We Are All ‘Living In A Sea Of Toxins’

Mark Hyman MD has done an excellent job at the 13th Annual Functional Medicine Conference of organizing thoughts about the EFFECTS of environmental and exogenous chemicals on our health, and why blood testing underestimates the extent of the problem.

I draw your attention to a few paragraphs from his extensive presentation, which discusses some of the impact of chemicals and toxins on our health. Click the link to view the entire 13th annual conference proceedings ‘Managing Biotransformation: The Metabolic, Genomic, and Detoxification Balance Points’.

Garry F. Gordon MD,DO,MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
www.gordonresearch.com

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The Proceedings From the 13th International Symposium of The Institute for Functional Medicine
http://www.alternative-therapies.com/at/web_pdfs/ifm_proceedings_low.pdf

(Excerpt from presentation article by Mark Hyman, MD entitled ‘Systems Biology, Toxins, Obesity, and Functional Medicine’)

LIVING IN A SEA OF TOXINS: THE PROBLEM

Why should we worry about toxins unless we work with toxic chemicals or spray pesticides for a living? Isn’t exposure minimal? Unfortunately, risks of exposure are substantial, pose significant public health risks, and can no longer be ignored. We live in a sea of toxins. Every single person and animal on the planet contains residues of toxic chemicals or metals in their tissues. Eighty thousand new chemicals have been introduced since the turn of the 20th century and most have never been tested for safety or for synergistic actions. The Centers for Disease Control issued a report on human exposure to environmental chemicals. They assessed human blood or urine levels for 116 chemicals (and there were thousands more for which tests were not conducted) as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.1 While they found high levels of toxins in some, and low levels in many more, the study, in isolation, may not tell the whole story. Why? Because these chemical toxins move quickly from the blood into storage sites-mostly fat tissue, organs, and bones-so the blood or urine levels underestimate the total toxic load. Both weight gain (because of stored toxins) and the total toxic load can frustrate attempts at weight loss by impairing two key metabolic organs-the liver and the thyroid, by damaging the mitochondria- the site of energy metabolism, by affecting neuroendocrine signaling, and by increasing inflammation and oxidative stress.

FAT AS A STORAGE DEPOT FOR FAT SOLUBLE TOXINS

The Environmental Protection Agency has monitored human exposure to toxic environmental chemicals since 1972 when they began the National Human Adipose Tissue Survey. This study evaluates the levels of various toxins in the fat tissue from cadavers and elective surgeries. Five of what are known to be the most toxic chemicals were found in 100% of all samples (OCDD or octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, styrene, 1,4- dichlorobenzene, xylene, and ethylphenol-toxic chemicals from industrial pollution that damage the liver, heart, lungs, and nervous system). Nine more chemicals were found in 91-98% of samples: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, DDE (a breakdown product of DDT, the pesticide banned in the US since 1972), three dioxins, and one furan. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were found in 83% of the population. A Michigan study found DDT in over 70% of 4 years olds, probably received through breast milk. With the global economy, we may be eating food that was picked a day before in Guatemala, Indonesia, or Asia, where there are not the same restrictions on the use of pesticides as there are in the United States. Many of these chemicals are stored in fat tissue, making animal products concentrated sources. One hundred percent of beef is contaminated with DDT, as is 93% of processed cheese, hot dogs, bologna, turkey, and ice cream.

WHERE DO TOXINS COME FROM?
Exposure to toxins comes from two main sources: the environment (external toxins) and the gut (breakdown products of our metabolism, or internal toxins). Both can overload endogenous detoxification mechanisms.

External Toxins: The Dangers from Without
The external toxins include chemical toxins and heavy metals. The heavy metals that cause the most ill health are lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and aluminum. Chemical toxins include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents (cleaning materials, formaldehyde, toluene, benzene), medications, alcohol, pesticides, herbicides, and food additives. Infections (hepatitis C virus) and mold toxins (sick building syndrome) are other common sources of toxins. Our modern refined diet can be considered toxic because it places an exta burden o detoxification systems through excessive consumption of sugar, high-fructose corn syrup (the two most important causes of elevated liver function tests), trans fatty acids, alcohol, cafeine, aspartame, foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the various plastics, pathogens, hormones, and antibiotics found in our food supply.

Testing for Toxins and Detoxification Function
* Genetic testing of detoxification pathways for phase I and phase II SNPs
* Detoxification challenge test (provocations with caffeine, aspirin,
acetaminophen)
* Measurement of detoxification enzymes
– Reduced glutathione
– Glutathione peroxidase
– super oxide dismutase (SOD)
* Heavy metals
– RBC or whole blood
– Hair analysis
– Chelation challenge with DMPS or DMSA
* Urinary organic acids
– Specific compounds measured, including sulfates, pyroglutamate,
orotate, and others, can give clues to problems with detoxification
pathways.
* Chemical antibodies to various toxins and metals (can occasionally be useful)
* Organophosphates: identified through a 24-hour urine collection test
* Mold and mycotoxin antibodies
* IgG food sensitivity testing
* Celiac testing (IgG and IgA anti-gliadin antibodies, tTG IgA)
* Digestive stool analysis for dysbiosis
* Tests for hidden infections (Lyme, H. pylori, etc.)

Practical Suggestions for Patients
Remove Toxins
* Eat organic food and animal products to avoid petrochemical pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and antibiotics.
* Drink filtered water (reverse osmosis or carbon filter).
* HEPA/ULPA filters and ionizers can be helpful in reducing dust, molds,
volatile organic compounds, and other sources of indoor air pollution.
* Clean and monitor heating systems for release of carbon monoxide, the most common cause of death by poisoning in America.
* Have houseplants that help filter the air.
* Air out your dry cleaning before wearing it.
* Avoid excess exposure to environmental petrochemicals (garden
chemicals, dry cleaning, car exhaust, second-hand smoke).
* Reduce or eliminate the use of toxic household and personal care products (aluminium-containing underarm deodorant, antacids, and pots and pans).
* Remove allergens and dust from your home as much as possible.
* Minimize electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from radios, TVs, and
microwave ovens.
* Reduce ionizing radiation (from sun exposure or medical tests such as X-rays).
* Reduce heavy metal exposure (predatory and river fish, water, lead paint, thimerosal-containing products, etc.).

Improve Elimination of Toxins
* Have 1-2 bowel movements a day.
* Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
* Sweat regularly.
– Use exercise to help you sweat regularly.
– Use steam baths or saunas – infrared saunas may be even more beneficial.
* Regular exercise, yoga, or lymphatic massage can improve lymph flow and help flush toxins out of your tissues into your circulation so they can be detoxified.

To read the rest of this article, see page 136 of The Proceedings From the 13th International Symposium of The Institute for Functional Medicine at http://www.alternative-therapies.com/at/web_pdfs/ifm_proceedings_low.pdf.