So Just How Toxic Are We and What Can We Do About It?

It seems that the word Detox, short for detoxification, is now well established in our vocabulary and it leads us to ask the following questions. Just how toxic are we and is this something we should worry about? If it is, then how do we get rid of the toxins?

A study of newborn babies and their non-smoking mothers in New York City showed that the newborns had accumulated a high number of genetic mutations that were linked to environmental pollutants, including vehicle emissions and second-hand cigarette smoke (1). Surprisingly, the babies had more toxins in their bodies from second-hand cigarette smoke than did their non-smoking mothers and this occurred in spite of the filtering action of the placenta. The results may be explained by the lack of a fully effective detoxification system in the newborns, thus accounting for toxin build-up. Also, any toxins secreted into the amniotic fluid would be reabsorbed because the fetus swallows the fluid.

Shortly after this work was published, a study commissioned by the non-profit Environmental Working Group based in Washington DC began with the purpose of examining the blood of newborn babies for chemical pollutants. Cord blood samples were taken from ten newborn babies in U.S. hospitals between August and September 2004 and sent to two specialist laboratories where they were tested for a total of 415 chemical contaminants. Each newborn was found to have an average of 200 foreign chemicals in its blood and a total of 287 chemicals were found altogether across the group. These included mercury (found in all ten babies) and an array of carbon-based industrial chemicals, pesticides and pollutants. A new term has been coined to describe this state of affairs, “prepollution”, referring to pollution already being present before birth. As if this finding wasn’t shocking enough, it was discovered that 212 of the 287 chemicals detected in the newborn babies had been banned over 30 years before.

What about adults?

It is self-evident from the above findings in newborn babies, that the chemicals also had to be present in the mothers, so there is no doubt that adults will certainly be a repository for many industrial chemicals, pesticides and pollutants.

In 2005, ten residents of Washington State agreed to have their hair, blood and urine tested for the presence of toxic chemicals as part of an investigation conducted by the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition. The purpose was to determine what chemicals might be found in our bodies, in what quantities, and how they might have got there. The ten participants agreed to have their results published (3) and posted on the Internet (http://www.pollutioninpeople.org).

The study found that the participants had between 26 and 39 of the toxic chemicals that were tested for and that these pollutants came from performing seemingly normal everyday activities. The results for Lisa Brown, a State senator and professor who was age 49 when the analysis was performed, are discussed below. It should be noted that fewer chemicals were tested for in this study than in the one commissioned by the Environmental Working Group on newborns.

Senator Lisa Brown’s Chemical Profile

Senator Brown’s results showed the presence of 37 chemicals and yet she was unaware of any specific exposures to toxic compounds apart from the pesticides that had been used at her home. Her mercury level was above that considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One of the phthalates detected (DEHP) was greater than that reported for 75% of the U.S. population and another (DBP) was greater than 95%. As the table shows, phthalates can be found in polyvinylchloride (PVC) flooring and other PVC products, toys, personal care products, and soft plastics such as shower curtains. Senator Brown tested positive for 7 out of the 8 classes of toxins assayed, including arsenic and pesticides. Only lead was negative. With respect to her diet, she estimated that 15% of it was organic. It is interesting to note that the four members of the study group who reported the highest consumption of organically raised food, Karen Bowman, Denis Hayes, Pam Tazioli and Laurie Valeriano, all tested negative for the pesticides assayed.

Should we be concerned about these toxins?

Yes, we should certainly be concerned, especially if we are repeatedly exposed to these substances and they build up in our bodies. Three of the classes of substances, namely arsenic, Teflon chemicals and pesticides have been implicated in cancer and the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund have reported that arsenic convincingly increases the risk of lung cancer (4).
There are also other toxins that we should be concerned about and these include the chemicals in cigarette smoke, smog, household and industrial products, certain medications and their residues, and the toxins produced by unfriendly bacteria and yeasts that can abide in our intestine.

How do we know if we have toxins present in our body?

We can be tested for the presence of toxins in the same manner as Lisa Brown. There is a growing consensus that suffering from the following conditions may indicate the presence of toxicity; Fatigue, Joint Pain, Muscle Aches, Headaches, Heartburn, Bloating, Food Cravings, Constipation, Diarrhea, Skin Rashes, Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Difficulty Sleeping, and Premenstrual Syndrome.

So how do we avoid becoming toxic?

First, we should make every effort to live and work where the air quality is good and we should become more aware of the chemicals present in our environment and in the products we use. To do this, we should read labels on all products including cosmetics, foodstuffs, household cleaners, laundry detergents, paints, etc. We should leave our shoes at the door so that we do not walk pollutants into the house. We should check the chemical analysis of our household water supply and run it through a further purification step such as a Brita filter or reverse osmosis system if it’s intended for drinking or cooking. Avoid using non-stick cookware. Always ventilate rooms that have been newly painted, subjected to household cleaning chemicals, or where new carpets have been laid. Use water-soluble rather than oil-based paints and avoid noxious fumes. It is best to use natural products wherever possible. Our diet should be primarily organic and we should certainly avoid those foods that are most heavily contaminated with herbicides and pesticides. Please refer to www.foodnews.org for contamination levels in different fruits and vegetables. Grains and nuts are not included in this list and should be purchased organically-raised wherever possible.

How do we get rid of existing toxins?

Once we have decided on a program of detoxification, as well as discouraging the further ingress of toxins, we need to get rid of the toxins that are already present. Here are some steps we can take to accomplish this.

1) Drink plenty of fresh purified water every day. A good estimate of the amount is to take your body weight in pounds, divide that number by half and that will be the weight of fluid in ounces that you should consume each day. For example, if you weight 160 pounds you should consume approx. 80 ounces of fluid per day. At least 20% of that will come from food and the rest from drinks. When you exercise, you should drink a further 8 ounces of fluid for every 20 minutes of physical activity. If you live in a humid climate, you should also increase your fluid intake.

2) Be active and exercise regularly to keep yourself slim and toned. It’s good to break into a sweat but if you are over 40, overweight or have other health problems, you should always consult your physician first before starting any exercise program. It is best to begin slowly and work up your routine over time.

3) Visit a sauna and perspire. This will facilitate the excretion of fat-soluble chemicals and heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury and lead. It’s important to drink at least 16 ounces of water before entering the sauna and consume additional water during and after the therapy. The sauna achieves cleansing by promoting perspiration and this helps the body to get rid of some toxins. Remember to shower off the toxins afterwards.

4) Eat 8-10 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day that are certified organic or are unsprayed. Choose a rainbow of colors and consume at least half of the vegetables uncooked.

5) Include sulfur-containing vegetables in your diet such as garlic, onions, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale, with at least one example daily. These will help to encourage the synthesis of glutathione, one of the principal agents of detoxification and a powerful antioxidant.

6) Be regular. This should not be a problem if you drink plenty of fluid and consume high fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, grains and legumes.

7) Stress can also be toxic and so it is important to counter it with some relaxation techniques. Taking slow, deep breaths has been shown to reduce the level of stress almost immediately. Meditating on something peaceful such as a prayer, a tranquil scene or soothing sound is also very beneficial.

8) Herbal Detox. Certain herbs, either used alone or in specific combinations, can improve the health of body organs such as the kidneys, liver and lungs. For example, artichoke, milk thistle seed and dandelion root are used to improve liver function and enhance detoxification.

9) Fasting can be used to aid in the detoxification process.

a) Water-only fast – Here, only water is consumed and this fast serves as an extreme method of achieving detoxification and weight loss. It has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension).

b) Juice-only fast – A juice-only fast is considered to be gentler on the system than a water-only fast because the body is not starved of important nutrients such as vitamins and antioxidants. Certain juices also have an alkalizing effect and this serves to reduce some of the side effects of detoxification.

Fluid-based fasts should always be performed under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner and it is recommended that your physician be consulted. There are instances where detox has not been performed properly and serious health consequences have resulted. For example, excessive consumption of water or water-based drinks can lead to water intoxication and disruption of the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. Excessive water intake will cause the dilution of salts in the blood and this in turn will lead to more water entering the cells of our organs, resulting in swelling. When this happens in the brain, seizures can occur.

What is the Government doing?

There are now over 80,000 chemicals that are used in products in our environment and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has only required testing of approximately 200. It is little wonder that autism, leukemias and developmental abnormalities are on the increase in our children. On May 20, 2008, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representatives Hilda L. Solis (D- CA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced the Kid Safe Chemical Act, designed “to protect Americans, especially children, from toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products. The bill would ensure for the first time that all the chemicals used in baby bottles, children’s toys and other products are proven to be safe before they are put on the market.” This legislation is currently working its way through Congress and the main points are as follows:

(i) Require Basic Data on Industrial Chemicals, (ii) Place the Burden on Industry to Demonstrate Safety, (iii) Restrict the Use of Dangerous Chemicals Found in Newborn Babies, (iv) Use New Scientific Evidence to Protect Health, (v) Establish a National Program to Assess Human Exposure, (vi) Expand the Public Right to know about Toxic Chemicals and (vii) Invest in Long-Term Solutions.

© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.

References

1) Perera, F.P. et al. (2004) Biomarkers in Maternal and Newborn Blood Indicate Heightened Fetal Susceptibility to Procarcinogenic DNA Damage. Environ. Health Perspect. 112, 1133-1136.

2) Environmental Working Group (2005) BodyBurden, The Pollution in Newborns. A Benchmark Investigation of Industrial Chemicals, Pollutants and Pesticides in Human Umbilical Cord Blood. EWG, Washington DC, pp. 83. http://archive.ewg.org/reports_content/bodyburden2/pdf/bodyburden2_final-r2.pdf

3) Schreder, E., Washington Toxics Coalition (2006) Pollution in People: A Study of Toxic Chemicals in Washingtonians. Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition, Seattle, WA 98103, p.69. http://www.pollutioninpeople.org/files/pollutioninpeople_may06.pdf

4) World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (2007) Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective. AICR, Washington DC, pp. 516. http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/
http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=res_report_second