The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Adipose Tissue Survey, performed back in 1982, indicated that 20 xenobiotic compounds (substances foreign to the body) were found in greater than 75% of all tissue samples evaluated, and of those, 75% had toxic compounds in concentrations of greater than 25,000 nanograms per gram of tissue sampled. Most of us don’t even think about the potentially harmful substances in the air we breathe called volatile organic compounds (solvents or VOCs). They come from the carpets, plastics, and paints in our homes, offices, and cars. Another EPA Study indicated that carpet contains dozens of VOCs and an average of 12 pesticide residues. The recent EPA Toxic Release Summary Report found that in 1999 there were over 2 billion pounds of pollutants released into the air, 4.7 billion pounds dumped in landfills, 258 million pounds released in surface water, and 257 million pounds released into underground wells.

These examples indicate that we may be over-burdening our bodies’ natural regulatory, detoxification, and immune systems as a result of such exposure. Healthcare professionals, including biochemists and nutritional experts, believe continuous exposure combined with a diet low in quality foods eventually becomes too much for the body to handle-the body simply can’t keep up with the harmful overload put on these systems. So what’s a body to do?

To restore good health, Hippocrates, known as the father of Western medicine, advised that the causes of disease should be understood and treated, not just the symptoms. He is credited with the phrase “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.”

Applying the basic principals of Hippocrates, many healthcare professionals and biochemists, such as Jeffery Bland, President of the Institute for Functional Medicine, Abram Hoffer, Ph.D., M.D., and naturopathic doctors, such as Peter Bennette and Stephen Barrie, have shed some scientific light on preventing and treating some health conditions by enhancing the body’s ability to detoxify itself. The dictionary definition of detoxify, “to remove a poison or poisonous effect from,” has been broadened to include more than dependent drug or alcohol use, exposure to harmful chemicals, or even heavy-metal poisoning.

We are exposed every day to toxins such as smog, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, chemical solvents, ultraviolet-ray exposure from the sun, acid rain in certain parts of the country, xenobiotics from pesticides and medications, and dioxins from herbicides. Our food supply is affected as well. Recently, warnings have been issued regarding the mercury or lead in some fish products. As good as fish is as a source of lean protein, the potential for heavy-metal contamination is a real threat to the body, placing additional burdens on its ability to detoxify itself.

Recognizing the problem is critical, but doing something about it is even more important in order to attain and maintain an optimal quality of health. The next step is to utilize safe and practical methods to stop or even reverse the progression of certain health conditions due to the build-up of toxic residues in the body.

While there is little published scientific information on any one detoxification or cleansing program, there are a few programs that are safe for most people. The safety and efficacy are based on the published science with respect to detoxification mechanisms and a long history of medical use.

One such program is presented in a book written by Peter Bennett and Stephen Barrie, both naturopathic doctors, called the 7-Day Detox Miracle. It is supported by medical professionals including Abram Hoffer, Ph.D., M.D., Mitchell Kaminski Jr., M.D., as well as Jeffery Bland Ph.D., well-known biochemist and author.

Cleansing (Detoxifying) Pathways
There are two major detoxification pathways in our body to help maintain optimal health by eliminating potentially harmful substances. Scientifically they are referred to as phase I and phase II detoxification pathways. The liver plays a vital and primary role in the detoxification process in both pathways.

The phase I system is primarily responsible for converting fat-soluble substances such as VOCs, hormones, and xenobiotics into a form that can be excreted by the liver and kidneys or, in some cases, pass it on to the phase II detoxification mechanism. This is normally done through the use of various enzymes, as long as they are not impaired. If the enzymes are impaired, then phase I detoxification does not take place readily, toxins build up, and cell damage can occur.

The phase II system is responsible for taking the phase I by-products, which in many cases are still harmful substances, and converting them into stable water-soluble forms so the liver and kidneys can excrete them safely. The phase II system can be over-burdened by the amount of phase I by-products being handed over to it. In some cases, phase II may function improperly due to inadequate nutrient intake of important substances such as vitamins, minerals, various amino acids, phytochemicals from plants, and water.

Cleansing Program Support Systems
The body has several major areas that play a key role in helping keep our systems cleansed. A good program should include the following:

• Organ support including the liver, kidney, gall bladder, pancreas, and the digestive system
• Immune system support including antioxidants
• Weight management support
• Positive mental attitude support

While this list may seem complex at first glance, it’s important to remember that the nuts and bolts of these systems are interrelated when it comes to basic nutrition and supplementation support. The basic diet should contain:

• Whole grains with fiber instead of the refined grains common in today’s diet
• More whole fruits and dark green vegetables instead of the typical iceberg lettuce
• Lean sources of animal or dairy protein along with vegetarian protein
• Good sources of fat, such as olive oil, almond oil, and high-oleic safflower oil, to replace the high-saturated-fat products in the diet

Dietary changes such as these help decrease the burden on the liver, gallbladder, and entire digestive system. Most people will start feeling better within a short period of time and may lose a few pounds as well, a positive side benefit.

Also helpful is supplementation with a few of the top nutrients that have scientific documentation supporting phase I and phase II detoxification pathways. We would suggest a basic supplementation plan that would include the following, emphasizing high-quality products offered by a reputable manufacturer:

• Multivitamin and multimineral supplement
• Antioxidant formula
• Milk thistle/dandelion blend
• Protein products

Below is a list of nutrients that credible research has shown will improve the body’s ability to keep itself cleansed. Most of the items listed can be found in the four products listed above. Rather than list the many references individually, here are two credible websites that contain scientific information supporting each nutrient listed: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ or www.nlm.nih.gov/nccam/camonpubmed.html.

Summary
Exposure to potentially harmful environmental toxins cannot be completely avoided. Of all the information that is available on the subject of cleansing, the fundamentals in a good program are consistent:

• Change the diet to one with fewer refined carbohydrates and less saturated fat.
• Minimize exposure to potentially harmful substances.
• Support the body’s major detoxification pathways through diet and supplementation.
• Exercise regularly.
• Keep a positive mental outlook.

Stay well and enjoy life with every moment you have!

Is Detox Necessary even when you feel healthy? Find out what Mind-Smart has to say.