Research suggests that the cause of many chronic health problems may be associated with prolonged exposure to various toxic agents in the environment.  Every year more than 6 billion pounds of chemical pollutants are released into the environment.  Over the course of lifetime, you will be exposed to thousands of foreign compounds that can enter our bodies through the food we eat, the air we breathe and directly through the skin.  To make matters worse, many of us have substituted healthy meals with a poor diet that significantly lacks nutritional value to fuel a healthy body's detoxification ability.  All of these factors contribute to a accumulation of toxins, or toxicity.

Toxins can be derived from chemical pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, drugs, alcohol, active/passive cigarette smoking and food additives.  Toxins may also be produced from normal metabolism and intestinal build-up of unhealthy bacteria within your own body.

A number of symptoms and conditions have been associated with possible toxic exposure and toxicity, including:

• Migraine headaches
• Fibromyalgia
• Generalized arthralgias (joint pain)
• Chemical sensitivity
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Chronic pain syndrome

You can reduce your risk for toxicity.  To minimize toxins in the diet and environment:

• Avoid foods high in fat, additives and preservatives
• Eat organically grown vegetables, fruits and grains
• Drink plenty of water
• Use an effective air purification system
• Wear protective clothing and/or apparatus when working with toxic materials
• Replace furnace and air conditioning filters regularly

The term detoxification refers to our body's natural ability to transfer and eliminate toxins.  Only substances that are easily dissolved in water, or water-soluble, can be effectively excreted from the body.  Toxic compounds are typically stored as fatty molecules and, therefore, do not mix well in water.  The detoxification process transforms these toxic, fat-soluble substances into harmless, water-soluble molecules which can be excreted out of the body.

Detoxification systems in the body can be summarized in 3 phases:

• Liver Function Phase I
• Fat-soluble toxins are transformed into intermediate compounds which can be more reactive, but bind more easily to non-toxic, water-soluble molecules in Phase II.
• Liver Function Phase II
• Formation between the reactive intermediates and water-soluble molecules make the entire compound harmless and ready for excretion out of the body
• Without enough supportive Phase II substances, the reactive intermediates can attack health tissues and may cause damage.
• Excretion
• Neutralized toxins, now made water-soluble, are removed from the body in the urine via the kidneys or in the bile/feces through the intestines.

Because the detoxification process needs a lot of energy, fasting with water or juice has been shown to be both ineffective and even dangerous.  In fact, prolonged fasting may weaken muscles and other organs, eliminating the essential nutrients required for healthy detoxification rather than toxins.

A functional healthy detoxification process is heavily nutrient-dependent, whereby key steps are fueled by vitamins, minerals and other major food components.  Some of the key nutrients to help maintain and improve detoxification include:

• Zinc, Pantothenic Acid (vitamin B5) and beneficial probiotics
• Vitamins A, B3, B12, C, E, beta-carotene and folate
• Amino acids L-cysteine, L-glutamine and taurine
• N-acetylcysteine, sodium sulfate and L-glutathione
• Green tea catechins
• Low-allergy-potential protein/carbohydrates

Without optimal detoxification, your body will not efficiently remove harmful toxins.  Your kidneys play a major role during the final step of detoxification by excreting transformed toxic compounds in urine.  An alkaline pH level may be an importnat consideration for proper kidney function.  Therefore, a focused, high-impact, low-allergy-potential nutritional support program to promote a alkaline pH level and improve detoxification may be helpful.

Dr. Wycoff and the Wycoff Wellness Center professionals recommend the following Metagenics products that support natural detoxification.  You may find additional information about each product by clicking on the blue "Metagenics" logo on the upper left of this page.

• UltraClear Medical Food - a naturally pure medical food to nutritionally support the management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  It provides nutrients that support hepatic detoxification.  It may be used long-term for individuals with chronic toxin exposure or who have barriers to achieve normal detoxification.
• UltraClear MACRO Medical Food - a medical food that provides a high quality source of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fat) that serves as a preferred nutritional base to reduce the burden of substances that the body is required to detoxify.  This functional food is designed to be used in conjunction with the dietary supplement AdvaClear (see below) and/or other nutritional formulas to support optimal detoxification activities in the body.
• UltraClear Plus Medical Food - a medical food in powder form to nutritionally support the management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is designed for patients who may benefit from additional nutritional support for Phase II hepatic detoxification function.
• UltraClear Plus pH Medical Food - a medical food in powder form to nutritionally support the management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other illness related to a defect in detoxification.  It provides the same nutrient base as UltraClear Plus with added nutrients to enhance Phase II detoxification activity and promote the excretion of toxins through the kidneys.  Many individuals with compromised detoxification capacity have an altered urinary pH level, which can negatively influence the kidney's ability to eliminate toxins.
• Ultra Flora IB/Ultra Flora Plus/Ultra Flora DF- patented robotic formulations that support a healthy balance of intestinal flora to support natural detoxification.  A healthy gastrointestinal system is critical for complete and effective detoxification.
• AdvaClear - provides unique support for balanced activity of the body's detoxification processes.  It helps to promote feelings of renewed vitality, energy and well-being by supporting both detoxification pathways.
• Ceralin Forte- acts as a detoxification product for the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).  It is formulated to provide well-rounded support for brain and nerve protection, addressing multiple pathways involved in neurological health.  May be helpful for patients with Alzheimer's dementia or other dementias, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis or other problems involving central nervous system dysfunction.