WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A [REAL] DETOX

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Detoxification programs have gotten a bad reputation, mostly because of “detox teas” and juice cleanses that really don’t do much in terms of actual detoxification and instead are overpriced laxatives.

The issue, in part, is a matter of using the correct terminology; those methods are providing depuration (removal of waste) when the goal is biotransformation or detoxification (a metabolic process that converts chemicals into a form that allows the body to get rid of it).

Detoxification is a process that is innate to the body. Thousands of years ago or in a perfect world, we wouldn’t need to support this process but the reality is that in our modern world we are constantly faced with chemicals which accumulate and contribute to the body’s toxic load. The toxic load is made up of what you eat, drink, breathe, apply topically that your body cannot eliminate.

Some examples of toxic waste that can accumulate in the body:

  • heavy metals (In food, particularly seafood but also rice, bones, protein powders. In medications, fillings, cookware, paint, pipes, water, rain, emissions from cars)

  • persistent organic pollutants

  • glyphosate

  • antigens the body forms when consuming foods it is sensitive to

  • toxins from infectious agents such as mold, parasites

Again, we are all exposed to these or at least have been (this is especially true if you live in an urban area), but the body is designed to deal with these. As I tell my patients, the body will adapt until it no longer can.

For some people the problems that result from poor detoxification (which often resemble ailments chalked up to aging) such as fatigue, resistant weight loss, autoimmune issues, skin rashes, hair loss, low energy, poor sleep etc— these may start at a younger age rather than at an older age. It all depends on how well you detoxify or deal with your toxic load. And how well you detoxify depends on:

  • Your genes. Some people may have genetic mutations in the enzymes involved in clearing toxic waste out of the body.

  • Your micronutrient status. Adequate nutrients levels are needed to turn these enzymes on (i.e. B vitamins, magnesium, glutathione to name a few).

While genes may be fixed, micronutrient status can be changed; and nutrition has the ability to influence gene expression (along with lifestyle habits). What does this mean? That just because you have a genetic mutation somewhere along the detoxification pathways, by supplementing with the correct nutrients, diet or lifestyle can either turn on (or off) the enzymes to support detoxification and clearance of waste from the body.

An example of this: there is a gene in the body called COMT which is responsible for inactivating catecholamines, clearing estrogens and certain drugs from the body. A person with a mutation in their COMT gene may be more predisposed to mood disorders, hormone imbalances/estrogen dominance so they may require more B vitamins, magnesium and adequate protein to support the enzymes encoded by the COMT gene needed to break down catecholamines, clear estrogens, drugs etc.

To identify what genetic SNPs you may have, you can test for those! There is also blood testing that can be used to assess oxidative stress from heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants as well as testing available to see what the downstream metabolites are doing; i.e. if hormones are building up and contributing to your symptoms. If you’re not quite ready to discuss testing, you can fill out this questionnaire to assess your environmental exposure.

A medically guided or “real” detoxification program provides the different nutrients that are required to support the different enzymes in phase 1 and 2 of the body’s innate detoxification processes. Because of the amount of toxins we are exposed to, I typically recommend people do this 1-2 times per year as a nice way to “reset”. The most ideal times being Fall and Spring. The goal of the program is to remove and reduce exposure to toxins (from food but also consider environmental and emotional too!) which often provides many benefits such as improved energy, clear skin, better digestion and absorption, less pain and inflammation, less brain fog, better sleep— and possibly weight loss though that is not the main goal. You can find the detoxification regimen that I typically recommend (and am currently doing now!) here.

Feel free to contact me with any questions about this. By the way, are you subscribed to receive my newsletters? I’ll be offering more group programs, workshops and classes to make Naturopathic care more accessible. I also have different testing packages and supplements available. Looking to work together? Fill out this application, my team will review and get in touch to see if we’re a good fit.