The Role of Detoxification in Environmental Medicine - a BC Naturopathic Perspective

Environmental medicine is a field that focuses on understanding the impact of environmental factors on human health and well-being. These factors encompass a wide range of elements, from air and water quality to exposure to toxins and pollutants. In this article, we delve into the crucial role of detoxification within the realm of environmental medicine. Detoxification is a fundamental process that aids in mitigating the adverse effects of environmental exposures and promoting optimal health.

While conventional environmental medicine has a focus largely on external factors such as adjusting the environment for noise pollution, air quality, temperature, acute toxin levels, as a naturopathic physician our approach in BC is often quite unique. We typically have a less polluted environment, but still deal with especially moisture related toxins as well as recently wildfire related toxins.

Most commonly though, my patients with environmental reactivities often need their internal environment treated and modified - this is where detoxification comes into play. The may manifest as having central sensitivity syndromes or even multiple chemical sensitivities.

Understanding Detoxification

Detoxification, in a biological context, refers to the body's ability to eliminate or neutralize harmful substances and metabolic byproducts. The process involves various organs, including the liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract, as well as intra-cellular processes and the lymphatics, working collaboratively to expel toxins from the body.

Depending on the function and how ill a patient is, the focus might be on supporting just a couple of these systems to sometimes needing to support and gently stimulate each.

The body's natural detoxification processes involve biochemical reactions that transform toxins into less harmful compounds, which can then be excreted from the body. These processes play a pivotal role in maintaining a delicate balance within the body and ensuring its ability to function optimally.

The Need for Detoxification in Environmental Medicine

Environmental factors, such as pollution, exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals, can significantly impact our health. Prolonged or excessive exposure to these toxins can lead to their accumulation within the body, potentially causing chronic health issues.

There can be situations where there is accumulation within the body, despite not an unusual acute exposure level. The patient's ability to excrete "normal amounts of exposures" might be impaired and thus there can be an accumulation within over time.

There can also be an acquired hypersensitivity to certain toxin levels, such that "normal" or not overtly high levels may be affected a patient out of proportion.

Detoxification becomes essential in environmental medicine to assist in eliminating these accumulated toxins and preventing their detrimental effects on the body. Through targeted detoxification methods, individuals can support their body's natural mechanisms and enhance the elimination of harmful substances acquired from the environment.

Detoxification Methods in Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine offers a range of detoxification methods that align with the principles of environmental medicine. Classical methods include dietary changes, specific nutritional supplements, herbal therapies, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle modifications.

In BC, naturopathic medicine includes additional modalities that are very helpful in supporting detoxification. Heavy metal chelation can be done when appropriate, or prescription medications can be used when further support is needed. Naturopathic doctors in BC often have the ability to use adjunctive therapies such as intravenous nutrients to support reduction of oxidative stress, or ozone therapy to help with immune imbalances associated with a hyper-reactivity or hyper-sensitivity.

Supportive methods in naturopathic approaches to detoxification usually include:

1) supporting micronutrient levels that enzymes depend on for detoxification 2) reducing oxidative stress associated with both the toxins themselves and the process of mobilizing the toxins for removal 3) identifying increased body burdens of specific toxins for more targeted removal and monitoring 4) identifying and treating an immune or neurologic hypersensitivity 5) stimulating excretion / depuration - sweat, lymphatic, kidney, liver, and GI support

Typical Hypothetical Case: Detoxification in Action

A patient may come in where there was low grade headaches, fatigue, muscle pains, and other non specific symptoms. As time went on, some symptoms, as an example muscular pain, became particularly intense, though still relapsing and changing in intensity. The patient noticed then they were becoming more sensitive to smells, and seemed to detect musty smells or have headaches triggered by perfumes or laundry smells. Cognition became impaired, and their ability to function at work was starting to become compromised.

On taking a history, a couple of months in, the patient reports that they found out there was a slow leak in on of their pipes with associated minor water damage. This was repaired.

We ran testing for urinary levels of mycotoxins, and found significant elevations. Blood inflammatory markers were run, and the CRP was quite high.

Nutrients were targeted to reduce oxidative stress and support detoxification, using quercetin, antihistamines, bio-available curcumins, and prescription agents for bile sequestrants (to support detoxification).

Some improvement was noted over several months, especially in pain and CRP levels, but fatigue and cognitive impairment remained. Supportive therapy for immune system balance (ozone therapy) and an exercise protocol was implemented, and the patient recovered to around 80% of her best functional level with the expectation that over time, and training / exercise, and further work with diet and stress - the remainder would come.

This case underscores the potential effectiveness of naturopathic detoxification methods in managing environmental-related health challenges and highlights the importance of a holistic approach to wellness.

Conclusion

Detoxification holds a critical role in environmental medicine, allowing individuals to mitigate the impact of environmental toxins on their health.

Importantly, the patient's individual reactivity may be far above the mean, and thus the environmental level of the toxin(s) may not be overtly high but there may be an individualized sensitivity or an accumulation.

By embracing naturopathic detoxification methods, one can support the body's innate ability to eliminate toxins and work towards optimal well-being.