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Diagnosing and Treating Toxicity
• Introduction
• Statistics
• 2005 Studies on Reproductive Disorders
• Symptoms of Toxicity
• Risk Factors
• How Our Bodies become Toxic
• What To Do about All This
Introduction
Ninety-five percent of the “dis ease” presented to me in my clinical practice is the result of one or more of the following:
- Dehydration or not drinking enough water
- Inappropriate and/or unhealthy diet
- Lack of restful sleep
- Lack of adequate exercise
- Poor stress adaptation and/or abuse of stimulants or alcohol
- Overuse of antibiotics and/or side effects of pharmaceuticals
The six ingredients listed above inevitably lead to toxicity. The body loses its ability to eliminate waste products effectively and efficiently, producing a myriad of symptoms such as headache, joint pain, recurring colds and flus, general exhaustion, depression and anxiety. These symptoms in turn can lead to more serious medical conditions.
Statistics
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- In 1982, the National Human Adipose Tissue Survey took tissue samples from all regions of the country; they found 5 chemicals in 100% of samples; 9 compounds were found in 98%.
- Compounds found included solvents used in manufacturing, pesticides including dioxin, fire retardant, and PCBs, known to be toxic to the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. A total of 20 toxic compounds were found in 76% of the samples.
- The Ontario College of Family Physicians recently completed ('04) a review of available literature on the health effects of pesticide exposure, and have made recommendations for health policy based on their findings. Highlights include:
- A leukemia study conducted in Montreal revealed 40% of children had a specific genetic vulnerability to pesticides (slow metabolizers).
- A Swedish cancer study revealed 3-7% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were directly attributable to pesticide exposure.
- We are all carrying toxic compounds in our adipose tissue, so the question is what effect is it having on our health?
Statistics from the Associated Press, December 26, 2003
- In March, California researchers reported that San Francisco-area women have three to 10 times as much chemical flame retardant in their breast tissue as European or Japanese women.
- Indiana University researchers reported at the same time that levels in Indiana and California women and infants were 20 times higher than those in Sweden and Norway, which recently banned flame retardant.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this year released data from 2,500 volunteers tested for 116 pollutants and found such chemicals as mercury, uranium and cotinine, a chemical broken down from nicotine.
- The CDC also reported that Mexican-American children were found to have three times the amount of a chemical derived from DDT compared with other children. Scientists suspect that Mexico and Latin American countries may still be using the banned chemical.
New Studies on Reproductive Disorders
Click here to read an article from The London Times discussing the effects of toxicity on reproductive disorders.
Symptoms of Toxicity
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- Constipation (less than 1 bowel movement/day)
- Chronic Headaches with or without nausea
- Adverse reactions to drugs, and opposite reactions to drugs
- Adverse reaction to caffeine, reduced clearance
- Decreased tolerance to alcohol and fumes such as paints, perfumes, gasoline
- Increased allergic reactions, asthma, rashes
- Neurotoxicity, i.e. tics, mood swings, headache, numbness, insomnia, and other symptoms not diagnosed as other disorders
- Many other chronic symptoms related to hormonal and immune function
- Certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Risk Factors
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- Previous history of smoking or secondhand exposure
- Current workplace exposure, i.e. painters, printers, beauticians, carpet and furniture manufacturing/sales, prefab homes
- Silicone breast implants
- Chemical use in gardening, farming, hobbies
- Ongoing use of pharmaceuticals compounded with other factors
- Consumption of commercial produce and animal products, fast food
- Micro waving food in plastic containers; eating from Styrofoam containers
- Use of nail polish and remover solvents
- Recreational drug use, which burdens the liver and kidneys
- Being exposed to the above during periods of increased stress
How Our Bodies become Toxic
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- We consume toxins through water, food, air, and in various environments. Compounds not broken down completely are stored in fat tissue (which happens to surround the kidneys and sexual organs) due to their fat-soluble nature. Some compounds enter brain tissue if small enough to pass through the blood-brain barrier. Pesticides designed to be neurotoxic to insects have a similar effect on us.
- Severe stress impacts our adrenal glands, making us more susceptible to implantation of toxic compounds. People typically manage stress by excessive drinking, drug use, junk food, and other abusive behaviors. Exercise and therapeutic communication are two examples of functional coping methods.
- Use of antibiotics deplete the healthy gut flora, resulting in decreased immune function and absorption of nutrition from foods consumed
- Some people are constitutionally (genetically) “poor eliminators.” These individuals have difficulty producing the natural types of discharges associated with cleansing, such as through the bowel, kidneys, skin, and lungs.
- We need to exercise at least 3 times a week to maintain our current health status, which helps us to release toxins through sweating and increased breathing as well as “reset” our adrenal glands by discharging stress. Many people do not exercise sufficiently to this effect and chronic cortisol and epinephrine secretion can eventually result in decompensated adrenal, thyroid, reproductive organ, neuronal, and immune function.
- Unfortunately, even when we exercise, eat organic foods, drink spring water, avoid known environmental toxins, and express our emotions freely, we may still become burdened due to genetic predispositions, unknown hazards, and unpredictable life events. Life is not fair or predictable, have you noticed?
What To Do about All This
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- Educate yourself about known hazards. Many online newspapers offer keyword article notification, i.e. will send you alerts to current relevant articles.
- Avoid or limit exposure to known toxins.
- Learn what kinds of foods are healthy for your body specifically.
- Eat fresh organic vegetables and fruits high in antioxidants daily.
- Exercise at least 3 times per week for 45 minutes, preferably outdoors.
- Acquire some sort of stress management technique that involves quieting the mind, such as meditation, yoga, qi gong, dance, or art therapy. Most importantly, practice regularly!
- Investigate cleansing, detoxification, and other therapeutic programs offered by educated, qualified professionals. Get evaluated for toxicity and aim to achieve your own highest vitality and well being.
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