Why Lemons?

They are yellow, juicy, and yes, sour!

I remember when I peeled my first one as a kid and bit into it, (you know the face)!

I thought it was going to taste like an orange…but, it didn’t! 

But, we weren’t allowed to swear.

Then, fast forward, your mom starts squeezing them, adds some water and sugar and the magic happens…

TA-DA–lemonade!

Lemonade stands became a staple in my neighborhood. And for me, that was my first real job, (outside of the home). I was able to get my sugar fix, make money, and have fun!

Then, when I turned 7 or 8, to be honest, lemons lost their zest (pun intended).

I moved on, and, that apathy continued in my teens and 20’s. I never really paid attention to them unless they were a spritz or accessory in my gin and tonic.

Then…I grew up!

Lemons have become a part of my daily routine

Once I started to really get passionate about health, diet, and cooking, lemons became an essential component in my cooking. But I still was not utilizing them to their full potential.

The real “Lemon Journey” (as I like to call it) started for my husband and me back in the early 2000s, when I became obsessed with health, hormones, and the prevention of disease and couldn’t read enough about it!

I was reading one of Suzanne Somers’ many books on health when I came across the doctor who started us on the “Lemon Journey.”

Suzanne has traveled the world to find the best doctors in their field and brings back a wealth of information on the newest technologies and treatments.

One of the doctors she interviewed for many of the books she has written, was Dr. Michael Galitzer M.D. who is a nationally recognized anti-aging expert and energy medicine pioneer, and was also one of my anti-aging doctors for many years.

We were so impressed with his way of thinking, his perspective, his breadth of knowledge, and his accomplishments, that we wanted to meet him in person and find out more.

So we packed our bags for vacation and doctor’s visits and went to his Los Angeles location.

After an amazing consultation and discussions of our bloodwork etc. One of the things he strongly recommended us to do other than removing our mercury fillings, (which we both did) was to drink lemon water EVERY morning on an empty stomach.

He called it liver drainage.* I had never heard that term before. I had heard of detox yes, not drainage.

I have a detailed explanation of what drainage* is at the end of this blog to show how important it is for our bodies to reset and eliminate toxic buildup.

Life-Changing

Since I started this Lemon water ritual, I have only missed maybe a few days since 2004.  I live in Mexico, and lemons are not always available, so then I would use limes instead which are also effective, but I just prefer the taste of lemons!

I admit I’m ADDICTED to it.  I don’t feel right if I miss a morning. So that’s how I start my day.

Top 5 Benefits

1. Liver Drainage* and Digestion

Every morning on an empty stomach, squeeze either half or one full lemon in 8-12 oz of room temperature water.  This helps to cleanse the liver of impurities and toxic overload that can cause indigestion, gas and bloating, and many other issues like constipation, diarrhea, and aches and pain.

2. Aids in Weight Loss

Adding lemon to water often throughout the day makes for a tart and refreshing beverage. It helps to hydrate and curbs appetite to help prevent bingeing on sweets or snacks throughout the day. Side benefit: it also freshens breath! See my post about weight loss here.

3. Boosts Your Immune System

Lemons contain high amounts of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and helps improve immune function by fighting off free radicals and preventing inflammation. Add ginger root and honey to your lemon water (preferably hot) and create a wonderful immune-boosting elixir. 

4. Helps Reduce Inflammation

The root of many diseases such as arthritis is inflammation. Free radicals lead to inflammation and uric acid build-up in the joints. Lemons’ anti-inflammatory properties fight free radicals and uric acid build-up that can cause us so much discomfort.

5. Fights Infections

Besides containing high amounts of vitamin C, lemons are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and known antioxidants. This gives them the ability to stave off inflammation and, at the same time, promotes and boosts the immune system and function. This combination keeps the body in the best position to fight off free radicals that can lead to infections.

*WHAT IS DRAINAGE?

**(excerpt by Dr. Alan Bradford ND)

Drainage is a gentle action that enables the body to eliminate toxins without aggression or pushing the body past its physiologic limits. It restores normal function to the primary and secondary emunctories, allowing the body to function as it is intended.

SOME KEY POINTS ABOUT DRAINAGE:

Drainage involves the cleansing of the body to enable it to self-regulate Drainage helps return the body to its intended state of health and vitalityDrainage gets rid of toxins that are both inside and outside our cellsDrainage therapy can be used in combination with other treatments and is not contraindicated with any medications

IS DRAINAGE FOR ME?

We live in a toxic world. We are constantly exposed to harmful chemicals in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and the personal and cleaning products we use. There are over 80,000 chemicals registered by the EPA. Nearly 4,000 of these are considered “high-use” chemicals. Only a small fraction of these chemicals have been evaluated for their toxic effects on adults and children.

Drainage is definitely for you if suffer from:

Fatigue, pain, or headaches
Mood changes including anxiety or depression
Brain fog and reduced memory
Nerve pain, tremors, or problems with balance
Immune system dysfunction
Digestive problems include bloating, constipation, gas, or nausea
Hormone imbalance
Skin problems

**Note:  Full article by Dr. Alan Bradford N.D.
The Difference Between Detoxification and Drainage