ASCEND
THE
SUMMIT
The Effect of Toxins on
Brain Function & Addictions
Dr Steve Zvonar, DC, cWC
szvonar@frontier.com
ASCEND THE SUMMIT COACHING/NORTHWOODS NATURAL HEALING
O: (651)257-3914 C: (651)357-0333
MN
Chisago City & Centreville,
We are drawn to
various substances to
cope with “mental”
malfunctions.
We are exposed to
a variety of toxins.
>
>
Most of these
substances are toxin
continuing the cycle.
THE CYCLE OF
TOXINS &
ADDICTIONS
Communication of
neurotransmitters
becomes altered
and we get altered
brain function.
The immune
system perceives
this as a foreign
invader and turns
itself on.
>
Depression, anxiety, mood
swings, cravings, etc.
>
Our body and
brain becomes
inflamed.
Today’s Game Plan
Bobby Knight
1)  Give a brief review of elementary neurochemistry
2)  Summarize how a toxic body leads to an inflamed body and brain
3)  Show you where a lot of the toxins come from – the depressing part
4)  Show you how the body (esp. the liver) detoxs
1
Neurochemistry in a Nutshell
1. The brain is made up of 100 billion of neurons
which communicate to one another via chemicals
called Neurotransmitters
Neuron
2. A healthy brain communicates
from neuron to neuron via
neurotransmitter to neurotransmitter
receptor. Various health
circumstances cause this
communication to be faulty. The Neurotransmitters
proper amount of neurotransmitter
and healthy neurotransmitter
receptors are needed for this
Neurotransmitter
Receptor
Neuron
communication to work well.
What are………
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter
milkshake
•  Scientists have identified over a hundred
different neurotransmitters (chemicals)
•  Each one communicates different
personalities and characteristics and have
different functions.
•  These NTs control how we act, feel,
respond, think, crave and ultimately,
behave.
•  When NTs get out of balance, express
themselves too much or not little- then
we don’t “feel” right.
•  This can lead to a tendency to medicate
(over medicate), legally and illegally.
The Health Brain- A Symphony of Neurotransmitters
2008-2009
MAARCH
2010
MAARCH
Serotonin
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
GABA
Glutamate
All Neurotransmitters should be in balance and an unhealthy body negatively affects this
balance. Too much or too little expression throws the symphony of the brain off and we
get Miscommunication of neurons.
2
We are drawn to
various substances to
cope with “mental”
malfunctions.
We are exposed to
a variety of toxins.
>
>
Most of these
substances are toxin
continuing the cycle.
THE CYCLE OF
>
TOXINS &
ADDICTIONS
Our body and
brain becomes
inflamed.
Communication of
neurotransmitters
becomes altered
and we get altered
brain function.
The immune
system perceives
this as a foreign
invader and turns
itself on.
>
Depression, anxiety, mood
swings, cravings, etc.
Main Entry: in·flam·ma·tion
Function: noun
Pronunciation: "in-fl&-'mA-sh&n
“The reaction that occurs in the affected cells and
adjacent tissues in response to an injury or
abnormal stimulation caused by a physical,
chemical, or biologic substance.”
Also Abnormal mental stimulation/stress!!!!! (added by Me)
((http://www.biochem.northwestern.edu/holmgren/Glossary/Definitions/Def-I/inflammation.html
Inflammation is
normal when it is
localized and
temporary
This is usually due to some form of an injury, ie. a wound
3
The Problem occurs when ….
•  Inflammation
becomes widespread,
throughout your body
instead of localized
and is
•  Relentless and out of
control with no end in
sight
October 17, 2005
“Abnormal inflammation extends beyond its
appointed limits in space and time; it does not
end when the problem is resolved.
The Inflammatory process unleashes
some of the immune system's most
sophisticated weaponry,
including enzymes that can rupture cell walls
and digest vital components of cells and
tissues. When inflammation targets normal
tissues,
when it just won't quit, it is
abnormal and promotes disease
rather than healing.
Abnormal inflammation has been linked to a
wide range of diseases, including cancer,
coronary heart disease and the autoimmune
diseases--Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis,
rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis and
systemic lupus.”
IL-6
Aging Naturally (Exclusive Book
Excerpt) In an exclusive TIME
book excerpt, Dr. Andrew Weil
shares his secrets for
maximizing health and
happiness--no matter how old
you are Time Magazine, October
17, 2005 p. 65
Inflammation Effects on the Body
Anywhere you have water in your
body you will have Inflammation!
*
*
*
*
•
Joints will be stiff
Tendons and muscles will hurt
Any weak area of the body will be irritated
Sinuses will be swollen
And all the time, the body will be at war with
itself, causing lack of sleep, pain and
fatigue.
•  Your immune system will be constantly
activated
•  Veins and Arteries will be inflammation
increasing the risk for a stroke
Lots of H2O
in your brain.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN THE BRAIN
WILL BE OUT OF BALANCE!
4
Inflammation Can Have a Direct Effect Upon the
Communication of Neurotransmitters in the Brain
* Inflammation causes a
communication problem with
neurotransmitters in the brain.
Neurotransmitter
• This can cause either an excessive
amount of a neurotransmitter or a
deficiency of a neurotransmitter.
* Remember, even though we have
a dominant neurotransmitter, we still
need good functioning of all of our
neurotransmitters for good mental
and physical health.
Communication
Infla
* Either situation (excess or
deficiency) will cause brain
malfunction and a possible tendency
for addictions.
mm
atio
n!!!
Either too much or too little
Communication Problems
HIGH
GLUTAMATE
TOO LITTLE
TOO MUCH
LOW
SEROTONIN
The Effects of a Toxic Body
Brain Function & Potential for Addictions
Toxins
HIGH- Impulsive
Over driven,
burnout
Dopamine
ally
nic et
o
r
Di
Ch
or
Po
LOW- physically &
mentally sluggish
Guilt, depression
HIGH- paranoid
LOW- loss of
enthusiasm for life
HIGH- nurturing to an
extreme leading to
disappointment, pain and
unmet personal needs
LOW- nervousness,
moods swings,
depression, anxiety
GABA
Poor Digestion
and Leaky Gut
HIGH- nervousness,
feelings of inadequacy
LOW- tired, poor sleep,
depression, very
emotional
Chronic 24/7 Stress
Acetylcholine
Serotonin
5
The Health Brain- A Symphony of Neurotransmitters
2008-2009
MAARCH
2010
MAARCH
Serotonin
Dopamine
GABA
Acetylcholine
Glutamate
All Neurotransmitters should be in balance and an unhealthy body negatively affects this
balance. Too much or too little expression throws the symphony of the brain off and we
get Miscommunication of neurons.
Dopamine- Power
MOTIVATION & DRIVENESS
PAIN & PLEASURE
(thus the addictive quality)
RELEVANCE
FACTS
BRAIN CIRCULATION
RISK TAKER
REWARD DRIVEN
Dopamine- out of balance
•  Excess- overly intense and driven, impulsive, possibly violent, over
active libido and out of control sex drive, high risk for burn out (and
depression)
- also restlessness (kids ADD, ADHD), impatient, unable to relax
This can lead for the tendency to take more depression drugs such as alcohol or
marijuana
Deficiency- very perceptive to the least amount of deficiency and they
don’t like it. Symptoms may include mild depression, insomnia, mild
cognitive deficient or memory problems, fatigue, anger, depression
feelings of worthlessness, self destructive thoughts
This can lead to a tendency to be drawn to substances which are stimulants such
as sugar, nicotine and in some other cases more aggressive drugs (ie.
Cocaine). Also risk taking behavior may take place to stimulate dopamine
6
Serotonin- Playful
MOOD/ EMOTIONS
SLEEP REGULATION
APPETITE
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
HOMEOSTASIS IN THE BODY
(Such as temperature control, bowel function,
sexual function, CV function)
Serotonin- out of balance
Deficiency- depression, sleep disorders, reduced appetite
or cravings, antisocial, tired, learning difficulties, poor
body temperature regulation as well as a variety of other
body “malfunctions”
Tendency to take (and possibly become addicted)
substances for sleep, mood, fill cravings, etc.
Excess- feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. Loneliness,
anger & sadness extreme nervousness, hesitancy,
distraction and vulnerable to criticism. Painfully shy with
a fear of being disliked
Tendency to take substances to “cope” with these feelings
Super Excess- Serotonin syndrome
Due to overdose of meds or drugs, can lead to tachycardia,
tremors, shivering. At worse high temperature, shock,
kidney failure and death (an overdose)
GABA- Stable
CALMING RELAXING
PROSEDATIVE ANTIHYPER
CONSISTENCY DEPENDABILITY
CONCERN FOR OTHERS
GABA
CAREGIVING CONCERN FOR OTHERS
SOCIABILITY
Glutamate
7
Glutamate- Stimulation
EXCITABILITY
PAIN PRECEPTION
AMPLIFICATION
CEREBRAL STIMULATION
ROLE IN CELLULAR MEMORY
POTENTIATION (Increase the effects of
something, such as a drug or other stimulation)
GABA
Ferrari GABA, Glutamate
Perception
G
L
U
T
A
M
A
T
E
© Rakowski 2008
“GABA is the
most widespread
and abundant
inhibitory
neurotransmitter”
Glutamate is the
most widely used
excitatory
neurotransmitter
(NT) in the CNS.
8
Creativity
Calm, Peace
GABA, Serotonin
F D S
o O o
c P c
u A i
s M a
I l
N
E
Survival
Excitation
Glutatmate
http://dinamehta.com/blog/2007/10/18/social-media-strategies-lets-remember-maslow/
The Balance of GABA (calming)
and Glutamate (wired)
High Inflammation
Poor Diet, High Sugar, Bad Fat
2009
conference
Poor Digestion/ Toxins
Chronic Stress
Vitamin D Deficiency
2010
Good Diet/ Adequate Nutrients
Healthy Digestion
Healthy Detox
Low Stress
Low Inflammation
Adequate Vitamin D
GABA-out of balance
•  Excess- nurturing taken to an extreme.
Caretaking out balance with pain and
disappointment as well as unmet personal
needs. There is also craving and over
valuing judgments of peers.
Deficiency- leads to an excess of GLUTAMATE.
Glutamate is the excitatory, amplification
neurotransmitter of the brain. An excess of
Glutamate can be damaging to the brain longterm.
What substances might be abused in these cases?
9
Un-Conscious
Progressive
alcohol intake
Un-Steady
not
overly
aroused
or
anxious
Un-Inhibited
“cutters”?
anxiety
tantrums
mania
seizures
Excitotoxic Neuron Death
bipolar
Autism (Hg)?
GABA Glutamate
continuum
Pain
Glutamate
Memory
Noxious stimulation increases glutamate
Pain. 2000 Aug;87(2):131-5. PMID: 10924806 below
“glutamate, is a textbook excitatory
neurotransmitter”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050308101101.htm below
“Glutamatergic
and
noradrenergic
stimulation is
essential for
formation of
memory”
Journal of Neuroscience
Research Volume 81 Issue
2, Pages 293 - 300
10
Glutamate Cascade - Common Pathways of
Central Nervous System Disease States - NIH
http://www.nida.nih.gov/MeetSum/Glutamate/abstracts.html
INFLAMMATORY PAIN,
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIES
BRAIN ISCHEMIA,
DEMENTIA,
STROKE,
ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE,
ANXIETY,
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Glutamate Excitation Spectrum
Source Jay
Lombard; D.O
INFLAMMATORY PAIN,
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIES
BRAIN ISCHEMIA,
PERINATAL BRAIN INJURY,
DEMENTIA,
STROKE,
ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE,
ANXIETY,
SCHIZOPHRENIA
NIH
“Inflammation plays an important role
in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s
disease. This article reviews the
results of prospective studies
demonstrating that the level of
systemic inflammation
markers, particularly Creactive protein and
interleukin-6, can predict
cognitive decline or
dementia.
The potential mechanisms linking
systemic inflammatory molecules to
cognitive decline are also
discussed.”
American Journal of Alzheimer's
Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol.
21, No. 4, 258-262 (2006) Below
11
“glutamatergic
system is involved
in the
pathophysiology
of acute mania.”
Psychopharmacology Volume 168,
Number 3 / July, 2003; 344-346
“uncontrollable
outbursts of laughing
and/or crying that are
disproportionate to the
emotions being
experienced.”
Glutamate - related
outbursts
“(NMDA) receptor
antagonist)” “helped to
control their emotional
outbursts”
Drugs Today (Barc). 2008 Sep;
44(9):661-8. PMID: 19137121
below
“Dysregulation of GABAergic inhibition and
glutamatergic excitation has been
implicated in exaggerated anxiety.”
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2008 Dec 20. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 19099296 below
12
Neurochemistry can be forced
“teen girls are four times more
likely to deliberately
harm
themselves compared to
Kids may be increasing
Glutamate to Force
Compensatory GABA
(Rakowski Theory)
boys of their age.”
“eleven percent of girls
reported to have harmed
themselves last year compared
with
three per cent of boys.”
“Researchers found that cutting is
the more prevalent form of selfharm (64.5 per cent),” overdose
(31%)
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/
articles/7004631406 Below
11%
3%
“alcohol's
effects on
brain chemistry
depend on more
than just GABA
uptake.”
“alcoholic brain's
oversensitivity to
glutamate and
oversupply of dopamine.”
http://www.sciammind.com/
print_version.cfm?
articleID=000DE85A-5630-1429-89848
3414B7F0000
ALCOHOLS CAN DRINK MORE DUE TO
THE OVERSUPPY OF GLUTAMATE
Picture http://my.opera.com/Mathilda/
albums/showpic.dml?
album=45035&picture=587641
13
withdrawal signs and symptoms,
including seizures (convulsions),
“Physical
dependence on
alcohol”
“Acutely, ethanol is a
potent inhibitor of
the function of the Nmethyl-D-aspartate
(NMDA) subtype of
glutamate receptor.”
http://www.nida.nih.gov/
MeetSum/Glutamate/
abstracts.html below
Symptoms of a GABA deficiency
and a Glutamate Excess
•  Nagging Headaches, sleep
disturbances, clammy hands,
muscle aches, anxiety,
nervousness, irritable,
allergies, tachycardia, mood
swings, hypertension,
fibromyalgia symptoms,
depression, hyper vigilant.
Glutamate Power
These people may find addictions in
things to calm them down (alcohol
and marijuana) as well as pain
medications.
The 4 Main Physical/Chemical Causes Body/
Brain Ill-Health (Inflammation) & Neurotransmitter
Miscommunication
2009
STRESS!!
POOR DIET
SICK/
INFLAMED
BRAIN
TOXINS
2010
GUT/DIGESTIVE ILL HEALTH
14
Your Body as a Flask
Your Body can only hold so many toxins before it overflows, your liver can handle the detox
process anymore, your immune system (inflammation) kicks in and symptoms appear
Pollen
Dust
Mold
Stress
Pesticides
Air Pollution
Poor Digestion
Byproducts
Germs
Symptoms of Toxin Buildup:
• Headaches, GI distress
• Muscular aches & pains
• Joint pain
• Fatigue, sleep disturbances
• Marked sensitivity to environmental
chemicals, odors, medications, and/or
nutritional supplements
• Depression, anxiety &/or mood swings
• Cognitive dysfunction (poor memory and
concentration; learning disorders)
• Paresthesias and neuropathic pain
• Recurrent infections, Allergies
• Infertility
• And more …
• Toxicity accelerates the effects of aging, both physically and mentally
Disorders Linked To Toxicant Exposure
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
• Allergies, Asthma
• Atherosclerosis
• Cancer
• Brain Disorders (dementia,
Depression, mental * chemical health issues)
15
More Disorders Linked To
Toxicant Exposure
• Autoimmune Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• Endocrine / Hormone problems
–  Hypothyroid, Diabetes
• Reproductive Disorders
• Chronic Dermatitis
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
–  Parkinsons, Alzheimers, senile dementia
• Autism
R
WA
G!!
N
I
N
“Dysregulation
of GABAergic
inhibition
GET MENTALLY
PREPARED
TO BE and
glutamatergic
has been
DEPRESSED excitation
FOR THE NEXT
30
implicated
in exaggerated
MININUTES
OR SO anxiety.”
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2008 Dec 20. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 19099296 below
Where Do All of These Toxins
Come From?
•  Exposure to toxic
substances is part of
life.
–  External (environment)
•  Food additives,
chemical solvents,
heavy metals
pesticides, herbicides,
drugs, alcohol,
industrial waste,
exhaust fumes, critters
–  Internal (“endogenous”)
•  Bacteria and yeasts
•  Poor GI health
16
OUR VICIOUS,
TOXIC CYCLE
WE HAVE POOR DIGESTION
UNCL
E!!
OUR LIVERS BECOME
OVERLOADED
Categories of External Toxicants
• Pesticides
–  Insecticides
–  Herbicides
• Industrial Compounds & Chemical
byproducts
–  Volatile organics
•  Solvents & detergents
–  Toxic metals
–  Plastics
–  Insulators (asbestos)
• Combustion/ Incineration
Pollutants
• Synthetic medications
• Food additives & preparation
byproducts
• Cosmetic additives
Toxic Metals
17
Testing for Metals
A URINALYSIS TEST CAN
DETERMINE IF YOUR
BODY IS STORING
METALS.
Screening Test for Heavy Metals
& Nutrient Imbalances
Methods:
1.  Blood
2.  Urine
3.  Stool
4.  Hair
Each method has
specific
advantages
and
disadvantages
…choice of
method that is
best is
individualized
STUDIES PROVE:
Toxins are stored in the
human body
• READ: “Detoxify or Die “
–  Sherry Rogers, MD
• EPA published studies revealed
xenobiotics including PCBs and dioxins in
100% of human fat biopsies!!
–  1984, 1986
18
“Over one
billion tons
of pesticide
products are
used each
year in the
United
States.”
http://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/factsheets/
securty.htm below
“Approximately one
billion pounds of
pesticide active
ingredient are used
annually in the U.S.,
and over 16,000
pesticide products are
being marketed in the
U.S.
The Environmental
Protection Agency
estimates that
10,000-20,000
physician-diagnosed
pesticide poisonings
occur each year”
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/
pesticides/ NOTES BELOW
“In a study of newborn blood
released by the Environmental
Working Group, an average of
200 industrial chemicals and
pollutants were found in
umbilical cord blood from 10
babies.”
“Eighteen different forms of
dioxin were also found in the
samples, according to the
report.”
Zwillich, T. Study Shows Toxic
Chemicals in Newborns WebMD
Medical News Reviewed http://
my.webmd.com/content/Article/
108/109035.htm ARTICLE BELOW
http://www.childliverdisease.org/corporate/payroll
“Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) told
reporters Thursday that she was one
of several who anonymously donated
blood for a continuation of the
analysis. More than 270 toxic
chemicals were found in her blood,
said Slaughter, who is 75 years old.”
19
Drugs and Pesticides
•  ADDICTIVE
•  ILLEGAL
•  FULL OF
PESTICIDES
“Radical as that scenario
may seem, it was only
after World War II that
the U.S. began
confining cattle in
factory farms that
can fatten 50,000
head a year on
high-calorie grain.”
http://www.time.com/time/
magazine/printout/
0,8816,1200759,00.html
Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 Below
Mad-cow disease, which can jump to
humans in the form of a fatal brain illness, is
believed to be
a product of serving cattle
parts to cattle.
another concern. It's
When animals are 100% grassfed, their meat is not only lower
in saturated fats but also slightly
higher in omega-3 fatty acids,
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,1200759,00.html
Sunday, Jun 11, 2006 Below
“He crowded his cattle onto pasture sprayed with weed killers and fertilizers. When they
were half grown, he shipped them in diesel-fueled trucks to huge feedlots. There they
were stuffed with corn and soy--pesticide treated, of course--and implanted with
synthetic hormones to make them grow faster.
To prevent disease, they were given antibiotics.”
20
“What has, up to now, been
overlooked is that the earth's
environment has changed
significantly during the last
few decades because of the
exponential production and
usage of synthetic organic
and inorganic chemicals.
Many of these chemicals are
better known for causing
weight loss at high levels of
exposure but much lower
concentrations of these
same chemicals have
powerful weight-promoting
actions.” Baillie-Hamilton PF.
Chemical toxins: a hypothesis to
explain the global obesity epidemic. J
Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):
185-92. PMID: 12006126 BELOW
“This property has
already been widely
exploited
commercially to
produce growth
hormones that fatten
livestock and
pharmaceuticals that
induce weight gain in
grossly underweight
patients.” Ibid
Do you
know
what
your
food is
eating?
Learn all about factory farms vs. family farms
WE EAT FOODS VOID
OF NUTRIENTS,
LOADED WITH ADDED
SYNTHETIC
CHEMICALS.
21
Chemical Additives
• Over 10,000 food and chemical additives are
allowed into U.S. food supply
–  including colorings, sweeteners, stimulants, preservatives,
flavorings, emulsifiers, humectants and antimicrobials
• In 1984, 3200 tons of coal tar dyes added to
foods
• Average American eats approximately 14
pounds of additives per year
“Today, Most
Man-Created
food could be
considered
poison to ALL
Humanity.”
Rakowski
Super Size
Food Allergies- toxic
"What is food
to one man
may be fierce
poison to
others"
- Lucretius. 95-55
B. C.
http://www.topendsports.com/nutrition/quotes.htm
22
FOOD ALLERGIES
THE SNEAKY TOXIN
Many people have food allergies
they don’t even know about.
FOOD ALLERGY
TESTING
While they do get “life or death”
symptoms, they suffer from things
like chronic pain, fatigue, allergies
or mood disorders.
If you are Gluten Intolerant, this means that Gluten
is very pro inflammatory toxic) to your body
Dermatological
Neurological
e
’s th
ere n?
h
W
te
Glu
Cognitive
Hepatic
Endocrine
Cardiac
Musculoskeletal
Alternative Medicine Review,Volume 10, Number 3,2005
Specific gluten-containing foods are the primary
immune system instigators in CD and GAD. These
include the glutens present in all forms of wheat,
including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, malt,
couscous, bulgar, triticale, einkorn, and faro, as well
as in related grains-rye and barley. Gluten is a plant protein.
23
THESE DONUTS
MAKE ME
CRABBY!
•  70% of the serotonin in the
body is made in the gut
•  Gluten destroys the cells that
make serotonin
•  Gluten sensitivity is very
consistent with depression
SEROTONIN COMPANY
Celiac patients
309%
more anxiety,
(71% v 23%) ;
570%
more
depression
(57% v 10%)
Postgraduate Medical Journal
2006;82:705-712; PMID: 17099088
article below
Genetically Modified Grains Have Much
More Gluten In Them
A VARIETY OF TESTS CAN
BE DONE FOR GLUTEN
SENSITIVITY
24
Additional Environmental Toxicants
•  Microbial toxins
–  Aflatoxin (peanuts)
–  Mycotoxins from molds
•  Medications and “lifestyle chemicals”
–  Alcohol, caffeine, illegal drugs
–  Acetaminophen
–  Cosmetics
•  Byproducts of food preparation
–  Acrylamide from French Fries
–  Nitrosamine from cold cuts and sausages
–  Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from charbroiled meats
Tick and Secondary Infections
Now I live
here
Used to live
there
We treat
illness with
toxins
25
November 29, 2004
“Millions of us are popping
prescription pills for
innocuous ills, when simple
lifestyle changes of diet and
exercise – harped on by
physicians for decades –
are more effective and a lot
cheaper.” (page 103)
“But Big Pharma argues
the opposite case: that the
real problem is
undermedication. For great
numbers of people, better
diet and more exercise
simply aren’t enough, the
argument goes.” (page 104)
“Elderly patients
use an average of
two to six
prescribed
medications and
one to three
nonprescribed
medications
regularly.”
Polypharmacy in Elders
Mable W. Tan, MD and
Winston W. Tan, MD Fed
Pract. 2005;22(11):76-84.
Cumulative Effect of Toxins
•  Our bodies do not have the capacity to
metabolize and detoxify many man-made
chemicals.
•  These chemicals cannot be detoxified and
excreted, so the body stores them, primarily
in FAT TISSUE.
•  The level of stored toxins in addition to the
ongoing exposure produces the cumulative
effect.
•  We may not see symptoms of the poisoning
for many years, until it “fills our flask.”
26
Synergistic Effects of Toxins:
When 1 + 1 = MORE THAN 2!
• Cigarette smoking:
10X risk of lung cancer
• Asbestos exposure:
5X risk of lung cancer
• Smoking + asbestos:
55X risk of lung cancer
• Total effect:
• More than additive or
multiplicative
How About Toxins That Come
From Within (Endotoxins)?
Do You Have the Guts to Be Healthy?
The importance of digestion, absorption, elimination
and barrier function in maintaining health
You are what you eat.
You are what you digest & absorb.
You are what you don’t
eliminate.
You are the cumulative
product of all toxins
stored in your body
in his 90’s
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What Should Happen
The Body Should Digest Food. Keep the Good
& Get Rid of the Bad
Mouth chews food and starts to
break it down with enzymes
Stomach mixes HCl and Pancreas
enzymes to break down food.
Small Intestine continues to digest
than absorbs the good stuff
moves out the bad stuff. GOOD
BACTERIA IS NEEDED HERE!
Large Intestine gets rid of the bad
stuff
ATTENTION: Let it be know that stomach
acid is good for you!!
2 IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS
OF STOMACH ACID
1.  To break down your food
into the nutrients needed
for your body to use.
2.  To kill all the
“cooties” (bacteria , fungus,
etc.), that we put in to our
mouths.
Stomach acid is needed to break down food
into nutrients to be absorbed by the body
= Vitamin C
UNDIGESTED
FOOD IS VERY
TOXIC TO THE
BODY AND IS
STORED IN FAT
TISSUE.
EVEN HEALTHY
FOOD CAN BE
TOXIC IF NOT
DIGESTED WELL.
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Stomach Acid is Needed to Kill the Toxins
We Put in Our Mouths
COOTIE
STOMACH
ACID
(bacteria, virus, yeast)
Bacteria
HCl
The Gut Is A Major
Entrance For Toxins
•  Over the course of a lifetime the average
person consumes more than 25 tons of
food, which must be processed by the GI
tract.
•  This food may also contain damaging
bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeast, toxins,
food additives and antigens which may
provoke allergy and inflammation in
sensitive individuals
“The low pH of the intragastric
environment constitutes one of the
major non-specific defense
mechanisms of the body.
Reduction of gastric acid secretion
predisposes to infection with a
variety of organisms . . .”
Howden, CW and Hunt, RH. Progress Report:
Relationship between gastric secretion and infection.
Gut 1987;28:96-107
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Toxins from Within:
Intestinal Sources
•  Dysbiosis = when the “bad” guys
outnumber the “good” guys.
Any course of antibiotics causes dysbiosis!
Protein Pump inhibitors & antacids cause dysbiosis!!
–  The Good Guys
•  Acidophilus, bifidus, & moreI
•  In healthy abundance, these protect the gut
and the entire body from invaders as they
outnumber and overpower The Bad Guys
–  The Bad Guys
•  Are normally present, but in low amounts
•  In high amounts are very toxic to the body
•  Candida (yeast)- is one of the common bad
guys in the gut and can really effect brain
function (depression, mood swings, etc.)
Low Stomach Acidity Makes You Vulnerable
to Bad Bacteria and Limits Good Digestion
Both of these factors lead to endogenous toxins
OF
CH
UN
IC P H ACID
X
TO AC
1-2
OM
THE OW ST
L
UNDIGESTED
FOOD
COOTIE
So if I have low
stomach acid, why
do I have all of this
HEARTBURN!
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3 Reasons Why Do You Get Acid Reflux
When They Have Low Stomach Acid?
•  Food that lays in the stomach
too long ferments, is acidic
and can cause stomach and
esophageal pressure.
•  Low stomach leads to
susceptibility to yeast and
bacteria infection, which are
acidic
•  Low stomach acid leads to
food allergies. Food allergies
lead to reverse peristalsis
which means food goes
down, it goes up
“The results show that
LOW
COOTIES
intestinal mucosal
dysfunction characterized by
an increased translocation of gramnegative bacteria (leaky gut) plays
a role in the inflammatory
pathophysiology of
depression.”
“patients with (major
depression)MDD
should be checked for
leaky gut”
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2008 Feb;29(1):
117-24. PMID: 18283240 below
“Our findings
establish
a direct relationship
between brain
function and food
allergy,
thus creating a solid
ground for
understanding the
etiology of
psychological
disorders in allergic
patients.”
Journal of neuroimmunology
2003, vol. 140, n 1-2, pp. 69-77
below
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Functional Medicine
Testing (CDSA)
This is a Stool Sample
It checks for:
1. How well you
digestion proteins, carbs
and fats
2. It check if you have
bad bacteria, yeast or
parasites in your
intestine
Causes of Impaired
Detoxification: Summary
•
•
•
•
•
•
Overwhelming toxic load
(exogenous + endogenous)
Although the government sets up “permissible levels of
exposure,” to exogenous toxins, people are vulnerable to
different degrees depending on ……..
Impaired excretion (constipation or increased
transit time; renal dysfunction)
Inefficient fuels (poor quality diet- protein, carbs & healthy fats)
Deficiency of specific detoxifying nutrients
(antioxidants, vitamins, minerals)
Genetic Variation
Can You Imagine How Toxic
Someone in Recovery Must Be?
•  Imagine how a solid
detox program could help
in a recovery program.
I’m really in
no mood to
talk.
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The Double “Whammy” Effects
of Toxins on Brain Function
1)  When we are toxic, our bodies
and brains become inflamed
altering neurotransmitter
communication.
2)  An overload of toxins causes
stress and shut down of the
Liver’s detox capacity. As a
result the body stores toxins in
fat tissue for safe keeping. The
brain is a very fat tissue and
thus receives the direct effect of
the toxins in its tissue.
Means of Detoxification:
How Does the Body Remove Toxins?
•  Although most of this activity takes place in the
liver, about 25% occurs in the small intestine,
and all tissues have some detoxification
capacity.
•  INTESTINES (small and large)
•  LIVER: 2 phases (blood)
•  KIDNEYS (urine)
•  LUNGS (respiration)
•  SKIN (sweat)
Detoxification – the Process
•  First they must be liberated, primarily from fat
tissue.
•  Then they must be converted to a watersoluble form before they can be excreted.
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The Detoxification Process
1) Liberation- from tissues, mainly fat tissue
2) Conversion- to a water soluble (in the Liver)
3) Excretion- out of the body (kidneys & stool)
The Liver Processes Toxins
•  In two phases
–  Phase I- gathers and packages up the
liberated toxins
–  Phase II- picks up the packaged toxins to be
released by the body through the kidneys
•  When you’re toxic – phase II gets overwhelmed
and can’t keep up with Phase I
•  In effect, you are packaging up the
garbage, but the garbage man doesn’t
pick it up
•  This is why it is important to properly
support the liver when doing a detox
diet or when you are losing a lot of fat
Balanced & Healthy Detoxification
•  Phase 1 and Phase 2 work in
concert, and must be
balanced.
•  Phase 2 must be able to keep
up with Phase 1, OR HEALTH
SUFFERS!
WHEN TOO MANY TOXINS ARE LIBERATED AND THE LIVER IS NOT GIVEN
THE ADEQUATE “FUEL” (AS IN A POOR DETOX PROGRAM), PHASE 2 CAN’T
KEEP UP AND BODY BECOMES EVEN MORE “POTENTLY” TOXIC.
34
Liver - The Detox Machine
•  Filters 2 quarts of blood every minute
– Removes and alters substances
– Prepares them for elimination
A lot of Nutrients
are needed here in
Phase II
Intermediate
compounds
are more toxic
than the
original toxin.
Serious Free
Radicals here!
PHASE I:
• “inducible”
PHASE II:
• Needs specific nutrients or won’t “run”
• Creates “free radicals”
Liver - The Detox Machine
TOXIC
STORAGE
•  Filters 2 quarts of blood every minute
–  Removes and alters substances
–  Prepares them for elimination
A lot of Nutrients
are needed here in
Phase II
Intermediate
compounds
are more toxic
than the
original toxin.
Serious Free
Radicals here!
PHASE I:
• “inducible”
PHASE II:
• Needs specific nutrients or won’t “run”
• Creates “free radicals”
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Prescription for Healthy Detox
NORTHWOODS NATURAL HEALING CENTER
1) Eliminate or vastly decrease the intake or exposure to the
toxin.
2) Evolve in to a healthy diet and lifestyle.
3) Take specific supplementation for Liver function.
4) Take specific nutrients to combat the toxin (i.e. heavy
metals, bacteria, yeast, etc.).
5) Ensure the excretion of the toxins through the kidneys and
the bowel.
Dr. Steve
Decrease Exposure …and Eat
High Quality Foods
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Plastics, Styrofoam- have lethal chemicals
Filtered water (drink plenty)
Pesticides and household chemicals
Medications: Rx and OTC
Organic and/or free-range foods
Unbleached coffee filters and paper products
Exhaust fumes
Cosmetics and personal care items
Life Pyramid
Pure Fats/Oils
1:1 Omega 3 to 6
Unprocessed Whole Grains
(mostly Gluten Free)
Lean, Clean (organic, if possible) Protein
Vegetables, Fruits (9+ Colorful Servings)
Supplements: EPA’s, Multi’s, Plant Nutrients
Think, Drink, Sleep, Eat, Poop, Move, Talk
LOVE; DISCIPLINE
“We must all suffer one of two things; the pain of discipline or
the pain of regret or disappointment.” Jim Rohn
NORTHWOODS CHIROPRACTIC & NATURAL MEDICINE
257-3914
36
FIC
CI
E
SP
Foods for Detoxification
•  Cruciferous vegetables
–  Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, arugula,
cauliflower
•  Limonene-containing fruits
–  Orange, tangerine, lemon (not grapefruit)
Choose a variety
of fruits and vegetables
in a variety of colors
Nutrients for Detoxification
•  Magnesium
•  Copper
•  Zinc
•  Vitamin C
•  Vitamin B family
•  Protein- with amino acids- glycine, glutamine, cysteine, lysine,
methionine
More Nutrients to Support Detox
•  Liver uses these to detoxify
Curcumin
–  Sulfur-containing foods:
•  egg yolks, onions and garlic
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Herbal Detoxification Support
•  Milk thistle (silymarin)
–  Protects liver
–  Enhances detoxification
Green Tea Extract (decaf)
HYDRATION
• 75% of Americans are
chronically dehydrated
•
• In older Americans, the thirst
mechanism is so weak that it is
often mistaken for hunger
•
•
•
• Drinking 8 glasses of water
daily decreases the risk of colon
cancer by 32%
• One glass of water shut down
midnight hunger pangs for
almost 100% of dieters in a
University of Washington study.
Water Requirement
Calculator
Total body weight
Divide by 2
Equals daily ounces
per day required
•
EXAMPLE:
•
160# >>> 80 oz. daily
Nutient Support for GABA Glutamate Balance
Vitamin B6 25 mg
(as pyridoxine HCl)
G.A.D. - GABA support
Magnesium 200 mg (as
magnesium malate)
Taurine 1,000 mg
N-Acetylcysteine 600 mg
Green Tea Leaf Extract 300
mg,
Decaffeinated
Vitamin D3
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© Rakowski 2008
Magnesium protects the brain
from excitotoxicity.
© Rakowski 2008
“Magnesium deficiency is well known to produce
neuropathologies.” “The possibility that magnesium
deficiency is the cause of most major depression and
related mental health problems including IQ loss and
addiction is enormously important to public health and is
recommended for immediate further study.”
Medical Hypotheses - 2006 (Vol. 67, Issue 2, Pages 362-370 abstract below
“Stress can
greatly
increase
magnesium
loss.”
http://web.mit.edu/london/www/
magnesium.html below
Fibromyalgia
39
“vitamin D3 may play a role in mechanisms
relevant to protective properties against the
neurotoxicity of glutamate”
Journal of Neuroscience Research Volume 83 Issue 7, Pages 1179 - 1189 abstract below
The 7 Day Detox
Email me for details
szvonar@frontier.com
Also have a 10, 14 and 28 day detox program
A Nice Way to Hit the Reset Button
The 7 Day Detox
•  7 Days of organic,
nutrient packed leafy
veggies
•  A liver enhancing,
GMP certified, FDA
approved Medical
Food loaded with liver
enhancing nutrients, 3
times a day
•  Filtered Water
40
Ascend
The
Summit
Change is Hard- What Are the
Foundations to Inspire Change
CS Lewis’ Law of Human Nature
•  Establishing healthy relationships with each
other
•  Establishing a healthy relationship and balance
with yourself
•  Finding and living your purpose and passion in
this life
WHAT DO WE DO AT
ASCEND THE SUMMIT
COACHING?
1. We provide individual coaching to people in recovery, people
with health/life issues (in the four areas) and people who are
at high risk for starting to use.
2. We provide group coaching sessions for not only health and
life improvement, but also for strong relationship building.
3. We train service people (mentors, counselors, teachers,
parents, communities etc.) in the art and science of coaching.
4. We do full and half day trainings in health, wellness and
coaching for organizations.
We are drawn to
various substances to
cope with “mental”
malfunctions.
We are exposed to
a variety of toxins.
>
>
Most of these
substances are toxin
continuing the cycle.
THE CYCLE OF
TOXINS &
ADDICTIONS
Communication of
neurotransmitters
becomes altered
and we get altered
brain function.
The immune
system perceives
this as a foreign
invader and turns
itself on.
>
Depression, anxiety, mood
swings, cravings, etc.
>
Our body and
brain becomes
inflamed.
41
Come Alive!
Don’t ask what the world
needs. Ask what makes
you come alive.
Because what the world
needs are people who
are alive.
Harold Whitman
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