DETOXIFICATION
More than 87,000 chemicals are in use in the United States with more than 3,000 chemicals added to our food supply - over 10,000 chemicals in the form of solvents, emulsifiers, and preservatives are used in food processing, packaging, wrapping and storage. EPA studies of human fat biopsies have found styrene residue in 100% of people. Indeed, according to the EPA, our bodies accumulate 210 mcg of just plasticizers (phthalates) everyday. Others have demonstrated that most of us have between 400 and 800 chemical residues stored in the fat cells of out bodies. The problem is excretion. Most of these potentially harmful chemicals just sit there and cannot be metabolized.
Our eliminative channels can become blocked or dysfunctional - because in conjunction with these synthetic chemical toxins in our environment, the western diet is acid forming and devitalized of nutrients. In an attempt to detoxify substances such as these, our bowels, kidneys, liver and immune systems are being overloaded. Toxins can also be generated by the bacteria/yeast/parasites that live on or in our bodies. The process of detox is simply anything that removes those toxins. Symptoms of toxicity can be varied and may include: poor circulation, swelling, headaches, migraines, stress, anxiety, depression, allergies, poor skin, yeast, arthritis, fatigue, constipation, obesity, cellulite, sinus issues, gout, digestive disorders, cold/respiratory disorders, insomnia, bloating, and gas.
The ultimate benefit and very purpose of detoxification is to release the incredible power of our immune system! Every day our immune system defends us from pollution and foreign invaders, including our own cells when they mutate into cancer causing cells. Only our immune systems can repair, heal, and cure us of illness and disease. Look in any medical textbook or ask any doctor and they will tell you that any illness that goes away as a result of a prescribed course of treatment or procedures is also destined to return when the treatment does not include paying attention to the important role of the immune system. If a patient is not taught to acknowledge the importance of changing their lifestyle to better support their immune system, as part of their long term recovery plan, the old disease or some other new one is almost always certain to re-manifest.
IDENTIFYING TOXINS
The first step in dealing with toxicity is to stop the exposure. This is not always as easy as it seems. Certainly, if you are drinking water that is contaminated with mercury, arsenic, or lead - you should stop - and this is easily identifiable. We look to the local environment surrounding a patient to get clues as to what might be those external sources. If you live downwind from a manufacturing facility, maybe we need to look at what materials that facility is putting into the environment. Internal sources of toxicity are harder to identify. There may be a hidden overgrowth of yeast or fermenting bacteria in the intestine that is creating problems. There may also be hidden infections in the dental roots or in the sinuses. Finally, there are any number of environmental compounds that can set off a toxicity reaction.
There are numerous toxins we are all exposed to each day. We understand that they cannot be completely avoided, but there are some steps you can take to become aware of them and try to minimize or reduce them. Many household cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers, paints, etc. are very toxic and should be removed from your house wherever possible. Use organic/ nontoxic cleaning products that do not contain ammonia or chlorine. Brands such as Planet, Ecover, Seventh Generation, Earth Friendly and/or EcoFriendly are available at most stores. Stay away from VOC paint (Home Depot carries a no VOC brand). Do not install new carpeting or padding. Use stainless steel and/or glass to cook foods in. Throw away the Teflon pans! Never heat up plastic in the microwave with food or drinks in them (it leaches into food). Don’t cook on or with aluminum foil, use parchment paper. Consider installing a water filter for your home. If not possible, you can obtain an inexpensive filter for your kitchen sink and tub at a very reasonable cost. Use that water source for cooking, drinking, and bathing. If you need dental work, never use “silver” fillings, as they contain mercury. Avoid flu vaccines that contain mercury and aluminum. Use fluoride free toothpaste. Fluoride is a potent neuro-toxin. Natural toothpastes will do an effective job at preventing tooth decay without being poisonous. Avoid antiperspirants and cookware containing aluminum.
TESTING FOR TOXICITY
Bio Energy Medical Center must assess the mode of detoxification to match a person's toxicity and if a person is capable of handling the detoxification process. If there is any question - a liver detox profile or a biochemical profile is performed to evaluate the client’s ability to detox. Tests are chosen depending on a person’s history, exposure and symptoms.
Bio Energy Medical Center uses the following tests to inventory a person's toxicity:
Urine Metals Challenge Test - measures heavy metal levels in the urine in response to a chelator (a medication that binds and removes metals).
Darkfield Microscopy - is a blood test in which we take a drop of blood and look at it immediately using a special form of lighting that allows us to see living cells without staining. It provides a look at overall health, microorganisms may be detected, distortions of red blood cells (can reflect nutritional status), and possibly undesirable bacterial or fungal life.
Stool Testing - we use a lab that does DNA testing of stool samples for abnormal bacteria, yeast, and parasites. We also have a simpler test that does a culture - but frequently, parasites and anaerobic bacteria do not show up in a culture.
E-Map - tests the body’s subtle energy circuits to determine the presence of toxins. It can measure toxicity such as candida, heavy metals and environmental or food sensitivities. E-Maps has the ability to check remedies, supplements or medications for effectiveness in your body. Frequently, this is the most sensitive test for determining toxicity.
MELISA Testing - this is using a newer technology to determine the reactivity of the immune system to chemical compounds. The more reactive the immune system is to a toxin, the more toxicity symptoms develop. Melisa testing measures that immune reactivity.
Urine Porphyrins - is another test to determine the presence of toxicity from heavy metals and certain environmental compounds. Porphyrins are the intermediate steps in creating heme, which we use in our blood. These compounds will interfere with those steps and create imbalances that suggest toxicity.
ELISA - is a blood test to determine the reactivity of the immune cells to different heavy metals.
Cytokine Stimulation - is a blood test that determines how reactive the immune cells are to different infectious agents and can identify chronic inflammation/infection.
Liver Detox Profile - is a blood and urine test that helps measures the liver’s detoxification pathways. It does not specifically measure toxins, but these pathways are critical.
NutrEval - is not a specific measure of toxicity either, but it gives clues as to the state of the intestinal bacterial balance, the function of the mitochondria (energy production), the level of oxidative stress and levels of critical components of detoxification.
