How to Detoxify for Better Neurological Health

In the 1950’s, a few pregnant women from a Japanese fishing village ingested fish that contained high amounts of mercury. Months after giving birth, their children showed signs of low intellect, poor motor skills, and mental retardation. Five years later in the same country, there were about 12,000 cases of arsenic poisoning found in children that drank arsenic-contaminated powdered milk. These children were 10% more likely to be mentally retarded compared to those that did not drink the milk¹. With over a century of evidence accumulated on environmental toxicity, it is seen that those who are exposed to toxins have a higher proclivity of intellectual deficits and cognitive development issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there was 123% increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in eight year old children from 2002 to 2010¹. Furthermore, the percentage of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) increased by 22% in the same time span.

At LifeWorks Wellness Center, we understand those that deal with neurological conditions. Occasionally, they’re inherited, sometimes they’re a symptom of an underlying condition and other times, they develop in childhood and carry on into adulthood. So, why does this happen? Honestly, there are many reasons, however most conventional doctors seem to overlook the environment as a culprit. The developing brain in children does not have a fully formed blood-brain barrier which makes it more vulnerable to environmental toxins. Every chemical, pesticide, heavy metal and bacteria has an effect on the body, especially within the brain. For example, mercury has been found to kill healthy cells and alter cell migration, which can lead to various types of cancer in all areas of the body, including the brain. Meanwhile, lead can disrupt the neurotransmission process, increase oxidative stress and decrease cognitive performance. Thankfully, there are many ways to protect one’s brain from succumbing to inflammation that can induce serious medical conditions. One approach that we use for our patients is detoxification.

What is Detoxification?

Detoxification is the process of removing toxic substances from a living organism. In most circumstances, conventional doctors will recommend a detoxification program for those who have suffered from long-term drug and alcohol abuse to help them ween off addictive substances. In alternative practices, detoxification is used to eliminate all types of processed chemicals, pesticides, or heavy metals that bring on inflammation in the body (including pharmaceutical drugs). Depending on the patient, this can be done in multiple ways from diet changes, natural supplements, peptides, and treatments that cleanses the body of all bad bacteria while keeping the good bacteria in place.

How Detoxification Can Help Improve Neurological Health

Since the brain is most vulnerable to toxic overload, it is the one organ that is at a higher risk compared to other areas of the body. Interestingly, our bodies are designed to detoxify themselves by disposing of all ingested toxic waste through our urine and bowel movements. However, when inflammation occurs due to constant toxin exposure, this becomes too overwhelming for the body to handle, and instead, it activates its defense mechanisms to fight off the infections. Inflammation that happens in the brain is called neuroinflammation and it can trigger mitochondrial dysfunction, immunotoxicity, metabolic deficiencies and neurological disorders. A natural detoxification plan provided by a LifeWorks practitioner will help reduce inflammation in the brain and improve memory, increase the function of neurotransmitters, enhance communication skills, and reduce symptoms of neurological conditions (like Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and Autism).

Ways to Detoxify

A detoxification process can differ from patient-to-patient. Additionally, different doctors and practitioners can have opposing opinions on the way to properly detoxify someone. LifeWorks believes in eliminating the toxins through natural resources and using various treatments such as Ozone and intravenous therapies to extract the bad bacteria and supply the body with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to boost immunity. Prior to receiving detox treatments at LifeWorks, patients will need to see a practitioner and follow through a testing process to analyze the amount of toxicity buildup. From there, the patient will be provided a program that lists all detox treatments needed to be done on a weekly or monthly basis. These treatments can vary from Chelation, Major Autohemotherapy (MAH), Ultra-Violet Blood Irradiation (UVBI), Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation (EBOO), Glutathione, Hyperthermic Ozone and Carbonic Acid Transdermal Technology (HOCATT), and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

Some ways that patients can detoxify at home include:

• Dieting: LifeWorks will provide patients with an elimination diet called Paleo. The purpose of Paleo is to eat foods similar to what was eaten during the Paleolithic era (2.5 million years ago). All foods are all-natural plant based products which subtracts processed chemicals (normally found in our foods today) from our diets.
• Taking Supplements & Peptides: A LifeWorks practitioner will provide the patient with the proper supplements and peptides to eliminate inflammation, boost immunity and increase brain health. These must be taken as instructed. Peptides that are often recommended for those with neurological issues or inflammation are Cerebrolysin, Dihexa, LL-37, Selank, and Semax.
• Avoiding Exposure to Environmental Toxins: A detox will help eliminate problems in the body, however it will not prevent it from coming back. The best way to naturally prevent neurological conditions and inflammation is to limit one’s exposure to heavy metals, foods, or other daily products that contain toxic chemicals.
• Drink Water: During a detox process, patients may experience dehydration due to treatments or constant removal of fluids from the body. It’s important to ensure that our bodily fluids remain in balance to protect the kidneys and maintain energy levels. Please avoid plastic water bottles and keep all water in a stainless steel insulated container.

 Improving Neurological Functions at LifeWorks

At LifeWorks Wellness Center, we’ve assisted many patients suffering from neuroinflammation to improve their brain fog, memory lapses, Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Our various detox methods have proven to treat their conditions and improve their quality of life. If you or someone that you know is suffering from neurological conditions induced by environmental toxicity, please call to schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners at 727-466-6789.

References:

1. The Impact of Toxins on the Developing Brain | Annual Review of Public Health (annualreviews.org)