Unfortunately, exposure to potentially harmful substances has become common as we encounter various environmental factors from our air, water, food, soil, products, and even our social surroundings. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost everyone is exposed to air pollutants that exceed their guidelines. Increased exposure to these substances is a growing health concern as it may impact our health, including our mental well-being. Many environmental substances are considered neurotoxic and may contribute to long-lasting mental health challenges.
Other considerations are socially challenging environments that can influence mental health. Exploring these exposures as potential contributors to mental health concerns is vital as there is an increased prevalence of mental health issues. Approximately 20% of U.S. adults may experience some variation of it annually. Mental health challenges can have considerable effects on daily life. The intent of this article is to explore some of the causes and discuss options that may help reduce the negative impacts and health consequences that may arise.
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What Are Toxic Exposures?
We are subject to a wide range of exposures including chemicals, biological agents, and social aspects, that affect our body and mind. Toxicity may occur by continuous exposure to any of these environmental agents. Chemical exposure can come from the air, water, soil, food, or products. Some chemical substances include pesticides, BPA, phthalates, metals, and others that come from manufacturers or agriculture practices that may impact humans and the environment.
Biological exposure comes from agents produced by microorganisms such as animals, insects, and plants. An example of a biological substance is mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are byproducts of fungi. Biological substances may be hazardous when they are inhaled, ingested, or absorbed. Chemical and biological substances can affect our cells and DNA and may impact our body systems, including our neurological function.
Another form of exposure that often gets overlooked is social environments. Socially challenging environments refer to settings that cause chronic stress that may threaten well-being. These can be environments of unstable housing, violence, racism, or economic instability that pose challenges to psychological and social development.
What is The Link Between Toxic Exposures and Mental Health?
A myriad of evidence suggests a link between exposures and their potential effects on mental health. Studies indicate that the brain may be significantly affected by environmental substances. Exposure to these substances may contribute to developmental delays and impairments in cognition. These neurotoxic agents may also affect psychological and emotional regulation and contribute to symptoms of mental disorders. From a social standpoint, more evidence points to social environments impacting mental health due to different stressors, access to care, and social determinants, which will be discussed in further detail in the next section.
What Are Some Common Toxic Exposures?
The following are some common exposures and their potential impact on mental health:
Air Pollution
Air pollution is considered a serious health risk, including mental health. Air pollutants are substances from industrial or vehicle emissions and indoor pollutants that modify the natural indoor or outdoor atmosphere. There is evidence that these pollutants are associated with psychological distress and may increase the risk of depression and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
Heavy Metals
The potential impact of heavy metals varies based on the metal and the amount. An interesting fact is that lead is considered harmful at all levels. Metals may impact mental health due to their potential effects on the central nervous system and their disruption of neuronal signaling. Exposure to lead and other metals, such as mercury and arsenic, may lead to neurobehavioral impacts on children, which can also affect their neurodevelopment and speaking ability.
Pesticides
Recent findings suggest a link between mental health issues such as depression, pesticides, and other agrichemicals. The studies demonstrate that farmers who use these chemicals may be at a greater risk of developing depression. Women who had prior pesticide exposure were three times more likely to experience depression. Exposure to these chemicals may lead to psychological distress and mental health issues, but further research is still needed.
Social Determinants
Recent research supports the significance of social determinants and their effect on mental health. This is particularly true for fixed characteristics such as race/ethnicity, nationality, gender, and sexual orientation. These findings link these determinants with specific mental health symptoms and psychological well-being, showing that social determinants can play a role in influencing mental health. People without social support, a sense of belonging, or trust in others or were in an environment of abuse had an increased risk of mental health disorders, personality challenges, and psychotic experiences.
Who Are The Most Vulnerable Populations?
The most vulnerable populations to exposure are children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and people with lower socioeconomic status. Research shows that certain environmental factors put this population at more risk. For example, Black, Indigenous, and people of color may be more affected by environmental challenges as these groups may have more exposure due to their living situation or jobs. They may also have less access to care and education when it comes to hazardous exposure to help them in a timely manner for prevention and support.
What Are Some Functional Medicine Labs to Test for Toxic Exposures?
The following are the functional medicine labs often used to evaluate exposure:
Heavy Metal Test
Heavy metals such as antimony, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, lead, and mercury can be tested and analyzed through a hair sample. The Hair Elements test provides an analysis of these metals through a hair sample, as these elements are up to 300 times more concentrated in the hair. This test can provide an evaluation of recent or ongoing exposure.
Environment Toxin Profile
This profile is an excellent functional medicine lab that analyzes 39 environmental exposure levels. The environmental toxin profile provides an analysis of substances such as pesticides, parabens, BPA, and others. Evaluating these substances can allow for strategies to help reduce exposure.
Array 11
The Array 11 test screens for chemical exposures. This test will measure your antibody response to chemicals, which allows for the identification of your immune reaction to these specific substances. This test may be helpful for those who experience sensitivities to pollutants.
Total Tox Burden
The Total Tox Burden test can be completed easily through a urine sample. It’s a full and complete look at substances that may overload your system as it analyzes chemical substances such as BPAs, pesticides, and heavy metals. It will also measure biological substances such as mycotoxins. The results of this test can provide guidance on strategies to reduce your exposure.
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What is The Conventional Approach for Managing Toxic Exposures?
The conventional approach for managing exposure is avoidance, or if the level of exposure is high enough, as is the case with some metals, medications may be used for support. Chelating agents such as DMSA or CaNa2EDTA are used to help remove these metals. These medications are given orally or through an IV under the supervision of a doctor. It’s important to note that acute exposure can occur with certain substances, and these are considered medical emergencies.
How Can Functional Medicine Assist With Detoxification For Mental Health Support?
Functional medicine utilizes a whole-body comprehensive approach to address health issues. The following are a few functional medicine strategies to assist with detoxification for mental health support:
Nutrition
Personalized nutritional planning is the cornerstone of functional medicine. When it comes to detoxification, avoidance to reduce the level of exposure will be foundational. Therefore, lab testing to determine which substances and the levels of those specific substances can help guide nutritional planning. If heavy metals are suspected, limiting the amount of seafood, ensuring your drinking water is fully filtered, and confirming the source of your supplements will be paramount, as these are the primary sources of heavy metal exposure for individuals.
Another dietary way to reduce the exposure is to follow the Environmental Working Group’s Clean 15 or Dirty Dozen guidelines to limit chemical exposure from food or food products. They will update this list every year according to their research findings. Nutrition can also be supportive against exposure as high-fiber, plant-rich, and whole-food diet plans can provide high amounts of micronutrients that may help with the binding of certain substances like metals and can support elimination.
Supplements & Herbs for Mental Health Support
The following supplements and herbs are often used by functional medicine practitioners to assist with detoxification:
Glutathione
Glutathione is made from amino acids and is considered a master antioxidant as it may help the body recycle other antioxidants. Antioxidants can support oxidative stress levels that occur with exposure. Glutathione assists your liver in processing substances.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
If glutathione is the president of antioxidants, NAC is its executive assistant. This nutrient is the precursor to glutathione and may help the body produce glutathione. NAC supports detoxification by binding to free radicals that cause oxidative damage and helps your body eliminate them.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient also called ascorbic acid. It’s a powerful antioxidant that may help the body manage free radicals. Vitamin C at 1000 mg has been shown to saturate your plasma levels.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is an herb also known as silymarin. It is hepatoprotective and may help the liver process substances from the body. This supplement is considered safe at doses between 420 and 2100 mg per day.
Fiber
Fiber is a great option to support elimination. It is known to bind to substances so they can be excreted through the digestive tract. Fiber can also help with improving bowel movements. The suggested daily fiber intake is 38 grams for males ages 14-50 and 25 grams for females ages 19-50.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are needed so your liver can adequately process substances. The vitamins B6, B9, and B12 are required to help produce liver enzymes for Phases 1 and 2 of the liver’s detoxification pathways. Having adequate amounts of these B vitamins is essential to help metabolize and remove substances from your body.
Complementary and Integrative Medicine
There are some helpful integrative approaches to support your body in managing substances. They include exercise, sweating, and massage. Exercise in the forms of aerobic and resistance training can increase circulation and oxygenation to organs that are responsible for processing substances, helping them function more effectively and supporting more efficient elimination. Sweating is another way to improve circulation, increase blood flow, and enhance detoxification. Sweating can be accomplished through rigorous exercise, infrared saunas, or dry skin brushing to help manage substances by way of the skin.
Exercise, saunas, and sweating also help improve the function of the lymphatic system. This body system is essential for elimination as it aids in removing substances and debris from the lymph nodes. An excellent way to improve lymphatic drainage while also relieving stress is through massage therapy techniques such as manual lymphatic drainage techniques. This technique uses gentle movements to optimize lymphatic flow, supporting the management of substances from the body.
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Summary
Mental health has become a prominent public health issue as it’s a leading contributor to disabilities and can have serious impacts on social, personal, work, and other daily life activities. Therefore, identifying and exploring the potential contributors to mental health is vital to supporting the people this affects. Science experts are revealing a link between environmental factors and mental health. These environmental factors include chemical, biological, and social exposure. Knowing how to reduce and improve these exposure levels can help enhance overall health and quality of life. Functional labs are helpful tools to guide you in the right direction. They can help detect current and prior exposure to help tailor integrative strategies such as supplements, nutrition, saunas, or a combination of those approaches to safely manage your exposure.
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