Instructor: Paul Demeda CNP

Paul is dedicated to investigating, clarifying, and explaining important nutrition issues and concepts, and is a proponent of critical thinking in the context of health and published research. He is a nutrition educator and clinician with twenty years of experience teaching detoxification, mental health, and clinical nutrition to students and practitioners. 

Paul has taught core curriculum and continuing education courses at The Institute of Holistic Nutrition. As a Program Facilitator with the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine (ISOM), he develops and delivers educational programs that emphasize evidence-informed, nutrient-based approaches to health for both healthcare professionals and the public.

FORMAT: Weekly LIVE Q&A with 7 Self-Paced Pre-Recorded Lectures
LOCATION: Q&As on Zoom—Lecture links emailed direct to your inbox weekly
SESSIONS: 7 sessions | Weekly lecture release followed by group Q&A and discussion Wednesday at 7:00 pm ET for 60 minutes
DATES: 1 hour Orientation with Paul LIVE Monday July 6, 2026 at 7:00 pm ET (will be recorded and emailed to registrants as well)
First lecture release Tuesday July 7, 2026 12:00 pm noon ET
TIME: LIVE Q&A and discussions 7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern / 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Pacific
RECOMMENDED TEXT: Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murray ND & Joseph Pizzorno ND

FEE: $550 + HST
DIGITAL COURSE NOTES: $30 + GST
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday June 29, 2026

Course Description

This course delivers a practical, in-depth look at detoxification from a systems-based perspective. It examines the body’s detox processes, sources of toxic exposure, and the biological factors that influence detox capacity.

Drawing on practical tools and established clinical approaches from orthomolecular, integrative, and naturopathic medicine, this course prepares practitioners to develop safe, individualized detoxification plans.

This course is an updated and reorganized version of the Clinical Detoxification course Paul has taught through IHN for many years. It brings together knowledge gathered over decades from medical conferences, scientific literature, and Paul’s own research, organized into a clear, cohesive, and clinically practical structure.

 

Key Components of the Course

The Body’s Detoxification Systems

The liver as the central organ of detoxification and its system-wide dependencies
Phase I, II, and III detoxification pathways
Gastrointestinal function, bile flow, and enterohepatic circulation
Kidney, lungs, skin, and the lymphatic system
Brain detoxification and glymphatic clearance

Toxic Load: Sources & Burden

Environmental, dietary, occupational, and household exposures
Biotoxins, microbial metabolites, and endogenous waste products
Hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory metabolites
Cumulative toxic burden

Determinants of Detox Capacity

Nutrient sufficiency from an orthomolecular perspective
Energy metabolism and mitochondrial function
Redox balance, oxidative stress, and inflammation
Hormonal, nervous system, and circadian influences

Clinical Assessment & Readiness

Exposure and symptom history
Clinical patterns that suggest impaired detoxification
Drainage and elimination readiness
Identifying red flags and contraindications
Distinguishing expected detox reactions from adverse responses

Foundational Support for Detoxification

Exposure reduction as a primary clinical strategy
Nutrition as the foundation of detox support
Digestive function, bile flow, hydration, and elimination
Addressing constipation, sluggish lymph, and impaired drainage
Stress physiology and nervous system regulation

Targeted Detoxification Interventions

Food-based strategies that support detox pathways
Key nutrients and pathway-specific cofactors
Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and sulphur donors
Botanicals and binding agents
Sweating and other supportive strategies

Designing Individualized Detox Plans

Sequencing and pacing interventions
Matching intervention intensity to detox capacity
Short-term detox support versus long-term capacity building
Monitoring response and adjusting protocols

Session 1

DATE: TBD
MAIN CONCEPT: Introduction to Detoxification Systems
Students are introduced to core detoxification concepts, including how the body’s organs, tissues, and enzymes work together to process and eliminate toxins.

Session 2

DATE: TBD
MAIN CONCEPT: Detoxification Enzymes, Variability, and Toxin Exposure
This session continues the introduction to detoxification concepts with a detailed focus on Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 detoxification enzymes, individual variability in detoxification capacity, and how these differences influence toxin processing. Students are introduced to toxins, the effects of toxin exposure on the body, and key toxins of clinical relevance.

Session 3

DATE: TBD
MAIN CONCEPT: Toxin Exposure and Assessment
This session continues the exploration of important toxins while introducing methods for assessing toxin exposure, including general approaches to evaluating toxicity and an overview of toxin assessment strategies used by detoxification experts.
Session 4

DATE: TBD
MAIN CONCEPT: Toxin Exposure (continued)
Building on previous material, this session further examines important toxins and deepens understanding of how toxin exposures are assessed. Continued attention is given to general toxicity evaluation alongside assessment approaches used by detoxification experts.

Session 5

DATE: TBD
MAIN CONCEPT: Detoxification Protocols and Lymphatic Support
Protocols for addressing general toxicity, heavy metals, and other toxins are explored alongside detoxification approaches used by orthomolecular and functional medicine professionals. The role of the lymphatic system and its importance in supporting detoxification is also examined.

Session 6

DATE: TBD
MAIN CONCEPT: Advanced and Targeted Detoxification Protocols (continued)
Building on previous material, advanced and targeted detoxification protocols are explored, with continued focus on individualized approaches to supporting detoxification processes.

Session 7

DATE: TBD
MAIN CONCEPT: Advanced and Targeted Detoxification Protocols (continued)
Building on previous material, advanced and targeted detoxification protocols are further explored.

Access to Material:

THE DAY BEFORE the course starts registered students will receive an email with LINKS to:

— A copy of the complete Course Outline with test and assignment dates
— Zoom Login and Password
— Digital Course Notes/Power Point Presentation Session 1 of 7 followed by sessions 2 to 7 after the first class ends
— Every session’s replay will be sent to students before 12:00 noon Eastern, the next day
— Recordings remain LIVE for 2 months after the course ends
— Registrants are encouraged to join the course’s registrant discussion group

Can’t Make The Day & Time? We’ve Got You.
Learn Through Recordings!

If your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend classes in real time, join us through recordings. Many of our Continuing Education students are busy practitioners and professionals, balancing work, family and other commitments so we understand that flexibility is necessary. Replay access and completion options are arranged on a case-by-case basis to ensure you still receive the full educational value of the course and have engagement with the faculty member and other registrants. You also have the option to earn the Certificate of Completion if you’re able to complete the required test or assignment by the due dates.

If you’re interested in accessing replays or exploring flexible participation options with your schedule, please contact Julia Briski at julia@instituteofholisticnutrition.com for more information.

Please review IHN’s Online & In-Class Continuing Education Course/School Policies