Tag: detox

What Is Activated Charcoal Used For?

Black particles charcoal on a wooden spoon

(Dr. Mercola) Activated charcoal is now making waves in both the medical and cosmetic industry because of its supposed ability to improve your well-being. But this is not an entirely new trend; Egyptian records as early as 1,500 B.C. showed that activated charcoal was already being used to absorb unpleasant odors from putrefying wounds.1 In this guide, you will learn what activated charcoal’s benefits are and the possible side effects that may occur when you take it.

What Is Activated Charcoal?

Activated charcoal is not the same as the toxic briquettes often used for grilling foods. Instead, it is a byproduct of wood, peat or coconut shells, and is made after being heated along with a gas that assists with opening various “pores” in the coal.2

Related: Best Supplements To Kill Candida and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Fungal Infections

The finished product is a tasteless and odorless powder3 that may have either positive or negative charges, depending on the pH level of the solution used to create the powder.4 Activated charcoal powder is very porous, and once activated, the porosity rises, allowing it to efficiently absorb more substances.5

Activated charcoal allows harmful drugs and toxins lurking in the body to bind to it, so these materials may be expelled. This is why activated charcoal is often used for patients who have suffered from drug overdose or poisoning, as it helps with their recovery. Activated charcoal powder and capsules, both taken orally, are sold by various retailers.6

Activated Charcoal Is a Notable Addition to Water Filters

Activated charcoal can be used for purifying and filtering water. It’s a common ingredient in water filter systems for industrial or home use. It has the potential to trap pesticides, solvents, industrial waste and chemicals, and help reduce unpleasant odors. Activated charcoal has also shown promise in eliminating harmful substances like chlorine, chloramine, phenol and tannins, to name a few, though it may not work for others.7 You can check out a detailed list in this article.

Activated Charcoal May Have Beneficial Uses for Your Body

Activated charcoal may also be used for other medicinal purposes:8

•May work as a poison antidote: Activated charcoal is most known for its capability to facilitate a chemical process called adsorption. This means it can trap harmful chemicals and toxins in the bloodstream in its pores.9 According to a 2000 British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology article, activated charcoal’s beneficial effects may be at their best when taken at least an hour after toxic substance intake.10

•Work against the effects of toxic mold: Mold may cause health issues like depression, reduced brain function, kidney and liver failure, eye irritation and weakened immune system function. Activated charcoal may help combat these effects.11,12

Prior to using activated charcoal, consult a physician first to fully check for symptoms of mold exposure. Talk to a professional to check for the presence of mold at home so that the situation can be properly dealt with.

•Help prevent premature aging: Activated charcoal may aid in supporting adrenal gland health and preventing cellular damage to your kidneys13 (when taken alongside a low-protein diet14) and liver.15

Related: Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

•Help relieve gastrointestinal issues: Activated charcoal may be useful for people dealing with bloating, diarrhea and other related issues, since it can bind with gas-causing byproducts in foods.16 In fact, the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) has promoted the use of over-the-counter charcoal tablets as a potential method to address flatulence.17

•Assist in treating bug and/or snake bites: If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of bee stings or mosquito, fire ant, or spider bites, a combination of activated charcoal and coconut oil may help address the condition.

A 2013 Der Anaesthesist study has also proposed the use of activated charcoal to combat the effects of snake bites, although more studies have to be conducted to truly determine its true efficiency toward this life-threatening health issue.18

There are other reports indicating that activated charcoal may assist with eliminating fishy odors linked to a disorder called trimethylaminuria,19 optimizing cholesterol levels, promoting better kidney function, treating patients with chronic kidney disease, promoting better renal dialysis outcomes, and shielding workers who may have been exposed to vapors (via the use of a charcoal cartridge).20

Take note, however, that activated charcoal is not an instant cure. If you want to significantly improve your health, you need to focus on improving your lifestyle by eating healthy foods and maintaining a regular exercise routine.

Can Activated Charcoal Help With Personal Hygiene?

Activated charcoal face masks are gaining popularity, especially among people who want to improve the overall condition of their skin. Activated charcoal may be used for treating acne, as it may eliminate pimple-causing oil and dead skin cells.21 Because of this, numerous online sellers have been promoting the use of charcoal facial sponges as a gentle exfoliant.22

However, as California-based dermatologist Dr. Ivy Lee highlights in a Reader’s Digest article, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to classify activated charcoal as a potent acne treatment.23Furthermore, cases of skin peeling were reported after using bamboo charcoal face masks, an adverse effect that was linked to PVA glue. This is an active ingredient in the mask mixture that may target impurities and negatively affect the skin. This is a compelling enough reason for you to consider other more effective natural acne treatments.

There’s also talk of activated charcoal’s potential for dental health, but dentists typically ask their patients to be cautious about using this substance, as it is very abrasive and may damage tooth enamel. The American Dental Association explains:24

… [U]sing materials that are too abrasive on your teeth can actually make them look more yellow. Enamel is what you’re looking to whiten, but if you’re using a scrub that is too rough, you can actually wear it away. When that happens, the next layer of your tooth can become exposed — a softer, yellow tissue called dentin.

If you want whiter teeth, coconut oil may be a better option, especially when you use it for oil pulling. This technique may assist with eliminating harmful bacteria residing in your mouth. You can also add a drop of peppermint essential oil for a minty aftertaste.

Studies on Activated Charcoal

Initial information about activated charcoal’s adsorbent properties were known as early as the 1700s.25 Scientists Michel Betrand, Pierre Touery, William Hort and Sir Alfred Barring Garrod were responsible for some of the earliest studies regarding activated charcoal. Most research during this era discovered activated charcoal’s potential in counteracting clinical effects of poisoning in animals and humans.

It was reported that Touery swallowed a lethal dose of poison called strychnine in front of colleagues at the French Academy of Medicine. He survived because he also drank activated charcoal, proving that it can counteract poison.26

Related: Activated Charcoal is Very Popular Right now – Here’s Why

One of the most recent studies about this substance was published in the journal bioRxiv in August 2017. Results showed that a slow-release activated charcoal formula called DAV132, which was developed by researchers from a Paris-based company called Da Volterra, may assist antibiotics in addressing certain illnesses, without triggering side effects the latter are known to cause.27

The study participants either took five days’ worth of the antibiotic moxifloxacin alongside a twice-daily DAV132 dosage, took the antibiotic only, or received no treatment at all. The researchers discovered that:28

  • The DAV132 formula had no effect on both the quantities of antibiotics in the bloodstream and in the latter’s efficiency in treating the infection.
  • DAV132 also assisted with cleaning the large intestine and flushing out antibiotics from the body. This was concluded after examining the amount of antibiotics in the feces of participants who took the formula.
  • DAV132 maintained around 90 percent of the beneficial gut bacteria in those who took it., Those who only took antibiotics had significantly reduced healthy bacteria.

While this sounds promising, take note that most studies conducted on activated charcoal focused on its effects on adults, and little on children. Guidelines regarding activated charcoal intake for children are often based on case reports and case series.

Future researchers need to consider how activated charcoal can affect children, since it’s during childhood when organs are developing to deal with toxic drugs and chemicals that they may encounter. It’s important to consult a physician or a health expert first before letting a child take activated charcoal. Some children might not be able to handle this supplement which could lead to adverse reactions.29

Side Effects of Activated Charcoal

Generally, the use of activated charcoal is safe, but only when it comes to treating a case of poisoning or an overdose at a healthcare facility, and under the guidance of a health professional.30

An important note regarding frequent activated charcoal intake is its tendency to absorb essential nutrients and minerals,31 depleting their levels and raising your risk for certain health problems. Activated charcoal may disrupt proper vitamin and mineral absorption from foods that you eat too, and it may not work well when used with other detoxifying chelating agents.

Related: Best Supplements To Kill Lyme and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Lyme Disease

Side effects have been reported after ingesting activated charcoal, such as pain or swelling of the stomach. People may notice that the tongue or the stool turns black, which is usually expected from this supplement. Other side effects may also occur, but these often do not need medical attention, and may go away during treatment once the body adjusts to the activated charcoal.32

If activated charcoal triggers severe side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, constipation or even a suspected gastrointestinal blockage, talk to your doctor or physician immediately.33 Activated charcoal can block the absorption of medicines (like acetaminophen, theophylline and tricycline antidepressants) or supplements. It’s also known to interact with other medicines like:34,35

Ipecac or syrup of ipecac, as activated charcoal may decrease its effectiveness36 Drugs used for constipation, such as cathartics (sorbitol or magnesium citrate), since they can trigger electrolyte imbalances and other problems
Precose (acarbose) Cancer drugs like Arava (leflunomide)
Lanoxin or Digox (digoxin) Transplant drugs like mycophenolate mofetil and mycophenolic acid
Acetadote (acetylcysteine) Polyethylene glycole solution37

Lastly, avoid taking activated charcoal mixed with chocolate syrup, ice cream, raw milk or sherbets, since these may prevent it from working properly.38

The full extent of activated charcoal’s capabilities is still being determined, but there’s evidence showing its potential when it comes to improving your well-being. It may not be a magic solution for coping with certain health problems, but it can be a complementary option if conventional treatments do not suffice.

Supplements for BPA and BPS, Heavy Metal Detox, and Other Endocrine Disrupters

Without a proper diet, the right supplements will work, but only to a certain extent, and only for a little while. On the other hand, supplements taken with a healthy diet can radically speed up healing time.

This article is an excerpt from How to Detox From Plastics and Other Endocrine Disruptors

Probiotics

1.) Get thee some probiotics – pronto. I’m not talking celebrity endorsed yogurt here. Chose fermented foods like kimchi, natural sauerkraut, and kefir. A refrigerated, concentrated probiotic supplement helps. Drink kombucha. Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus casei were found to extract BPA from the blood of mammals and were excreted out through the bowels. That is very good news!

Beneficial bacteria strengthen the gut and help break down chemicals like BPA so they can be cleared out. As a bonus, they break down pesticides, another major endocrine-disruptor, and other toxins as well. Probiotics are becoming well known for breaking down endocrine-disruptors and other toxins in the body.

Chlorella has a well-documented history of helping remove heavy metals and other toxins like dioxin from the body expeditiously. Its high concentration of chlorophyll and fiber seems to be a big part of its exceptional detox benefits. It’s almost certain, considering the mechanism, that Chlorella (and spirulina) help pull out BPAs and other plastic residue.

Chlorella is a good source of protein, GLA, and phytochemicals, B12, B2, B3, iron, magnesium, Beta Carotene, and a bunch of powerful phytochemicals. Chlorella stimulates the growth of friendly bacteria. Furthermore, chlorella’s cell walls act to absorb toxic compounds within the intestines, restoring proper gastrointestinal pH and helping to promote normal peristalsis. And it is another chelator, as it is also very negatively charged, attracting positively charged molecules.

Phytochemicals found within Chlorella pyrenoidosa support the complex network of enzymatic reactions that drive the human detoxification system. This detoxification network involves the Phase I and Phase II enzymatic reactions that take place in nearly all cells in the body, though they are concentrated in the liver cells. Phase I detoxification reactions change non-polar chemicals that are not water-soluble into relatively polar, water-soluble compounds. The Phase I process can result in the formation of reactive chemicals that are typically more toxic than the original compounds. Phase II detoxification is necessary therefore to add chemical groups to the toxic intermediates to make them water-soluble so that they may easily be excreted via urine and/or feces. Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways must remain functional for the removal of toxins from the body. This research focuses specifically on the Chlorella pyrenoidosa species of green algae recognized for its detoxification properties. – King Hardt Academy

Spirulina

Chlorella is green algae, but spirulina is more of a blue-green in color. These two algae have a lot in common. Chlorella’s green hue demonstrates that it’s richer in chlorophyll than spirulina, and chlorella is said to have stronger detoxification properties. But spirulina is an even better source of protein, and it offers iron, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, calcium, potassium, zinc, and a host of microminerals.

Related: Total Nutrition – Make your own Homemade Multivitamin and Mineral Formula

Enzymes

Digestive enzymes break down food. Metabolic enzymes, also known as systemic enzymes, break down foreign proteins, fibrin, and other toxins, and they clean the blood of impurities. Consider the ramifications of this. Probiotics and enzymes together help breakdown nearly everything in the gut that doesn’t belong. Read more about systemic enzymes here.

Green Tea

One way in which BPA harms body tissues is through oxidative stress. Two laboratory studies using extracts from both green tea and black tea were able to mitigate the damaging effects of BPA by protecting our cells from oxidative damage. Green tea has also been shown to stimulate glucuronidation, a detoxification pathway used for eliminating BPA from the body.

Lipoic Acid and folate have also been shown to reverse many of BPAs most damaging effects, especially oxidative stress.

How to Detox Heavy Metals to Help End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue

Detoxification Treatment

Detoxification is an important aspect of optimal health, but can be quite confusing, not to mention risky if done incorrectly. Wendy Myers, a functional diagnostic nutritionist, founder of MyersDetox.com and author of “Limitless Energy: How to Detox Toxic Metals to End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue,” is a treasure trove of information on this topic.

One key component many fail to take into consideration when detoxing is their exposure to non-native electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and microwave radiation from cellphones and Wi-Fi routers. Unless you address these exposures, your detoxification capacity may be impeded. In other words, your body may not be able to excrete heavy metals as efficiently as it would otherwise, due to the interference caused by EMFs.

Related: Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included

EMFs Hinder Detoxification

As explained by Myers, when you have heavy metals in your body, you tend to attract EMFs to your body. EMFs in turn impact your body’s metabolism and functioning — and its ability to effectively eliminate toxins and heavy metals.

“That is one of the things I work with,” Myers says. “Identifying and trying to reduce EMF in [my clients’] environment, so they can improve their body’s ability to function generally and to detox.”

In my book, “Fat for Fuel: A Revolutionary Diet to Combat Cancer, Boost Brain Power and Increase Your Energy,” I detail a program to improve your mitochondrial function, and reducing your toxic burden is an important part of the equation. Your mitochondria will suffer as long as you bombard your body with EMF. In fact, EMF exposure itself is intrinsically a mitochondrial poison.

Professor Emeritus Martin Pall wrote an excellent paper explaining one of the primary mechanisms of harm from exposure to microwave radiation from cell phones. It is related to voltage-gated calcium channels. EMFs impact these calcium channels that release calcium into the cell.

Calcium causes nitric oxide release and combines with superoxide, thereby creating perioxinitrate, which is a massive producer of f hydroxyl free radicals, the most destructive free radical known. Regular exposure to EMFs can actually poison your cells more than ionizing radiation from X-rays.

Common Metals That Wreak Havoc With Your Mitochondrial Function

Fatigue is a widespread problem today. “In doing my research, I was trying to figure out what is making us so tired,” Myers says. Eventually, she discovered a treasure trove of mitochondrial research and studies showing how various metals impact the mitochondria’s ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency in your body. Metals that are particularly detrimental to mitochondrial function include:

•Aluminum, which is very prevalent in our environment, including the air we breathe, thanks to geoengineering. Aluminum is also found in many vaccines, and is used in water treatment plants to separate out sediments. Antiperspirants, aluminum cans, foil and cookware are other common sources of exposure.

Related: Start Eating Like That and Start Eating Like This – Your Guide to Homeostasis Through Diet

Aluminum poisons enzymes that transport nutrients into your mitochondria, impeding their ability to produce energy. “When you remove aluminum and other mitochondrial poisons, we see a dramatic uptake in people’s energy levels, even people who are chronically fatigued or bedridden from their fatigue,” Myers says. “Within a year or so, they are able to start functioning again just from detoxing these metals”

•Arsenic, found in antibiotics fed to conventionally-raised chickens and eggs, is another. To avoid arsenic, eat organic, pastured eggs and chicken. Rice is another common source, and Myers recommends avoiding brown rice for this reason. Other sources include wine, apple juice and drinking water

•Tin affects your mitochondria a bit differently. The membrane of your mitochondria needs to have a certain charge to function properly. Tin dispels that charge, effectively handicapping the mitochondria. According to Myers, many have surprisingly high levels of tin in their bodies

•Thallium, a gasoline additive, is a common air pollutant thanks to smog and car exhaust fumes. Thallium is added to gasoline for the same reason lead used to be added — to reduce knocking and improve engine performance. Lead was successfully removed from gasoline after public outcry, but now they add thallium instead. Few are aware of this, or understand its health effects, but thallium is a major factor in chronic fatigue

Related: Candida, Gut Flora, Allergies, and Disease

How to Test for Heavy Metals

There are a number of different ways to test for heavy metals, including hair, urine and stool. Certain metals, such as thallium, show up best in a urine dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) challenge test. DMSA is a chelating agent that can be administered either orally or intravenously. When taken together with a synergistic agent like glycine, it binds to the metals in your body, forcing them out through your stool and urine.

Myers typically starts out doing a hair mineral analysis. It’s easy to do, relatively inexpensive and provides a significant amount of information. Ideally, you’ll want to do all three — hair, stool and urine tests — as no one test is perfect. Some metals come out in hair, others in urine and/or stool. Cadmium, for example, comes out in stool, so a stool test will be the most accurate.

“A lot of people have cadmium toxicity, so it’s very important to measure that,” Myers says. “A lot of people have mercury fillings, so we’ll see a lot of silver from those amalgams coming out in the stool as well. Those kill gut bacteria and cause gut dysbiosis … Other metals prefer to be excreted in the hair. That’s why I’d like to use all those different tests.”

No One Is Exempt From Heavy Metal Toxicity

I did a heavy metal analysis on hair, urine and stool, and despite leading a fairly clean lifestyle, I had every single one of these heavy metals in my body. So, I’m currently doing Myers’ detoxification program myself. While some believe detoxification is unnecessary and view such recommendations with suspicion, I believe accumulation of toxins is an unfortunate artifact of living in the 21st century.

Related: Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases

You’re continually exposed, so not only might you need to go through an aggressive detoxification program, but then you need to have some form of maintenance program to keep up with the continuous exposures.

“Yes, that’s my main message to people,” Myers says. “You should think of detox as a lifestyle, not something that you’re doing for 30 days, six months or even a year. It’s just something that you incorporate into your healthy lifestyle. We’ll talk about some of the supplements and detox protocols that you can do to facilitate that …  

I’m always surprised that my healthiest clients, like yourself, have a lot of metals coming out. Your body is working really well. You’re very healthy, so your body is able to excrete these metals much better than someone who is sick … or their detox organs aren’t functioning very well. But no one is exempt. Everyone has toxic metals in their body that we want to tend to if we plan to live a long, healthy, energetic and disease-free life.”

Indeed, because I lead such a healthy lifestyle, I thought I was somewhat immune to this kind of toxicity. I now suspect my arrogant ignorance of EMF exposure sabotaged my body’s ability to excrete these toxins. Now, I’m extremely diligent about avoiding EMF exposures, and I believe it’s having a positive effect.

Unfortunately, virtually no one, not even most detox experts, understand the EMF issue. I’m trying to change that by starting a dialogue about it. Because you can implement all of these detox strategies, but if you don’t radically reduce your EMF exposure, you’re merely spinning your wheels, investing time, energy and resources while limiting any potential benefit.

Related: Sugar Leads to Depression – World’s First Trial Proves Gut and Brain are Linked (Protocol Included)

Near- Versus Far-Infrared Saunas

Saunas are an excellent detoxification tool, and Myers is one of the few clinicians who actually understands the difference between regular infrared saunas, which use far-infrared and the near-infrared. Far-infrared helps accelerate removal of toxins through sweat, but near-infrared, in the range of 830 to 850 nanometers (nm) is especially important for improving mitochondrial function.

Delivering near-infrared light to the compromised mitochondria synthesizes gene transcription factors that trigger cellular repair. So, ideally, you’ll want to use a full-spectrum sauna. At present, those are hard to find, but you can modify you far-infrared sauna by adding a near-infrared light in the 830 to 850 nm range to it. Myers explains:

“Infrared saunas are one of the best ways to detox your body. I recommend them to all my clients … [T]he most common sauna is a far-infrared sauna … I’m a big fan of near-infrared saunas also.

There are near-infrared bulbs saunas, which are fine for detoxification, but you want to add more concentrated near-infrared energy. You can do that with near-infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs). The best detox combo is a far-infrared sauna with a near-infrared LED and a red LED panel inside of it. That’s the best combo.”

Other Sauna Considerations

Another important consideration when looking for an infrared sauna is to make sure it’s a low-EMF version, as many will emit very high amounts of extra-low frequency EMFs. So, look for manufacturer specifications on EMF emissions. As a general recommendation, avoid the really cheap ones made in China. In addition to EMFs, many of those made with inexpensive materials contain glue and particle board that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Some recommendations call for constructing your own near-infrared sauna using four 250-watt heat lamp bulbs. Most of the energy they produce is in the mid- and far-infrared range, with only 10 percent or so in the near-infrared. The drawback is that the radiation tends to decrease rapidly the further you get from the bulb, and you cannot get too close to the bulb because it’s so hot you’ll burn yourself. As a result, you’re getting mostly far-infrared even from these bulbs.

I prefer Myers’ recommendation, which involves using infrared LEDs, as they generate very little heat, so you can put them very close to your body, right where you need it. Myers explains:

“The near-infrared LEDs are something that have been available in the last few years. There are amazing companies making products like these, the near-infrared and red LED combo products that you can add to your near-infrared bulb sauna or far-infrared sauna. That’s the way that I would go if you’re looking for that maximum detox effect.”

Sauna Recommendations for Detoxification

Contraindications for sauna use include having a pacemaker or metal implants in your body, as they may be heated by the infrared rays. Most people with metal pins in their body will not experience any problems, but it’s something to be mindful of. Saunas are also generally contraindicated for children under the age of 7.

“Their temperature regulation system doesn’t quite work well enough, so I would not have a child use an infrared sauna,” Myers says. “As far as how to use a sauna, I recommend people do them three to five days a week, starting with about five to 10 minutes.

If you’re really, really ill, you’d want to start with a low amount and then slowly work your way up; like maybe each week add a couple of minutes to your sessions. You ought to do what works for you. It doesn’t matter what I say or what I recommend. I want you to listen to your body and do what works for you. If you start to feel nauseated, lightheaded or unwell in any way, it’s time to get out of the sauna.”

Dry brushing your skin prior to the sauna is also helpful as it will get your lymph moving. Then, as soon as you get out of the sauna, be sure to shower right away. The last thing you want is for those excreted toxins to dry out on your body after you’ve sweated them out.

Related: Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

I will typically jump into my pool right afterward. The water being a cool mid-40s in the winter to 80s in the summer, it gives me the added advantage of cold thermogenesis in the winter, but also helps remove the toxins excreted through the skin in my sweat. Also be sure to use some kind of binder when detoxing in a sauna. You need something to mop up all the toxins mobilized from your tissues to keep them from your vital organs.

The Importance of Magnesium

Myers also has an online program called “Mineral Power,” which focuses on replenishing minerals lost during the detoxification process.

“There’s always a cost to any kind of detox protocol you do,” Myers says… But the benefits far outweigh the cost. We’re willing to sacrifice some minerals for the benefits. But there are other minerals, like magnesium, which 80 percent of people are estimated to be deficient in. Magnesium is incredibly important to facilitate all of your body’s enzymatic processes, your metabolism … including facilitating detoxification.”

Earlier I mentioned the importance of avoiding EMF as it affects your voltage-gated calcium channels. In studies on calcium channel blockers, researchers discovered these medications mitigated and nearly eliminated the EMF effects. Now, magnesium is a calcium channel blocker, which means that not only will magnesium help your detoxification process if you’re deficient, but it may also remediate some of the inevitable EMF exposure we’re all subject to.

“I can’t tell you how many clients have told me that they just started taking magnesium alone and they start feeling better within a week or so,” Myers notes. “I had the same experience when I did my first hair tissue mineral analysis a long time ago. I started taking magnesium. I couldn’t believe how much better I was feeling. I had to become a practitioner and tell more people about this, about the importance of minerals.”

The Importance of Zinc

Zinc is another important mineral required for detoxification. Minerals help push out metals, as many metals bind to receptors that would normally be occupied by minerals. When you’re deficient, metals can easily take the minerals’ rightful place. Zinc helps push out cadmium, a metal that causes more cancers than all of the other metals combined. Myers explains:

“This is why cigarette smokers get cancer. It’s why my dad got esophageal cancer. He smoked for 40 years … [Y]ou get cadmium from cigarettes … our environment [air] … shellfish and fish. It’s not only mercury that’s in fish. It’s cadmium as well. Cadmium interferes when DNA copies. When a cell multiplies or divides, cadmium interferes in the DNA copying properly, so you get this mutated cell.

We have about 100 million cancer cells in our body at any one time. But if your immune system is malfunctioning, say it’s damaged by metals, EMF or it’s nutrient-deficient or just doesn’t have the energy to function, that’s when that mutated cell caused by cadmium will be allowed to grow and manifest into a tumor, be it malignant or benign. That’s the mechanism by which cadmium causes cancer.”

Cadmium is also a significant contributor to hardening of the arteries. If you are zinc deficient, your body is forced to accumulate cadmium to repair the arteries. However, cadmium is hard and brittle, so when it deposits into your arteries, it reduces the arteries’ ability to expand and to contract, thereby contributing to high blood pressure and heart disease.

This is also the mechanism by which smoking leads to heart disease. The good news is you can reverse this process by taking proactive steps to remove cadmium from your system. It is a slow, long process, however.

Other Important Minerals

Other important minerals include:

•Selenium. Most people have insufficient levels of selenium, and you need this mineral to repair chromosome damage. Selenium is also needed for the conversion of thyroid hormone, from T4 to T3. You need it to make glutathione in your body — a master antioxidant made by your liver that is important for heavy metal detoxification.

Selenium also prevents viral replication, and helps detoxify arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, mercury and silver. The daily recommended dose is 200 micrograms (mcg) per day.

•Potassium, while not a primary detox mineral, does help push out thallium.

•Iodine can also be beneficial. Thyroid disease is extremely common, especially in those drinking fluoridated water, as fluoride displaces iodine. Chlorine and bromine also displaces iodine, and they too are added to your water supply and/or food. Iodine helps push out halogens that compete with iodine uptake in the thyroid. To facilitate detoxification of halogens, you will need to take much higher amounts of iodine than typically recommended for general health.

All these supplements are classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS), so there are no toxicity concerns. One exception is selenium. You do not want to take excessive amounts of it, and it has a very low therapeutic ratio. So, don’t take more than the recommended 200 mcg per day. More is not better in this case.

Where to Find Detox Help

Wendy is currently working on starting a detox institute, scheduled to open in 2018. She’s partnered with Dr. Bruce Jones to develop and legitimize hair mineral analysis. The Institute will teach medical doctors, licensed professionals and laypeople the science behind the use of hair mineral analysis.

“To date, most of what you learn about hair mineral analysis doesn’t have a scientific backing to it. What we want to change, and what I want to do, is really legitimize it in the eyes of the medical profession. We’re going to accomplish that by [making sure that] everything we say is backed by scientific research. You can look forward to that in 2018.”

If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of Myers’ personally trained Mineral Power practitioners, visit MineralPower.com.

“That’s where you can learn all about our detoxification program. It’s really a healing program as well. I wake up every day so excited to teach people about the importance of detoxification and how metals are affecting their body, because they’re not getting that information from their conventional medical doctor.

They go to their doctor and maybe they’re getting advised to take medications or surgery, which is useful in many situations. But there’s a big absence of information into the underlying root causes of people’s health issues, which are mineral and nutrient-deficiency, metal and chemical toxicities, EMF and other factors. I really want to educate people what they’re missing in trying to reach their health goals,” Myers says.

… It can really help to have someone holding your hand and getting support if you run into a road block or a problem with detoxification. Sometimes, there is preliminary work we have to do to get someone to the point where they’re able to detox … We help to troubleshoot what those issues are and develop a really individualized detox program to get your body where you want to get it.”

Myers’ book, “Limitless Energy: How to Detox Toxic Metals to End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue,” goes into these and many other details not covered in this interview. At $6 for the electronic version, it’s an absolute steal. If there’s a specific toxin you’re concerned with, Myers’ book will help you identify the different sources and the specific strategies you can use to eliminate it.

Also consider getting a high quality, low-EMF infrared sauna, and use it regularly in combination with these binders and any minerals you may be in need of. We live in a very toxic world. Even if you think you’re doing most everything right, chances are you have accumulated heavy metals in your body, which may prevent you from experiencing peak health.

How to Avoid Plastics

(OLM) Many manufacturers have stopped using BPA to harden plastics, replacing it with “BPA-free” alternatives like the most common replacement, BPS (Bisphenol S).

Our research showed that low levels of BPS had a similar impact on the embryo as BPA. In the presence of either BPA or BPS, embryonic development was accelerated. Additionally, BPA caused premature birth.” –Nancy Wayne

You probably can’t avoid plastics. Even if you go to another planet plastic is going to take you there and contaminate that ecosystem. But you can limit plastic consumption and keep your body in a homeostasis state that detoxifies itself at all times.  And the good news is that with the right diet and a healthy body, BPA and BPS can be flushed out of your system quickly, some say within 24 hours. A properly working body can process and dispel a lot of toxins. An unhealthy body rids itself of toxins at a slower rate than the toxins are consumed and produced.

Ways to Limit Plastic Contamination & Plastic Use

  1. Keep your home clean, and vacuum regularly
  2. Filter tap water
  3. Always avoid artificial fragrances
  4. Stay away from warm or hot plastics, don’t even breathe near them
  5. Avoid canned foods
  6. Avoid conventional personal care products like shampoos, soaps, moisturizers, makeup
  7. Avoid conventional and big-ag produce (pesticides and herbicides have plastic residues)
  8. Cook your own foods using whole-food ingredients
  9. Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants
  10. Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk bins and fill a reusable bag or container
  11. Use paper or your own reusable shopping bags, bulk goods bags, and bring your own mesh produce bags (FYI: I suspect that many paper bags contain BPA and BPS)
  12. No more chewing gum, it’s made of plastic
  13. Buy boxes and glass instead of plastic bottles whenever possible
  14. Use a reusable bottle or mug for your beverages or coffee and soda refills (but you don’t drink that crap, do you?)
  15. Boycott any restaurant that still uses styrofoam – Why is that still a thing?
  16. Use matches or invest in a refillable metal lighter – avoid the plastic disposable ones
  17. Eat real, whole foods – fresh foods equates to less packaging and less previous plastic contact
  18. Don’t use plasticware ever, bring your own if need be
  19. Use cloth diapers – disposable diapers are extremely toxic to the environment and your baby
  20. Make your own cleaning products
  21. Pack your lunch in glass containers and reusable bags.
  22. Use a razor with replaceable blades instead of a disposable razor
  23. Find other disposal products that can be replaced by their non-disposable counterparts
  24. Avoid seafood
  25. Avoid cheap supplements and be wary of sports supplements

Also, Avoid BPA receipts!

Did you know that some receipts contain 250 to 1,000 times the amount of BPA typically found in a can of food?  If that isn’t scary enough, BPA transfers readily from the receipt to skin and cannot be washed off. Different types of receipts contain varying levels of BPA. If you aren’t sure whether or not a merchant uses BPA in their receipts, either ask directly or let them know early in the transaction that you will not need your receipt. Gas station receipts are particularly notorious for containing huge amounts of BPA.” – Home Maker Chic

This article is an excerpt from How to Detox From Plastics and Other Endocrine Disruptors, original published on OLM.

Glutathione Detoxification – A Comprehensive Overview

Whether or not you know it, there is a good chance that your body is overflowing with bacteria and toxins. Almost everyone has some level of toxins flowing through their body. Many people will believe that they’re not being impacted until it is too late. The only effective way to eliminate these toxins from the body is by performing a detox.

There are many different types of detoxification methods that can be utilized, but the glutathione detox is widely considered to be the most effective. In fact, many experts suggest that the glutathione detox is one of the most effective defenses against toxins and disease.

What Is Glutathione?

First and foremost, you should familiarize yourself with the chemical at the center of the detoxification process. GSH or Glutathione is actually an antioxidant, which is found in plants, fungi, animals, and some specific strains of bacteria. The antioxidant has proven to be very effective for protecting against free radicals, lipid peroxides, and even heavy metals. Glutathione will protect the body’s cellular components, which can be damaged by reactive oxygen species. This is one of the many reasons that the glutathione detox is so enormously effective and beneficial.

A Depleting Resource

Unfortunately, you do not have access to an unlimited amount of glutathione. In fact, glutathione is a depleting resource, which can be diminished by a variety of factors such as taking specific types of medications and failing to consume a sufficient quantity of minerals and vitamins. More importantly, it should be known that glutathione will actually decrease over time.

Finally, you should realize that each person will have a different level of GSH in their body. Your age, gender, diet, activity level, and race can play a role in determining how much GSH you have inside of your body.

What Does Glutathione Do?

Believe it or not, glutathione has a wide array of responsibilities. Nonetheless, the antioxidant’s most important duties are directly linked to the immune system. By maintaining an appropriate amount of glutathione in your body, you will be able to keep your immune system working at optimum levels. In return, this will decrease the frequency of illnesses while simultaneously helping to stave off disease. At the same time, glutathione is known to play a very important role in helping the body detox.

Glutathione will also go to work inside the patient’s liver to make sure toxins can be removed a little bit easier.

Detoxification and Autism

Autism is characterized as a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes repetitive and restrictive behavior. A recent study shows that males are at a higher risk of developing autism than females. However, all children are at risk regardless, but once the child has been diagnosed with the disorder, the parents will need to learn how to deal with it. Humans remove toxins from their body via four different routes: kidneys, lungs, digestive tract and skin.

When the toxins build up inside the child’s body, the child will begin to act out. However, there is a solution to this behavior – routine detoxification. According to Dr. S. Jill James, children who have been diagnosed with autism have impaired methylation, which is how glutathione is made. When the methylation is impaired, the body will not go through the normal detoxification processes.

The impaired methylation is most likely due to glutathione deficiency. When reduced levels of glutathione are detected, the child will be at a higher risk of environmental toxicity from harmful substances such as pesticides, heavy metals and PCBs. Children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have impaired detoxification pathways.

Importance Of Cellular Antioxidants

Cellular antioxidants play a major role in detoxification. When there is a deficiency of these antioxidants noted, the body will fill up with harmful toxins. One of the most important cellular antioxidants that have more prevalence over the others is glutathione or GSH for short. It is crucial that everyone learns about the role glutathione plays in detoxification because its primary responsibility is to prevent the buildup of free radicals in the body.

Glutathione is made up of three different amino acids: glycine, glutamine, and cysteine. Glycine is classified as the “simplest amino acid”, but it is still important because it helps to form glutathione. Cysteine is classified as a sulfur-bearing amino acid. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in the human body. The three amino acids work together to combat free radicals, which are linked to chronic illnesses like cancer.

Medical experts refer to glutathione as a “redox molecule”. The redox process is where a molecule undergoes both the oxidation and reduction cycles. During the oxidation cycle, the molecule will release electrons and during the reduction cycle, the molecule will gain electrons. The oxidation state is increased during the oxidation process and decreased during the reduction process. These processes are a little difficult to understand, but they play a huge role is trying to help the body combat free radicals and prevent organ toxicity.

Glutathione and the Human Organs

Body builders, athletes, and professional weightlifters monitor their glutathione levels because they are more aware of its importance than the average person. However, it is crucial that everyone gets on board and starts doing some research on one of the most important cellular antioxidants.

Our bodies contain an abundance of cellular antioxidants that are responsible for protection from toxicity and free radicals. High-energy demand organs utilize a major amount of biological energy or ATP. High-energy demand organs include the heart, liver, kidneys, gut, brain, and lungs. These organs are continuously working, which is why they utilize so much biological energy.

When biological energy is utilized by the mitochondrion, the production of free radicals is inevitable. Free radicals are the end product of this process and if they are not kept in check, the individual will experience organ toxicity. Environmental toxins can be found throughout the entire body. The organs have to work constantly to prevent the toxins from causing damage to the cells and their functions. The cells will utilize glutathione to combat free radicals and if a deficiency is detected, the body will be at a high risk of disease, inflammation, and infection.

Glutathione and other cellular antioxidants are crucial for the detoxification of carcinogens. An example of a dangerous carcinogen is benzene, which can be found in the exhaust produced by automobiles. Other carcinogens include lead, cadmium, and mercury. Everyone is exposed to these chemicals when they venture outdoors, but over exposure will call for a higher demand of glutathione.

Increasing Your Glutathione Levels

If you intend to perform a glutathione detox, you will need to learn how to increase your levels of this incredibly important antioxidant. While it is possible to purchase glutathione supplements, it should be known that these products are not entirely effective on their own. At the same time, the glutathione consumed in your diet might not be enough to help stimulate the detoxification process. If you visit the hospital and need more glutathione, the doctor will actually give you NAC or N-acetylcysteine. This is another amino acid, which can help your body produce more glutathione on its own. Elderly individuals can consume NAC supplements to increase their glutathione levels to the norm.

Ways to Boost Your Body’s Level of Glutathione

Exercise More

It should be no surprise that working out and exercising can be enormously beneficial. Exercise is important for various reasons, with increased glutathione levels being one provided benefit. A recent study examined the impact of cardio, weight training, and a combination of each. It was determined that patients who performed a combination of cardio and weight training, were able to increase their glutathione levels more than others. If you’re interested in performing a glutathione detox, you will definitely want to add a little cardio and weight training to your daily schedule.

Increase Sulfur Intake

There are certain chemicals, which can help the body produce more glutathione. Sulfur just happens to be one of the most notable precursors to glutathione. By increasing your intake of sulfur, you will also be able to increase the amount of glutathione that your body produces. With this in mind, you will want to begin eating foods that are high in sulfur. Onions and garlic are two good choices. By adding one of these foods to your daily intake, you will be able to ensure you’re not suffering from a glutathione deficiency.

Try a Ketogenic Diet

A great deal of research has been conducted regarding the impact of a ketogenic diet. Recently, it was discovered that a ketogenic diet could actually increase the levels of glutathione in rats. It is unknown how this could translate to humans. If you’re interested in switching to a ketogenic diet, you should be prepared to increase your intake of fat while lowing your carbohydrate consumption. A ketogenic diet will offer an abundance of different benefits, including combating cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. More importantly, a ketogenic diet could help your body produce extra glutathione and that can prove to be helpful for inducing a glutathione detoxification.

Increase Diary Intake

If you’re a fan of milk, you will have a very easy time gaining more of the most powerful antioxidant. In fact, you will not need to change anything at all. It has been widely circulated that cow’s milk can help the body produce a greater amount of glutathione. Remember that glutathione is comprised of three amino acids. This includes glycine, glutamate, and cysteine. Unfortunately, cysteine and L-cysteine are often destroyed by the pepsins and enzymes found in the gut. When the cysteine is bonded, it can then be absorbed into the bloodstream.

There are several sources of bonded cysteine. Children who are breastfed will receive more because bonded cysteine can be found in breastmilk. Also, it is possible to obtain a suitable replica in the form of undenatured whey protein from raw cow’s milk. Pasturized milk will not offer the benefits.

Benefits Of A Glutathione Detox

So, why would anyone be interested in performing a glutathione detox anyway? The truth of the matter is that there are an abundance of reasons. Performing any type of detox can be a great way to remove harmful toxins from the body. However, by incorporating the glutathione antioxidant, you will receive even more benefits.

Protects From Free Radicals

First and foremost, you should realize that glutathione is an antioxidant and is capable of fighting off free radicals. By increasing your body’s glutathione content, you will be able to stop free radicals from damaging your cells and making you sick. Without a sufficient amount of glutathione, the body would not be able to protect itself from infections and diseases.

Fights Liver Cancer

While you’re at it, you should realize that glutathione usually works inside of the liver. It plays an important role in detoxing the life and protecting it from disease. Recent animal studies have proven that glutathione can help fight off liver cancer. At the same time, this antioxidant may be able to help cancer patients, who are undergoing chemotherapy. It is also believed that it can help maintain kidney function in patients that are forced to undergo bypass surgery.

Combats The Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease can be devastating and downright debilitating. Today, there are very few effective treatments for Parkinson’s. Nonetheless, it is believed that injecting glutathione intravenously may help alleviate the disease’s symptoms to some degree because Parkinson’s is generally associated with a decrease in the body’s level of dopamine. On the flip side, glutathione is capable of increasing the patient’s sensitivity to dopamine. This can effectively decrease the impact of Parkinson’s.

It is also believed that glutathione can fight off neurotoxins, which may be linked to the disease. While further research is essential, it is safe to say that glutathione may prove to be an effective way to combat Parkinson’s, while also diminishing the disease’s symptoms.

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