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Toxins and Biotransformation
Biotransformation and elimination of toxins is essential to life.
The ability to remove waste products produced from daily biochemical processes and the elimination of toxins from our body is essential for life. A buildup of toxins can affect bodily functions resulting in death.
The liver is the chief organ for toxin processing and elimination occurs via the gut, lungs, kidneys and skin. Optimal organ function is required for optimal biotransformation and elimination of toxins.
Toxins can be endogenous – created within the body and exogenous produced in the environment. Most toxins are fat soluble which means they can only dissolve in fat or oily substances. This means they are more difficult to excrete and they like to collect in fatty tissues like the brain, insulation around nerves, cell membranes and fat cells in the belly.
The liver has 2 pathways designed to convert fat soluble toxins into water soluble toxins so they can be easily eliminated by the gut, kidneys and skin.
The first Phase 1 pathway alters the toxin by using enzymes to transform the compound. The problem is that the newly formed compound can be even more toxic and damaging to tissue than the original toxin. Therefore Phase 2 pathways must quickly modify the compound by attaching a “conjugate” molecule to it turning the toxin into a water soluble compound.
One biological action of toxins is that they alter the action of enzymes. Enzymes are utilized in Phase 1 pathways to transform toxins and in Phase 2 pathways they are used to attach the conjugate molecule. If the toxin affects these enzymes the Biotransformation Pathways will be affected.
The pathways can be affected in multiple ways:
- The speed of action of enzymes could be affected resulting in an enzyme working faster or slower.
- A fast working enzyme in Phase one with a slow working enzyme in Phase 2 could result in the buildup of reactive intermediate agents that damage tissue.
- Genetic differences in individuals can alter enzyme function and speed. This means there will be individual responses to toxic exposure.
Enzymes require cofactors and co-enzymes which are vitamins and minerals to assist them in their activities. A diet deficient in vitamins and minerals will affect enzyme function. In addition, a diet deficient in starchy foods will affect toxin elimination. Bile produce by the liver transports toxins from the liver into the intestine where it is absorbed by starch and carried out of the body. A diet low in starch contributes to constipation which means toxins remain in the intestine and can be reabsorbed back into the body. Therefore a healthy gut is paramount to proper detoxification of the body.
Another vital consideration before beginning a detoxification program is to ensure that your metabolism is up to the task, by addressing your adrenals and thyroid. Your body temperature indicates just how well your adrenal and thyroid hormones are having an effect at a receptor level.
Body Temperature
You need your daily average (based on three oral temperatures taken around 9am, 12noon and 3pm) to measure 98. 6 degrees F/37 degrees C and to be stable for good health. If they are higher one day and lower the next, it indicates adrenal problems – because the adrenals control the stability of internal temperature. If they are low but stable, it indicates thyroid problems – because the thyroid hormones (T3 in specific) lift the temperature.
An individual’s Total Toxic Load = total toxic exposure – ability to biotransform and excrete toxins
The first step to improved detoxification is to limit exposure.
The second step is to improve your detoxification pathways.
The better your ability to biotransform and excrete toxins; the lower your total toxic load.
The treatment for chronic systemic inflammation is to go upstream and eliminate toxins, inflammation and oxidative stress!
Key Points
- The food we take in is used to as raw material for all body functions. We metabolize- break down the food, extract what we need, recycle what we can and eliminate the metabolic waste.
- If we cannot eliminate the metabolic by-products they can build up creating toxic levels that can affect bodily functions.
- We are also exposed to countless toxins on a daily basis via our air, water, food supply and through products we put on our skin. The first step to improved detoxification is to limit exposure.
- The liver processes toxins in 2 phases which essentially convert fat soluble toxins into water soluble toxins so they can be eliminated through the gut and kidneys.
- Toxin biotransformation requires multiple enzymes to catalyze the process. Ironically, toxins alter enzyme function by affecting their reaction speed. So toxins can interfere with their elimination by affecting enzyme function.
- Toxin biotransformation is resource demanding, enzymes require multiple vitamins, minerals and chemical compounds. Insufficient dietary supply of these requirements will lead to impaired elimination of toxins.
- Toxins from the liver are deposited into bile which is released into the gut. The bile with its toxic load is absorbed by starchy fiber in the gut and then eliminated. Insufficient bile production (gall bladder removed) and insufficient dietary fiber will reduce toxin elimination.
Action Steps
To eliminate toxins from your environment you must consider the lists of toxins that occur in our air, water, soil, food, medication, building materials, cooking materials, make-up; the list seems endless. Remove as many as you can, mitigate where possible.
We are surrounded by artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF) like never before in history. Natural mainly refers to EMF from the sun, but light from lamps, flames and infrared sources also belong to this category. Our body is full of natural EMF, think of EEG’s and ECG’s, electrical recordings from our brain and heart. Artificial or man-made refers to the EMF made by high-power lines and electric appliances on the low frequency (LF) side and by antennas for wireless communication on the radio-frequency (RF) side.
A large and increasing number of studies during the past few decades have indicated a variety of adverse biological effects can be triggered by exposure to man-made EMFs, especially of radio frequency (RF)/microwaves and extremely low frequency (ELF). The communication industry says there is no biological risk and that the industry meets safety standards. Advocates outside the industry say those safety stands are based on old science and are set too low. I cannot ignore similar arguments used by the tobacco industry?
I believe there are both positive and negative biologic effects from EMFs. Physical therapists have used electrical modalities for years to stimulate tissue repair. Every cell in your body responds to electromagnetic fields and certain receptors on cell membranes only open up to allow ion exchange when stimulated by EMF. I love the convenience of lighting, electrical appliances and my smart phone, but I also believes it comes with some risks. Electromagnetic pollution is a real thing and it has consequential implications.
When it comes to mitigation of electromagnetic fields, remember - the power of the field is strongest near the source point and weakens with distance. There is a reason your smart phone manual, in fine print, tells you to keep the phone away from contact with your body. You're supposed to keep an iPhone 7 at least 5 mm (about 0.2 inches) away. Meaning don't keep your cellphone in your pocket or your bra when it's powered on. First easy mitigation task is to turn airplane mode on. At home you can mitigate exposure by turning Wifi off and use an ethernet cable.
Besides distance, the other factors you want to consider is duration and frequency. Think about sun exposure, you typically limit your duration to avoid sunburn and frequency to avoid skin damage. If there are harmful biological effects from EMF exposure it makes sense to limit both duration and frequency of use.
Please refer to the link below for further reading and mitigation ideas.
We are literally drowning in plastics today. Besides the devastating effect they are having on our ocean environment; many plastics are capable of leaching chemicals into our foods. Do not heat plastics; consider the plastic lid that covers that steaming hot cup of coffee. Plastics are given numbered labels with regards to recycling. So besides identifying whether the plastic is appropriate for recycling the numbers also indicate safety. Categories #2, #4 and #5 are generally considered safe. Be weary of putting them in the microwave, even if they are labeled “microwave-safe”. Plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 should be used with varying to extreme caution, especially around food or drink.
Best action yet, get rid of as much plastic as you can. Glassware is a great option! The use of plastic with the Bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical used to make some hard plastic containers and toys was formally declared a toxic substance by Canadian authorities in 2010. Newborns and infants are protected from exposure to BPA under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act by making it illegal to manufacture, import, advertise or sell polycarbonate baby bottles that contain BPA. This action came about over concerns of possible negative health effects. It does not take too much to extrapolate that other plastics may have negative health effects on ALL of us. So much of our food is wrapped in plastic!? I remove all plastic wraps from my food when I bring it home and only store, particularly fruits and vegetables in glass containers or cloth bags. It is amazing how much longer berries stored in glass containers last compared to sitting in plastic containers.
Filter your drinking water and eat organic foods when possible. Some vegetables have greater toxin exposure than others. Refer to the list of vegetables called the "Dirty Dozen" and the "Clean 15" in the video below. Try to always buy organic versions of the Dirty Dozen.
Methylmercury is a form of mercury and a very toxic compound. People become exposed to methylmercury by eating fish and seafood that have been exposed to methylmercury through their diet. Algae absorb organic methylmercury, so the fish that eat algae will absorb this toxic substance. When the larger fish at the top of the food chain eat these fish, they too accumulate methylmercury. In this way, fish and other creatures who are at the top of the food chain end up accumulating more and more of this toxic compound.
They say nothing lasts forever. Nothing, that is, except a group of toxic chemicals that are associated with multiple health issues, specifically cancer. These forever chemicals have been used in products since the 1940s and are now in nearly all of our bodies. The list is extensive from cleaning products, flame retardant compounds, building materials and make-up. Many chemicals are introduced on the market place without safety testing. It is next to impossible for the consumer to make an informed decision on whether a product is safe to use. Therefore the best action step is to limit the use of as many chemicals as you can and consider more natural produced products.
Complete the Toxic Exposure Questionnaire below.
Check out the work of Dr Claudia Miller M.D., M.S., an occupational and environmental health expert. She developed the concept of: Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance - TILT. For some individuals multiple chemical intolerances are a root cause of their health issues. She has designed a questionnaire to determine an individuals level of toxic exposure. The Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI©) was developed as a screening questionnaire for multiple chemical intolerances (MCI).
Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance - TILT
Once you open the website click on the right hand tab "TILT Triggers". Then click on "Take our Free Assessment" to find the QEESI test.
Innovation and technology has transformed our world into something much different from previous generations, but it may have come at the expense of our environment. Slowly but surely, transform your environment into the best of both generations.
The first step in detoxifying your environment is to eliminate exposure. The second step is to enhance detoxification.
Support gut health prior to enhancing detoxification pathways. Toxins from the liver are removed in bile which is excreted into the intestine. It then binds with fiber in the intestine which is then excreted from the body. Constipation limits excretion and increases the risk of toxins being reabsorbed back into the body. You can assess your bowel health status by assessing your bowel movements.
The bowel transit time varies, even in the same person. The average transit time through the colon in someone who is not constipated is 30 to 40 hours. Up to a maximum of 72 hours is still considered normal. Eat some beets and see how long it takes for you to see them again?!
Recognize what a normal bowel movement looks like by checking out the Bristol Stool Chart and compare the normal color of stool as well. We assess stool in our children and pets because we know it reflects health status. If your intestine and bowel are functioning well you are ready to enhance your detoxification pathways.
The best way to enhance detoxification pathways is through diet, supplementation and through sweat.
- Add detox botanicals:
- Curcumin decreases phase 1 and increases Phase 2.
- Silymarin from the milk thistle plant prevents the depletion of glutathione that helps eliminate free radicals.
- Eat a nutrient dense diet to supply minerals and vitamins to the enzymes and conjugate molecules for Phase 2.
- Eat starchy foods to prevent constipation and provide fiber to absorb toxins.
- Infrared sauna are an excellent way to sweat out your toxins. Look for low EMF sauna options. I got my sauna at https://sunstreamsaunas.com/
Links & Further Reading
Dr. Klinghardt MD, Phd.
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD
Expert on chronic toxicity especially lead, mercury and other environmental pollutants.
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, MD
Expert on toxic mold illness and its effect on the immune system, called chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS).
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