Can Detoxification Kill You?

by Glen Depke

Before we get going here let’s look at some simple facts. The exposure to mercury is an almost inescapable consequence of human life, we are constantly exposed to an incredible amount of new chemical substances daily, with little or no testing to its affect on us as humans, and we are ALL toxic. Yes, you heard me. We are ALL toxic. Of course this will be to varying degrees but this is the truth none the less.

So what’s a person to do?

Well according to the old paradigm in regard to detoxification you would use a urine or hair sample to “measure” the amount of toxins in your body and your health practitioner would then share the dangers of living with these toxins. From here you would receive the dissertation on the need to remove these toxins to regain your health and happiness. At this point you would learn of that particular practitioners favorite way of addressing or chelating the toxins and away you go. Now of course if anything went wrong it would simply be explained as detoxification symptoms. I think most or many of you are familiar with this story.

I have to honestly share that this is what I used to do in the past but there always seemed to be something with this that never made sense to me. Why would feeling better often feel so bad? That was the question that I always had for myself. Due to this questioning of the paradigm that I was taught, I have always taken a less than aggressive approach with detoxification and I trust that my clients are very happy about this.

Well, let me tell you, there is a new sheriff in town. I’ve always wanted to say that…

No really, there is more to detoxification that is not generally understood. First of all, it is recognized in multiple studies that most of the toxins that are removed via chelation type therapies actually simply transfer the toxins from the tissue into the brain. What, toxins in your brain! Yes, it is insane but often the case.

This is due to the fact that most individuals that are chemical sensitive don’t simply have a toxicity issue, they have a chemical tolerance issue. This means that their ability to live with their toxic load is significantly lessened and they often live in constant pain and agony from anything new in their environment. I don’t have to point this out any further, you know who you are.

If this is you, please understand that measuring your toxic load is of very little importance but addressing your lack of chemical tolerance is of utmost importance. If you go through chelation or any type of aggressive detoxification, the chemical load on your brain will seem insurmountable. If you have experienced this, I do not need to go any further. You already get this!

So why does this happen and what can you do about it?

This actually develops in two stages. First there is and initial yet profound breakdown in your natural tolerance. This then leads to a triggering of immune responses by small quantities of previously tolerated chemicals, such as exhaust, fragrances, foods, drugs, and often supplements. This reactivity to the environmental triggers can  lead to asthma, migraines, depression, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and autoimmunity.

Remember that it is not only the exposure to the toxin, it is the individuals lack of chemical tolerance that creates these issues.

So what creates the loss of chemical tolerances?

There are four significant challenges that create this as listed below.

• Depletion of glutathione recycling
• Regulatory T-cell failure
• Breakdown of the barrier systems
• Cytokine Dysregulation

While I understand that most do not know what I may be talking about here, I listed this so you can question your health care practitioner to discuss this.

I find that one of the most significant factors within my client base is tied into the depletion of your bodies ability to create and recycle glutathione. Glutathione is your body’s primary anti-oxidant that also acts as a boost for all other anti-oxidants within the body. The lack of this proper recycling of glutathione leads to the breakdown of the blood/brain barrier, thus allowing chemical toxins to invade the brain. This often leads to an array of symptom challenges and brain inflammation that may seem unbearable.

This is why I say that you will not likely die from detoxification but you may wish you could.

In regard to your body’s glutathione, I want to share the two biggest factors in this depletion, which are alcohol and stress. Any combination of one of or even worse, both, can lead to significant challenges with the loss of barrier function and lowering of chemical tolerances that can throw your health and balance completely out of control.

For those the would like a simple test to understand the balance and integrity for your blood/brain barrier balance and integrity, feel free to register for a complimentary 20 minute phone consultation with me personally  or call my office at 949.954.6226. This is too significant of a challenge to ignore.