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Remedies Magazine, Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS March 1, 2010

ESSENTIAL FORMULAS

An award winning nutrition expert who has revolutionized detox and dieting, Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, www.annlouise.com, is a pioneer in the field of natural health and the author of over 30 books on nutrition and healing. Her New York Times bestseller, The Fat Flush Plan, has millions of followers worldwide, and her latest book, Fat Flush for Life: The Year-Round Super Detox Plan to Boost Your Metabolism and Keep the Weight off Permanently has been named a Top 10 Diet Book for 2010 by Time.

Nearly 100,000 harmful toxins assault us on a daily basis. Many of these (like pesticides and plastics) appear to play a role in weight gain by disrupting metabolism and making us fat. The more weight you carry, the more toxins you're probably retaining, which is why seasonal cleansing should always accompany weight loss. Those of us who carefully support the organs of detoxification have an enormous advantage in safely ridding the body of fattening toxins.  

Bacterial Toxins Impact Weight

Groundbreaking research at Washington University's Center for Genome Science has spawned a whole new science called "infectobesity" that shows how toxic pathogens impact the absorption of food and how gut hormones regulate appetite and metabolic rate. While it's unclear whether bacterial imbalance is a cause or consequence, the potential implications for overweight humans to reduce weight by balancing gut bacteria are fascinating. 

Stanford University researchers find that beneficial bacteria enhance weight loss-even among obese individuals. New Swiss research links bacteria in the gut with inflammation that leads to metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Another study shows imbalances in gut bacteria even among overweight 7-year-olds.

Taking probiotics is the "real deal" when it comes to losing weight. Approximately 100 trillion microorganisms live in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract. You need a ratio of 85 to 15 in favor of "good guy" probiotics to combat disease-causing bacteria and yeast overgrowth, help clean out parasites, and break down toxins-while supporting weight control.

Found in health food stores nationwide, Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics 12 Plus is a bacteria-balancing system backed by 15years of university-based research. It's safe for all ages (men, women, and children) and requires no refrigeration. 

Detox Varies with the Seasons

Probiotics aren't the only secret to successful detox and weight loss. The influence of the seasons is one of the most vital-but overlooked-aspects of cleansing. For example, a raw foods diet can be downright dangerous in winter, when the body needs warming soups and stews. But spring's new greens are just what the body needs to support effective cleansing this time of year.  

Combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with cutting-edge science, Fat Flush for Life targets major detoxification pathways, while rebuilding and nurturing the organs in your body that need support each season of the year: 

Spring-liver and gallbladder
Summer-heart and small intestine
Autumn-lungs and large intestine (colon)
Winter-adrenal glands and kidneys

It's important, as well, to use a seasonal approach in the fitness and wellness techniques you use to support periodic detox throughout the year. In the spring, you need to get outdoors again to oxygenate your system and jump-start cleansing. To stimulate the liver and gallbladder, I also recommend a castor oil pack for three successive days, then off three days, repeating this cycle at least every other week during Spring Fat Flush.