had, and will continue to have, some level of toxic exposure.

If you have been exposed to one of these viruses, or have suspicious symptoms, ask your healthcare practitioner for a diagnosis. Today, hepatitis, particularly hepatitis C, is a serious public health concern. Approximately 30,000 new hepatitis C infections are diagnosed every year in the United States, and almost 4 million Americans are currently diagnosed with the disease. Hepatitis and liver dysfunction is of particular concern to recovering alcoholics and should always be considered.

Everyone who lived in the last year of the 20th century has had, and will continue to have, some level of toxic exposure. Things like radiation, preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, and other toxic residue can be found in virtually all parts of the world. Chemical by-products are in our water, food, and air. Exposure to these toxins overloads and damages the body, stressing our bodies' natural detoxification mechanisms.

Accumulation of chemicals and metals breakdown the body's immune system, making it more sensitive to all sorts of things that would normally not effect it, such as plants, foods, and scents. Healthy body function is comprised and deteriorates over time. Many health experts theorize that toxic exposure is responsible for the increase in chronic diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and attention deficit disorder.

Based on this information, it's clear that all of us need to keep our natural detox mechanisms in good condition. The skin, liver, kidneys, and bowels are the body's major detox organs. Daily elimination, plenty of water, skin brushing (using a brush on dry skin prior to showering), regular physical exercise, and good nutrition are essential to keeping these systems intact and giving them the ability to efficiently and effectively eliminate toxins from the body.

	Daily elimination, plenty of water, skin brushing, exercise, and good nutrition are essential to good health.

We all see evidence of what happens when we fall off the proverbial wagon. We invariably slip into drinking too much caffeine, eating sweets several times a day, and skipping our daily work-out. The results surface quickly as the skin changes (it may get rough, or oily, with acne or eczema), we gain weight, energy becomes sluggish and get pains in the joints, neck, and the abdomen. In addition, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), irritability, sinus drainage, or headache remind us that it's time to clean up our act. Our detox systems tell us that they help best those who help themselves.

When embarking on a cleansing phase of dietary and lifestyle improvement, it's recommended to use one or more of a variety of herbs that have a beneficial effect on liver and digestive function. The liver plays a key role in detoxification as it neutralizes chemicals from the external environment, filters the blood, manufactures bile, and uses enzymatic processes to both break down, and create good cholesterol, glutathione, and hormones -- compounds necessary for sound health.

Many herbs are helpful for the liver and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. My personal favorites are dandelion, burdock, and garlic, which are good food for the body and safe to consume regularly, and can be incorporated into meals and beverages or taken in daily supplement form. Milk thistle and picrorhiza are also useful medicinal herbs for treating liver disease. Ayurvedic practitioners also use triphala and phyllanthus amarus to maintain liver and GI health.

Before embarking on a self-cleanse, do your homework and consult with a qualified health practitioner. The results will be more long-lasting and you may avoid having to do the task a second time.