Tag Archive for: heavy metals

As a nutritionist, we are privileged to work with a variety of client cases. Variety brings comparison. And with that, an informed understanding over time, that by applying the same protocol to the same condition in different individuals, we do not bring about the same results.

The question then has to be asked, Why?

When I first began to ask this question I discovered environmental toxins such as heavy metals, glycophosphates, herbicides, pesticides all from varied and multiple sources. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat can all be a source of contamination.

Then, some years later I came across the importance of viruses.  How viruses implicate auto-immune conditions and therefore obstruct healing as they change the relation our first line of defence has with our biological systems.

More recently I discovered another layer, parasites.  For the sake of not repeating you can link to my previous post on the three shields here.

However, all of these areas of health are concerning. especially when complex health conditions have manifested.  And are NOT shifting!

So the question is Why?

I am one to never settle for the patient who doesn’t get better.  I believe nothing is random…

Genetic predisposition lies within the differences between how biological systems respond to heavy metals, parasites, and infections.  All of it is valid, each part potentiating the final genetic expression and therefore health outcome.

Let’s start with, what genes do

Simply put, they follow orders.  Meaning that the information we deliver to the gene (in the form of our thoughts, dietary choices, breathing patterns, sleep patterns, etc) is then taken and they then make it happen.  Genes simply inadvertently do what we ask them to do, therefore it’s up to us to put in good orders.

Putting in orders

Putting in the orders comes in the form of ‘how we are and what choices we make’.

When we are calm, cool and collected, our genes will have more nutrients available to complete the usual tasks. The result might be that we convert serotonin to melatonin and then we sleep better, or at least promptly when the lights go out.

We are frazzled and anxious, we rattle through magnesium using it up more rapidly, inhibiting the conversion of methionine to SamE and therefore without the donor SamE Serotonin cannot be converted to melatonin and we do not sleep as well.  This is just one example.

One of the other task genes have to do is that they make enzymes.  Which in turn get rid of things like environmental pollutants such as Bisphenol A, a carcinogen.

The more demand of our genes, in terms of resources the more our genes are tied up, pre-occupied dealing with these additional challenges. And therefore the less able our genes are able to deal with their original roles.  Such as converting serotonin to melatonin.  Or converting toxic substances such as homocysteine to the powerful antioxidant glutathione.

Homocysteine is just one by-product of a normal biological function. Therefore it is a normal toxicity compound produced by the body under completely normal circumstances.

The same gene responsible for lowering homocysteine is also used for clearing the heavy metals Lead and  Thallium from the intestines.

Conversely, the more we give our genes a break, the more they can restore themselves.

Eating junk food or poor quality foods, going to be late all places additional challenges on your genes.  So within the mind, we can know our genetic predispositions, in terms of the outcome of our SNP’s, are fluid and malleable rather than fixed.

Factors within the environment which influence our genetic outcome are environmental toxins  They are everywhere and unavoidable to an extent.  The choices we make either increase this challenge or lessen it. But the fact remains none of us is immune to the exposure of heavy metals and environmental pollutants.

And heavy metals are so heavy that they really do put pressure on the genes giving them much extra work, thus slowing them down.

An apt example of this has been provided by Ben Lynch; he says that it is like when you are at a restaurant and order a meal.  But then you don’t get the meal because the chef is so busy putting a fire out in the kitchen.  He says that heavy metals and environmental pollutants are like the fire in the kitchen.  Our genes can’t do their usual work because they are so busy dealing with heavy metals AKA putting the fire out.  The gene no longer cares about lowering homocysteine because they are so caught up in dealing with the additional exposure to pollutants.

We have 19,000 genes in the human body give or take.  With 1000’s known to be impacted directly by heavy metals.  The consensus in current thinking is that ALL of them are influenced indirectly.

Other examples of what happens when our genes are compromised: Hydrogen peroxide is produced by stress, a pro-oxidant, required by our body in order to engage the immune system.  It’s a positive thing, but too much of it turns our hair white.  Our GST glutathione genes deal with this.  However iron, copper mercury, selenium, and zinc also slow it down.  Any gene that is functioning too fast, or too slowly is not a good thing.

Soux, a gene relevant to sulphites is affected by arsenic and tungsten.  Sulphur sensitivity is on the increase, and the question has to be, why?  Few people are aware that cysteine bonds are typically very reactive.  If the body is not breaking it down quickly then we can have too much sulphur and feel BAD!  Increased sulphur sensitivity can result just from chronic inflammation experienced for any of the following reasons; not sleeping well, fighting infections, having lots of heavy metals in the body.  Cysteine then becomes cystine but is damaging to all the systems of the body.

MTR, also relevant to methylation is slowed by lead, cadmium, and aluminium, inhibiting the cycling of B12 and therefore homocysteine.

Arsenic, found in apples, chicken, rice and many other foods slow down our body’s ability to produce ATP and therefore promotes mitochondrial dysfunction.

Pon1 is super significant too, as the challenge with glyphosates, barium, mercury, cobalt are all on the rise, slowing this gene down.

And of course, there are cascades … eNos gene is always going to be dirtied by PEMT, MTHFR, and a few others. Methionine synthase is slowed by a lot of common heavy metals, but then COMT is dirtied and so is MAOA.  GSTM1 is always affected and dirtied when any other gene is struggling.

The key here is to draw a road map with multiple SNP’s.  Understanding the wider pictures will give you the advantage. And then, when you learn your genetic road map and can see that you are in the clear WITHOUT SNP’s in certain areas of health, remember that your genes can STILL ACT as if there are SNPs present when genes are presented with the wrong environment. This is due to either a lack of co-factors and/or the presence of heavy metals.  So go by how you feel. Not just gene results!


Action steps

  • Look at your history in detail.  Think about where you have lived. Think about pollution, old lead piping.  Then take action to reduce the burdens.  Find the sources, then reduce or remove them.  Look to your air, environment, food, cosmetics, and water first. The fact of the matter remains if you don’t reduce or remove the current heavy metal burden your load will not be reduced.  And there will always be more.

Functional Medicine Tests to consider


Other effective methods for daily detox

Read about how heavy metals can interfere with the glymphatic system and sleep

Read about the links between heavy metals, parasites, and other organisms

 
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TOXICITY, A MODERN DAY EPIDEMIC

Lyme & the three shields: a co-dependant ecosystem

“It’s never JUST the ONE THING when we have a chronic health condition”

LYME

There is a big link between heavy metal loading as a protective mechanism, as a shield, primarily within the biofilm world.

Lyme, is a complex organism, in the sense that it takes on different forms.  It morphs, bio-transforms, which makes it more elusive.  It’s slow replicating.  It can hide out for a while, and protect itself.

Lyme has all kinds of mechanisms, it’s got the spiral-shaped form (spirochete).  That drills, burrowing into joints and tissues and organs, which is so often while conventional lab tests are checking the blood don’t find Lyme because the target organ of Lyme is not the blood.

Then there is a Cyst form of Lyme.  Essentially when you take antibiotics the bacteria sense this and within twenty minutes the Lyme has turned into a round cyst form to protect itself.  This is about a thousand times stronger against antibiotics in a cyst form than when it’s active spirochete form.  Making it a hard beast to kill!!

And then there is the intra-cellular form, where it goes inside the cells, which is subsequently responsible for the auto-immune relationship between Lyme and our immune system.  As our body attacks the Lyme inside our cells other cells are also attacked because our immune system is not clear on its target.

And then there is a fourth form of Lyme, which is Biofilm. Biofilm is yet another protective mechanism.  It’s a shield so that when you’re taking herbs or when you’re taking antibiotics, it’s less likely that you’re going to be able to penetrate the Biofilm.

Essentially, if you put all the Lyme forms together into a colony, plus other pathogens and fungus, and then lay a blanket on top then you’ve got the Biofilm all wrapped up in one.

The link between Heavy Metals and Biofilm is the ingredients Biofilm is made up of the following: Magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, mercury, and lead. Essentially unless the toxicity is dealt with it’s unlikely the Lyme will be dealt with also.

Where does testing for Lyme fit in?

It is well known that testing for Lyme via a regular panel can show false negatives Labs can run into issues that influence results.  The advice is to use as many TOOLS as possible. Energetic biofeedback machines are tools, kinesiology is a tool, looking at a client’s history is a tool.  It is when the Art each practitioner has developed through their tool matches up with lab result this then creates a stronger indicatory rather than just one thing.

Lyme should always be considered when complex health conditions are present. To include Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, or autoimmune conditions such as RA, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus.

As previously mentioned, one of the reasons Lyme is so elusive is due to using a protective mechanism such as heavy metals as a shield.


The three shields: a co-dependant ecosystem

(PARASITES  / HEAVY METAL / MOULD)

1. PARASITES

Parasites is a modern day epidemic.  There are 134 species of parasites.  And Lyme disease can live inside a parasite.  So if you have Lyme disease and you have parasite issues then you’re not going to get to that Lyme bacteria if it’s within the parasite.  First, go after the parasites.

We all have parasites to one degree or another, which can take more than a month to eliminate when taking the correct herbs Ascaris lumbricoides (a type of roundworm) right down to pinworm.  There is usually a sequence with the elimination of the larger ones first.  Parasites have a 2-week replication cycle, affected by the waxing and waning of the moon.  So you can see improvements but then there’s another wave, so the rule of thumb is to be consistent and persistent.

2. HEAVY METALS

Heavy metal toxicity is a modern day epidemic.  Mercury from tuna, fillings or vaccinations.  Lead and arsenic from rice harvested in China, lead from older water pipes. Cadmium from our soil too. Aluminium is off the charts too.

It’s a big issue, one which we are all encountering since we share one earth, one atmosphere the fundamental truth is that we are all affected.

Riding the body from heavy metals helps to peel away the biofilm and release the pathogens which can be a very good thing – ultimately.  However, by the same token, the health of the individual is key as to whether they will become over-whelmend by this process and become sicker before their health improves.  Heavy metals should be the second detoxification after parasites.

3. MOULD

Mould will also act as a shield to Lyme.  Therefore if you are living in a mouldy house it doesn’t matter what treatment is used, the source of mould needs to be removed if you are going to get well.  The third and last protective mechanism is that needs to be addressed is mould.

Once we have addressed parasites, heavy metals and mould there are no great defense mechanisms for the Lyme to hide in, making it far easier to clean up by assisting the immune system to take care of Lyme.


DRAINAGE VERSES DETOX

When wishing to Detox it is vital to prepare the ground with Drainage support first.

When our Drainage systems are not working adequately the body can easily get thrown into over-whelm during a detox.  Especially when detoxifying parasites and heavy metals.

This, of course, depends on the genetic profile of the individual.  When individuals are pre-disposed genetically to oxidative stress and inflammation, then challenges attributed to detoxification will be increased.

Definition of Detox: pulling out of chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, glyphosates, herbicides, radiation.

Definition of Drainage: pathways of detoxification not working adequately, and therefore leading to a backing up of toxic release from the system.

Example of Drainage issues that need to be addressed PRIOR to Heavy Metal Chelation and parasite cleansing:

Leaky Gut is a drainage issue. When constipated it’s the draining pathways clogged. The kidney is a draining pathway. The liver bile duct is one of the most important draining pathways in the whole mix. The lymphatic system is draining pathways. The glymphatic or the brain lymphatic system, the skin.  Keeping all these pathways clear and healthy during detox will help to minimise symptoms. Making sure you prepare the body and then focus on drainage during the detox is key.

Parasites often clog up the liver bile duct area.  Certain parasites love the liver bile duct-like strongyloides and flukes residing there and clogging it up.  Killing off parasites is a part of opening up the drainage pathways, hence why it is the first step in breaking down the three shields. Elimination of parasites is also a fundamental step within a heavy metal detox regardless of whether Lyme is present. Both Heavy Metals and Mould spore can live inside parasites since parasites are hungry for both.

Liver

Optimising the liver and gall-bladder via bile excretion is paramount. All toxins leave via the bile duct. Draining off ammonia can be a game-changer for some health conditions.  Which also relies upon the Liver/Bile-duct working properly.

A clogged Liver automatically slows down and clogs the lymphatic system, which affects the brain-draining system, the glymphatic system.

  • Consider coffee enemas (see blog on enemas)

  • Castor oil packing

  • Liver / Gallbladder flushes

  • Milk thistle in with your coffee if you’re a coffee drinker

  • Dandelion root coffee

  • Chanca Piedra, herbal assistance

  • Carbon, charcoal or clay for the gut

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