If you have read my previous blogs you know that the Immune system has to be smart. As Goldilocks would say, “Not too strong, not too weak, but just right” in how it recognizes and handles foreign invaders. It has to be able to differentiate between bad stuff and leave the good stuff alone. The good stuff it sometimes attacks is healthy tissue, and that is what autoimmune disease is.
Autoimmune conditions have skyrocketed in recent years. I wonder if our ancestors had any autoimmune issues. Probably the two biggest threats that contribute to a confused immune system are environmental toxins, such as toxic metals and chemicals, and overuse of antibiotics.
The body has a pretty good defense system. There are safeguards along all the channels that would allow toxins into the body. The EPA regulates the amounts of toxicity limits of individual products, chemicals and metals, but doesn’t discuss the whole toxic burden that we are all exposed to. Like many of our agencies, the EPA is subject to the pressures of the industries that put profit over health.
So, it is up to us to manage our toxic load. And kids’ small bodies are particularly susceptible to the damage from toxins like glyphosate, the pesticide known as Round Up. One long-term study showed that 80% of adults and children had glyphosate excreted in their urine. [i] The liver is the organ that has to detoxify glyphosate, and an over-burdened liver is one of the greatest risks for serious disease and autoimmune problems. At a time when there is more attention than ever on immune health, none of us can afford to have an extra burden of toxins that our livers cannot break down.
Glyphosate has also been found in the umbilical cord of new babies, and it is suspected to be a hormone disruptor and the World Health Organization calls it “a probable carcinogen.”[ii] There are over 300 million pounds of Round Up used in the USA yearly. The most sprayed crops are 80% of corn, 94% of soybeans, almonds, and cotton. Organic almonds are very expensive, but almonds are sprayed and irradiated, so we may have to rethink almond flour as a gluten-free option. And women may want to switch to organic cotton sanitary products. Don’t forget that the skin is a two-way street for chemicals.
All living organisms share the environment together, so what is toxic for one type of organism may be damaging to all. Some of you may remember how incredibly toxic Agent Orange was, and it was a herbicide designed to defoliate the forests so that American planes could spot people on the ground. Despite all the attention on the state of the planet, the big corporations get to sell poison to us because it is so difficult to hold them accountable. The irony is that there isn’t a greater yield for crops sprayed with Round Up, and the manufacturer, Monsanto, uses strong-arm approaches to force farmers to use their pesticide. If a product is really beneficial, people will flock to it, without being forced. Mexico has decided to ban glyphosate by March 2024, which may make Mexican produce a better choice next year.
Standard Process makes a shake powder called Detox Balance that supports the three phases of liver detoxification. With chemicals like glyphosate it is vital that all three phases occur to fully breakdown the substance so that it can be eliminated. If all three phases do not occur, the by-products may be stored in a still-toxic state that damages organs and tissue. The powder has a mild Chai flavor and can be flavored with fruit or cacao powder for an added chocolate flavor without sugar. It can be sweetened with stevia, monk fruit or honey.
Traditionally Spring is a great time to detoxify. This year, more than ever, it would be smart to give your immune system the back up and support of a detox program. We were all exposed to Covid, and most of us had at least one bout. Our immune systems have been very challenged, and some people are still struggling with the aftermath. If you have long Covid symptoms, please contact me for more information on treatment. There are some natural remedies that may help.
A shake has another advantage of acting as a carrier for other supplements. You can add a scoop of Cyrofood powder for added vitamins and calcium, or add Cataplex ACP tablets and/or Thymex for extra immune, respiratory and healthy tissue support with whole food vitamins A and C. Many of your other supplements can be added, as well, but not all so let me know any questions you have about individual programs.
It is a basic principle of Naturopathic and Functional Medicine that you have to remove the barriers to healing, and that is what a detoxification program does. There are various ways to do that and liver support or cleanse is one effective way.
There are other ways, also, so if you have a specific concern, let me know. There are now hair test kits that check for Glyphosate, and up to 100 pesticides and 12 plastics. If you would like information about testing yourself at home, let me know.
We are probably all looking forward to Spring this year! See you soon.
[i] https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/kids-glyphosate-liver-disease-metabolic-disorders-cg/?utm_source=salsa&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=81409887-19d1-491d-a3ef-3208f24499d6
[ii] http://detoxproject.org/10