Since this thread has been dredged up by a spammer I'll state my opinions on "detoxes". I think if one's usual diet is "dairy, caffeine and processed foods" and "sugar, alcohol, caffeine, gluten and animal products" as some "famous people" report, then one probably needs a "detox". Or at least to eliminate those toxic substances from one's diet for a week or more. If the usual diet is high in fresh and mostly raw veggies, some fruit, and some high quality protein with none of the unhealthy stuff then a "detox" will never be necessary. The most I ever do to detox is to use raw garlic for a few days and ensure my water intake is sufficient. I expect there are some parasites attached to fresh imported produce which is why I like to use raw garlic occasionally. If I have no parasites the garlic probably won't hurt and I like the flavor anyhow. I try to use "food as my medicine".

And at the end of that abstract, this appears: "research needs such as quantification of individual Taraxacum constituents and assessment of their pharmacological activities in humans have briefly been outlined." Translation: we don't know what pharmacologic effects, good or bad, these compounds may have in humans. Research needs to be done. Preliminary studies in mice and rats are fine. The danger is in 1) assuming that any results can be generalized to humans (hopes in this regard have been dashed many times) 2) assuming that something safe in rats and mice will be safe in humans (another assumption that has fallen flat on prior occasions). Another big problem here is making the assumption that revving up a particular enzyme system is necessarily going to be a good thing. Is there a reason we evolved to have a particular level of that enzyme? What might be the negative consequences of greatly increasing its activity? As of right now, if we are to guess that dandelion extracts greatly increase activity of this drug metabolizing enzyme in humans, does that mean that dandelion or its extracts should not be components of teas containing other herbal medicines, because they'll be metabolized so fast they won't get a chance to work? We are currently having second thoughts about supplementation with antioxidants, after it was discovered that extra vitamin E may not only be ineffective in curbing heart disease and prostate cancer, there's a chance it may increase health risks. "Here are two of the main arguments used to dismiss the idea of detoxes: 1) none of the people talking about detox can describe what these mysterious toxins are, 2) none of the people who believe in detox can show how an herb would help the body eliminate them." This is only partly correct. I'd restate this as: 1) The great majority of things that people fear as "toxins" are not toxins at all, at least in the amounts to which we are exposed. 2) What's left over is efficiently disposed of by our livers, kidneys etc. assuming we're not seriously ill. 3) the people who promote "detoxification" cannot show that their products/potions/programs remove "toxins", i.e. there is no clinical evidence supporting their use. 4) the "cleansing" programs themselves can be harmful. 5) Real toxins (for instance, heavy metals in high concentration) can be removed i.e. by chelation, but this is not something commercial supplements and "cleanses" can accomplish, but is rather a job for trained medical professionals. Dandelion is an interesting and useful herb. What's been presented here, however, does not justify the claims of the "cleanse/detox" industry. Lastly, I'm gratified to see a civil response to my previous post. I'm sure brendan would be pleased too. ;)

>> "No form of vinegar changes body pH or has any effect on toxins. The body's natural processes, mediated largely through the liver and kidneys, eliminate waste products and toxic substances." It's as if you are still rejecting the efficacy of Cinchona bark for treating malaria because the Amazonian Indians haven't discovered the formula for the quinine it contains. Instead, they say that the bark of the Cinchona tree contains the spirit of the God Xohopichulato, which destroys the evil spirit that causes malaria. If you want to rest in your beliefs that there is no Xohopichulato and therefore Cinchona cannot help with malaria, fine. Just don't pretend it is science. It is arrogant ethnocentrism, not scientific empiricism. Your arguments are based on an arbitrary and artificial definition of the word 'toxin'. You are ignoring the fact that ordinary substances can build up to toxic levels under many conditions - for example, glucose can build up to toxic levels when there is insulin resistance. In such a case, anything that reduces insulin resistance or lowers glucose levels would in fact be a 'detoxification' process. Likewise, immune hormones like the interferons and interleukins are necessary under certain conditions, but at higher doses (ie when there is infection or chronic inflammation) they often cause side effects that range from unpleasant to lethal. In SARS, H5N1 bird flu, and other killer influenzas, the body's immune system destroys the body. Immune hormones that might sometimes be beneficial are produced at toxic levels. This is quite different from your idea of metabolic toxins that are normally handled by the kidneys and liver. The short chain fatty acids present in vinegar (acetate, proprionate, butyrate) have been repeatedly shown to lower inflammatory cytokines (which have been implicated as a contributor to migraines). These simple compounds also affect levels of leptin, adiponectin and other compounds that regulate glucose, and there is research implicating this in the pathogenesis of migraines. You have stooped to pseudoscience by refusing to look at the evidence that vinegar can dramatically change certain chemicals in the body. You seem to take comfort in linguistic tautologies about 'toxins' that have little bearing on the underlying facts of the matter. Here is a link that might be useful: Glucose, Adiponectin, Immune Hormones and Migraine.

It is up to you, but the proper way is to toss jars and all. I am not trying scare tactics, just adding this for information, so you can have the facts. If anyone phoned in, this is what they would be told. We have to provide all the information. Liability is part of why we do this, as well as your safety. They should not be opened. The food should not be put down a disposal. I had one site saved that also stated that, but I can't find that one right now. It talked about not putting where animals could get the food, etc. We are now being told that a person can get botulism in a small cut or crack in the skin, not just eating the food. You will see that it considers tomatoes as "suspect" foods. A dishwasher cannot sterilize, only sanitize. Sterilization can only be done in boiling water for at least 10 min. Your dishwasher will not get to that temp. DETOXIFICATION Look closely at all jars of food before opening them. A bulging lid or leaking jar are signs of spoilage. When you open the jar, look for spurting liquid, mold, or an off odor. Do not taste foods that show signs of spoilage or foods from a jar with unsealed lids. All suspect jars of spoiled low-acid foods, including tomatoes, should be treated as containing botulism toxin. Handle spoiled foods in one of two ways: 1.Place sealed jars in a heavy garbage bag, close the bag, and place it in a regular trash container or bury it in a nearby landfill. 2.Detoxify unsealed, open, or leaking jars of food before disposal to prevent the spread of toxin. Detoxification process: Place suspect jars of food, including lids, on their sides in an 8-quart volume (or larger) stock pot. Wash your hands thoroughly. Add water to the pot to cover to a minimum of 1 inch above the containers. Do not splash the water. Place a lid on the pot, heat to boiling, and boil for at least 30 minutes to insure detoxification. Cool and discard the containers of food, including lids, in the trash or bury them in the soil. Scrub all counters, pots, and other equipment or utensils used in the process. Wash clothing and hands. Place sponges or wash cloths that were used in clean-up in a plastic bag and discard them in the trash. Here is a link that might be useful: How to detoxify.