Symptoms Of Toxic Overload

**COUNTRYBUMPKIN** · 12-04-2004, 03:19 PM

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SYMPTOMS OF TOXIC OVERLOAD
Flora Health Research Academy, 2002

by Dr. David Wikenheiser

Toxins are substances that will interrupt or completely block the
normal metabolic functions of the body.

Metabolic functions include moving nutrients into our cells, processing
and eliminating wastes,
producing energy, making repairs, and growing replacement cells.

Detoxification is the processing and elimination of toxins from the
body, and it is an essential part of regaining and maintaining good
health.

Food provides the body with nutrients, which are the building blocks
for health. Nutrients are released from food through digestion.

Poorly digested foods will not only limit the amount of nutrients
available to be absorbed,
but will increase the toxic burden on the body through fermentation.

Undigested foods will not merely pass unchanged out of the body, but
will ferment and produce gases and
other toxic byproducts,
which will be reabsorbed by the body.

These digestion originating endogenous toxins, along with exogenous
toxins originating outside of the body,
will burden and limit normal bodily functions.

Toxic substances include: heavy metals, such as mercury and lead;
solvents,
such as benzene; plastics, such as styrene; hormones and
chemicals acting as hormones; and, free radical compounds.

I consider free radicals to be the number one class of toxins.

A free radical is an unbalanced chemical structure that will pull electrons
from other structures, damaging them in the process.
Free radicals may originate from poor digestion, uncontrolled emotional
stress, and pollution from the world around us.

Oxygen has the ability to pull electrons off of other chemical
structures, which is necessary
for our efficient cellular energy production and the operation of
our immune system.

While oxygen is essential for life, if uncontrolled it will create toxic
free radicals and increase our risk of developing diseases.

Free radicals will act against our bodies by directly "burning" our
cells, damaging our DNA and increasing our risk of developing diseases through the altering of
our genetic expression.

Altered genetic expression may lead to the emergence of dormant
diseases such as cancer, Hepatitis C, and AIDS.

Virtually every person has symptoms of toxic load

How do you know if you have a toxic load?
Laboratory tests are useful to screen for toxins in general, and to measure levels of specific toxins.

Before a doctor will order laboratory tests they will take a history of
symptoms to determine which tests are the most appropriate.
The symptoms associated with toxic load include neurological,
immunological, and endocrine symptoms.

The neurological, or nerve related symptoms associated with a toxic
load include: tingling hands and feet, and alterations in mood, such as
anxiety, aggression, and depression.

The immunological or immune system symptoms associated with a toxic load may include:
a down regulation of white blood cells, resulting in frequent or unreasonably severe infections; an up regulation of the
immunoglobulin proteins, resulting in frequent and severe allergic
reactions.

The endocrine, or hormonal symptoms associated with a toxic load
include:

pancreatic dysfunction leading to poor digestion and poor blood sugar
regulation, leading to weight gain; adrenal
burnout, leading to unreasonable coffee consumption, irritability,
and the inability to relax or handle stress;
PMS and premature menopause in women, and andropause in men; thyroid dysfunction and
the symptoms of weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss,
fatigue, and sleeping long hours only to wake unrested.

Virtually every person I know has at least one of these symptoms of
toxic load.

Managing a toxic burden will take several steps: one, avoid further
exposures;
two, support the processing of toxic substances; and
three, support the removal of toxic substances from the body by way
of the routes of elimination.

Avoiding further toxic exposures includes eating organic foods, using
natural nontoxic cleaners in
our homes, spending less time per day in heavy traffic, removing
mercury amalgam dental restorations, and improving digestion.

Poor digestion will lead to fermentation of the undigested foods.
This fermentation will produce digestive tract gas and bloating, as well
as toxic and re-absorbable byprod-ucts such as phenyl compounds,
indican, scatol, and cadaveral.

Processing toxins will be supported by adequate intake of
antioxidant compounds to quench free radicals,
and the adequate intake of nutrient supplements and herbal formulas
to support the liver in its role of cleaning and processing toxins
from the blood.

Elimination of these processed toxins from the body is supported by the
intake of dietary fiber, adequate water intake,
and adequate exercise.

Adequate dietary fiber will result in at least one normal bowel movement
per day. A normal bowel movement is the size and consistency of a large
peeled banana.

Adequate water intake may be calculated by dividing your body weight in
pounds, by two, to give you the number of ounces per day. For example, aperson who weighs one hundred and fifty pounds will ideally drink a
minimum of seventy-five ounces of suitable fluids per day.

Suitable fluids include herbal teas, fruit and vegetable juices, and
water.

Removing waste gases from the blood, by adequately stimulating the
lungs, requires a minimum of thirty minutes per day of brisk exercise
such as walking.

Antioxidants to control free radicals include substances
such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and the Oligomeric Proanthocyanadins
(ideally, Jack Masquelier's patented OPCs,
as found in Flora's Grapeseed Extract).

The traditional herbal tea formula known as Flor-Essence, which has
been used for over one hundred years in the support of serious
illnesses, is now recognized as a gentle yet effective
detoxification formula.

Flor-Essence has been shown to: support the healing of the digestive
tract, which will reduce fermentation and
auto toxicity; support the liver, which will more efficiently remove
and process toxins from the blood;
and it is a powerful antioxidant,
having been measured to be roughly fourteen times stronger than
Vitamin C.
A simple and efficient way to detoxify and start to deal
with the symptoms of toxic load is to add Flor- Essence to your
daily routine.

PRODUCT PROFILE:

• Flor-essence offers a complete cleanse of the whole body including
deep tissue, liver, lungs, kidneys, colon, pancreas, skin, blood and
lymphatics.

• The 8 herbs in Flor-essence work synergistically as a team which
enhances the overall effectiveness of the formula.

• Research supports the numerous healing components of the premium
quality herbs which contain trace elements, minerals,
phytoestrogens, antioxidants and other active substances.

• Flor-essence drastically reduces accumulated levels of toxic
material which causes irritation, inflammation, ulceration, swelling
and premature degeneration of the cells.

• Flor-essence purifies the blood, improves digestion, reduces free
radical damage, strengthens organs and increases energy levels.

• Flor-essence is gentle, safe and simple to use.

DR. DAVID WIKENHEISER
Dr. Wikenheiser is a licensed Naturopathic Physician in a general
family practice in Vancouver, British Columbia. He completed his
Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) through the University of the
State of New York, and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)
at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon
with an "Honors in Research." Dr. Wikenheiser is a member of the
B.C. Naturopathic Association, the College of Naturopathic
Physicians of B.C., and the Canadian Naturopathic Association. He is
Board Certified in Ozone Therapy and Acupuncture.

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