Faced with the challenge of battling a serious health condition, I needed to make some important decisions regarding how to manage my disease.

My approach to health is two-fold. I truly believe that there are facets of traditional, allopathic medicine and holistic, alternative medicine that can join forces and work synergistically to heal and prevent the recurrence of disease or have it occur in the first place.

I also know that an important aspect of good health is cleansing. Our bodies deal with purging toxins on a constant basis. Automatic processes such as defecation, sweat and the simple act of breathing are all functions that our bodies perform without on their own. They are vital to our survival.

When our diet largely consists of processed junk foods, we are depriving it of the nutrition it so desperately needs. These foods are made from hydrogenated oils, chemicals and refined sugars and grains. These elements are detrimental to good health and difficult for our bodies to assimilate. Over time they leave behind harmful toxins in our bodies. Left unchecked, these toxins accumulate and will cause major health issues.

I took the very difficult step of cutting these foods out of my diet. I no longer consume highly processed foods and now opt for more nutritious options. I left behind packaged products in favor of fresh, organic produce and whole grains. When I shop for my family, I now focus on the perimeter of the supermarket where the fresh products are located. The middle areas of the market are where the concentration of packaged foods resides.

I have learned that when I do purchase packaged foods, I read the labels. If an item contains more than 5 ingredients or elements that I cannot pronounce or identify, I do not buy it. The health of my family is more important to me than additives and emulsifiers.

As a result of these lifestyle changes, I lost 50 pounds over the course of a year and dramatically improved my health. Small, nagging issues like nasal congestion, headaches, body aches and bloating disappeared. I feel better and look younger and more vital than I did 10 years ago.

By adopting this new way of eating, I am detoxifying the body on a regular, on-going basis. The foods I now consume are easy to digest and quickly move through my digestive system. I am not overloading my body with foods that it cannot process.

Detoxification in this manner can save you long term health issues over the long term. Take care of your body and it will reward you with vim, vigor and the priceless prize of good health