Environmental Pollutants

Fighting Toxins with Herbs, Foods and Micronutrients

 nmental pollutants, how they surround us, attack us, and how they wouldn’t leave us, by accumulating by the hundreds in our body tissues. And yet, some people survive this environmental siege.  Herbalist.com has provided a mechanism against burning down while making energy.  This mechanism is the ability to synthesize antioxidants.

By comparing pollution statistics with Cancer statistics in some of the largest cities in the United States, Durk observes that the figures do not show the intuitively expected correlation.  The reason, Durk observes, is that a certain level of pollutants raise the body’s ability to synthesize antioxidants in self-defense.  Yet,  there will never be enough antioxidants in food, as far as Durk is concerned, and this is why he advocates loading up on supplements.  The free radical antioxidant fighters he mentions are: antioxidant enzymes such as SOD (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and also antioxidant vitamins such as A,C, E, B-1, B-5, B-6, and PABA.

Glutathione, a major antioxidant in the body is present in most of its physiological processes. Although the amino Acid is being sold in health food stores, it is not easily absorbed as is, and many writers recommend its precursor instead, L-Cysteine [2].  L-Cysteine should be taken with vitamin C, Durk cautions.  Avocado, asparagus and Broccoli are rich sources of Gluthatione. [3]

Milk Thistle.  Appears to be one of the most studied herb in relation to its capacity of protecting, detoxifying, and regenerating the liver.  Liver is the organ that handles all environmental pollution in our blood. Studies with sylamarin, one of the plant’s active components, showed that the substance is capable of improving the condition of toxic metabolic liver damage caused by alcohol [4]. An entire detoxification herbal program may also include dandelion, grape seed, pine bark and turmeric [5].

Milk thistle was proven effective against some poisonous mushrooms,  carbon tetrachloride, hexobarbital, thioacetamide, and some toxic metals [6].  It also detoxifies the liver following liver damage due to NSAID’s, (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory medication) commonly prescribed for most types of pain and inflammation.

Schizandra. An herb said to be almost equal to Milk Thistle in its liver protective and regenerative power is Schizandra (Schizandra cinensis).  In a study cited by Mowrey, an extract from Schizandra was successfully administered in cases of liver damage due to “deadly toxins.”  Mowrey cites another study in which a diet containing five percent of the fruit of schizandra inhibited toxicity from carcinogenic and mutagenic substances. The Chinese use the herb for everything from digestive, lung, hormonal problems and Blood pressure. According to Mowrey, the herb is effective in so many conditions that it may qualify as an ‘adaptogen,’ an herb that brings the body in a healthy state of homeostasis. Caution: pets should not be given schizandra.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful antioxidant that specifically benefits carbohydrate metabolism.  According to Earl L. Mindell, besides its support of antioxidant vitamins and amino acids, it helps detoxifying the liver, having been used in removing heavy metal exposure and in improving liver condition due to alcoholism [7].

 Turmeric. Besides its anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin in the spice turmeric appears to protect liver from toxins [3].

Alfalfa. As a fiber, it has the property to bind and eliminate certain toxins from the Colon thus preventing Colon cancers. Bran and pectin have the same ability.   Moderation is always required as an excess of fiber may lead to mineral depletion.

Grass sprouts such as wheat, barley, mung beans and lentils are known as “blood purifiers” and appear to have Cancer inhibitory action although no double blind studies are available.  Besides the antioxidant power of chlorophyll, Steve Meyerowitz the famous vegetarian dieter and Sprout Man claims, they are high in antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamins  A, E, selenium and Zinc that work synergistically to fight Cancer[8]. 

Selenium is a master antioxidant and a detoxification agent against toxic metals such as cadmium.  It is also a Cancer fighter, Phyllis A. Balch quotes a longitudinal study in which men who took 200 mcg. selenium a day had half the risk of developing certain cancers [9]. 

Much of the soil in United States is depleted of this mineral and most writers advocate supplementation. Some herbs containing selenium are:  nuts and seeds, alfa-alfa, Chamomile, chickweed, fennel seed, fenugreek, garlic, ginseng, hawthorn berry, milk thistle, parsley, Peppermint [9]

Sulfur. A mineral found in all body tissues and component and precursor of a number of antioxidants and amino acids, this mineral is also a known detoxification agent against pollutants and radiation. It is found in cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts, Onions, wheat germ, eggs, fish, garlic and dried beans [9].  According to Mindell, sulfur detoxifies by increasing permeability of the skin and thus helping the kidneys through sweating out pollutants through the skin [7].

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC). This sulfur amino Acid is a relatively popular item health food stores as its detoxifying properties are remarkable.  Some authors claim it may be a life extenders, on account of its ability to boost the enzymatic production.  It is said to protect the body from alcohol, tobacco and other environmental pollutants in general [9].

Things we Can do Without

Lead may be  successfully removed from the body through chelation therapy. The chelation agent used is EDTA, a synthetic amino Acid that, when injected, binds to the lead molecule and carries it out of the body.  The chelation was specifically created to treat hardening of the arteries.   Both oral and intravenous chelation treatments are possible, yet it is usually done under the supervision of a trained physician. Besides its known metal detoxification effect, according to Morton Walker [10] chelation has been used successful against Cancer, blood clots, senility, cataracts,  Gallstones and Diabetes.  

Carbon monoxide, from car exhaust, may be neutralized by DMG (dimethylglycine ). A natural body metabolite involved in numerous essential physiological functions, it is believed to support liver function and act like an antioxidant, among other things [2].

Arsenic, a highly toxic mineral, is ubiquitous in our environment, being present in  pesticides, laundry AIDS, seafood and many others.  Haas recommends garlic, SOD, Vitamin C, and the amino acids L-cysteine and L-methionine.  According to Haas sulfur eliminates arsenic, therefore he suggests sulfur-containing foods such as eggs, garlic, onion, and legumes.  As a supplement, sulfur is sold as MSM.

Nitrosamines, formed in the body from the nitrites and nitrates used to cure meats are known Cancer-causing substances.  Antioxidants lowers the risk of brain Cancer from nitrosamines.   In her book Stop Aging Now, Jean Carper cites a study according to which kids eating hot dogs once a week increase their risk of Cancer by 100 percent as compared with kids who do not eat hot dogs. 

Hot dogs appear to be  culprits in children leukemia, writes Carper, citing a study from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine.  Cured meats such as bacon, ham and sausages in youth diet were found to put them at higher risk of brain cancers than those who avoid these items in their diet.  However, youth who took antioxidants were spared to some extent [11]

The mutagenic toxins heteroxyclic amines (HCAs ), formed when meat is cooked at high temperature (frying , grilling broiling and barbecuing) are neutralized by soy. Antioxidants also have the capacity to fight this dangerous substances.  Carper advises to cook meat at low temperature, trim the fat, and ad vitamins and vitamin-rich foods to the meal. Vitamin C and E for example, block the formation of nitrosamines, and so does garlic [11].

Radiation. Bioflavonoids from fruits are protective against radiation.  Informally dabbed vitamin P, bioflavonoids such as citrin, hesperidin, rutin, and falvones are known to complement vitamins and to protect blood vessel walls. They are usually found in the pulp of fruits and missing from juices [2].

As part of the drug (pharmaceuticals) and alcohol detoxification programs Haas mentions L-Glutamine.  Glutamine is the end result of the conversion of glutamic Acid in the brain.  It is known to protect from toxicity with ammonia, however its functions are much wider in scope. It seems to reduce the craving for carbohydrate in general, and also for alcohol.  Glutamic Acid participates in both neurotransmitter metabolism and potassium transport into the spinal fluid, and, on this account, it is being used in numerous conditions [2].

Estrogen-mimicking substances are major environmental pollutants.

Cabbage, Broccoli and all cruciferous family contain at least one chemical that helps eliminate excess estrogens from the body [11].

Detox.  Protocols

Illness usually prompts for serious detoxification protocols such as fasting with juices and mineral-rich sea vegetables such as spirulina. Haas proposes that detoxification has to be done according to the seasons, each time of the year being propitious for certain type of detox. method. Depending on one’s needs and possibilities, Haas mentions ‘specialized diets’ such as raw foods only or microbiotic diets. 

Eating unprocessed grains, less meats, more fruits and vegetable and avoiding synthetic drugs are hallmarks of Haas detox program. As supplements Haas suggests: fiber, vitamins, chlorophyll, glutathione  (not directly but through its precursor L-cysteine).  A sample detox. herbal formula given by Haas is echinacea, Goldenseal, yellow dock root, cayenne pepper, garlic PARSLEY LEAF and Licorice root.

 In Eastern medicine, detoxification is part of any medical treatment. The East Indian Ayurveda program for any serious treatment includes two detoxification protocols (Poorvakarma and Pancha Karma), through massage, sweating and herbs. Like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Ayurveda uses multiple herb formulas applicable to the characteristics of each individual [4].