SYMPTOMS OF TOXIC OVERLOAD

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SYMPTOMS OF TOXIC OVERLOAD

Flora Health Research Academy, 2002

 

by Dr. David Wikenheiser

 

 

Toxins are substances that will interrupt or completely block the

normal metabolic functions of the body.

 

Metabolic functions include moving nutrients into our cells, processing

and eliminating wastes,

producing energy, making repairs, and growing replacement cells.

 

Detoxification is the processing and elimination of toxins from the

body, and it is an essential part of regaining and maintaining good

health.

 

Food provides the body with nutrients, which are the building blocks

for health. Nutrients are released from food through digestion.

 

Poorly digested foods will not only limit the amount of nutrients

available to be absorbed, but will increase the toxic burden on the

body through fermentation.

 

Undigested foods will not merely pass unchanged out of the body, but

will ferment and produce gases and

other toxic byproducts, which will be reabsorbed by the body.

 

These digestion originating endogenous toxins, along with exogenous

toxins originating outside of the body, will burden and limit normal

bodily functions.

 

Toxic substances include: heavy metals, such as mercury and lead;

solvents, such as benzene; plastics, such as styrene; hormones and

chemicals acting as hormones; and, free radical compounds.

 

I consider free radicals to be the number one class of toxins. A free

radical is an unbalanced chemical structure that will pull electrons

from other structures, damaging them in the process.

 

Free radicals may originate from poor digestion, uncontrolled emotional

stress, and pollution from the world around us.

 

Oxygen has the ability to pull electrons off of other chemical

structures, which is necessary

for our efficient cellular energy production and the operation of

our immune system.

 

While oxygen is essential for life, if uncontrolled it will create toxic

free radicals and increase our risk of developing diseases.

 

Free radicals will act against our bodies by directly " burning " our

cells, damaging our DNA and

increasing our risk of developing diseases through the altering of

our genetic expression.

 

Altered genetic expression may lead to the emergence of dormant

diseases such as cancer, Hepatitis C, and AIDS.

 

Virtually every person has symptoms of toxic load

 

How do you know if you have a toxic load? Laboratory tests are

useful to screen for toxins in general, and to measure levels of

specific toxins.

 

Before a doctor will order laboratory tests they will take a history of

symptoms to determine which tests are the

most appropriate.

 

The symptoms associated with toxic load include neurological,

immunological, and endocrine symptoms.

 

The neurological, or nerve related symptoms associated with a toxic

load include: tingling hands and feet, and alterations in mood, such as

anxiety, aggression, and depression.

 

The immunological or immune system symptoms associated with a toxic load

may include: a down regulation of white blood cells, resulting in

frequent or unreasonably severe infections; an up regulation of the

immunoglobulin proteins, resulting in frequent and severe allergic

reactions.

 

The endocrine, or hormonal symptoms associated with a toxic load

include:

 

pancreatic dysfunction leading to poor digestion and poor blood sugar

regulation, leading to weight gain; adrenal

burnout, leading to unreasonable coffee consumption, irritability,

and the inability to relax or handle stress; PMS and premature

menopause in women, and andropause in men; thyroid dysfunction and

the symptoms of weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss,

fatigue, and sleeping long hours only to wake unrested.

 

Virtually every person I know has at least one of these symptoms of

toxic load.

 

Managing a toxic burden will take several steps: one, avoid further

exposures; two, support the processing of toxic substances; and

three, support the removal of toxic substances from the body by way

of the routes of elimination.

 

Avoiding further toxic exposures includes eating organic foods, using

natural nontoxic cleaners in our homes, spending less time per day in heavy

traffic, removing

mercury amalgam dental restorations, and improving digestion.

Poor digestion will lead to fermentation of the undigested foods.

This fermentation will produce digestive tract gas and bloating, as well

as toxic and re-absorbable byprod-ucts such as phenyl compounds,

indican, scatol, and cadaveral.

 

Processing toxins will be supported by adequate intake of

antioxidant compounds to quench free radicals,

and the adequate intake of nutrient supplements and herbal formulas

to support the liver in its role of cleaning and processing toxins

from the blood.

 

Elimination of these processed toxins from the body is supported by the

intake of dietary fiber, adequate water intake,

and adequate exercise.

Adequate dietary fiber will result in at least one normal bowel movement per

day. A normal bowel movement is the size and consistency of a large

peeled banana.

 

Adequate water intake may be calculated by dividing your body weight in

pounds, by two, to give you the number of ounces per day.

For example, a

person who weighs one hundred and fifty pounds will ideally drink a

minimum of seventy-five ounces of suitable fluids per day.

 

Suitable fluids include herbal teas, organic fruit and vegetable juices, and

water.

 

Removing waste gases from the blood, by adequately stimulating the

lungs, requires a minimum of thirty minutes per day of brisk exercise

such as walking.

 

Antioxidants to control free radicals include substances

such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and the Oligomeric Proanthocyanadins

(ideally, Jack Masquelier's patented OPCs, as found in Flora's

Grapeseed Extract).

 

The traditional herbal tea formula known as Flor-Essence, which has

been used for over one hundred years in the support of serious

illnesses, is now recognized as a gentle yet effective

detoxification formula.

 

Flor-Essence has been shown to: support the healing of the digestive

tract, which will reduce fermentation and

auto toxicity; support the liver, which will more efficiently remove

and process toxins from the blood; and it is a powerful antioxidant,

having been measured to be roughly fourteen times stronger than

Vitamin C. A simple and efficient way to detoxify and start to deal

with the symptoms of toxic load is to add Flor- Essence to your

daily routine.

 

PRODUCT PROFILE:

 

 

 

 

• Flor-essence offers a complete cleanse of the whole body including

deep tissue, liver, lungs, kidneys, colon, pancreas, skin, blood and

lymphatics.

 

• The 8 herbs in Flor-essence work synergistically as a team which

enhances the overall effectiveness of the formula.

 

• Research supports the numerous healing components of the premium

quality herbs which contain trace elements, minerals,

phytoestrogens, antioxidants and other active substances.

 

• Flor-essence drastically reduces accumulated levels of toxic

material which causes irritation, inflammation, ulceration, swelling

and premature degeneration of the cells.

 

• Flor-essence purifies the blood, improves digestion, reduces free

radical damage, strengthens organs and increases energy levels.

 

• Flor-essence is gentle, safe and simple to use.

 

 

DR. DAVID WIKENHEISER

Dr. Wikenheiser is a licensed Naturopathic Physician in a general

family practice in Vancouver, British Columbia. He completed his

Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) through the University of the

State of New York, and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)

at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon

with an " Honors in Research. " Dr. Wikenheiser is a member of the

B.C. Naturopathic Association, the College of Naturopathic

Physicians of B.C., and the Canadian Naturopathic Association. He is

Board Certified in Ozone Therapy and Acupuncture.

 

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