Join many others who understand what you're going through and are making important decisions about their health.Home > Health Topics > Detoxification As a warning, during or after a detoxification protocol you may feel worse. For example, most people undertake a detoxification program without first ensuring that their organs of elimination can handle the down-load of toxins. If, for instance, your gallbladder is blocked or restricted and the liver is not able to pass these toxins through the bile, the toxins have nowhere to go except into the blood. In this case, the kidneys have to eliminate them or the toxins are discharged into the lymphatic system or come out through the skin. Skin rashes, blisters, and other breakouts of the skin may occur for this reason. Other symptoms are headaches, body aches and a general feeling of tiredness or worse. Some refer to this as a "healing crisis." This is not a healing crisis. This is a mistake.It is a common mistake often made by over-eager people in their attempt to get the toxins out of their body as fast as possible.
In order to avoid these uncomfortable reactions it is important that we balance the pH first so we ensure that all the proper detoxification enzymes are activated and doing their job of breaking down and neutralizing these toxins. After we have balanced the pH we need to make sure the colon is "open" and functioning properly because the colon is the major exit route for the liver toxins. We have to make sure that the intestines are healthy and able to withstand the flow of toxins.Read more about "What is Detox and Why do I Need to Detoxify" >> Learn more about Detoxification in the book: The Heart of Health: Principle 10 - Detoxification *Disclaimer: All information presented by Natural Healing House® is for educational purposes only. The articles are not intended to substitute for a consultation with your physician. In case of medical questions (stress, anxiety, pain, etc.) or uncertainties, the reader is encouraged to seek the advice of his/her own physician or health care practitioner.
It is involved in cellular repair, where it plays a major role in the synthesis of nucleic acids and the production of DNA and mRNA. It helps with neurotransmitter production and detoxification by converting amino acids from one form to another. It is vital in the formation and development of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and the maintenance of a healthy immune system. MTHFR has more than fifty variants; the most common are 677T, 1298C, or a combination of both. Some of these variants cause a decrease in methylation, and as a result, can lead to disease. For example, the variant 677T is most commonly associated with cerebral vascular accident (stroke), elevated homocysteine, cardiovascular disease risk, peripheral neuropathy, deep vein thrombosis, early onset heart disease, stillbirth, neuro-tube defect, cleft lip, and preeclampsia. Conditions associated with variant 1298C include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, schizophrenia, chronic migraines, and irritable bowel syndrome.
MTHFR can be either heterozygous or homozygous. People with a heterozygous MTHFR have one normal gene and one altered gene. This will cause your enzyme activity to decrease by forty percent. If you are homozygous, meaning both your MTHFR genes are anomalies, your enzyme activity can drop by as much as ninety percent and your system will only be methylating at a rate of ten percent to twenty percent of normal. Aggravating factors for MTHFR include heavy metals exposure from amalgam, vaccines, mercury laced fish, aluminum cookware and occupational hazards as well as a diet high in processed and hydrogenated foods. Anesthesia, diabetes, lymphoma can also be factors that aggravate MTHFR. MTHFR sufferers also in general have problems clearing metals, including lead, mercury and aluminum. This is due to the body’s inability to clear toxins on a timely basis. Symptoms seem to progress with time. If you fall under any of the following categories, screening for potential MTHFR mutation may be considered.
A blood test can include common laboratory serum tests such as liver enzymes, ferritin and homocysteine levels. The genetic testing can include the MTHFR profile. Glutathione is usually found low. The B12 level may be high, because the body is unable to utilize the unmethylated form. A urine analysis can be helpful; it may show heavy metal challenges to be positive and urine organic acid may be present. A Toxic Screening test may show excessive amounts of toxins present. Just because you have the mutation does not mean you will show symptoms or develop conditions associated with MTHFR. Not all MTHFR sufferers need to be treated. Many have a marginal expression of MTHFR and lead a normal life. If you learn that you do have significant MTHFR variants that are symptomatic, supplementation with the activated form of folate (vitamin B9) and B12, also known as methylfolate and methylcobalamin respectively, is recommended. Methylcobalamin, more commonly referred to as vitamin B12, is naturally found in foods such as meat, seafood, and dairy products.
As long as the dosage is properly titrated methylated vitamin B12 is safe for most people and may be taken as a nutritional supplement. Methyl B12 is best taken as an intramuscular shot, nasal spray, or sublingually in high doses. Excessive vitamin B12 supplementation can cause anxiety, jitters, rapid heart rate, heart palpitation, and fatigue. Most of these side effects are mild, but medical evaluation is recommended because some of the possible side effects can be serious and should only be treated under supervision. Each person requires specific nutrients tailored to his or her own body and titration is necessary to obtain the optimal dosage with minimal side effects. Methyl folate is taken orally. Physician supervision is best as the dosage needed is high. Methylfolate side effects include: severe anxiety, irritability, palpitations, acne, rash, sore muscles, achy joints, insomnia, nausea, headaches, and migraines. On top of oral supplementation, prescription medications are also available.
Drugs such as MetanX, Deplin, and CerefolinNAC contain methylfolate and may be beneficial. Treatment of MTHFR also needs to be directed towards toxin control if the body is strong enough to handle it. This is important because the body’s toxic load and toxin clearance capability is reduced. Household chemicals, such as artificial scents, cleaners, and pesticides should be avoided. Chronic chemical exposure should be curtailed as much as possible. Use safe chemicals and organic pest control chemicals whenever possible. From a diet perspective, it is important to avoid hydrogenated fats and processed foods. Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables are vital to alkalize the body and help the liver metabolize normally. One reason that MTHFR variants are linked to a variety of illnesses is their common pathway and connection to glutathione production. Glutathione is the body’s main detoxifying agent and intracellular antioxidant. Glutathione is also called the master recycler as it recycles other vitamins such as vitamin C and E.
People with MTHFR anomalies typically present with lower levels of glutathione. This makes them more susceptible to toxins, which can lead to liver congestion. Supplementation of glutathione is therefore very important in all suspected MTHFR conditions. Since oral glutathione is poorly absorbed, a liposomal form using nanotechnology is recommended. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or alpha lipoic acid may also be taken, but they are not very effective. In many cases where MTHFR is mild, oral glutathione supplementation alone is sufficient to effect dramatic improvement. This is particularly relevant to those who are weak or when methylated B12 or methylated folate may be too strong a therapy to be considered. In terms of supplementation, adjunct supplements can be helpful provided that the body is healthy and strong. These include methyl donors (such as DMG, TMG, betaine), fatty acids to help reduce inflammation (such as fish oil, flax seed), minerals (such as zinc, magnesium), herbs that support liver detoxification (such as milk thistle), vitamin C, and amino acids.
They do not apply to those with advanced Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS). AFS represents the neuroendocrine deregulation of the body under excessive physical and emotional stress. Common symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, and lethargy. Symptoms in advanced stages can include hypoglycemia, heart palpitation, depression, anxiety and loss of libido. Sufferers usually have a wide variety of non-specific complaints that seem to defy conventional medical wisdom because laboratory tests are usually totally normal. It is unknown whether MTHFR is associated with AFS or not. If it is indeed associated the degree of correlation is also unknown. Much more research is necessary. Due to the concurrent hypersensitivity of AFS sufferers to nutritional supplementation, paradoxical reactions can occur frequently. The use of methylated folate and B12 for MTHFR should proceed with care. Those that have mild AFS with moderate symptoms can have a trial of this supplementation under proper supervision.
If MTHFR variant is indeed the culprit, relatively quick resolution and improvement of symptoms is expected. The failure of significant improvement is an alert that MTHFR may not be the dominant cause of fatigue even if MTHFR testing is positive. Over aggressive use of methylated folate and methylated B12 is a common recovery mistake in those with AFS as they can mask the underlying problem and worsen AFS. Energy output may be up, but the underlying adrenal weakness is overlooked. Those with advanced stages of AFS need to be very cautious because they usually fare quite differently. Because of their already highly sensitized bodies and low threshold of stimulatory excitation response, any product including methylated folate or methylated B12 can further increase an excitation response and trigger an adrenal crash. The more advanced the AFS the higher the risk. Using such compounds should only proceed under the guidance of a health care professional. Alternatively, a much gentler way to approach MTHFR deregulation if suspected in both mild and severe AFS cases is to use liposomal glutathione to start.