Aluminum
Sources: Foods Food additives AlPO4 in processed cheese, Potassium Alum to whiten flour, Sodium silicoaluminate for free-flowing salt Medicines Antacids Aluminum hydroxide Cosmetics Cookware leaching from pots, pans and foil Especially with acid foods (tomatoes, rhubarb) Increased if cooking with flouridated water Smaller amounts than in food additives Methods of Toxicity: May interfere with some magnesium functions May reduce vitamin levels or bind to DNA Associated with weakened gastrointestinal tissue Bind pepsin Astringent May block underarm lymphatics
Aluminum
Symptoms: Acute constipation, nausea, anorexia, colic, gastrointestinal irritation, skin problems Chronic muscle twitching, numbness, paralysis, fatty degeneration of kidney and liver May reduce absorption of Selenium and phosphorous osteomalacia? Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease Hyperactivity and learning disorders in children Amounts: Best measured by hair analysis 10-20ppm High Risk Population: Diets high in refined foods, flours, baked goods, processed cheeses and common table salt Those using antacids, antiperspirants or cook with aluminum foil or kitchenware Treatment: Use chelation therapy (EDTA, desferrioxamine) Support with Calcium, Magnesium and zinc Prevention: Avoid sources
Arsenic
May be functional in humans in small amounts Sources: Small amounts in food - Higher in filtering molusks Environmental toxin from burning fuel oils and coals Weed killers Methods of toxicity: May displace phosphorous and phosphates in some reactions in the body Symptoms of toxicity: Possibly hair loss, dermatitis, diarrhoea, fatigue, headaches, confusion, muscle pains, red and white blood cell problems, neurologic symptoms, and liver and kidney damage. Amounts: 7-10ppm in hair analysis High risk population: Miners, smelters and vineyard workers Treatment: Dimercaprol (given 24 hours after exposure) Can be supported with Vitamin C Prevention: Avoid sources
Cadmium
Sources: Cigarette smoke 1 mcg/cigarette, 70% exhaled Refined foods and root vegetables Water pipes - galvanised Coffee and tea Coal burning Shellfish Ceramics, dental materials, storage batteries Methods of toxicity: Competes with zinc for binding sites May catalyse oxidation reactions Symptoms: Kidney damage (concentrated storage) Hypertension and Kidney stones Cardiac hypertrophy Progressive atherosclerosis Depressed immunity Prostate enlargement Bone deformities Emphysema Anemia
Cadmium
Amounts leading to toxicity: Relative to zinc status 2ppm in hair analysis High risk population: Industrial and metal workers, zinc miners, smokers and passive smokers, coffee and tea drinkers, diets with refined flours and sugars (white rice) Treatment: EDTA chelation High intake of zinc and selenium will prevent further absorption Iron, copper, selenium and C will help elimination Prevention Minimise exposure Ensure adequate zinc levels (15-30mg/day) Strengthen kidney function
Lead
Sources: Batteries Solder Pottery Pigments - cosmetics Gasoline Paint Food grown near industrial areas Methods of toxicity Interferes with calcium, iron, copper, and zinc Interrupts erythrocyte enzymes Inactivates metalloenzymes in brain chemistry Can react with cell membranes Inactivates cysteine-containing enzymes Immunosuppressant May have some affect on gastrointestinal function
Lead
Symptoms of toxicity: Acute headache, fatigue, muscle pains, anorexia, constipation, vomiting, pallor, anemia. Agitation, irritability, restlessness, memory loss, poor coordination, vertigo and depression (lead encephalopathy) Low level affect intelligence, attention span, language and memory. Insomnia and nightmares, hyperactivity and retardation, and senility Amounts: 0-30ppm may be normal High risk population: Anyone working directly with lead Work in zinc or vanadium mining Children better absorption and smaller bodies Pregnant women
Lead
Treatment: EDTA Calcium and vitamin D and C supplementation Cysteine and methionine 250mg twice daily Prevention: Do not exercise along freeways or in heavy traffic Do not allow children to play near busy streets Do not store food in pottery Avoid soldered cans Evaluate for lead levels any questionable substances (ie water)
Mercury
Sources: Fungicides and pesticides Cosmetics antibacterial additive Dental fillings Medicines Coal burning Fish Methods of toxicity: Affects the inherent protein structure Inactivates enzymes Damages cell membranes Immunodepressant May interfere with selenium Symptoms of toxicity: Inhalation Acute fever, chills, coughing, and chest pain Chronic fatigue, headache, insomnia, nervousness, impaired judgement and coordination, emotional lability, loss of sex drive
Mercury
Ingestion fatigue, insomnia, irritability, anorexia, loss of sex drive, headache, forgetfulness or poor memory. Dizziness, tremors, uncoordination, and depression. May cause multiple sclerosis Amounts leading to toxicity: >5ppm hair levels High risk population: Farmers Those with amalgam fillings Treatment: Drinking milk mercury acts on protein in milk Penicillamine (potentially toxic) EDTA Vitamin C, Selenium, pectin and alginates Prevention: Avoiding contact High fibre diet Selenium 100-20mcg
Caffeine
Sources of Caffeine
Coffee Tea Chocolate Cocoa Guarana root Some soft drinks Kola nut Diet supplements OTC e.g. NoDoz, Awake
Benefits of Caffeine
1. 2. 3. Hypochlorhydria Diuretic effect Improves athletic performance adrenergic effect, vasodilatation, BMR. Optimal level is considered 9mg/kg of body weight. (Careful of banned limit) Can aid weight loss Stimulates brain function alertness and concentration Boosts mood alleviates mind depression Stimulates respiratory system aids asthma sufferers
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Bioavailability of Caffeine
Rapidly absorbed when consumed orally from intestines Significant serum levels reached 30-45 mins after ingestion Complete oral ingestion effect occurs in about 90 mins Peak plasma levels occurs in approximately 2 hours Half life = 3-5 5 hours Metabolised by the liver prior to excretion in the kidneys
Detoxification of Caffeine
Slow detoxification is recommended rather than cold turkey to withdrawal effects Aim is to support the detox with a good diet and adrenal support Alkalising the diet is helpful in detoxification Some people start by switching to lower caffeine sources e.g. tea or trying coffee substitutes e.g Eco, dandelion root
Tobacco
fibrinogen levels Can cause cross linking of DNA mutations 9. homocysteine 10. cholesterol
Alcohol
Toxic effects on the Body What it Interferes with Detoxification Processes Nutrients to assist Detoxification
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Neurotransmitters:
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Sugar can act like a drug addiction Affects same area in brain as heroin and morphine Drug detox increases sugar cravings as it gives them a similar high or feeling fills a gap Withdrawal symptoms blood sugar drops so they crave either the drug (e.g. alcohol) or sugar Biochemistry of sugar sensitivity is very similar to alcoholism
Suggestions: 1. Frozen yoghurt instead of ice-cream 2. Can still have Milo, drinking chocolate, AktaVite 3. Mineral water or natural cordial instead of soft drink 4. Use raw sugar 5. Helgas white bread, turkish bread, bagels,wholemeal muffins etc 6. No lollies/sweets
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Substances that Increase Potency 1. Amino acids tyrosine prolongs life of drug 2. Smart Drugs
Substances Counteracts the toxic Effects 1. Tryptophan counteracts the cravings for amphetamines 2. Tyrosine corrects norepinephrine deficiency
Bioavailability Rapidly absorbed. 60% slowly metabolised by liver and excreted via kidneys along with unmetabolised drug.
Marijuana interferes with: 1. Hormones testosterone 2. Neurotransmitters suppresses vasopressin 3. Nucleic acids interferes with synthesis of DNA and RNA
Ecstacy Interferes with: Neurotransmitters causes release of large amounts of serotonin so therefore subsequent depletion
Ecstasy. The happiest diet pill on earth?
Romano, J. Muscular Development. 37(12):158-162, 2000
Serotonin levels are significantly lower in animals given the equivalent quantity of ecstasy as that found in one pill of MDMA. This occurs because the cells that produce ecstasy are unable to keep up with demand (as serotonin is released in large amounts by ecstasy). Ecstasy users have fewer serotonin receptors compared to non-users.
Heart & Blood Vessels 1. Abnormal rhythms of the heart 2. Sudden sniffing death syndrome if individual exercises or gets excited
Bone Marrow & Blood 1. Benzene can cause severe anemia and leukemia 2. Methylene chloride is converted to carbon monoxide resulting in brain damage. Heart patients and cigarette smokers have an increased risk if use simultaneously.
Assist the body to detoxify the drug(s) out of the body as quickly as possible which lessens the severity and length of withdrawal Repair some of the damage done to their body by the drugs, bad eating habits and lifestyle Alkalise the body and reduce acidity
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Alcohol
Alcohol Dehydrogenase (B3 Dependant Enzyme)
Acetate