Transformation Tuesday- Week 5 Health Challenge, Oil Pulling

Organic Coconut Oil

I took a short break from the health challenge, but I am back.  I've been doing the 14 part health challenge with local Chiropractor Jay Davidson of Davidson Chiropractic.

  A few facts this week about the toxins in our environment:

• Every year Americans take over 4 billion prescription drugs.
• Over 70,000 chemicals are used commercially.
• Over 3000 chemicals are added to our foods.
• Over 10,000 chemicals are used in the processing, production and storage of food.

That is a lot of potential chemicals that can accumulate in your body.  Many Chiropractors are now offering advice on nutrition and ridding the body of toxins.

The thinking is that toxins can contribute to many chronic health conditions. My own Chiropractor had me do a de-tox last year and has given me a new supplement program.

Some doctors test for toxins like heavy metals for patients with severe chronic conditions.

So Dr. Davidson in today’s challenge recommends oil pulling to help rid the body of toxins. Sounds pretty strange and this is how it’s done.

“Oil pulling is basically rinsing your mouth with coconut oil, much like you would with a mouthwash. The oil is “worked” around your mouth by pushing, pulling, and drawing it through your teeth for a period of 15 minutes.  Once the 15 minutes have gone by, spit the oil out and rinse your mouth with water.  Coconut oil is great to consume, but DO NOT swallow the oil after it’s in your mouth because it is full of toxins.  Oil pulling is most effective in the morning time after you wake up” (Source: Coconut Research Center)

Coconut oil is used because of it’s antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti fungal properties. 

Here is why it works”  “It acts much like the oil you put in your car engine. The oil picks up dirt and grime. When you drain the oil, it pulls out the dirt and grime with it, leaving the engine relatively clean. Consequently, the engine runs smoother and lasts longer. Likewise, when we expel harmful substances from our bodies our health is improved and we run smoother and last longer.” ~Bruce Fife (naturopathic physician)

Doctor Davidson recommends doing the coconut oil pull after drinking your de-tox lemon water.  Here is what he recommends

“Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and work it around your mouth by pushing, pulling, and drawing it through your teeth for a period of 15 minutes.  Typically while you are in the shower and getting ready in the morning is a great time.”

This sounded a little strange to me, so I did a web search on oil pulling.  Web MD is my go to source for health issues and they had some good research on the subject.

Web MD reports that oil pulling may help with gingivitis, plaque and other organisms in the mouth that can cause bad breath. Studies have show oil pulling helps prevent tooth decay.  No comment about the effects of de-toxing.

Web MD suggests starting with just 5 minutes a day of gentle swishing with coconut oil. They say 5- 10 minutes are all you need.

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Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015.  

 In 2014 she represented  the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 160 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Additional Link

Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

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