Are You a
Pathological Detoxifier?
The ’umbrella’ conditions of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS),
multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), environmental illness (EI), and Gulf War syndrome are all linked with pathologies of detoxification, as are many chronic health conditions, including chronic inflamma- tory disorders, many neurologic diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Parkinsonism and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as well as the spectrum of autoimmune diseases. Commonly, though, it is the mystifying mix of vague and chang- ing symptoms in a person that most clearly suggests impaired detoxi- fication – in fact, the more murky the diagnosis, the more likely it is that detox pathology is the anarchist operating behind the scenes, quietly and persistently wreaking havoc with your health. How is it possible that so many symptoms and disease states can be related to this one underlying issue? To understand this, we must first recognize the tremendous power for creating health or disease wielded by the liver, the body’s detoxification clearinghouse.
Your Hardworking Liver By Debra Gibson, N.D.
Detoxification is the process by which the body processes and gets rid of toxins (poisons produced by living things) or toxicants (other substances harmful to humans such as chemicals). Both will be referred to here as toxins. The liver is our sophisticated detoxifica- tion center: here toxins pass through two primary channels (called Phase 1 and Phase 2) and are transformed, sort of recycled, into less noxious compounds for removal from the body. Some toxins are completely processed by Phase 1, and some entirely by Phase 2; most, however, are only partially detoxified by Phase 1 and are then passed to Phase 2 pathways to complete the process.
pathological detoxifier, they respond with a puzzled smile, thinking of the more familiar term referring to pathological dishonesty. There are, in fact, similarities between the two conditions. Just as patholog- ical liars are often unaware of their negative behavior (as many really believe their lies to be truth), pathologic detoxifiers have no direct way of knowing of their condition, and both issues only become apparent over time through the cumulative harm caused by these dysfunctions. In contrast, however, while the compulsive dishonesty of the pathological liar eventually becomes clear to those close to them through the corrosive effects of repeated lies, the only evidence of pathologic detoxification may be the gradual development of a confusing array of symptoms and diagnoses, without an identifiable connection or source.
W How to Spot a Pathological Detoxifier
What are some hints that pathologic detoxification may be lurk- ing in the shadows, sabotaging your health? Symptoms which come and go, or whose intensity varies can point to this condition. Other red flags are chronic fatigue; malaise; anxiety; depression; sleep issues; unusual sensitivity to smells, particularly cigarette smoke, gasoline, engine fumes, and perfumes; intolerance or sensitivity to medications and even nutritional supplements; generalized achiness (fibromyalgia or migrating joint pains); headaches; “brain fog” or sensations of swelling of the brain; poor focus or concentration; poor response to positive dietary change or detoxification programs (such as an unusually intense or prolonged healing crisis). In addition, both low and high tolerance to alcohol and recreational drugs can indicate pathologic detoxification.
10 Natural Nutmeg March 2012
hoa, hold on there, you say, no need to be insulting – after all, I don’t even know you! More often than not, when I suggest to a patient the possibility that s/he may be a
Phase 1/ Phase 2 Imbalance = Pathologic Detox It is this crucial partnership of Phase 1 and Phase 2 which must
work well to clear the majority of toxins, and when it doesn’t, we are left with only partially metabolized compounds recirculating through the body like ricocheting bullets, causing damage everywhere they go. Even worse, many of these intermediary metabolites, as they are called, are even more harmful than the original compound. The result? Inflammation, abnormal immune stimulation, a heightened stress response, and direct toxic effects on multiple body tissues. Over time, many poorly metabolized toxins are stored in the body as a way of managing the toxic overload, where they continue to do harm over years and decades. This mismatch between the two phases of liver detoxification can occur because of elevated Phase 1 activity (a pattern often seen with excessive alcohol or drug ingestion), deficient function of one or more Phase 2 pathways, or a combination of the two. Unhealthy lifestyle, poor nutrition, increased toxin exposure (from the external or internal sources named above – or through the release of toxins which occurs with a detoxification program) and genetics can all help to create or exacerbate Phase 1/ Phase 2 imbalances.
Diagnosing Pathologic Detoxification
Fortunately, it is now possible to test for Phase 1/Phase 2 imbal- ances, through a functional laboratory profile which uses marker substances such as caffeine, acetaminophen, and aspirin to evaluate how well they are cleared through the appropriate pathways. Like sending an unfortunate canary into a mine to test the air quality, we can see how effectively the liver clears these common toxins (yes, they all have toxic effects in the body!), and by identifying the pre- cise pattern of detox impairment for an individual, we can provide the right nutrient support to address imbalances.
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