Positive Health Online

Never before in human history have we been exposed to such high levels of toxins. In the past 70+ years we have radically altered our environment. Annually we dump 4-6 billion pounds of chemicals into the soils, rivers, oceans and air – from petrochemicals to pesticides, heavy metals and industrial waste products. All of which are toxic to living things, particularly interfering with the neurological and hormonal system.

Our bodies are exposed constantly to a barrage of toxins – for example the body naturally creates toxins on an hourly basis from the hormonal and metabolic by-products of bodily functions. Add in the obvious toxins such as smoking, alcohol and drugs and you can easily understand that we can build up a toxic load. However, what you may not be aware of, is the modern day threat to your health from toxic exposure to environmental pollutants and exposure to the 14,000 food chemicals within processed foods and medications.

These chemicals play a significant role in many of the products that we take for granted in modern society such as adhesives, ceramics, electronics, plastics and petroleum. Modern agriculture is an area where the use of specific chemicals has allowed for mass food production resistant to common pests. However, the impact of these chemicals on the environment and human health can be severe and lasting. Many of these foods, particularly mass-produced grain products, can also be contaminated with molds and mycotoxins (mold toxins). We have yet to fully uncover the long-term effects of these chemicals in our environment, in our food and in our bodies.

We absorb toxins from the air we breathe, the food and drinks we consume and through our skin from the body care products we apply. The exposure to these toxins is not small, we come into contact with many hundreds of chemicals on a daily basis – it’s no wonder our bodies are stressed and we regularly exhibit signs of toxicity.

Sources of Toxins

Some Symptoms of Toxicity

• Mental Fog
• Poor concentration
• Acne
• Headaches or migraines
• Inflammation
• Lack of Energy
• Weight Gain
• Constipation/Digestive complaints
• Skin rashes
• Dark circles under the eyes

How the Body Detoxifies

The effects of overeating, the sluggishness of our systems due to poor exercise habits and our lack of water consumption is not helping us reduce our toxic load. The liver, a primary organ of detoxification, has to work harder now than at any other time in history. 80% of detoxification is done by the liver, along with the immune system. The liver identifies foreign substances and then transforms them and prepares them for elimination.

It turns harmful toxins into water-soluble intermediate chemicals, then, through different metabolic pathways according to the type of toxin, amino acids, sulfur, and other natural substances. It binds (conjugate) to the toxins so that they can be eliminated.

If the nutrients needed to conjugate the toxins are in low supply, the toxin recirculates as new toxins that are frequently more toxic then the original substance. Supporting your liver and gallbladder is very important. , You can do this by incorporating the foods listed below into your regular diet supported by  therapeutic supplements .https://www.holisticsonline.com/gastrointestinal/liver-and-gallbladder

Nutrients for Detoxification

Nutrients Needed for Detoxification

• Sulphur (cruciferous vegetables, onions, garlic, eggs)
• Protein (fish, bone broth, meat, gelatin)
• Vitamin B6 (avocado, bananas, walnuts)
• Vitamin C (Brussel sprouts, citrus fruits, peppers, raw cabbage)
• Vitamin E (beef, egg yolk, hazel nuts, sunflowers)
• Selenium (celery, eggs, fish, garlic, kidney, liver, mackerel)
• Antioxidants (fruit, vegetables)
• Zinc (shellfish, lamb, sunflower & pumpkin seeds)

When toxins are being eliminated free radicals are produced, which must then be cleared. The antioxidants found mainly in fruit and veg, disarm these harmful oxidants and therefore it is important to eat a rainbow diet on a daily basis, especially when removing toxins.

Effective Drainage is Essential

Detoxification is not completed unless the release of free-flowing toxins are eliminated from the body. The process of moving a free-flowing toxin through to its final elimination is called drainage.

Several important factors must work together to promote effective drainage. Improving the efficiency of elimination organs and enhancing circulation/blood/ lymphatic flow are key components of maximizing drainage.

Drainage can be stimulated through the use of certain homeopathic remedies such as-PCI detox drops (https://www.holisticsonline.com/detoxification/detox/pci-detox-package ), and through the improvement of the biochemical terrain of the body using targeted nutritional cofactors such as the Ultimate Body Detox kit – (https://www.holisticsonline.com/detoxification/detox/ultimate-body-detox)

Effective drainage plays a vital role in recovery from both acute and chronic conditions. A lack of adequate drainage may itself be the reason for many symptoms as the body struggles to eliminate free-flowing endo/exotoxins.

Failing to eliminate these toxins from the body and from the extracellular matrix can lead to systemic toxicity, which ultimately results in damage to internal organs or tissues. It can also lead to a compromised immune system. If adequate drainage does not occur during detox therapy the released toxins may end up settling in a new site, leading to a phenomenon referred to as the “Toxic Ping-Pong Effect”. This occurs when the toxins are bounced around from one binding site to another without leaving the body.

Ultra Binder

The Number 1 Detox Mistake is NOT Using a Binder when Detoxing

• Not using a binder when detoxing will increase the likelihood of herxeimer (detox) reactions like fatigue, brain fog, headache and nausea. 
• Detox symptoms can occur when toxins are mobilizing out of tissue storage sites into the bloodstream. They can begin causing problems if the body cannot remove them fast enough or cannot remove them at all.
• Binders aid the body in the detox process by absorbing toxins so they can more quickly and successfully be removed from the body. 
• Binders are effective for detoxing heavy metals, environmental toxins, chemicals, mycotoxins, endotoxins and  metabolic by-products. 
• A number of different binders exist, each with different properties and with some exhibiting increased affinity toward different toxins. (https://www.holisticsonline.com/detoxification/detox-binders)

Some of the Toxic Offenders

Heavy metals are prevalent in the environment and our homes. They include lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.  These toxins can leak into your body and build up in the brain if the immune system is compromised, the kidneys are not functioning properly, or if you have leaky gut. Research shows that heavy metals increase levels of chemically-altered molecules called ROS (reactive oxygen species) in the brain. ROS cause damage to brain cells, including cell aging and death. ROS are also considered a factor in the early development of Alzheimer’s.

Your body can filter out excessive heavy metals. However, if your organs or drainage systems are not working optimally, or if there is a buildup of heavy metals in the body, it may struggle to expel them efficiently. This can lead to them being absorbed into soft tissues.

Excessive heavy metals can even create an imbalance in your gut and a compromised gut has been connected to a variety of diseases, including cancer, as well as to decreasing brain function, depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. 

Sources of heavy metals include drinking water, vaccines, paints, pesticides, antiperspirant, dental fillings, seafood, prescription medications, household products, air pollution, treated wood, cosmetics, lotions, and fragrances.

Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals present in solids and liquids that easily vaporize and turn into gases. You are exposed to them through the air and skin. VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, eye, throat or respiratory irritation, vision problems, nausea, fatigue, loss of coordination, and memory impairment. 

Chronic exposure to VOCs increases the risk of cancer, as well as damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. 

Concentrations of VOCs are often 10 times higher indoors. They are extremely common in homes, due to the large number of sources. Of the 400-plus VOC compounds identified in the home, 200 of them are found in carpeting. 

Other sources of these toxins are furnishings, paints, pressed wood and plywood, particleboard, cleaning liquids, new plastics, varnish, shampoo and cosmetics, air fresheners, burning of tobacco products, wood, electronics, moth repellent, and dry cleaning. 

Dioxins have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, thyroid dysfunction, birth defects, developmental problems in children, reproductive disorders, rash, increased death from cardiovascular disease, immune system damage, alterations in liver function, changes in eye function, higher serum lipid and cholesterol, and a higher risk of diabetes.

Dioxins are very toxic chemicals that are everywhere in our environment. They are formed in nature by fire, however the advance of industry has dramatically multiplied the presence and concentrations, worldwide.

Dioxins are a ‘persistent’ toxin, meaning they do not biodegrade well and therefore remain in the environment for very long periods of time.

Dioxins are released through commercial or municipal waste incineration, burning of rubbish and debris in the garden (bonfire week sees a substantial increase in Dioxins), production of pesticides and herbicides and other chemical processes, smelting, chlorine bleaching of pulp and paper, the dismantling and recycling of electronic products, and the use of fuels, such as wood, coal, or oil. Small amounts are found in cigarette smoke. Drinking water can also become contaminated by dioxins. 

What can you do to Improve your Capacity to Detoxify?

• Limit exposure to harmful chemicals.
• Eat organic food and beverages. Avoid commercial and GMOs
• Avoid using forms of plastic with food, the plastic contains toxic compounds which leaches into the food.
• Drink appropriate levels of clean water  to help flush the toxins through
• Drink purified water in glass bottles, not plastic bottles, which may contain Dibutylphthalates and Biosphenol A (BPA)
• Install a whole house water filtration system.
• Move regularly throughout the day to help pump and drain toxins
• Clean your home environment with natural cleaning agents.
• Buy materials and home accessories that are less toxic; hardwood flooring that is laid without glue, organic cotton bedding, or lead-free glassware.
• Use a True HEPA air filter so you are reducing inhalation of VOCs and mycotoxins from your home
• Clean out and service your heating and air conditioning regularly.
• Use clean organic body care items
• Clean the dust in your home.
  • Dust contains high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mycotoxins.
• Don’t use a microwave.
• Don’t cook or fry foods in non-stick pans which are coated with chemicals.
• Limit alcohol intake
• Eat only wholesome, organic, grass fed, wild fresh foods using the rainbow effect.
• Eat a balanced diet of all food groups; protein, good fats, grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and raw nuts and seeds.
• Eat appropriate levels of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts kale and cauliflower.
• Asparagus, watermelon, broccoli are good sources of glutathione, an important substance involved in liver detox.
• Use detoxification support supplements https://www.holisticsonline.com/detoxification 

Very Important Additional Support Mechanism

Your body needs all the help it can get in today’s toxic world and the following practices, treatments and approaches are all helpful in managing and reducing your toxic load and many can be easily used at home.

One of my favorite detox supports which I do twice weekly is the moor mud bath because it has high levels of Fulvic acids within the algae like mud solution.

Fulvic acid is a very small molecule of low molecular weight and it penetrates the cell membrane and mitochondria. Therefore Fulvic acid's small molecular weight coupled with the fact that it is water soluble at all pH levels, makes it superior for working in the body to deliver nutrients (minerals), and bring antioxidant benefits. Fulvic acid has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties so is very beneficial for skin and very importantly Fulvic acid bonds to and removes cellular waste products, toxins and heavy metals. So a relaxing bath is giving you a myriad of benefits. Other support mechanisms that are very beneficial are:

• Regular movement throughout the day – at least one hour combined per day.
• Far infra-red sauna
• Lymphatic drainage massage / Skin brushing
• Rebounding
• Therapeutic baths
  • Moor mud - https://www.holisticsonline.com/detoxification/detox/moor-mud
  • Magnesium
• Chi machines
• Ionic foot bath
• Therapeutic Coffee enemas - https://www.holisticsonline.com/detoxification/detox-support/gerson-coffee
• Castor oil Pacs

It can be very disheartening to realize that toxins are everywhere around you in your daily life. However there are a great many things you can do to support yourself and reduce your exposure including building these guidelines into your everyday behaviour.

References

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“Body Burden – The Pollution in Newborns” Environmental Working Group. Retrieved on January 2, 2008 at 80m from http://archive.ewg.org.reports/bodyburden2

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Hubbard Ron, Clean Body Clear Mind, Edition 1, ISBN:1-57318-224-9

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Rogers Sherru. Detoxify or Die, Edition 1, ISBN: 1-887202=04-8

Statham Bill, The Chemical Maze, Edition 2, ISBN: 095785352-1

Statham Bill, What’s Really in Your Basket, Edition 1, ISBN: 978-1-84024-607-0

Winter Ruth, A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, Edition 1, ISBN:0-609-80367-0.

Winter Ruth, A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, Edition 5, ISBN: 0-609-80366-2

Xandria Williams, Liver Detox Plan, Edition 1, ISBN:978-0091816773

Gandy J. J., Meeding J. P., Snyman J. R., Van Rensburg C. E. Phase 1 clinical study of the acute and subacute safety and proof-of-concept efficacy of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid. Clin. Pharmacol. 4, 7-11. 10.2147/CPAA.S25784. 2012.

Chien et al. Fulvic acid attenuates homocysteine-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human monocytes. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 15:61 DOI 10.1186/s12906-015-0583-x.  2015. https://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-015-0583-x 

Fujita, K.; Nagamine, Y.; Ping, X.; Taniguchi, M. Mode of Action of Anhydrofulvic Acid against Candida utilis ATCC 42402 under Acidic Condition. J Antibiot (Tokyo).;52(7):628-34. doi: 10.7164/antibiotics.52.628. PubMed PMID: 10513842. Jul  1999.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10513842

Gandy JJ, Snyman JR, van Rensburg CE. Randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid in topical treatment of eczema. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.4:145-148. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S23110. 2011.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3173016/

Kinoshita, H.; Kinoshita, M.; Takahashi, A.; Yuasa, S.; Fukuda, K. Effect of fulvic acid on ultraviolet induced skin aging. The effect of fulvic acid on fibroblasts and matrix metalloproteinase. Nishinihon Journal of Dermatology. 74(4):427-431. 2012.  https://keio.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/effect-of-fulvic-acid-on-ultraviolet-induced-skin-aging-the-effec

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