Environmental toxins are substances from our surroundings that can potentially affect our health and often enter our bodies through air, water, food, and skin contact. Blood detoxification, the process of managing these substances in the bloodstream, is primarily supported by the liver, kidneys, and other bodily systems.
However, misconceptions about blood detoxing abound, with many people believing in quick fixes and miracle cures that lack scientific support. This article will discuss detoxification with evidence-based methods to ensure safety and effectiveness.
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What Is a Blood Detox?
Exposure to environmental toxins in the air, food, water, health products, and prescribed pharmaceuticals is a significant contributor to various health challenges.
Chronic exposure to environmental toxins can be associated with several health issues, such as endocrine dysfunction, ADHD, autism, asthma, COPD, cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular problems, chronic fatigue, and more. Implementing blood purification techniques through diet, lifestyle, or medical interventions may help manage the presence of drugs and toxins in the body.
Blood detox can be approached through natural strategies, including lifestyle, nutrition, herbal medicine, and nutraceuticals. In cases of more severe toxicity or poisoning, medical interventions such as plasmapheresis, dialysis, or chelation therapy may be considered.
These procedures require the guidance of a trained physician to assess which treatment is appropriate.
How Does the Body Detox the Blood?
Different parts of the body participate in the detoxification process:
The Role of the Liver
The liver helps manage the detoxification of the blood by processing toxins, drugs, metals, and metabolic waste products through enzymatic reactions.
During phase 1 detoxification, the liver activates toxins, making them water-soluble for proper bodily removal.
During phase 2 detoxification, the liver neutralizes toxins through sulfation, glucuronidation, methylation, acetylation, glutathione conjugation, and glycination. These processes help facilitate the excretion of toxins through the urine and bowels.
Each step of liver detoxification requires adequate antioxidants, minerals, and enzymes. If the body becomes overburdened with toxins or depleted of essential nutrients, liver detoxification may slow down, potentially affecting health (14).
The Function of the Kidneys
The kidneys are an often overlooked organ of detoxification. After toxins have passed through phase 2 liver detoxification, unfiltered blood enters the kidneys. It is filtered through the nephrons, the kidney's functional units that filter blood and form urine.
If the kidneys have been damaged, toxins can be reabsorbed into the blood. Heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), glyphosate, smoking, and endotoxins from the gut can impair kidney function. Maintaining proper kidney function is vital when supporting blood detoxification (55).
Other Detoxification Mechanisms
The lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract are also crucial in detoxification.
The lungs filter out carbon dioxide, fumes, and airborne substances like mold. Over time, environmental toxins such as cigarette smoking, molds, and dust can interfere with the lung's ability to facilitate gas exchange from the environment into the bloodstream. This may lead to decreased oxygen transport and the buildup of metabolic substances in the lungs and blood.
The gastrointestinal tract plays a role in detoxification by breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste products from the body. If dysbiosis or leaky gut develops, substances from the gut can enter circulation.
By addressing gut inflammation, gut permeability, and malabsorption through targeted therapies, we can enhance the overall elimination of substances from the body.
The skin is the body's largest organ and is crucial in managing substances. Through sweat glands, the skin helps excrete small amounts of metabolic substances from the body. Sweating through exercise or sauna may help manage heavy metals, xenobiotics (chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system), ammonia, urea, and lactic acid from the body.
Signs Your Patient's Blood Detoxing Systems Need Support
If your patients experience the following, it may be a sign their detoxification systems are in need of support:
Symptoms of Blood Toxin Buildup
Signs and symptoms of toxins in the blood may include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Tingling in the hands and feet
- Chills
- General weakness and/or muscle weakness
- Vision changes
- Lack of coordination
Risk Factors for Blood Toxin Accumulation
Lifestyle factors that may contribute to toxin accumulation include:
Environmental factors that may contribute to toxin accumulation:
- Persistent organic pollutants
- Toxic metals
- Solvents
- Endocrine disruptors
- Chemicals
- Pesticides such as glyphosate
- Mold/mycotoxins
- Xenoestrogens
When to Consider a Blood Detox
The following situations may prompt consideration of a blood detox:
- Recent antibiotic usage
- Exposure to mold/mycotoxins
- Heavy metal exposure (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic)
- Long-term use of plastics
- History of handling toxic chemicals, herbicides, pesticides
- Heavy alcohol use
If you have any of the above situations, it is important to work alongside a licensed health professional who can guide you. Not doing so can potentially lead to further complications.
Lab Testing for Patients with Blood Toxin Symptoms
The following labs can be helpful for understanding the current toxic burden on the body:
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
A CMP is a blood test that measures substances involved in chemical balance and metabolism. The following are parts of CMP that may signal the need for a blood detox:
- Liver Enzymes (ALT & AST): If elevated, these enzymes may indicate liver stress, which could affect detoxification. Liver enzymes can increase due to toxic chemicals and metals such as polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, and mercury.
- Bilirubin is a waste product made from the breakdown of red blood cells and is an essential marker for liver and blood health. Elevated levels may suggest liver and gallbladder stress, which could interfere with the body's ability to detox properly. Research shows that bilirubin levels can increase in response to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and pesticide exposure.
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a marker for kidney function. It represents the concentration of urea, a waste product generated by the liver. Elevations in BUN may mean that the kidneys are not functioning optimally.
- Creatinine is a waste product filtered and removed from the blood by the kidneys. The concentration of creatinine in the blood and the rate at which it is removed are key indicators of health.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A CBC is a group of tests that measure the amount and size of red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets.
- White Blood Cells: The primary function of WBC is to fight infections. An abnormal CBC count can be due to several underlying factors. After emergent conditions are ruled out, abnormal WBC may warrant consideration of a blood detox due to the possibility of infection, inflammation, or chronic conditions affecting detox. WBC count can also decrease in response to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs).
- Platelet Count: The measure of the number of platelets in your blood that indicates how well you can clot. Low platelet levels can indicate infection, cancer, heavy drinking, and certain medications. Chronic exposure to solvents can decrease platelet counts, warranting consideration of a blood detox.
Specific Toxicology Tests
Specific toxicology tests may be needed to identify the toxins in the body. The following are helpful tests to determine the exact toxin:
- Heavy Metal Testing
- Mold/Mycotoxin Testing
- Environmental Toxin Testing
- Gastrointestinal Toxicitysome text
Evidence-Based Blood Detoxing Approaches
Diet and Nutrition
Blood detoxification starts with incorporating a healthy diet filled with nutrients and vitamins that support detoxification. The following nutrients have been shown to support phase 1 and 2 liver detoxification:
- Curcumin
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Garlic
- Resveratrol (found in grapes, wine, and soy)
- Ellagic acid (found in berries, pomegranates, grapes, and walnuts)
- Astaxanthin (found in salmon, algae, and shrimp)
- Lycopene (found in tomatoes, rose hips, papaya, and watermelon)
Exercise and Hydration
Lifestyle changes such as exercise, hydration, and sweating may help support blood detoxification. The following are suggestions you can consider:
- Regular physical exercise increases blood flow, may reduce inflammation, and supports antioxidant defenses, aiding detoxification.
- Proper hydration helps alleviate constipation and supports kidney health, aiding blood detox.
- Infrared sauna therapy may help promote the detoxification of heavy metals and mold from the blood.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine can support waste elimination in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin. The following herbs have been shown to support the elimination of toxins and impurities from the blood:
- Burdock Root (Arcticum lappa) may help support the elimination of toxins from the body by enhancing liver and kidney function. This herb contains antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, promoting healthier blood.
- Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale) may aid blood purification by stimulating bile and enhancing liver function.
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is commonly used in menopause. However, it may help improve circulation, stimulate lymphatic flow, increase blood circulation, and enhance the elimination of metabolic waste and toxins.
Avoiding Harmful Substances
Toxin avoidance is important during a blood detox. The following are strategies to avoid environmental toxins:
- Decrease alcohol and tobacco intake.
- Minimize cooking with aluminum products.
- Always filter water.
- Use an air filter if your house or work environment has mold.
- Buy organic food if possible to limit pesticide exposure.
- Use protective equipment when working with paint, cleaning supplies, industrial soaps, glues, and synthetic rubber to decrease toxic solvent exposure.
- Eliminate plastic products and herbicides to minimize exposure to endocrine disruptors.
- Refer to the Environmental Working Group to find non-toxic personal care products.
Medical Treatments and Interventions
The following medical interventions may be considered in more severe toxin exposure:
- Chelation therapy binds and removes heavy metals from the body. Natural supplements that may promote chelation include cilantro, alpha lipoic acid, NAC, and glutathione. Synthetic agents used for chelation include DMSA, DMPS, and CaEDTA.
- Hemoperfusion (HP) is a blood purification therapy that may help remove poisons or drugs from the body.
- Plasmapheresis involves removing, returning, or exchanging blood plasma to help manage toxic substances in the blood.
- Ozone therapy may support detoxification by increasing oxygen content in the blood, stimulating the immune system, and breaking down toxic substances in the blood.
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Key Takeaways
- Blood detox through nutrition, lifestyle, herbal medicine, and medical interventions may help manage levels of environmental toxins in the body.
- Utilizing conventional laboratory tests and specialized functional medicine tests can be helpful in understanding environmental toxicity.
- Always consult a trusted healthcare provider for a proper assessment of environmental toxicity and appropriate management techniques for your current health goals.
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