Checking Into Detox

References

Detoxification is not a novel concept; it has been practiced by diverse cultures for thousands of years. Denizens of civilization’s earlier chapters favored harsher detoxification programs such as fasting and purging, designed to give the entire body a general cleanse. However, modern detox is evolving toward a more targeted approach, incorporating the use of various dietary supplements to cleanse specific organs and systems.

“Every living organism needs to detoxify on a second-by-second, minute-by-minute, and day-by-day cycle,” said Sha’Dona Brewer, media relations coordinator for Organic by Nature Inc. “Breathing is detoxification. Sweating and even shedding skin are all types of detoxification. And everyone needs to support and enhance his or her body’s natural detoxification processes.”

Grace Ormstein, M.D., medical director and scientific advisor for Himalaya USA, agreed everyone should undergo routine detoxification. “If one never goes through the detoxification process or only does so rarely and without much depth, the accumulation of toxins causes the body’s own detox system to work ineffectively and it becomes unable to keep its internal environment clean,” she said. “Eventually the human body loses vitality, which leads to more serious consequences such as cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal or mental problems.”

Brewer added other signs of toxic buildup within the body include fatigue, liver problems, excess weight, constipation, acne, body odor and disease. One important step consumers can take to avoid general accumulation of toxins is by consuming antioxidants. “Eat foods with high antioxidant activity and blocking, suppressing and repairing agents,” she said. “Some excellent examples include blueberry, spinach and spirulina.” Brewer also recommended general measures such as exercising regularly and consuming a diet free of processed and chemically made foods to help counter toxic build-up.

Janis Van Tine, senior public relations for Sun Chlorella USA, agreed one of the most important ways an individual can guard against accumulation of poisons is by eating certain foods. “Eating a diet rich in soluble fiber is one of the first steps in keeping the digestive tract regular,” she said. “That means consuming plenty of whole foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, and brown rice, as well as beans and legumes. These will help the body eliminate toxins through the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, concentrated whole foods that are high in water content are incredibly easy to digest, once your body gets accustomed to them. Drinking pure, filtered water to flush your body of toxins is also a beneficial move.”

A vast array of botanicals with diverse mechanisms of action may aid in the detoxification of the human body. In addition, several compounds with antioxidant properties are frequently employed in detoxification plans to help prevent oxidative damage caused by toxins. These and other ingredients are available in a variety of formulations as well as delivery methods including capsules, tablets, teas, drinks and powders.

Since the liver eliminates the majority of toxins within the body, supplements thought to enhance the function of this organ often form the basis of many detox regimes.

Since activation of methionine to SAMe is depressed in heavy drinkers,⁴ individuals who wish to offset toxins absorbed through alcohol consumption may benefit from supplementation with SAMe. According to reviews in peer-reviewed journals, clinical trials indicating SAMe in the prevention of alcoholic liver disease⁵ and liver cirrhosis⁶ have substantiated this theory.

A variety of botanicals may exert hepatoprotective effects. One such herb is milk thistle (Silybum marianum), a carrier of the antioxidant compound silymarin, thought to inhibit liver injury by stimulating recovery of liver microsome and mitochondria membrane fluidities,⁷ or possibly by concentrating in the hepatocytes and competing with toxins for hepatocyte binding and penetration.⁸

“Milk thistle is good for liver, gallbladder and spleen problems, and has been shown to be conclusively liver protective and regenerative,” said Kyvan Taheri, president of Wellements, manufacturers of a supplement intended to support the liver during weight loss.

In support of these assumptions, a baboon study showed silymarin may retard the development of alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis.⁹ Like SAMe, milk thistle may also inhibit liver cirrhosis caused by toxic overload.¹⁰

According to researchers at Aligarh Muslim University in India, taking heptatoprotective antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and superoxide dismutase (SOD) promote optimal liver function by inhibiting glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation during times of stress,¹¹ such as a bout of detoxification or a toxin challenge.

According to Kevin Ruffin, president of Hytoned, antioxidants are particularly important to a detoxification program as they combat free radical damage caused by oxidative stress. “Free radicals can do a great deal of damage to cells beyond that of toxins,” he said. “SOD as GliSODin® promotes the body’s production of natural SOD, which catalyzes the body’s increased production of two other primary antioxidants, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. These natural antioxidants combat oxidative stress and strengthening the immune system.” Taking dietary supplements to support liver function may be particularly important during detoxification plans that stimulate weight loss, such as fasting. According to Taheri, toxins mobilized during the burning of adipose tissue tax the liver. “The liver is required to work overtime to flush out excess fat and toxins,” he said.

Like the liver, the large intestine is another key organ of detoxification within the body. Home to trillions of friendly and unfriendly bacteria, the colon is a conduit through which pathogenic microbes and other toxins are flushed from the body.

Another compound often employed in colon cleansing regimes is senna (Senna petersiana). Like psyllium, senna helps the body expel toxins by promoting emptying of the bowel.^12,13,14 A study conducted in Bangalore, India, on 45 patients with chronic constipation showed a proprietary herbal laxative formulation with senna (as Herbolax from Himalaya USA) reversed constipation in all test subjects administered the treatment, with ¹³ individuals reporting an “excellent” response, 18 reporting a “good” response and ¹⁴ reporting a “fair” response. Individuals given Herbolax reported smooth evacuation without strain, purging, griping or cramps and none of the test subjects reported recurrence of constipation at the conclusion of the two-week test period.

Bitter compounds in the leaves and root of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) may help the digestive system rid the body of toxins by exerting a mild laxative effect. According to Taheri, dandelion also benefits the liver. “Dandelion is a powerful diuretic that stimulates the liver to eliminate toxins from the blood,” he said. “Though most diuretics result in a loss of vital potassium from the body, dandelion is one of the best natural sources of potassium.”

Another category of detoxifiers, green foods, rich in chlorophyll and other phytochemicals, may neutralize toxins and strengthen the immune system. Chlorophyllin, a constituent of green foods derived from chlorophyll, has been shown to reduce liver damage caused by dietary carcinogens.¹⁸

“Green foods contain a wealth of beneficial phytonutrients, particularly antioxidants and detoxifiers like chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids and glucosinolates, and liver enhancers that neutralize free radicals and other toxic compounds before they can cause harm,” said Bob Terry, Ph.D., nutrition adviser for Green Foods Corp. “Chlorophyll chelates heavy metals, acts as an antioxidant and anti-microbial, and helps protect the liver from toxic insult.”

In addition to eliminating toxins in the GI tract, chlorella may also support the liver, as demonstrated in a study where it hindered hepatic damage induced by ethionine in rats,²² and in a trial where aqueous extracts of chlorella inhibited proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and human liver cancer cells.²³

Chlorella’s value as a detoxifier is also revealed by its powerful antioxidative, antiviral and antibacterial potential. The algae lowered serum lipid peroxide levels and reduced chemiluminescent intensities in the liver and kidneys of rats with streptozotocininduced diabetes,²⁴ and attenuated oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen production and increasing antioxidative processes in mice fed an atherogenic diet.²⁵ In three separate rodent studies, chlorella inhibited murine cytomegalovirus infection,²⁶ E. coli infection²⁷ and growth of murine transplanted tumors.²⁸

“Chlorella is extremely helpful with ridding the body of harmful elements; moreover, it is a superfood that is completely absorbable, which means that your body is able to effectively utilize all of the naturally occurring nutrients found within the chlorella plant,” said Guinevere Lynn, corporate sales director with Sun Chlorella USA.

Another variety of green food with potent detoxification capability is the algae spirulina. C-phycocyanin, an antioxidant compound in spirulina, inhibits lipid peroxidation in the liver.²⁹ The antioxidative capability of spirulina has been demonstrated in mouse studies in which the algae protected against genotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by toxins.^30,31 Thought to detoxify heavy metals, spirulina inhibited lipid peroxidation and restored levels of endogenous antioxidants to normal in a study on rats subjected to a lead challenge.³²

“Spirulina is rich in antioxidants, which reduce free radicals thereby detoxifying the effects of heavy metals and other chemicals and toxins that generate them,” said Amha Belay, Ph.D., senior vice president and scientific director for Earthrise Nutritionals, producers of Earthrise® spirulina. “Spirulina promotes immune function, which is vital in the detoxification and maintenance of a healthy digestive system, as well as proper organ function. Spirulina is rich in a blue pigment called phycocyanin. Several studies have demonstrated the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of phycocyanin from spirulina. Phycocyanin has also been shown to detoxify the effects of heavy metals and toxic compounds. Spirulina is a green food with a high chlorophyll content that has an important role in detoxification and acts as a probiotic and prebiotic promoting healthy and immune function, digestion and elimination.”

Another green food is barley grass, a rich source of chlorophyll, antioxidants, enzymes and other phytochemicals that neutralize free radicals and harmful chemical toxins. “Organic barley grass juice powder (Green Magma, from Green Foods Corp.) contains a potent flavonoid antioxidant that prevents oxidation of lipids and prevents the formation of toxic by products such as acetaldehyde and malondialdehyde that are produced during oxidation of fats and alcohol,” Terry said. “In addition, research shows barley grass juice directly breaks down a variety of pesticides upon contact. The enzymes and/or glycoproteins in barley grass are believed to be responsible for its pesticide-degrading properties.”

In promoting detoxification products, a good place for retailers to begin is to help customers recognize signs that their bodies are overwhelmed with toxins. “Retailers should ask customers whether they feel fatigued, are overweight, have multiple daily bowel movements, have bright or gray whites of their eyes, exercise regularly, have acne or skin disorders such as eczema, have body odor, have mercury fillings, smoke or live in a polluted environment,” Brewer advised.

After the need for detoxification has been identified, it is the duty of the retailer to familiarize customers with products and theories, Belay said. “Retailers should know some basic features of each of their detox products, as well as the basics of detox, in general,” she said. “Stores with an actual nutritionist on staff carry more weight in advising a customer. Those that don’t must know their products in order to talk about features and benefits and they absolutely need to know what they legally can and cannot say.”

Lynn agreed that product knowledge is a must. “Retailers must be well educated with the individual products that they carry on their shelves, and since our bodies are unique and special, every individual is going to have their own experience,” she said.

According to Ormstein, responsible retailers should try a detox regime in order to speak from experience. “Retailers who have gone through detox themselves will always leave a more dramatic impression on customers as they have first hand experience to share,” she said. “Regardless, retailers should understand the process and how the body can react to detox. Consumers who do not know or aren’t expecting to feel undesirable symptoms from detox may get worried they have done something wrong and stop before toxins can be expelled from their body.”

According to Ormstein, retailers should focus on making the experience of getting acquainted with detox as easy as possible. “Detox displays or entire sections within the store containing seasonal foods, beverages, supplements and books will help make the process easier for consumers,” she said. “Hosting lectures or book signings with detox experts within the industry helps consumers digest the information easier and make a store an overall source of valuable information as well as a place to purchase items to help them achieve optimum health.”

Clearly, modern living, with all its chemicals and contaminants in air, water and food, and unhealthy lifestyle choices, is a minefield of toxic dangers. Helping the body remove poisons may be a sound strategy toward living a longer, healthier, cleaner life. Responsible retailers are in a prime position to introduce customers to the importance of detoxification and the latest supplements designed to support a gentle, targeted cleansing program.

Since the discovery of fermentation, consumption of alcohol has been a favorite practice of many civilizations. However, "hitting the bottle" once too often brings unpleasant symptoms of hangover--dehydration, tiredness and headache--and eventually leads to graver ills such as cirrhosis of the liver.

When consumed in large quantities, toxic compounds in alcohol threaten to harm the body unless metabolized by the liver. When this organ is overwhelmed by more poisons than it can handle, the symptoms of hangover materialize.

Hangover prevention is a growing category in the world of detox. According to Kurt Koenig, president of Natural Bridges Products Inc., products in this group are generally classified into two varieties: preventives and remedies. "Most people prefer to prevent the symptoms from happening, rather than treat them," he said. "Most products within the preventive group contain a complex set of ingredients that include vitamins, minerals and herbs and, in some cases, drugs. A couple are composed of calcium carbonate and vegetable carbon (charcoal)."

Another preventive treatment useful in thwarting hangover is the combination of sarsaparilla root and artichoke, according to Kevin Ruffin, president of Hytoned, manufacturers of Liv Safe, a sarsaparilla and artichoke liver support product. "Naturopathic medicine has historically used artichoke and sarsaparilla independently to support liver function in patients who have compromised liver function and diseases associated with it," he said. "The combined use of an artichoke plus sarsaparilla extract provides a synergistic effect better than that of the two herbs used independently."

Sarsaparilla root (Smilax ornata) may have hepatoprotective properties useful to the liver during bouts of alcohol consumption. A Sri Lankan rat study showed extract of sarsaparilla worked synergistically with other herbs to prevent diethylnitrosoamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.¹ A Chinese study performed at Shenyang Pharmaceutical University showed a 70-percent sarsaparilla extract inhibited inflammation induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) ² while another Chinese study showed astilbin, a compound in sarsaparilla, inhibited concanavalin A-induced liver injury by reducing TNF-a production and adhesion of T lymphocytes. ³

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) contains polyphenolic compounds speculated to repair liver damage⁴ and is known to flush toxins from the body by stimulating turnover of bile, a digestive fluid secreted by the liver. Waste products such as toxins from alcohol are eliminated from the body by secretion into bile and elimination in feces. A rat study from the University of Seville in Spain showed a significant increase in bile flow after acute treatment with artichoke extract.⁵

The antioxidant properties of sarsaparilla and artichoke may also explain the rumored capability of these botanicals to help prevent toxic damage caused by alcohol consumption. A hot water extract of sarsaparilla inhibited peroxidation of phosphatidylcholine liposomes in an Australian study,6 while the antioxidant power of artichoke7 was verified in a German study wherein extracts of this botanical showed "marked antioxidative and protective potential" by inhibiting hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes.⁸

According to Koenig, Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) testing conducted on a combination of sarsaparilla and artichoke extracts (as First Call™, produced by Natural Bridges), to measure the mixture's antioxidant capability compared to several antioxidant fruits and vegetables showed the combined extracts had an ORAC value of 1,963 Trolox Equivalents per gram (TE/g). According to the researchers, this score exceeded the antioxidant potential of other botanicals tested, including apple, cherry, grape, cranberry, raisin, strawberry, prune, grape skin, blueberry, elderberry and bilberry.

Koenig said other proprietary testing corroborates anecdotal observation of the efficacy of sarsaparilla and artichoke in preventing hangover. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial showed patients administered 1,260 mg/d of extracts of sarsaparilla and artichoke (as First Call) or placebo for 30 days experienced a 66.08 percent reduction in encephalopathy (a condition possibly attributable to advanced disease of the liver), an 88.40 percent reduction in spleen enlargement and a 93.33 percent reduction in liver enlargement. In contrast, the placebo group had a 12.24 percent increase, an 11.54 percent increase and a 7.14 percent increase in these outcomes, respectively.

According to Koenig, the combination of sarsaparilla and artichoke has been dubbed "the seatbelt of the alcohol industry." He said, "In today's world, people are searching for products that will enhance their lifestyle, allowing them to enjoy their life, while maintaining their health. By using sarsaparilla plus artichoke, people know they will be able to function as they desire the next day ... taking these extracts is like putting on the seatbelt."

1. Iddamaldeniya SS et al. "Protection against diethylnitrosoamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by an indigenous medicine comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus and Smilax glabra: a preliminary study." J Carcinog. 2, 1:6, 2003.

2. Xu J et al. "Antiinflammatory constituents from the roots of Smilax bockii warb." Arch Pharm Res. 28, 4:395-9, 2005.

3. Wang J et al. "Astilbin prevents concanavalin A-induced liver injury by reducing TNF-alpha production and T lymphocytes adhesion." J Pharm Pharmacol. 56, 4:495-502, 2004.

4. Adzet T et al. "Hepatoprotective activity of polyphenolic compounds from Cynara scolymus against CCl4 toxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes." J Nat Prod. 50, 4:612-7, 1987.

5. Saenz Rodriguez T et al. "Choleretic activity and biliary elimination of lipids and bile acids induced by an artichoke leaf extract in rats." Phytomedicine. 9, 8:687-93, 2002.

6. Cox SD et al. "Antioxidant activity in Australian native sarsaparilla (Smilax glyciphylla)." J Ethnopharmacol. May 7, 2005 [Epub ahead of print]

7. Jimenez-Escrig A et al. "In vitro antioxidant activities of edible artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and effect on biomarkers of antioxidants in rats." J Agric Food Chem. 51, 18:5540-5, 2003.

8. Gebhardt R et al. "Antioxidative and protective properties of extracts from leaves of the artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) against hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes." Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 144, 2:279-86, 1997.

Customers embarking on their first detoxification program may not expect to feel worse before feeling better. This phenomenon, known as "healing crisis," occurs when the body mobilizes toxins faster than they can be neutralized. The more toxins stored within the body, the more severe the symptoms. Retailers should warn each customer about the possibility of a healing crisis to promote successful completion of detoxification programs and repeat business.

"Consumers who do not know or aren’t expecting to feel undesirable symptoms from detox may get worried they have done something wrong and stop before toxins can be expelled from their body," said Grace Ormstein, M.D., medical director and scientific advisor for Himalaya USA.

In spite of unpleasant symptoms that may accompany detoxification, encourage customers to stick to their programs and remind them healing crises are transient. Ormstein gives the following advice:

"Tell customers the level of detox they participate in and their bodies' ability or willingness to let toxins go, will determine how they will feel during the process. Those who frequently detox and adhere to a healthy diet, careful to limit the number of toxins they ingest or breathe in, are likely to go through the process without many side effects. Conversely, some people with toxic particles lodged so deeply within cell layers may not feel anything as well, because for them it would take an extreme detox to bring toxins to the surface. Those with a low 'internal pollution' level often report feeling lighter or clearer in the very beginning of a detox. Yet some people experience feelings of lightheadedness, headache, itching and/or rashes, diarrhea, vomiting and even high fever. Symptoms are usually fleeting yet can last for a few hours to a few days as the detox brings toxins to the surface and they begin to leave the body. When side effects subside, individuals may feel an increased in vitality, increased energy and even may drop a few pounds."

Q. How can I tell if I need to detoxify?

A.If you have to ask, then yes, you need to detoxify. If someone is in the absolute peak of health with more energy, mental acuity, and enthusiasm than they require to fulfill all of their daily needs then they are probably in a state where they eliminate toxins much faster than they ingest environmentally and produce metabolically.

Q. Which supplements are most effective?

A.Several supplements may be used in combination to address the different detoxification systems including those involving digestion, elimination, the liver, kidneys, and lymph.

Q. What are the side effects? Is detoxification (and the supplements) safe for everyone?

A.If the process is done properly, symptoms should be mild to none. Reactions like intense rashes, fatigue, insomnia, persistent diarrhea, itching, mood swings are all signs that detoxification is occurring too fast. People with medical conditions should always ask the advice of their health care professional before attempting a detox program.

Q. How long do I need to use the product or stay on a detoxification program?What will the results be and how will I feel afterwards?

A. This depends on the person’s reasons for detoxing. If they have attained their goal(s), whether it be more energy, better looking skin, improved digestion, etc., then the detox program was successful and they now can shift the focus to maintaining their level of detoxification through diet, life style and modified supplementation.

Q. Do I need to take the supplements on a regular basis after the program?

A. Yes, especially those supplements that contribute substantially to their (phyto)nutritional needs and promote whole body wellness as opposed to detoxification alone. For example, supplements including whole green food powders, root vegetable powders, probiotics, etc. should be taken, albeit in lesser amounts, on a daily basis to help meet both the individual’s nutritional and detoxification needs.

DETOX REFS

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