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, fruit and vegetable juices, and

pure spring 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.

 

http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/USA/HealthInformation/articles/

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pH Balance -A Homeopathic Approach

--

Recently, I was talking to Charles Marble, a friend and colleague,

about the organic farm industry in Naples. He said everything

natural about organic farming is derived from the balance between

acids and alkalinity in the soil.

 

Where I live, the soil is generally determined to be quite

alkaline. What I found interesting was the fact that when the soil

is properly balanced, insects cannot thrive and are not drawn to

plants.

 

I found this interesting because the same is true for us. What we

call the biological terrain, or soil, must also be balanced.

 

Normal acid pH is around 6.8 and anything lower is considered

acidic, which by most standards, is our nature. Above 7.6 is

alkaline.

 

At 7.0 pH is totally neutral, like good water.

 

No one is ever totally neutral, as our system cannot function in a

neutral state. However, if one checks some of the

key 'experts'

(Dr Jenson, Dr Bodine, Dr Cayce, Dr Phiefer, Dr Jinks,

etc), you will find they recommend the body be 'slightly' alkaline.

 

The stomach is the only part of the body that is always acidic

(hydrochloric acid), while the remainder of the bodily fluids are

supposed to be alkaline.

 

Too much acid, or too many alkaline reactions can cause tissue

damage.

 

Blood, spinal fluid and saliva are rarely alkaline, but the

stool, liver bile, pancreas or gall bladder bile can

be either acidic or alkaline (the range for these organs and glands

is broader).

 

But, when they become acidic, the imbalance begins and the

parasites' establish a foothold, creating stress on the system.

 

Hyperacidic tendencies and symptoms include cold sores, herpes,

arthritis, rheumatic conditions, parasites, candida, insomnia,

headaches and migraines, water retention, bladder infections,

constipation or diarrhea, teeth sensitivity,

burning sensations, ulcers (also bacteria related), hypotension,

stress, cravings for certain foods, allergies, asthma, skin

disorders of

all types and gastric problems.

 

There are more ailments related to acidosis, but this gives you a

general idea about the long reaching effects of excess acidity.

 

The terrain of the body requires frequent tweaking to maintain

balance and health and when acids continue to build up over time,

they create a foothold for illnesses and a soil that sustains this

imbalance.

There are a variety of ways we can start to re-balance our pH,

including diet, supplements, Hydrotherapy, Homeopathy and Herb's.

 

First, the food list.

These are alkaline producing foods for excess acidity:

 

Uma Boshi Plum paste ( make a soup or tea);

 

Organic Miso soup; avocados;

 

pure maple syrup; raw honey; blackstrap molasses;

 

most fresh fruits (except cranberry,plums and prunes),

 

vinegar, lemons, eggplant, millet,and dates.

 

There are a variety of books available to assist in

determining which foods are best suited for your particular needs.

 

Supplements:

 

The amino acid L-Glutamine; MSM; Increased potassium;

Combination B complex with a minimum of 100 mg per B and 800 mcg of

folic acid, combination amino acid for cell rejuvenation;

Pancreatic glandular, taken every other day;

 

Multi enzyme, preferably, food based; Anti-oxidants, such as Alpha

lipoic acid, grape seed extract, green tea, Olive leaf extract

and Vitamin E.

 

Hydrotherapy:

 

Baths can both cleanse and rejuvenate. Start every other day, with

weekends off.

Drink plenty of pure water after the bath and try

to have the bath as hot as possible to open the pores and allow the

bath ingredients to penetrate.

 

Do these separately, not combined:

 

Baking soda/Epsom salts, about one pound of each;

apple cider vinegar, about 2 cups;

hydrogen peroxide, about 2 pints;

Bath salts or cleansing salts,

available from any health food store;

castor oil, rubbed thoroughly into the liver area, the

kidney/adrenal area, thymus area, stomach and abdomen, just before

entering the bath.

 

Also, there are numerous companies that sell wonderful bath products

with an abundance of herbs for cleansing.

 

Homeopathy:

 

Homeopathy addresses deep seated disharmonies from the perspective

of the person, not just their symptoms, so giving a remedy for

hyperacidity will rarely cover the underlying cause.

 

The following remedies have been known to aid acid excesses and

should be used only for ACUTE problems: Consult a Homeopath for

additional remedies.

 

1. Robinia: everything turns to acid; burning sensation with

regurgitation of acids with severe sharp pains and vomiting.

 

2. Natrum Phosphoricum: belching after food; sour vomiting; very

sensitive individual with a delicate/refined nature.

 

3. Hydrastis: strong affinity to mucus membranes; indigestion;

belches sour fluids; pulsating symptoms.

 

4. Iris Versicolor: burning sensations along entire alimentary

canal; vomits sour or bloody vile; nausea; profuse saliva.

 

5. Nux Vomica: indigestion; heartburn all symptoms relate to

overdoing or excess (alcohol/food/drugs/etc.); sensitive to pressure

in

stomach; liver remedy with anger, irritability and impatience; type

A.

 

6. Sulphuric Acid: fatigue; nervous but keeps going; irritability at

minor things; sour vomiting and belching; vomits mucus, not food;

nausea and chilliness.

 

Herb's:

 

Alfalfa; Aloe vera; Comfrey; Cramp Bark; Garlic; Ginger; Slippery

Elm; Parsley; Peppermint; Cornsilk;

 

These are best taken in single doses, liquid form, about 40 drops,

once a day. Taking all of them is unnecessary, and you may need to

experiment to determine the ones that work best.

 

You can easily determine your pH balance by purchasing nitrazine

paper at a health food store or pharmacy. The paper changes color

and

indicates an acid or alkaline state. Best to take this test before

eating, using two strips, one for saliva and the other for urine.

 

By re-establishing balance in your system, you can eliminate the

insects that create illness and provide a soil that repels further

infestations.

Why harbor unwanted disease. We can't tolerate pH imbalance in our

swimming pools, why do so in our body.

 

David A. Dancu, N.D. is a Naturopath and freelance writer,

specializing in Homeopathy. He maintains a practice in Naples,

Florida

and is the author of Homeopathic Vibrations: A Guide for Natural

Healing (Sunshine Press, 1996) available in Karinya and through

local bookstores.

 

GHOE: Greatest Herbs On Earth has a number of pH Balancing packages

and pH Testing Strips available. Also, read the many other articles

on pH listed on our main Health Articles page.

 

http://www.greatestherbsonearth.com/articles/balancing_ph.html