Functional nutrition is the foundation on which we build health. When a client faces chronic illness, chronic symptoms/ conditions, or autoimmune disorder(s), we must first deal with the root of these symptoms. We have to start at the foundations and work our way up.
Of course, my goal is to get clients fully well for the long term. The first step in allowing the body to heal is to prepare the body for treatment. This includes eliminating any underlying causes, such as infections or toxins.
Let's face it: we are all constantly being exposed to toxins. The question is not IF we are being exposed but how much, how often, and how much is stored in the body. We must consider an important concept, the exposome, the total toxin exposure throughout a lifetime.
The term toxin is an overarching term for any substance that produces adverse biological effects on the body. Toxins can include natural biotoxins such as mycotoxins from mold or synthetic toxicants such as pesticides, herbicides, phthalates, EMFs, radiation, and more. Toxins can also include variables such as nutritional status, food sensitivities, low-lying chronic infections, stress, and lifestyle. When we look at a person's genome and epigenetic factors along with their exposome in combination, this gives a clearer picture of their health status.
Toxins are either eliminated from the body, OR they persist in the body, causing damage to our mitochondria and cells, impairing our detoxification capacity, increasing oxidative stress, creating immune dysfunction, endocrine dysfunction, increasing inflammation, damaging the microbiome, and breaking down our barrier systems (blood-brain barrier, intestinal barrier, and lung-epithelial barrier). Toxins never exist in isolation, and the impact of toxins is profound.
The toxic burden in the body is determined by the number of toxins we are exposed to and our ability to excrete toxins effectively (detoxification). When left unaddressed, toxin exposure "overflows" beyond the body's capacity to handle it and can lead to illness.
Some common symptoms often found with toxin illness:
Chronic recurrent upper respiratory and sinus infections
Chronic headaches/ migraines
Chronic fatigue
Muscle aches
Brain fog
Internal vibrations/ tremors
Vertigo
Cognitive decline and learning issues
Dementias
Severe gut issues (IBS, UC, constipation, diarrhea, etc)
Autoimmune disorders
Night sweats
Skin issues/ rashes/ eczema
Thinning or loss of hair
Mood dysregulation (anxiety, depression, etc)
Recurrent infections such as UTIs, interstitial cystitis, bladder infections
Fertility complications
Immune challenges and cancer
Limbic system impairment
Mast Cell Activation (MCAS)
When toxin overload is suspected, we must be strategic about assessing the presence of toxins and the clinical approach to help eliminate these from the body. There are six main steps I like to follow:
1. Assessment and testing:
A thorough intake of questions and information gathering to try and identify sources of exposure to toxins and then using this information to help guide which comprehensive lab tests are the most appropriate. This can include comprehensive stool testing, a comprehensive blood chemistry lab panel, testing for specific toxins such as heavy metals, toxic chemicals, mold/ mycotoxins, Visual Contrast Sensitivity test (VCS) test, MARCoNS, Viral infections, Lyme and co-infections testing, and a Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) lab panel.
2. Avoidance:
After gathering the client's health history, toxin exposure information, and lab data, we have determined exposures and the potential toxic burden on the client's body when we identify sources of found exposures and avoid and eliminate these from the environment. This is critical to prevent further exposures to help reduce the body's toxic load and allow it to get some reprieve to begin healing. We cannot get well in the environment that made us ill; sometimes, clients need to get out of the environment they have been living in to get well.
3. Nourish and support:
While avoiding toxins, we want to support the body further through diet and lifestyle, which will help nourish the body. This step should include eating a nutrient-dense, clean diet, supplementing with proper nutrients and co-factors needed to support detoxification, and staying hydrated with clean filtered water. Breathing clean air (air purification, frequent vacuuming and dusting in the home and work environments, mold testing in these environments if appropriate). Exercise is essential to help promote lymphatic drainage, sweat to support detoxification, and adequate sleep to help drain the brain's glymphatic system, which is vital for toxin recovery.
4. Strengthen the system:
Once we have identified toxins present in the body and identified where the exposures have potentially come from, learned why and how to avoid further exposures to these toxins, supported the body's detoxification with appropriate nutrients and co-factors necessary for detoxification, nourished the body with nutrient-rich foods and water and cleaned up the environment in which the client is living. We can begin to work on strengthening the system. The first goal is to ensure all of the body's drainage pathways are open; this includes the colon, the liver and bile ducts, the lymphatic and glymphatic system, the kidneys, and the skin. The colon is the most essential part of the body's drainage funnel, making daily bowel movements a critical component. The drainage pathways will be negatively affected if the colon is backed up. This step can take some time but is essential before moving on to the next step. If drainage is slow and backed up, toxins are not correctly eliminated from the body and can increase symptoms related to toxin overload.
5. Repair the damage:
Once adequate and efficient drainage in the body has been achieved, you can move on to repairing the body. The focus is on five areas: supporting the mitochondria, improving gut barrier disruption, reducing inflammation, optimizing glutathione, and binding to toxins with binders. This stage is essential before moving on to the next step. This step can also take some time; slow and low is the key as you risk mobilizing toxins too quickly, which can overwhelm the client's body and make them feel worse.
6. Deep detoxification:
The last step in the process is when we can begin to work on active detoxification and eradication of toxins and co-infections. This can include antifungals, liver detoxification supports, and targeted supplements based on each person's symptoms and specific needs. Somebody must carefully bring in this step to avoid causing die-off reactions and recirculation of toxins, which can exacerbate symptoms.
At the root of immune dysfunction lies the true culprit: exposure from a poison or toxicant that has altered the body's environment. That's why getting to the foundation of true health and what is causing dysfunction is so important! Because toxins are at the root of so many health issues, we must address the total toxin burden on the body, or it can be a vicious, endless cycle of sickness and symptoms and leave you feeling frustrated and hopeless. When faced with toxin illness, be prepared for a long journey, and partner with a provider who will support and guide you along your healing journey.
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