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“Body burden”, “biomonitoring”, “xenobiotics”, and “persistent bioaccumlative toxicants”…These are just a few of the terms being bantered about when talking about detox and the many substances that assault our body every day. But are we really at risk with exposure to chemical toxins?[2]
The answer is a resounding YES!
A Chemical Nation—The Need for Detox
Over the past 100 years global industrialization has exploded all over the planet causing the creation and release of thousands of chemicals, metals, and toxins. PBT’s or persistent bioaccumlative toxicants have increased exponentially in the last century. Exposure to these substances has been associated with a number of negative health effects, impacting individuals both physically and mentally. Certain PBT’s are thought to be major contributors to conditions involving endocrine disruption, neurological disorders, reproductive issues, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Chemical exposure can also affect fetal and neonatal development if a mother is exposed to toxins.
Compounds including organochlorine pesticides, phthalates, bisphenol A, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers have been released into the environment for a number of years with measureable amounts of toxic concentrations.[8] In the United States alone, over 80,000 chemicals are registered for use, with another 2000 added every year. Burnout or “body burden” reflects the condition where measurable exposure and concentration of chemicals within the workplace, home, and natural environment accumulate over time, making the body toxic, or at the very least less functional.
How Toxicity Works
The body is a vast bionetwork of chemical messengers, regulatory systems and biomechanics designed to carry out a myriad of functions and processes automatically. When external exposure to toxic elements occurs, the body works to protect itself and correct any imbalances or negative effects. When the body’s natural healing processes cannot overcome these stressors, illness, disease, and damage may result.[1] Symptoms of disease, discomfort and dysfunction present through physical and mental disorders.
Dangerous Exposure and Cumulative Effects
Harmful toxins are everywhere. In our environment, at work, at home, and in the foods we eat, chemical substances are present.
Types of toxicity include acute and chronic poisoning. Acute poisoning occurs when poisoning happens over a relatively short period of time. Chronic poisoning involves exposure to toxic substances over a long period of time.
Environmental toxins include air pollution that introduces chemicals, biological materials and particle matter into the air we breath. With the advent of industry and manufacturing, air quality has suffered greatly, causing many health hazards and medical conditions for individuals.
Toxic air pollutants include benzene, found in gasoline, perchloroethylene, a dry cleaning chemical emitted from some dry cleaning facilities, and the solvent methylene chloride, used by several industries. Dioxin, asbestos, toluene, cadmium, mercury, chromium, and other lead compounds also pollute the air and adversely affect human beings.[12]
Workplace Toxins
Workplace toxins are categorized by the harm they cause. Acute, chronic, carcinogenic, reproductive, sensitizers, and irritants all cause varying levels of discomfort or disease. Occupational illnesses include skin diseases, respiratory conditions, headaches, and fatigue.[10]
Toxic exposure may occur by:
In the workplace chemical exposure most commonly occurs through inhalation or skin contact.[8]
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) or Tight Building Syndrome is a term relating to a collection of symptoms in individuals within a particular workspace. Initially, there is no identifiable origin of toxins, yet many individuals in the space report symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, eye, nose or throat irritation, dry cough, itching skin, concentration issues, fatigue, allergies, flu-like symptoms, and changes in personality. Problems with heating and air conditioning systems and ventilation, outgassing of building materials, mold, and light industrial chemicals contribute to sick buildings.[6]
Sick Home Syndrome
The inside of a home can be up to 50 times more toxic than the outside air caused by pollution. More than 900 chemical contaminates, particles, and biological materials can be ingested in the home through inhalation. These include carpet cleaners, oven cleaners, polishes, and air fresheners. Symptoms of sick home toxicity include sneezing, headaches, eye irritation, fever, chills, skin irritation, nosebleeds, and respiratory problems. Naturally occurring indoor pollutants also include mold, pet dander and dust mites.
Toxic Food
While food in and of itself usually does not have a toxic effect on human beings, chemicals including pesticides used in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and grains do. In order to protect growing crops from pestilence, weeds, and biological diseases, chemicals are applied to crops directly or are placed in soil. In the United States, acutely toxic organophosphates are heavily used.[5] Humans ingest foods treated with pesticides in the growing process.
Chemicals and metals abound in our environment every day. They make things convenient, less costly, immediate, and enjoyable. They also contribute to poor overall health, illness and disease in a number of ways.
The following conditions have been associated with toxicity involving one or more substance.
The Body’s Natural Detox Defense
Toxic agents may hamper the speed at which many natural functions occur. Heart rate may rapidly increase, causing sweating. Breathing may also be slowed or stopped altogether because of toxicity. Internally, when exposed to toxic elements or environments the body works hard to normalize itself. This is known as homeostasis.
When exposed to poisons the body reacts in a predictable manner to maintain this balance.
In nearly every case of poisoning, this chain of events occurs. The liver works overtime to filter out any impurities that might enter the blood. The colon contains beneficial microbes and bacteria that attack dangerous substances, and the kidneys flush toxins and waste from the body through urination.
Detox Through The Ages
Historically, water detox, or fasting was an important part of ancient Roman and Egyptian society. Thought to bring about inner peace, spiritual transformation or health benefits, detox has found its way back into modern society for many health-related reasons. Detoxification, also known as body cleansing works to rid the body of harmful toxins through dieting, fasting, excluding certain foods, colon cleansing, chelation therapy (to remove metals) or the removal of dental fillings.
In addition to the body’s own detox systems many methods may be used to release the body from harmful toxins. These vary and depend on the type of toxicity involved. Some detox programs include a detox diet, detox supplements, or enemas to remove impurities.
The following methods may be effective:
Nasal irrigation—A small pitcher called a neti pot is used to pass a saline solution from one nostril to another.
Why It’s Used
To rid the nose of irritants and pollution-related substances, foreign particles, viruses and bacteria. Decreases post nasal drip and congestion from colds. Thought to reduce sinus infections and sinus headaches.
Risks Involved
Excess fluid build-up in sinus cavities.
Detox diets—Liquid diets such as the Master Cleanse Diet combine the consumption of warm salt water, lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and laxative tea. Other detox diets consist of fresh fruits and vegetables or green smoothies.
Why It’s Used
Cleansing diets are used to gain energy, promote weight loss, or reduce symptoms of inflammation for conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Risks Involved
Some detox cleanses lack a balance of essential nutrients and may deplete the body’s electrolytes. They may disrupt natural intestinal flora, or the body’s acid-base balance as well. Fatigue or weakness can occur due to calorie restriction.
Intestinal cleansing—Products or kits generally combine high-fiber support through detox supplements consisting of enzymes or herbal formulas in addition to a laxative tea. They may also be accompanied with enema preparations or instructions how to create a home enema.
Why It’s Used
To rid the body of any parasitic activity, decrease bloating or constipation, increase energy or aid in proper digestion. Also used to jumpstart weight loss.
Risks Involved
Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, intestinal flora disruption, and bowel dysfunction.
Foot detox—Adhesive pads, worn on the bottoms of the feet collect impurities drawn from the body through the pores. Pads are either worn while asleep or when feet are submersed in a footbath.
Why It’s Used
To eliminate toxins and metals from the body.
Risks Involved
No adverse health risks are reported.
Oxygen detox—Concentrated oxygen (85%-95%) is inhaled through a nasal tube or mask.
Why It’s Used
To boost the body’s immune function, increase energy, improve cognition, and relieve headaches.
Risks
Pure oxygen inhalation poses little risk, however flavored or scented oxygen may contain ingredients that can irritate lung tissue. Although most states do not enforce federal regulations regarding oxygen transfer and distribution, the FDA does provide specific guidelines for adherence.[3]
Individuals suffering from unexplained symptoms or illnesses should first consult with a medical practitioner before undergoing any type of detox process, detox diet or cleansing regimen. Other serious, underlying medical conditions or nutrient deficiencies should be ruled out before taking detox supplements or embarking on a detox program.
