The light went on. Is it 3,000 miles already? Seems like I just changed the oil in my car, how can it be time to change it again already? How many filters are in a car? We have a fuel filter, an oil filter, and on older cars, a carburetor filter. Why so many filters? The answer is because there are so many areas that get dirty, and when dirty, they don't function well. Not unlike the human body. The body has many filters of its own. The liver and kidneys work as filters to help eliminate toxins from the blood and lymph to be carried to the bladder and colon for final elimination. The lungs are important for filtering the air we breathe, as well.

We are taught that every so often, the filters in our car get so much gunk that they, and the fluids that run through them (oil), needs to get changed with fresh filters and fluids in order for the car to run better, and to prevent premature wear and tear on the engine. We are quick to follow directions to get our oil changed because we know that if we don't, the car repairs will be much more costly. Although we can't change out our organ filters, we can help them by detoxifying them. This helps them to be more effective at cleansing our body fluids, and can go a long way in helping to prevent premature wear and tear (disease or aging).

Just as our car runs sluggish when the oil gets thick and gunky, our body runs sluggish as well. We complain of less get up and go, fatigue, feeling foggy-brained, and just generally don't feel well. After cleansing the body of the accumulated waste, participants in detoxification programs report feeling more energy, clear-headed, better motivation and in general just feeling better.

Cleansing the body should be done on a regular basis if we are to have efficient operation of our engines. The best programs nourish the body while cleansing it, activate both Phase I and Phase II of the liver detoxification pathways, cleanse the liver, lymph, colon, blood and kidneys, and help you feel great! Just as replacing the oil in the car with water is not good for the engine, neither is water fasting. Nutrients are needed to support the body's ability to cleanse - starvation doesn't work. It is important to cleanse properly.

The benefits of a good detoxification program include weight loss, reduction in many symptoms such as allergies, acne, fatigue, depression and cravings.

It sure would be nice if we had a nice warning light to tell us when it's time to detoxify. Since we don't, we just have to remember that for enhanced health, it is best to do a three-week cleanse about three times per year. Now is the best time to do an "oil change" on your body!

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.