SO WHAT’S UP WITH THE WOVEN BELT?
The Skeptical Husband’s 10 day cleanse (and graphic overshare) is finished. Interestingly, the gentle cleanse I initially recommended for him always works for me and does not have the same side effects of the hard core cleanse. It goes to show that what works for one may not work for another. This has me thinking, when it comes to your health it’s best to first reach for the safer, more natural options that have the least amount of side effects. Then, go for the more hard core options (like OTC and prescription drugs) if all else fails.

So to recap, why would I subject The Skeptical Husband to a cleanse? Studies show that modern day humans have hundreds of toxic chemicals hanging out in their bodies. A detoxing cleanse can accelerate the rate of removal of these toxins that can cause disease. Cleanses also can help with regularity and assist with weight loss, which The Skeptical Husband confirms. Here are a few of the other benefits that have been cited regarding cleanses: more energy, improved mood, better digestive system, clearer complexion, better circulation, higher libido and improved concentration. A great reason to do a cleanse is to kick start a new healthier you and leave behind habits which are no longer serving you. 

Several people have asked - what’s up with that woven belt? Well, proponents of cleansing claim that the woven belt, also known as the mucoid plaque or mucoid rope, is a combination of harmful mucus-like material and food residue that they say coats the gastrointestinal tract of most people and can be removed by a cleanse. On the other hand, many western physicians say that detoxifying cleanses claiming to remove mucoid plaque are a hoax. They say that the residue expelled from people who consume these products is a result of the ingredients in the cleanse rather than any sort of pathologic plaque. Looks like there's a dispute on this one, and you'll have to decide for yourself.

Lastly, I also want to point out that if you plan to do a hard core cleanse or take any supplements, it would be very wise to consult a professional (ideally a naturopath) who is familiar with your full health history. They can suggest the best products and dosages for you, inform you of any potential side effects of recommended supplements, and will know whether a particular supplement could interfere with anything else you are taking.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE WOVEN BELT


First, did The Herbal Remedy Wife say a cleanse would increase your libido? Alright, next time we're doing a couples cleanse.


But I digress a bit, back to what everyone is fascinated about - the mysterious woven belt. 


I'm not totally sure, but I think the woven belt is probably just the combination of the husk, thistle and bark, in a semi-solid form.  You can actually start to see the husk expand when you mix it in the juice if you don't drink it fast enough. So I'm guessing that the husk expands inside your intestines the same way. I also did some internet research and found a comment from a coroner, who said that he conducted many post-mortem examinations and never saw a mucioud rope. But if it wasn't the husk, thistle and bark, there is a good chance that the woven belt was a nasty Mexican tapeworm I contracted after I ate some funky pork in Tijuana once. 

A few people have asked some other questions about the rope.  Like, did it hurt coming out? No. Actually, it sort of felt good. If fact, this might sound odd, but going to the bathroom during the entire cleanse felt refreshing. With the previously mentioned jalapeno incident being the obvious exception. 

Let me ask you a question - have you ever gone to the bathroom and you felt like you just didn't get the job done? You know what I'm saying?  You go to the bathroom and you feel like you haven't given a complete deposit.  Well, I never felt like that during the hard core cleanse.  I always felt like I had given a 100% of what I had to give. I am just speculating on this, but I think it probably felt refreshing to go to the bathroom during the cleanse because of the additional fiber I consumed during the process.  

It's true - I don't get enough fiber in my normal diet. So if there is one thing I can take away from this cleanse it's this: I can get more fiber in my diet without too much trouble by simply adding a couple of tablespoons of husk, AKA psyllium, to a glass of water or juice.

Now, I consider myself to be a fairly educated person. I don't have a Ph.D. from MIT or anything, but I have read the complete canon of Nick Hornby books and I am familiar with the entire Elvis Costello songbook. But when The Herbal Remedy Wife starts talking about naturopaths, I have to confess - I have no idea what she is talking about. She probably feels the same way when mention why Harry Redknapp is the right man for the England job or when I try to explain the offsides rule.  

WHAT IS A NATUROPATH?

Since you asked Skeptical Husband, a naturopath is a medical practitioner who emphasizes preventative health and treats injuries and illnesses through natural remedies. They discourage the use of drugs or surgery, but will refer a patient to other practitioners to treat certain conditions. 
Great news! As a very special Valentine’s gift, I am taking The Skeptical Husband to an event where he'll meet naturopathic doctors who will teach him about hormone balancing, injectable nutrition, weight loss, and healthy foods and supplements to nourish the body. Look for his review of this experience next week!   


INJECTABLE NUTRITION?



Where exactly would I inject this injectable nutrition? I can only think of one place. Yeah, I don't like the sound of this.