One of the hardest parts of healing is that it often asks us to do things that feel different from what we've been taught to believe. Many people come into this work carrying fears around food, especially around protein, muscle loss, energy, and whether a plant-based approach can truly support their body. These concerns are understandable. We have been conditioned to believe that more protein is always the answer, and that reducing animal foods will leave us depleted. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, however, healing is not simply about adding more nutrition. It is about creating the conditions for the body to restore balance. When the body is carrying a significant burden of inflammation, dampness, heat, toxicity, stagnation, pathogens, or an overworked liver, there are times when reducing the digestive load becomes more important than maximizing calories or protein intake. The body needs energy to heal, and digestion itself requires a tremendous amount of energy. A therapeutic cleansing phase is not intended to be a forever diet. It is a strategic season of healing. Just as a gardener must clear weeds before planting new seeds, sometimes the body requires a period of clearing before rebuilding. During this phase, we focus on foods that are easier to digest, rich in antioxidants, minerals, phytonutrients, and healing compounds that support the liver, gut, lymphatic system, and immune function. This is where many people discover something surprising: when inflammation decreases and cellular function improves, they often experience more energy, clearer thinking, better digestion, and greater resilience despite eating less animal protein than they previously believed necessary. The question is not simply, "Am I getting enough protein?" The deeper question is: "How much of the nutrition I am consuming am I actually absorbing, utilizing, and converting into health?" A body burdened by inflammation and dysfunction may struggle to effectively use even a high-protein diet. A body that is healing often becomes more efficient, more resilient, and better able to build and repair itself.

Hi everyone! Ashifa here from Toronto! This week I joined the Psoriasis protocol. I just received Medical Medium’s book “Cleanse to Heal” that Dr. Cmolik recommended I get to follow the cleanse. I’m assuming it’s the 3-6-9 cleanse as there are multiple cleanses in the book. Anyways wondering if anyone has done the 3-6-9 cleanse and has any best practices to share…especially from a meal prep perspective! Thanks in advance! 🙏🏽