Recent longevity research underscores that epigenetics (how our environment influences gene expression) plays a more decisive role than genetics alone. Our external exposures, collectively known as the exposome, can disrupt biological balance, with a significant share of these exposures contributing to toxicity. This makes daily support of the body’s detoxification systems essential for long-term health.
“Any conversation regarding detoxification should start by saying that our body is actually able to do it on its own, nothing can improve on nature,” says Dr. Anna Marie Olsen, regenerative medicine expert and Associate Professor at UCL and the National University of Singapore. “An optimally working body detoxifies constantly but we are now receiving more toxins than we are genetically designed to deal with, so we must use a range of disciplines to support it.”
The primary focus of effective detoxification must be in supporting liver function to process and eliminate toxins from the body and reinforcing the gut barrier to prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream. Biotransformation helps a well-functioning liver inactivate toxins, converting them from lipid-soluble into a water-soluble form that can be eliminated.
Studies show that gut barrier strength is fundamental to the body’s toxic load because when heavy metals, air pollution and nitrates are inhaled, they are deposited in the gastrointestinal tract. This can trigger gut dysbiosis, reducing the gut microbiota’s ability to metabolize, and increasing gut permeability, which then permits larger toxin molecules to directly enter the bloodstream.
The gold standard of detoxes are intensive and investigative; a week spent with Chenot enables a profound understanding of a person’s individual toxic load, enabling each system to be overhauled accordingly. The detox protocols take a systemic view – combining diagnostics, cellular therapies, and lifestyle interventions to increase chemical resistance, reduce the toxic load and restore biological balance.
However, small-scale lifestyle interventions can also help protect our cells and ourselves.
FASTING
Studies show that fasting for a 24hr period lowers inflammation and reduces oxidative stress in cells. Juice cleanses, switching to periodic plant-based eating and cyclical calorie restriction also allow the gut to rest and improve the composition of its microbiome.
“Centuries before we had any scientific data, people observed the benefits of cleansing the body internally by reducing food. In fact, it’s the one practice that all religions have in common,” says Dr. Olsen.
HYDRATION
Only if there’s enough fluid can we flush out harmful toxins. Yet it’s not just about how much water we drink, rather the quality of what we’re drinking. “While filtered water is great, hydrogenenriched water accelerates not only hydration levels, but the body’s detoxification processes as well. Some traditions, such as Ayurveda, also suggest that drinking water close to body temperature can improve absorption and ease digestive strain.” Herbal and nutritional supplements, such as artichoke extract and chicory water, also boost bile flow and liver efficiency.
SUPPLEMENTATION
Cruciferous vegetables, flax seeds, olive oil, green tea and turmeric are all welldocumented as aiding toxic elimination, while vitamin infusions – including B-complex, amino acids, glutathione, vitamin C and zinc – open the body’s detox pathways from all the major organ systems. Typically administered intravenously in a clinical setting such as Chenot centers, bespoke protocols of clinically dosed nutraceuticals can also be prescribed.
SUNSHINE
As a continuation of Harvard’s highly acclaimed VITAL Study, the University of Zurich conducted research to evaluate how much lifespan and healthspan could be improved through a daily regimen that combines an increased intake of Omega-3s, Omega-6s, and vitamin D, along with 30 minutes of walking. The results published earlier this year in Nature revealed a 10% increase in both healthspan and lifespan. This notable improvement is attributed in part to the role of Vitamin D and omega fatty acids in supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes.
BREATHING
According to a recent global consensus, the best longevity biomarker of biological age is VO₂ Max – the maximum amount of oxygen your body can absorb and use during exercise. “The main thing we can do today to optimize our lungs is breathing exercises. When we’re stressed, we breathe shallowly, and don’t take in enough oxygen.” Breathing more slowly and deeply infuses fresh oxygen into tissue, stimulates blood flow and boosts the lymphatic system to eradicate toxins from the body more effectively, with the positive side effects of reducing inflammation and calming down stress levels.
REST
It’s during the deep stages of sleep that the brain activates the lymphatic system to clear out metabolic waste and neurotoxins. “A tired body prioritizes keeping us healthy over detoxification. Quite often, though, the only thing our body needs to return to a state of efficient detoxification is rest,” Dr. Olsen assures.
SKINSPAN
Skin is our first layer of defense against a toxic world so we should be prolonging our skinspan and supporting barrier strength. “Skin is our main protection for any exterior toxin or aggressor; 90% of what skin does is protect toxins from coming in. Exfoliation with a blend of crystal sugar, Himalayan salt, and avocado removes outer cells, helping the skin to perform better as a barrier to the toxic exposome attacking daily.”
MICROPLASTICS
One of the main drivers of modern cellular intoxication is microplastic accumulation. Microplastics are ubiquitous and entirely unavoidable, so the best defense is to support the five organs associated with detoxification. The liver, kidneys, lungs, gut and lymphatic system are all highly effective waste disposal systems, but medical papers now show our liver and kidneys work slower every decade of our life after age thirty. Reducing coffee and alcohol intake as well as removing salt and sugar from our diet improves liver function. Dr. Olsen also recommends a focused detox once a year, with more frequent detoxes as you grow older.
DIGITAL DETOX
Blue light emitted from the screens of electronic devices suppresses melatonin secretion, making it harder for the body to enter sleep mode. Avoiding screen exposure for at least an hour before bed prevents circadian rhythms from becoming interrupted and promotes the consistent resting patterns required for essential nocturnal detox processes. Initial research shows this also has positive ramifications for the gut–brain axis, which is heavily influenced by circadian rhythms.
What we breathe, swallow, eat, stress over, even the origin of our water, all tallies up to toxic load, so even the simplest daily acts can have a positive domino effect. Genome testing deciphers the body’s unique detoxification capabilities to create the most accurate plan for the bestpossible approach.
According to Dr. Olsen, “Sunshine, hydration, breathing, and strength-ening your muscles every single day, works for everyone. You don’t even have to want to live to 150, if you want to be your best self in the moment. Detoxification must be the cornerstone of any positive lifestyle because the removal of debris and toxins is a pillar of long-term health.”
Detox & Reset
Indurre una profonda purificazione e disintossicazione dell’organismo per eliminare le tossine, aumentare la vitalità, ripristinare i livelli di energia e riequilibrare la fisiologia.
CHF 5’500
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Rilassa il cervello, rivitalizza il corpo: il programma Recover & Energize di Chenot riduce lo stress cronico e l’affaticamento e ripristina livelli di energia ottimali.
CHF 6’400
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Il programma di miglioramento della salute intenso che combina la nostra disintossicazione esclusiva con un ringiovanimento ad alto impatto per ritardare l’inizio dell’invecchiamento biologico.
CHF 7’100
Diagnostics & Optimisation
Diagnostica medica e test funzionali all’avanguardia per una panoramica precisa ed efficiente in termini di tempo sull’impatto delle scelte quotidiane sulla salute.
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