Overview
In a healthy body, the process of detoxification runs smoothly. But when we are toxic, the mechanism for detoxification in the liver gets sluggish, and certain toxins can remain active longer than we want or than our systems can handle. This makes us sick and impedes normal metabolism. It also causes fluid retention, bloat, puffiness, and more.
In this episode, Dr. Hyman sits down with Maggie Ward to discuss the Functional Medicine approach to assessing your toxic load, and how certain foods, gut health optimization, and other lifestyle factors can enhance detoxification. Maggie Ward, MS, RD, LDN, is the Nutrition Director at The UltraWellness Center. Maggie holds a master’s degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University which focuses on using whole foods for holistic Nutrition Therapy.
In addition, she completed her requirements to become a registered dietitian at Westchester Medical Center in NY. Prior to joining The UltraWellness Center team in 2008, Maggie worked at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York providing nutrition counseling to children and families dealing with HIV. She also taught at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan and other sites throughout New York City, teaching nutritionally focused cooking classes for children and adults. Much of her focus is on food allergies, digestive disorders, inflammatory conditions, Pediatrics and Sports Nutrition.
Maggie has been counseling individuals, families, and business groups on therapeutic diets to address various health concerns for more than 15 years. Her ongoing clinical training through the Institute for Functional Medicine uses a systems biology approach when working with those who suffer from chronic and acute conditions to help them find their path to healing. She has a passion for cooking and reconnecting people with their potential to heal using whole, organic and local foods.
In this episode, Dr. Hyman and Maggie discuss:
- Acute vs chronic, low-grade toxicity from environmental toxins
- Dr. Hyman’s personal experience with chronic fatigue syndrome and mercury poisoning
- Neurological effects of toxicity, ranging from brain fog to Parkinson’s disease
- How our genetics can influence our detoxification
- Diagnostics to measure toxic body burden
- Using food to enhance the body’s ability to detoxify
- Patients who Dr. Hyman and Maggie have treated to improve detoxification
- The importance of supporting gut health to optimize detoxification