Detoxification

This is one area where evolution does not provide us with many insights. We are at a unique point in our history where our very existence is being jeopardized by man-made toxins in our environment. A Harvard study revealed we have 1,000 times more lead in our bones then we had 400 years ago. Thousands of new chemicals are released into our environment every year. We know little about the effects that are caused by each individual chemical and less about the interactions between them. Hormone-like substances such as plasticizers (just try to avoid contact with plastics in today’s world) and pesticides have caused feminization of fish and infertile crocodiles with both male and female genitalia. These same substances are probably responsible for at least part of the increasing incidence of cancer of the breast, prostate and colon, among others. There has even been speculation that these chemicals are responsible for earlier puberty among girls and breast development in some boys. Drugs like Prozac are easily measurable in our water supply. Industrial pollutants have been found deep below the surface of the ice in the arctic region. Babies are born with an average of almost 100 different chemicals detected in the umbilical cord blood. Modern medicine has largely ignored this problem, focusing instead on the pharmacologic treatment of the symptoms of these underlying problems.

Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and aluminum have been associated with immune dysfunction (another potential reason for the rise in cancer and autoimmune disease), endocrine disruption (have you been aware of the apparent rise in thyroid dysfunction?), cardiac disease, chronic fatigue, inflammatory conditions, brain dysfunction, and many other medical problems. Yet, recently, when a prominent actor had to leave a play due to symptoms of mercury toxicity, the mainstream medical community and some in the press, treated it as a joke, rather than the tragedy that it is. The problem of mercury toxicity is so widespread, that a recent article in the New York Times, estimated that more than 25% of the population of New York City is affected. It seems more convenient for physicians to treat the anxiety with sedatives, the depression, fatigue and confusion with antidepressants, the cardiovascular problems (high blood pressure, heart failure, myocardial infarction) with heart and blood pressure medicines, than to admit there may be a widespread underlying toxic cause. All of these symptoms and more can be signs of heavy metal toxicity. We continue to rely on serum levels to diagnose heavy metal toxicity despite the fact that it has been shown that it correlates very poorly with total body burden of these toxins. Specialized provocative testing is necessary to help make this diagnosis.

Detoxification is no longer an option but a necessity if we want to achieve optimal health. The various means available include chelation (for heavy metals), far infrared sauna (primarily for volatile toxins, plasticizers, persistent organic pollutants, etc.), colonics (similar effects as sauna) as well as supplements and other techniques to maximize our natural detoxification pathways.

We are pleased to announce that Optimal Wellness, Long Island’s premier colon hydrotherapy practice, shares our office suite and is available for colon hydrotherapy and lymphatic drainage treatments