There is a lot to discuss about your immune system, so take this section in digestible pieces, chew on them, think about them, do more research and decide what is best for you. However, keep in mind that the state of your immune system is the most important part of your Feel Great Journey. If your immune system is compromised, you will NOT feel great.

I will go into detail on the Fuel page but let me just mention here that the standard American diet (SAD) is indeed sad. It does not help our immune system (as it should). In fact, it degrades our immune system and makes it difficult to remove toxins since so many toxins are going in. The good news is that our bodies are very resilient. So if we get the built up toxins out and start to put in good fuel, our bodies will respond.

Most likely, if you have been eating a SAD, you are constipated (and/or have diarrhea). First of all, you are not completely to blame. Our advertising industry is not interested in your health. They are only interested in selling you a product (getting your money). Even the government food organizations, like the FDA, are not completely on track. (Again, I will go into this on the Fuel page.) For now let me say that you probably have a lot of sticky, rubbery toxins stuck along the sides of your intestines and colon. Those toxins do not allow good food to be absorbed and, in the process, continue to deliver toxins back into your system. I have also heard, from various internet sources, that many retired adults have 5-15 lbs. of toxins in their colons. From what I have seen, this is possible.

Digestive Enzymes
In your intestines you have bacteria, both good and bad. I will go into more detail on the Fuel page but let me say here that in order to keep the balance between good and bad bacteria and to properly digest your food, you need live enzymes. Ideally these should come in the food you eat but we have processed and cooked our way into a position where our bodies must provide the enzymes by depleting it's own store, robbing from our bones, muscles and organs. The subject of enzymes is vast. I suggest you go to Enzyme Facts. There you will learn about the importance of enzymes for your over-all health and how to treat GERD, lactose intolerance, and other digestive problems with a holistic approach. Other topics include the enzyme formula Wobenzym N, probiotics, vinegar, vitamin D3, kefir, and miso, including miso recipes.

What Worked Best For Me
The first stop on your Feel Great Journey is to get all that nasty stuff out. And I have several suggestions. First, I have found great success with Dr. Natura Colonix.

When I first started writing this website, I was using this product. I am very satisfied! I felt better (although not quite as good as they talk about on their website ... maybe because I wasn't eating well!). I took a trip to China a few years before and, even though I was careful what I ate and drank, I never really felt quite right when I got back. I think I brought back an uninvited hitch-hiker in my intestines. Colonix took care of it. Mostly, during the month I was on it, I got quite a bit of satisfaction when I would eliminate every single day (a first for me). I had my mind on the goal of being healthy and I knew that every morning I was removing all kinds of toxins from my body. As of today, I stay on the maintenance routine and it is great.

When you go to the Dr. Natura site, make sure you look at all the pictures of nasty stuff that people had come out. That was enough to convince me to try it. I didn't experience that (I would have told you if I did!) but I have a friend who did.

The other thing that is working right now is a product called Vemma (or Verve). Click here to jump ahead to read why I like it and how to get it. It's detox and nutrition at the same time.

Other Things I Tried
Bowtrol --- I wouldn't really say this didn't work, because it did somewhat. But I didn't like it. And after reading the information from the Natural Healing Today comparison, I stopped using it right away.

Lemon Cleanse --- This is an extremely good cleanse and very effective. I felt the increase in energy (a lot) and mental clarity (a little bit) discussed on the website. I have it in the back of my mind to try this again. This cleanse is very simple and cheap. You need to drink a mixture containing fresh squeezed lemon juice and maple syrup several times a day and then drink only water. This cleanse takes 7-21 days with some people going 40 days. You can't eat or drink anything else during that time. And, believe it or not, you are not hungry!

I didn't really mind not eating except I had trouble drinking the mixture. One of my friends actually liked the way it tasted but I thought it wasn't very good. The longest I made it was 4 days. I tried different ways of drinking it, like taking each part separately without mixing it up but I just couldn't do it. Or maybe I should say I just wasn't ready to do it. However, I do recommend that you look into this one. Like I said, I may try it again. And, of course, I will let you know what my experience is when I do.

Research Links
Here is the link that convinced me to try Dr. Natura Colonix.
Natural Healing Today --- This is a comparison of colon health products. When I found this link, I was taking Bowtrol and had been for several weeks, which, according to this comparison page, is not a good idea. I went off that right away.

For more information, you can google 'colon cleanse' or something similar. There are a lot of cleanses out there but I think this review site (Natural Healing Today) has great information. Again, let me say that you need to discuss your change in diet (including a cleanse) or exercise with your doctor. I am not a medical professional. I am just telling you what worked for me. It is ultimately up to you.

How To Start
If you decide to do a colon cleanse, I recommend that you research thoroughly, talk to your doctor and then decide what is best for you. Then get everything you need and line it all up in your cabinet or refrigerator. Start your cleanse on the first day of the month and/or use a calendar to chart your progress. Also, think about your schedule. It is best not to start at a stressful time of the year. Start when you feel your best and just decide that you are going to finish it, regardless of what happens.

My first experience with Colonix was that I started it in September and didn't really commit to it. I just did it when I felt like it. First of all, I wasn't committed. Secondly, I started at the first of a semester, which is always stressful anyway, especially for a teacher. Needless to say, I didn't get much benefit from the cleanse. The next time I was successful. I started March 1st and missed very few supplements. Note: I didn't take the healthy bacteria part seriously and I was sorry I didn't. The cleanse works much better when you do ALL parts (go figure!).

Okay, so why all this discussion about your colon when I promised you a discussion about your immune system? That's because your immune system relies on your liver and colon to remove the toxins from your body. Once the toxins are gone, your immune system can focus on fighting off colds, the flu and cancer. In fact, recently I heard that our bodies all contain cancer cells but not in sufficient quantities to be dangerous. Our immune system keeps them in check if it isn't busy processing toxins that we ingest. (Note: I don't remember where I heard that. So do your own research and let me know if you find anything different.)

If you are going through these pages in order, next we will discuss fuel. I recommend you do the cleanse first, then focus on changing your diet, one step at a time.

You can do this.