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Toxic Roulette – A New Health Challenge – part two

Written by Emma Lane

In part one of this blog, I explained the sources of toxicity and some of the symptoms to look out for, as well as how the body detoxes and what nutrients are needed for this process. Now we’ll take a look at what the toxic offenders are and how best to detoxify your body.

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, antiperspirants, 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 other 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. 

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 be removed from the body more quickly and efficiently. 

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. You can view and purchase a variety of binders from Holistics Online https://www.holisticsonline.com

What can you do to improve your capacity to detoxify?

  • Limit exposure to harmful chemicals.
  • Eat organic food and beverages. Avoid commercial and GMO’s
  • 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 VOC’s and mycotoxins in 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, raw nuts and seeds.
  • Eat appropriate levels of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, kale and cauliflower.
  • Asparagus, watermelon and 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 very supportive and helpful in regards to managing and reducing your toxic load and many can be easily utilised at home.

One of my favorite detox supports which I do twice weekly is the moor mud baths because it has high levels of Fulvic acids contained 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 mechanism 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 pack’s

It can be very disheartening to realize you have almost nowhere to go in order to avoid toxins in your daily life, food, and home. However there are a great many things you can do to support yourself in this toxic world that will reduce your exposure and therefore help avoid you becoming a toxic symptomatic sick individual. Follow the guidelines above in your everyday life and utilize the support supplements recommended.

Emma is the founder and director of the Lane Wellness Group. She is recognized as one of the UK’s leading holistic health and lifestyle experts and has trained extensively in Europe and America. With over 25 years of industry experience, Emma is qualified to practice across a wide range of natural health sciences including naturopathy, naturopathic nutrition and functional medicine.

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References

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

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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. 2011;4:145-148. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S23110

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. 2012; 74(4):427-431.

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935118300355