302 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TOALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
The Absolute Minimum
■ Most physicians agree: There’s nothing like a nice hot (or cold) bath. By pro-
moting sweating to draw out toxins from the skin, altering the flow of blood
through the body, and easing breathing, bathing can not only remove
health-threatening agents, but also promote a deeper feeling of relaxation
and well-being.
■ Proponents of colon hydrotherapy argue that flushing material from the
large intestine reduces the stress that digestion and environmental toxins put
on the body. Colonic cleansing should always be performed by a professional.
■ Chelation therapy uses a synthetic amino acid, EDTA, to binds to and remove
heavy metals from the bloodstream. Its proponents, including the physicians
who must administer the treatments, believe that it detoxifies and balances
the cardiovascular systemResources
■ American Board of Chelation Therapy
http://www.abct.info
■ American College for Advancement in Medicine
http://www.acam.org
■ International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy
http://www.i-act.org