Toxin Specific Detox & Avoidance
When it comes to detox, there are several techniques that can target specific toxins. In this article we have identified the best ways to avoid and detoxify common chemical toxins. You may be surprised about some of the common household products that contain these chemicals! Here at North County Natural Medicine, we do our best to keep you informed so you have the tools and information necessary to make the best choices and protect both you and your family!
*Please note these are simply recommendations to reduce toxic build up of common chemical toxins. We do recommend a visit with the doctor to determine the best detox route for you and your exposure. Supplementation does vary case by case and a personalized treatment plan will be given to you. Dr. Sandison has a wealth of knowledge in treating chemical toxicity and is happy to meet with you to determine the best ways to treat your exposure.
Alkylphenols
Alkylphenols are widely used industrial chemicals often found in plastics, cosmetics, detergents, paints, pesticides, and cleaning products. They are highly toxic and have been linked to several endocrine disorders. The alkylphenols include BPA, triclosan and 4-nonylphenol.
Tips for Avoidance
- Avoid polycarbonate containers that contain BPA #3 or #7
- Look for BPA-free cans and containers and reduce your use of canned food
- Opt for glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, especially for hot foods and liquids
- Avoid handling store receipts – they contain BPA
- Use BPA-free baby bottles
- Do not microwave plastic food containers. EVER!
- To minimize 4-nonylphenol exposure, do not heat food in plastic wrap
Chlorinated Pesticides
Chlorinated pesticides were first placed into wide-spread agricultural use after World War II. Of the chlorinated pesticides, DDT is the most well-known. These powerful mitochondrial toxins bioaccumulate in our bodies, increasing our toxic burden and often cause chronic illness. Chlorinated pesticides include DDT, DDE, Dieldrin, Heptachlor Epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene, Mirex, Oxychlordane, and trans-nonachlor.
Tips for Avoidance
- Avoid food found to contain high levels of pesticides (Check out the dirty dozen and clean fifteen list provided by the Environmental Working Group)
- Avoid non-organic butter – high in DDE, HCB
- Avoid farmed Atlantic salmon – high in DDE, dieldrin, HCB, mirex
- Avoid non-organic greens (spinach, collards, dirty dozen) – high in DDE
- Avoid non-organic cheese (cream cheddar, American) as they contain DDE, dieldrin, HCB
- Avoid non-organic fatty meats (lamb, ground beef) – DDE, HCB
- Sauna therapy and colonic irrigations are especially helpful in the presence of chlorinated pesticides
- Use of chlorophyll and all chlorophyll-containing foods are also effective at increasing excretion of fat-soluble persistent organic pollutants through feces
Organophosphates
Organophosphate toxicity can have muscarinic effects, nicotinic effects, and central nervous system effects. Organophosphates include DMP, DMTP, DMDTP, DEP, DETP, DEDTP, Atrazine, and Atrazine Mercapturate.
Tips for Avoidance
- Supplement with nutrients that stimulate detoxification. These include, but are not limited to taurine, glycine, NAC.
- Supplement with anti-oxidants such as vitamins E, Vitamin C, ALA, and glutathione
- Increase antioxidant activity in your brain with DHA to prevent OP-induced damage
Plasticizers and Preservatives
Phthalates are compounds added to plastic to make it more flexible. These compounds are also added as stabilizers to other products. Phthalates are easily released as plastic ages, accelerating the release of these chemicals. Most Americans tested by the Centers for Disease Control have metabolites of multiple phthalates in their urine. The Plasticizers and Preservatives include Phthalates MEHHP, MEHP, MEOHP, MEtP & Parabens Butylpraben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, and Propylparaben.
Tips for Avoidance
- Look for labels indicating phthalate or paraben-free
- Oligoantigenic diet consisting of whole, organic foods, including dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole gluten-free grains
- Use of a sauna may enhance phthalate removal via sweat
- Increase phthalate-free fluid intake - only drink from glass or stainless steel containers
PCBs
High exposure to PCBs can result in increased levels of liver enzymes ultimately causing hepatic damage, chloracne and related dermal lesions, and respiratory issues. PCB’s include PCB 118, 126, 156, 169, 77, 74, 138, 153, and 180.
Tips for Avoidance
- Avoid contaminated foods, especially farmed atlantic salmon and fish from great lakes, non-organic butter and non-organic fatty meats
- Sauna and colonic irrigation may be especially useful to reduce PCBs
- Daily use of rice bran fiber
- Use of chlorophyll and all chlorophyll-containing foods are also effective at increasing excretion of fat-soluble PCPs through feces
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products and are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, wax, disinfectants, cosmetics, degreasing and hobby products. Volatile Organic compounds include Benzene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene, Toluene, and Xylenes.
Tips for Avoidance
- Keep the area well ventilated when working with any type of volatile solvent
- Avoid use of indoor air fresheners
- Avoid breathing household cleaning products and use non-toxic cleaners
- Avoid heating foods in styrofoam containers
- VOCs that have been passed into the gut may be broken down or changed into more toxic compounds by bacterial enzymes and released back for absorption into the bloodstream (use calcium d-glucarate to prevent)
- Supplementation with Vitamin C, selenium, glycine, glutamine, taurine, NAC, ALA