The word "detox" usually conjures up pictures of chain smoking, cranky celebrities hoping for a little mercy from an insensitive reporter. At least the pauperize makes human frailty fashionable. Hitting rock bottom may be the best way to rekindle your popularity index and your health. In the new millennium, more people are on the road to recovery than ever and "detox" is more than a celebrity getaway.

Putting yourself on a personal purification program or cleanse is the hip new way to "detox." The hard-core alcoholic or drug abuser is making room for the dedicated health fanatic. "Detoxers" are committed to ridding their bodies of impurities by following a program that avoids junk foods, caffeine, tobacco, drugs and other environmental pollutants. A cleanse is an excellent way to get a head start on that "New Year's resolution." It can catalyze a change from the inside out.

A seasonal detox program may become the remedy for the cyber-paced 21st century lifestyle. We live in an environment that bombards us with everything from politics to pollution. It's almost impossible to avoid chemicals, pesticides and stress unless you’re the "boy in the plastic bubble." These toxins have been proven to accelerate aging, disrupt metabolism and contribute to chronic disease. The use of a detox can make the difference between a progressive healing plan and endless frustration.

Most alternative health practitioners agree that colds, flu's, fatigue, digestive ailments and skin disorders are signs that the body's waste removal systems (liver, kidney, lungs, skin, lymphatic, colon) are backed up. These organs are the treatment stations for the waste produced by every cell in the body. The liver is the central sewage plant performing more functions than any other organ. Even a traditionally trained physician would admit that 50% of disease could be avoided by giving the liver alone a rest.

A regular detox is essential for reversing the effects of a chronic disease. Cancer, heart disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and even infertility problems can benefit from a cleanse. A good detox program provides the body with the proper tools to tune whole organ systems with the power to purge. We seldom give ourselves a spring cleaning at the cellular level; so a body exposed to toxins on a regular basis stores them as a protective measure. Overtime, these noxious agents cause damage to the cell walls of every major organ.

The human body is a house with many cell walls. Imagine living in a house and never taking out the trash. The pizza boxes, six packs and empty "Ben and Jerry's" containers would make it uninhabitable for anything but ants and other unwanted guests. In essence, when we allow waste to accumulate we welcome disease.

American Indian and Eastern cultures have always encouraged a cleanse with the change of seasons. A detox every spring and fall gives the body a chance to prepare itself for the challenges of living in an ever-changing environment. The big city is a toxic jungle with its share of smog warnings and acid rainstorms. A personal purification program is essential in avoiding the health perils that go hand-in-hand with an urban lifestyle. Programs vary, but their aims are similar: flush out the toxins by avoiding or reducing the consumption of animal products, sugar, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, drugs and other chemicals; while increasing the consumption of fresh whole organic foods, clean water, regular exercise, stress reduction, colon cleansing, massage and herbal formulas. "It takes 21 days to change the body's chemistry," says Brian Clement Director of the Hippocrates Health Institute. A cleanse gives us the power to take healing into our own hands.

Institutions, programs and books are popping up all over with "how-to-guides" on the subject of detox, but for some it may seem impossible to dedicate three weeks to anything healthful. Here are some general guidelines to prepare for the "Betty Ford Home Improvement Institute:"

1. Provide your house with top quality building materials. Consume less animal products and processed foods, eat more fresh whole organic fruits and vegetables.

2. Water your lawn. Drink more purified water to flush toxins and increase circulation.

3. Walk your dog. Get at least 30 minutes of heavy breathing every day (walk, jog, yoga, etc.)

4. Decorate your den. Eat a whole food supplement (blue-green algae, wheatgrass, etc.) everyday.

5. Enjoy your view. Relax and take some quiet time for 30 minutes a day (meditate, read, etc.)

Even incorporating one of these suggestions into your daily routine will make a world of difference. Pursuing all of them will surely prepare you for the next level of rejuvenation. It is important to note that a detox may have many benefits, but it is a process. The body will have to go through a phase of deconstruction before a foundation can be laid to convert your tenement into a temple.

These are some common uncomfortable detox symptoms that occur during a healing crisis: flu like symptoms, skin eruptions, headache, fatigue, gas, nausea and bad breath. The severity of these symptoms is dependent upon your level of toxicity and sensitivity. You will be giving yourself the opportunity to release years of physical and emotional abuse. These symptoms are only a short-term inconvenience, but a sure indication of much needed home improvement. This holiday season after giving to all of your friends and loved ones you deserve to receive some personal attention. A detox or cleanse can become a seasonal gift that brings a sense of well being. Investing some time in purification is a health assurance program. It builds a feeling of empowerment so that you may be prepared to overcome even life's highest hurdles. Going on a detox may not get you the cover of the National Enquirer, but it will make your body feel like a celebrity.