Detoxification Flashcards
Detoxification
Detoxification = the process of transforming fat-soluble toxins and xenobiotics into water-soluble compounds that can be eliminated via the urine or bile
toxins
Any agent (biological or otherwise) that disturbs physiology and can be harmful to the body.
Toxicant / xenobiotic
Foreign substances (typically synthetic) found in the body that are not derived from a normal diet or produced endogenously e.g., pesticides, food additives, heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, industrial chemicals
Endogenous toxins
- GI microbes:
‒ Toxic compounds such as aldehydes, alcohols and indoles released from undesirable bacteria and fungi.
‒ Fragments of dysbiotic bacteria called lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins) can enter the bloodstream (esp. if ↑ intestinal permeability) causing excessive immune reactions.
- Waste products from normal metabolic processes e.g., urea if not properly metabolised in the liver.
- Poorly detoxified / eliminated hormones (e.g., chronic constipation ↓ oestrogen elimination)
Exogenous chemical toxins
Bisphenols: E.g., bisphenol A (BPA)
Sources: Tinned and plastic packaging.
Associated with: Type 2 diabetes, infertility, oestrogen disruption.
Exogenous chemical toxins
Pesticides and herbicides: E.g., glyphosate + OCPs
Sources: Chemically-grown food, water (contamination).
Associated with: Alzheimer’s, infertility, erectile dysfunction, RA, SLE, cancer.
Exogenous chemical toxins
Phthalates
Sources: Plastic products beauty products.
Associated with: Infertility, Type 2 diabetes, allergies.
Exogenous chemical toxins
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Sources: Flame retardants, farmed fish.
Associated with: Insulin resistance, child behavioural problems.
Exogenous chemical toxins
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Sources: Air pollution / vehicle exhaust (diesel = worst).
Associated with: Type 2 diabetes, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, atopic conditions, COPD.
Exogenous chemical toxins
Solvents:
E.g., benzene, toluene, styrene
Sources: Vehicle exhausts, smoking, foods.
Associated with: Alzheimer’s, infertility, MS, RA, ↑ autism risk
Exogenous metal toxins
Aluminium
Sources: Foil (and food), antiperspirants, vaccines.
Associated with: Mitochondrial damage, Alzheimer’s
Exogenous metal toxins
Mercury
Sources: Amalgams, fish (esp. larger fish), water, vaccines, air pollution.
Associated with: Chronic fatigue, neurological damage, Hashimoto’s, ADHD, infertility, SLE
Exogenous metal toxins
Arsenic
Sources: Water, rice, chicken, fish, smoking.
Associated with: Type 2 diabetes, cancer, gout, peripheral neuropathy.
AS3MT SNPs ― associated with ↑ toxic reactions (i.e., in those with ↓ arsenic exposure)
Living toxin free
- Eat organic and wash food where needed; avoid farmed and large fish; avoid plastic packaging as much as possible and replace with glass containers, beeswax wraps etc.
- Use an air purifier and / or air purifying plants (e.g., peace lily, snake plant, English ivy), especially if in a polluted area. Take off shoes before entering the house.
- Use a good-quality water filter (e.g., reverse osmosis).
- Carefully select non-chemically ridden beauty products, cleaning products and kitchenware.
- Avoid the toxins mentioned, alcohol, smoking and drugs
Symptoms and signs of ‘sluggish’ liver detoxification
- Poor appetite and fatigue.
- Waking between 1 and 3 am.
- Nausea, esp. in the morning.
- Yellowing of the whites of eyes.
- Difficulty digesting fatty foods.
- Dark circles under the eyes.
- Gallstones.
- Hormone imbalances.
- Pale, fatty stools that float. * Mood changes.
- Intolerance to alcohol.
- ↓ concentration and brain fog.
- Dry skin and itching.
- Halitosis and a bitter taste. * Headaches
- Offensive body odour.
- Tongue: Esp. thick coatings on the tongue, e.g., a yellow coat.
- A feeling of overheating.
