Dr. Michelle Martz, D.C., and LNR club president Dirk Dahlke. Chiropractor and Naturopathic Practitioner Dr. Michelle Martz, D.C., owner of Trinity Wellness Center in Flower Mound, spoke to the club last week about the importance of “spring cleaning” for your body. Similar to the oil filter in your car, sludge can build up over time in our tissues, organs, gut and colon, she explained. The liver is key, in this regard, since it acts like a sponge to absorb and expel toxins from the body. Sluggishness in the liver can cause toxins to build up, damaging tissues and leading to issues like nervous system disorders, brain fog, hormone dysfunction, and even autoimmune disease. Similarly, gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, and intestinal issues generally stem from damage and toxin build up in the body. “By doing a detox twice a year, you purge all that out, so it doesn’t build up and have those adverse effects,” said Dr. Martz, who is certified as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition. Maintaining good intestinal health is vital, she said, because 80 percent of the body's immune function starts in the gut. “Many of our autoimmune diseases and skin disorders come from a gut health problem,” Dr. Martz noted, adding that if your gut is on overdrive, your risk of cancer goes up and you have an increased propensity for nervous system disorders. Problems with gut health often stem from processed foods, chemicals, and medications, like antihistamines, which can degrade the mucosal lining in the intestine and create permeability. This “leaky gut” syndrome means that viruses, parasites, and bad bacteria can replicate in the gut, which can affect brain function and cause a variety of physiological issues. Dr. Martz explained that boosting B vitamins, taking anti-parasitics and herbs to support the liver, and eating foods that help rebuild the gut lining can protect and restore gut health. Dr. Martz also touched on the delicate subject of potty breaks, and the importance of staying regular. “You have to have enough fiber going in to clear out” the sludge that builds up and causes free radical damage that causes cancer and other issues, she explained. “Your intestine is supposed to be a hollow tube, not a bucket that accumulates stuff.” If your gut is healthy, you should have the urge to go to the bathroom within 30-60 minutes of eating and should have a bowel movement at least every 12-18 hours, Dr. Martz said. Eating superfoods, like blueberries and quinoa, can give you the maximum nutritional benefits with even a small portion, whereas processed or “convenience” foods, fried foods, artificial sweeteners, and foods high in sugar or made with white flour should be avoided to keep your body healthy and strong. “Dead foods” actually suck energy from your body, she explained. In contrast, raw foods, like salads and fresh fruit, aid digestion and deliver higher nutritional benefits. To learn more or get additional copies of the handouts with guidelines for detoxing the liver and dietary habits for good gut health, call Dr. Martz at (972) 317-9355. |