Toxins OUT, OUT, OUT

Now you are aware of many of the toxic influences surrounding us every day, it is time to find out how much these are affecting your health.

There are a number of quite complex and expensive tests to track minerals and some other toxins in your body, but let’s start with simple strategies first. If there are doubts about what might be causing certain symptoms, you can move on to more advanced testing if needed.

Your life history will give really good indications of possible toxic exposure if you have been thorough and frank in writing it. Here are some things to look for and note:

• Where you were born? Was this a pristine rural area? Urbanised with traffic pollution (perhaps lead) as well as other toxic particulates? A farming area (remember, sprays can drift many kilometres/miles from the farm being sprayed)? A mining area – current or defunct (we often find polluting heavy metals in old mining areas)? Was it an industrial area with high levels of air pollution?

• What was around the family home as you were growing up? Did your parents spray the garden? Was there lead-based paint in the shed? Did Dad or you fiddle about with cars or other machinery, using petroleum-based products for cleaning, lubricating, etc? Did your parents spray garden plants with herbicides or pesticides (my Dad used an anti-pest dust on his tomatoes – did yours?)?

• Where do/did you work? Are/were there chemicals in the work place (cleaners, processing chemicals). Was/is your workplace in an industrial area with high pollution? Did your work require road travel with consequent pollutants?

• Have you travelled during your life? Spent time in airports and aircraft? Spent time in countries where water may contain heavy metals or other toxins?

• Have you coloured your hair? Used nail polish or artificial nails? Worn makeup?

• Do you use strong cleaning compounds in your home? Do us use body care products (shampoos, soap, etc) from the supermarket and have you read the labels?

• Do you use antiseptic had cleaners or sprays in your home? These can be a source of significant toxins.

As you can see, there are many possible sources of toxins that can be absorbed via your skin, respiratory system or ingestion. A review of your history may be all the evidence you need to decide to use strategies to dispel toxins, even without definite proof that they are there.

I used detox protocols for some years before testing and found that, while there were still some significant toxins in my system, I had made improvements by cleaning up my body.

If you would like more definite proof of toxic levels, a Hair Mineral Analysis (HMA – sometimes called a Hair Mineral Test – HMT) is the easiest way forward. While urine and blood provocation tests are often recombed by integrative medical practitioners, and may be as little more current and accurate, these can be quire rigorous and expensive and I have found the HMA strategy to be very useful and quite accurate enough.

Hair to be tested can be taken from the nape of the neck or pubis. The hair must be free from artificial colours and toxic soaps/shampoos, and generally about a tablespoon of hair is required. If you have been in the habit of colouring your hair, you may need to let it grow out for 6-8 weeks; and you should never colour your hair again anyway.

Because hair grows relatively quickly (even if we are elderly and losing hair) it can give a “picture” of the mineral content of cells. If there are high quantities of minerals in hair cells, we can safely assume that there are high quantities of those minerals distributed around other body cells. Parallel testing using HMA and provocation testing in the same patients have shown a very strong correlation int eh results, so we believe that HMA gives us an accurate picture of mineral content and mineral ratios.

It is easy to find tests in most countries; just search the internet for labs offering HMA in your area/country. It is best to find a lab that DOES NOT wash the hair before testing. Washing hair samples in the lab makes the job a bit easier for them, but can distort the findings as washing may remove some of the toxins/minerals.

Once you find an appropriate lab, call them and ask for instructions on sending a sample – it is usually quite simple. Results will take around 6 weeks, so be patient; it is better to have an accurate test than a fast one.

As soon as you have sent your hair away, begin detox strategies as detailed below. Everybody needs to be detoxing. If we had no toxins we would not be as sick as we are. Even before our detox protocols, you should, by now, be eating only healthy foods and eschewing any and all foods on the “Worst Foods” list.

DETOX, DETOX, DETOX

• Toxins play a pivotal role in creating the pathway to Parkinson’s disease-like illness. Even if your diagnosis is vague or “atypical”, detox strategies are vital.To clear the way for recovery, we must remove all toxins that may inflame or damage our nervous system. Aluminium, arsenic, lead, mercury and glyphosate are prominent, but there are many others.In order to maximise immune function, enhance nerve recovery, optimise antimicrobial activity, and maintain a reasonable level of wellness during recovery, we MUST be active in removing toxins from our body and environment every day.ENVIRONMENTAL DETOXWe are exposed to chemicals every day; in the air we breathe, the food we eat, products we put on our body, cleaning products, products we use in the garden, from the cars that we drive and other forms of transport. Chemicals are not intrinsically bad for us; in fact our bodies are made up of millions of different chemicals. However, humans have managed to produce hundreds-of-thousands of synthetic chemicals and heavy metals that we need to avoid in our day-to-day lives. Some neurologists estimate that we may contact over 500,000 neurotoxic man-made chemicals during our daily routines.PERSONAL DETOX“Clean diet”; free from gluten/grains, diary (cows, sheep & goats), refined sugar, caffeine, aspartame, additives. Lots of fresh vegetables and living food, plus eat lots of parsley and coriander. Our diet can be a source of toxins (and probably has been for most of our lives) because of Western eating habits (grain, dairy, sweeteners, colours, sugar, caffeine, etc), and thousands of preservatives, emulsifiers, excipients, colours, flavours and modified particles added to foods. Even “fresh” foods often contain chemicals used in production that are considered “safe” but can cause real health challenges while accumulating in our body.

  Warm Lemon Water before meals. The water should be between room temperature and blood temperature and the amount of lemon juice should “pucker your lips” (i.e. very strong).  This simple activity stimulates production of hydrochloric acid in our stomach (needed for protein digestion and systemic alkalising), and a variety of digestive enzymes in our gut. Liver function and bile production is stimulated. It can contribute to improved bowel function as well.

  At least 1.5-2 litres of “clean” water daily. Dehydration is the enemy of wellness. Drinking adequate water daily flushes our system, hydrates tissues and organs, softens stools and assists with bowel function. We need at least two (preferably three) good bowel evacuations daily for good health.

  Chia seeds—soak overnight and add some lemon juice in the morning before drinking. Chia seeds MUST be soaked in plain water for at least 8 hours to be effective. They will bulk up and hydrate stools and assist bowel function without the adverse effects of harsh laxatives. Chia seeds are also a good source of omega 3 fatty acids (anti-inflammatory), protein and a number of trace minerals. When activated (by soaking), chia seeds are excellent gut toxin binders, so will help remove toxins from the digestive system.

  Dry skin brushing. Use a natural bristle brush only. Always skin brush BEFORE showering or bathing. Start at the periphery (hands/feet) and brush firmly in small circular motions moving towards the heart. Brush your thorax and back towards the heart as well (it’s great if you have a partner to brush your backJ). Brushing removes dead skin and superficial toxins, stimulates blood and lymph flow, and makes you feel great.

  Epsom Salts baths and foot baths. Put two or three tablespoons in a basin with warm (not hot water) and soak your feet for 20 minutes. Or put two cups of Epsom Salts in your bath (again, warm, not hot) and soak luxuriously for 15-20 minutes. The Epsom Salts will draw toxins out through our skin. However, if we soak for too long, we start to reabsorb the toxins floating in the water. If the water is too hot for immediate comfort, it can affect fascia function and reduce our detoxing efficiency. You must rinse off (feet or whole body as needed) after the detox bath/foot soak to prevent reabsorption of the toxins. Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate) can often be purchased in large quantities (20-25kg)quite cheaply from equestrian centres or animal welfare supplies as this compound is used extensively in animal care. Purchasing in small quantities from supermarkets is unnecessarily expensive.

  Oil pulling. To oil pull, simply slowly swish your choice of unrefined, high quality oil in your

  mouth, similar to the way you would use a mouthwash, for two to 20 minutes. The process attracts and removes bacteria, toxins, and parasites that live in your mouth or lymph system, and also pulls congestion and mucus from your throat and loosens up your sinuses. With the help of your saliva, toxins and microbes bind with the oil, ready to be disposed of. Pulling also helps re-mineralize your teeth and strengthen your gums by thoroughly cleansing the area.

  Coconut oil is probably the best to use because it has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and enzymatic properties. This provides the added benefit of killing any unwanted bacteria that may be residing in the mouth, while leaving behind healthy probiotic strains.

  To start, scoop ½ to 1 full tablespoon of coconut oil into the mouth; if it’s cold, allow the oil to melt. Now push, swirl, and pull the oil between your teeth, around your gums, and allow it to touch every part of your mouth except your throat. You don’t want the oil getting in contact with your throat because it’s now carrying somewhat toxic material. No gargling!

  Stay calm, practice deep breathing through your nose, move quietly through other morning duties. Make this a morning ritual several times each week and enjoy the feeling of cleansing, the relaxation with the absence of talking

  Once your time pulling is over, spit into the trash or toilet, but never the sink — the oil could solidify and clog your drain. Now rinse your mouth out with clean water two or three times. Finally, drink a glass of water and relax. You should be feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

  GENERAL DETOX

  Heel Galium-Heel: assists in removing toxins from within cells; boosts immune function. Heel products are available throughout Europe and UK (they are made in Germany) and through Naturopaths in many countries.

  Heel Detox Kit: three remedies that enhance elimination & detoxification via liver, kidneys and lymph. This is a fabulous detox protocol – but use at VERY LOW DOSES rather than as directed (see protocol at the end of this class).

  Colonic Irrigation/Hydrotherapy: may assist in clearing impacted faecal matter from the colon and improving overall bowel function. It can be useful to have three treatments over two weeks, then go once each month or so to maintain good bowel function and remain clear from toxins

  Bowen Therapy: may improve elimination via fascia, lymph, kidneys and bowel.

  Lymph Drainage Massage: improves elimination via lymph.

ELIMINATING HEAVY METALS

Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, aluminium and mercury are commonly found in the hair analysis of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. These metals tend to lodge inside cells and, as they are lipid-soluble (fat soluble), are very difficult to eliminate. Our body works well with water, but can find fat-soluble substances difficulty to handle, even though we need significant amounts of fat from food to healthy function.

When heavy metals are lodged in cells for years, they can create significant challenges in our immune and nervous systems, often creating vague symptoms that develop very slowly (sometimes almost unnoticeable until they become frustrating) and may mimic symptoms of disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

Arsenic: often ingested via contaminated drinking water or contaminated foods (vegetables watered with contaminated water or animals drinking contaminated water). Gold mining areas may have ground water contaminated with arsenic from old processes. In grazing areas, workers prior to the mid-1950’s were exposed to animal dips using arsenic. This was replaced by DDT which was later proven to be just as toxic as arsenic. There are still residues of arsenic and DDT in the soil around old dip sites, and this may have contaminated ground water or even dams close by. Most cases of arsenic or DDT poisoning I have seen have been in those who live, or have lived for some time in cattle, sheep or gold-mining areas.

NOTE: the chemicals currently advised for cattle and sheep dips are just as toxic as arsenic and DDT, but have fancier names.

Arsenic is considered carcinogenic (which is bad enough) but, over time can significantly affect nerve function, causing neuropathy, confusion and similar symptoms.

Lead: may be absorbed from old lead-based paint (especially if removing or sanding the paint) and be a problem for those around when leaded petrol (gas) was used. Even though leaded petrol was banned in moat countries around the year 200-2002, there is significant residue in dust, dirt soil and sand. Lead expelled from vehicular exhausts is somewhat heavier that air, so became mixed with dust, dirt and sand beside roads. This material drifted with stronger winds, often being found over 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the roads. Lead was used in fuels for over 100 years, so the residue is significant.

Lead pipes were commonly used in older houses and may still exist in some building. Lead was commonly used in a number of plumbing procedures.

Women wearing red lipstick daily may ingest over one kilogram of lead though their lifetime.

Smoking exposes us (and those round us) to lead toxicity.

Lead solder can cause rapid absorption.

Food can used to have lead-soldered joints. Some sources of lead were still in use until only 20 years ago.

Lead lighting windows can be quite toxic for those doing the work.

Lead can cause fatigue, anaemia, circulation challenges, confusion and nerve damage.

Mercury: those older people (my age, for instance) may remember playing with mercury (quicksilver) at school. Many of us have broken mercury filled thermometers and played with the little silver balls on the desk or table.

There is much talk about the mercury in amalgam dental fillings and there is no doubt that all who have amalgam in their teeth (or used to have) have absorbed some mercury in this way. But don’t rush to have the fillings removed – see my advice below before rushing to specialist dentists for amalgam removal.

A hidden source of mercury for many years was vaccines. Most modern vaccines are relatively inefficient so manufacturers include “adjuvants” to “irritate” the immune system and create and bigger response with increased production of antibodies. Thiomersal (sometimes spelt Thimersal or Thimerosal) was included in vaccines since the 1930’s also as a preservative, and this continued until at least 1999.

The National Centre for Vaccine Research and Surveillance, in a 2009 paper, says that current vaccine contain “very little, if any, thiomersal”. That rather vague statement is open to interpretation and it seems that some vaccines may still contain some traces of thiomersal.

While one dose of a vaccine containing thiomersal is unlikely to cause any harm, repeated vaccinations cause an accumulation of fat-soluble toxins in cells because our body has no way of getting rid of them. Even having one or two influenza vaccines per year will cause an accumulation of mercury in cells.

This is not intended as a discussion on whether or not you should choose to be vaccinated. That is a decision for you to make in discussion with your primary healthcare practitioner. I simply wish to point out that vaccines contain some toxic product as well as the therapeutic product.

Certain fish also contain mercury and it is wise to choose deep sea fish from relatively unpolluted water. Fish to avoid in particular include “top feeders” like shark (flake) swordfish and marlin as they feed on fish that have fed on smaller fish that have fed on …… etc, meaning that the top predators have accumulated most of the toxins absorbed by their prey. Deep sea fish from the cleanest waters are good choices and/or fresh water fish from pristine lakes and streams.

Aluminium (Aluminum in USA): there are many sources of aluminium; cooking equipment (pots, pans, baking trays, utensils); aluminium foil used for storage and protection when cooking; food preservatives, colouring agents, anti-caking agents and thickeners; deodorants and other body care products; medications including antacids and many vaccines; some industrial processes and paints.

A number of health “authorities” have examined the likely intake of aluminium and declared the current likely intake to be “safe”. However, these assessments are generally isolated to one source and “average” consumption. For instance, one study will examine the aluminium intake from foods and declare that safe, while another will examine medication and declare that safe. But the various sources are not examined together and the intake added. There are also statements that only a tiny amount of ingested aluminium is absorbed while the rest is passed in our faeces. Also that, in healthy people, the absorbed aluminium is eliminated via the urine.

These statements/studies fail to account for the small to tiny amounts of aluminium that are not eliminated and recent studies showing significant implication of aluminium in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders and the formation of misfolded alpha synuclein.

Many patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease show a high content of aluminium in Hair Tests.

To protect against aluminium absorption, do not use aluminium cooking utensils, do not cook or store hot food in aluminium foil, use deodorants guaranteed aluminium-free and examine all other body care products for toxins, do not use antacids and ask your pharmacist for a full ingredient list of any other medications taken, consider your option to vaccinate or not.

Cadmium: cadmium is extremely toxic and may be absorbed through ingestion or respiration. Prime sources are batteries (NiCad) and cigarette smoke. A number of industrial processes use cadmium so it is a component of air pollution.

The best way to avoid cadmium is to stop smoking and avoid smokers, and seek fresh air whenever possible.

REMOVING HEAVY METALS

Once we have strategies in place to avoid toxic heavy metals, we need to work on removing whatever amounts we have absorbed over our life span. We will have some heavy metal pollution unless we have lived entirely in a pristine environment, eaten only fresh organic food, and never used any toxic products. If this is you, then you do not need this book (for yourself anyway).

Removing heavy metals is, and must be slow. Heavy metals reside inside our cells and inhibit healthy cell function by increasing oxidation and production of ROS (oxidants) and disrupting mitochondria function. The temptation is to use rigorous therapies (such as chelation) to remove the cell toxins quickly and move on with healing.

However, effective elimination from our body depends on a variety of elimination pathways including our liver, bowel, bladder, respiration (breathing) and transpiration (sweating). If any of these pathways are compromised, spilling toxins into our blood stream too quickly may make us even sicker than we are.

Similarly, removing large numbers of amalgam fillings quickly may make us sicker than we are already. Be aware that, despite claims to the contrary, some mercury will be released into your blood stream when amalgam fillings are removed. This is completely unavoidable. Many dentists use dams to stop powdered filling being ingested, great suction systems to remove residue quickly, but nothing can stop mercury fumes from being absorbed via the tooth root into the blood stream. The amount may be tiny, but if we already are debilitated and have a toxic load, it may be enough to “tip us over the edge”. If a filling needs work, replace it with a better material. However, if amalgam fillings are intact and functional, leave them there until they MUST be removed, then do it slowly, detoxing thoroughly all the time.

Intracellular heavy metals can be removed slowly using a combination of nutritional supplements and homeopathics, together with the general detox strategies described earlier.

In Australia, Medicine Tree Metal Chel8 homeopathic spray is excellent for drawing heavy metals from cells (http://returntostillness.com.au/phone/shop.html#!/Metal-Chel8-20ml/p/53882353/category=14192201), while there are similar products available in other countries. BioPractica Matrix Phase Detox is a focused “greens” powder which can help draw toxics from cells and make them available to binding compounds that will eliminate them (see below for ingredients and, if not available in your country, look for a similar product).

Once toxins are expelled from cells, they can be bound by products like Modified Activated Clinoptilolite (MAC) soled as Froxinum Toxaprevent Pure in many countries. Soaked (activated) chia seeds and certain herbal formulas can also bind and eliminate toxins once out of the cells.

It is vital that, during your recovery journey, you continue to use many detox strategies to eliminate toxins that may inhibit health. Check and recheck all the detox advice in this class, and never stop detoxing.

Matrix Phase Detox Active Ingredients – per 7 g serving (approximately 1 heaped teaspoon):

• Energy 72 KJ (17 Cal)
• Protein 1.8 g 
• Fat total Less than 0.1 g 
  • saturated Less than 0.1 g 
• Carbohydrate 1.8 g
  • sugars 0.2 g
• Dietary Fibre 940 mg
• Sodium 3 mg
• Lipoic acid 25 mg
• Glutamine 800 mg
• Timethylglycine (TMG) 300 mg
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 100 mg
• Calcium glucarate 100 mg
• Taurine 60 mg
• Cysteine 50 mg
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 80 mg
• Magnesium (as citrate) 50 mg
• Zinc (as citrate) 5 mg
• Green Matrix Blend 1776 mg 
  • Broccoli sprout powder 100 mg
  • Organic Barley grass 883 mg 
  • Coriander 50 mg
  • Organic cracked Chlorella 100 mg
  • Spirulina 643 mg 
• Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) 500 mg
• Schisandra (S. chinensis) 200 mg
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 50 mg 
• Cleavers (Galium aparine) 80 mg
• Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) 80 mg
• Apple Pectin 320 mg 

Vegetarian and vegan friendly formula. No added wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, dairy and animal products, corn, sucrose, lactose, sodium, salt, egg, nuts
Free from artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours and preservatives

References

• “Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin’”; John C Coleman ND; Michelle Anderson Publishing, Melbourne Australia; 2005.

• VICTOROFF Dr. Jeff; “Saving Your Brain”; Bantam Books (Random House Australia), Milsons Point, NSW, Australia, 2002.

• McEWEN Professor Bruce; interview by Dr. Norman Swan on ABC Radio National “The Health Report” 10^th January 2005; downloaded from ABC website 11^th January 2005.

• MARJAMA-LYONS Jill, M.D.; “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Parkinson’s Disease”;  Warner Books, New York, USA; 2003

• KABAT-ZINN Jon, Ph.D.; “Full Catastrophe Living”; Delta Book; Dell Publishing, New York, USA; 1990

• “Meditation”; no author given; www.wholehealthmd.com ; downloaded from website 16^th January 2005