The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently recognizes more than four million chemical compounds. More than 60,000 of these are produced commercially, with three new compounds introduced each day. In 1992, the EPA published the results of a study in which the urine of 7,000 randomly sampled Americans was tested for toxic chemical residues. Chemicals like pentachlorophenol, a wood preservative, and others were found in 71 percent of individuals tested. There were not people working at chemical factories or industrial waste incinerators. This study looked at the average citizen – you and me. It is disconcerting to find such a high percentage of individuals with chemical residue in their urine. These are all chemicals not even in existence 100 years ago. Many doctors who work with chronically fatigued patients and those who work in the field of environmental medicine, agree that chemical exposure is a major contributor to fatigue and low vitality. For example, if you review the symptoms of formaldehyde exposure, you will find fatigue, depression, and poor concentration right at the top. The symptoms of exposure to trichloroethylene (found in floor polish, copy machines, carpet cleaner, etc.) include fatigue, poor concentration, and drowsiness, among others. Exposure to toluene, the most common indoor air pollutant, triggers symptoms of fatigue, poor concentration, drowsiness, and headache. Methylene chloride is found in paint thinner, hair spray, adhesives, solvents, paint, flame retardants, and many other common products. The aerosol propellants found in hair sprays, antiperspirants, air fresheners, and spray paint, may contain up to 5o% methylene chloride. Once inhaled, methylene chloride goes directly to the brain, fat cells, and liver. Common symptoms include fatigue, lethargy, headaches, and chest pain. In an article entitled “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chemical Overload,” Dr. R. A. Buist explained that there are many pieces of evidence suggesting that chronic fatigue may be a result of toxin exposure. He goes on to point out that toxins can disrupt muscle metabolism, accounting for the pain and fatigability of muscles experienced by many fatigued people. Buist also notes that in many chronic fatigue patients, use of recreational drugs or environmental exposure preceded the onset of their fatigue. In an address to the Well Mind Association in Seattle, Washington, David S. Bushcer, M.D., made the following remarks: “My personal theory on chronic fatigue is that the increased load of pollutants in our environment, such as pesticides, is causing people to have a breakdown of their immune systems…I would say that 70% of my patients with chronic fatigue had a chemical trigger; they moved into a new home, there was remodeling at the office, or a pesticide application, and now they have chronic fatigue. I think the mechanism is some kind of cellular poisoning from these chemicals. The affected person’s detoxification system is clogged up or destroyed, they get a backlog of chemicals, and their immune system goes down.” In 1992, the neurobehavioral effects of various chemicals were reviewed in Environmental Neurotoxicity, published by the National Research Council. The following symptoms commonly associated with fatigue and the number of chemicals that may cause these symptoms are significant.
Symptom: Number of Chemicals:
Fatigue: 87
Listlessness: 30
Depression: 40
Sleep disturbances: 119
Weakness: 179
An important fact about chemical exposure is the role that cumulative exposure plays in causing illness. Exposure to trace amounts of one chemical may produce few ill effects. However, when five, ten, or even fifty different compounds are encountered in trace amounts, which is not unusual, the additive effects can be serious. To put this in perspective, consider that in one Washington, D.C., home for the elderly, 350 different volatile chemicals were found in the indoor air. Another study conducted by the EPA found anywhere from 40 to 120 different organic compound circulating in the air of every home tested, regardless of whether the home was in urban Chicago or rural North Dakota.
Treatment
Toxicity is a very complicated phenomenon that requires the guidance of a doctor trained in environmental medicine and nutritional biochemistry. Toxic mineral exposure is treated differently than exposure to organic chemical compounds. Specific nutrients are necessary to enhance biochemical detoxification pathways of the body. Any recommendations made in this book [see book details at end of this article] could only be considered superficial and general.
When dealing with toxicity problems, the following areas must be addressed:
Reduce the total toxic load be removing toxins from your environment and by removing offending foods and additives from your diet.
Identify functional nutrient deficiencies related to detoxification and general metabolism.
Restore your body’s pH to its normal balance so that cellular systems being to function normally.
Begin a supervised detoxification program aimed at removing toxins stored in body tissues.
Nutrients important in detoxification include:
L-glutathione, vitamin E, vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine, selenium, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, taurine, zinc, copper, magnesium, molybdenum, bioflavonoids.
5. Utilize a low temperature sauna. Some doctors who treat patients with toxic exposure recommend that patients sit in a low temperature sauna for several hours each day. The low temperature encourages a “fat sweat” to eliminate toxins that are stored in the body’s fat.
6. Support the endocrine, immune, and hepatic (liver) system.
7. Begin a program of behavioral therapy and stress management.
8. Restore gastrointestinal function.