Detoxification is the process by which the body decreases the negative impact of toxins through biotransformation and excretion. The main sources of toxins are environmental pollutants, food additives, and heavy metals. Detoxification usually involves diet, nutrients, exercise, and advanced techniques like chelation therapy to reduce heavy metal burden. The liver and intestines play key roles in detoxification through two phase processes that convert toxins to water soluble forms eliminated in urine, feces, sweat and breath. A comprehensive detoxification program addresses toxin avoidance, sweating treatments, diet, nutrients and counseling.

1. Detoxification Therapy
By Adam Rinde, ND
Detoxification is any process of decreasing the negative impact of xenobiotics (toxins) on
bodily processes. This process involves biotransformation of endogenous and exogenous
molecules into excretable metabolites. Xenobiotics are chemicals or molecules that are
foreign to the biologic system, originating externally (e.g. toxic substances in the
environment) or internally (e.g. food and metabolic biproducts).The main sources of
Xenobiotics (toxins) in the body are: natural body waste, ingested toxins, food additives,
air pollutants, herbicides, household products, drugs, cookware, food pollutants, water
pollutants, and heavy metals from solvent exposure.
The detoxification process usually involves diet and nutrient therapy, hydrotherapy,
sauna,and exercise with the purpose of aiding the body in eliminating and cleansing the
body of toxins. Advanced detoxification techniques with chelation therapy are often used
to reduce the body of heavy metal burden.
Special tests can be done to test for environmental toxin burden. These include the
Urinary Organic Acid Panel, Caffeine Clearance Test, and the 24-hour urinary
provocation test for heavy metals.
Detoxification has been ritually practiced in ayurvedic medicine for many thousand
years. And, is the basis of European Spa Medicine that has been around for hundreds of
years. The theory behind detoxification is that the body accumulates toxins from diet and
environmental causes
Why should I care about detoxification?
The burden of toxins in the body may cause DNA damage, or inflammatory states. There
is some evidence that toxic burden on the body may be linked to decreased cell-mediated
immunity, hypersensitivity (allergy), increased autoimmunity, neurotoxicity, and
endocrintoxity.
Risk factors for toxicity include unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits, exposure to
xenobiotics, genetics, age and gender, diseases, and medication use.
Warning signs of toxicity include: a history of increasing sensivitvity to xenobiotics,
abundant use of medication, significant use of toxic chemicals, sensitivity to odors,
myalgias, memory loss, numbness, neurologic changes, hormonal changes, and
paresthesias, and sensitivity or reactions to medication s or supplements.
How does detoxification work ?
Most detoxification takes place in the liver and the intestinal wall.
In the most basic sense, the detoxification process takes toxins and converts them so they
can be eliminated in water. This is necessary to rid the body of toxins through the skin,
Adam Rinde, ND Sound Integrative Health, PLLC Phone: 425-889-5894

2. Detoxification Therapy
By Adam Rinde, ND
bowels, urine, and breath. Otherwise the toxins are stored in fatty areas of the body
including fat cells, liver, and brain cells.
There are two phases of detoxification. Phase I involves the following steps: Oxidation,
reduction, hydrolysis, hydration,and dehalogenation. This process involves cleavage
through hydrolysis and removal of chloride, fluoride, bromide, or iodide groups
These reactions create reactive intermediates and free radicals that without protective
nutrients can cause damage to tissues. In order to get out of the body another step of
detoxification is required.
The second phase (Phase II) involves conjugation processes that convert toxins to water
soluble forms for excretion and elimination from the body. Phase II processes are
sulfation, gluconidation, glutathione conjugation, actylation, amino acid conjugation, and
methylation
Approach to detoxification therapy: There are many approaches to detoxifying the body.
These include water fasts, juice fasts, and strategies like the Master Cleanser.
A comprehensive approach to detoxification might involve the follwoing
a) Avoidance of known sources of toxicity to reduce toxic load including: chemical
dependencies, alcohol processed foods, fried foods, plastics, pesticide rich foods,
smoking, homes with lead paints, unnecessary prescription drugs,solvents ,paints
,exhaust fumes perfumes ,hair sprays ,new furniture ,carpeting ,cabinetry ,plastics
, and gas or oil heat.
b) Depurative/Sweat Treatments to relieve body of toxins through the skin
c) Exercise to stimulate bile flow which is a main source of toxin elimination.
d) Dietary program that includes a hypoallergenic and liver supportive diet. This
would incorporate a whole foods diet with the avoidance of the most common
allergens sugar, dairy, wheat, soy, and eggs. Also important in the diet are
cruciferous veggies, olive oil, onions garlic, lean, unprocessed protein, root
vegetables; all which support the liver and aid in detoxification. Also important is
adequate protein intake to support detoxification processes.
e) Nutrient and herbal therapy
a. Alkalinizing minerals (CA, Mg, K, Zn) to prevent an acidic environment
and side effects.
b. Antioxidants (A, C, E, grape seed extract, green tea extract etc. ) to reduce
free radicals and reactive intermediates.
c. Milk Thistle for liver protective qualities
f) Phase I and Phase II detoxification supportive nutrients
a. B-Vitamins for supporting key pathways for phase I.
b. Flavanoids,
c. Branch Chain Amino acids
d. Phospholipids
Adam Rinde, ND Sound Integrative Health, PLLC Phone: 425-889-5894

3. Detoxification Therapy
By Adam Rinde, ND
e. Glycine, Taurine, Glutamin, N-Acyetylcysteine, Cysteine, Methionine all
which help with congjugation and elimination of toxins through the kidney
and bowels.
g) Counseling and emotional Support
When considering detoxification it is highly advised to detox under the guidance of a
trained health professional. This approach to detoxification is not used for acute exposure
to toxic substances but rather chronic low level exposure. If acutely exposed to toxic
substances dial 911. These situations are best handled by a toxicology clinic.
References:
Bland, Jeffrey S. The 20-Day Rejuvenatition Diet Program. Keats Publishing. Los
Angeles. Pgs. 110-111.
Jones, David S. 2005. The Textbook of Functional Medicine. The Institute of Functional
Medicien. Gig Harbor, WA. Pg. 195-196, 278-295,543-580.
Pizzorno, Joseph and Michael Murray. 2006. Textbook of Natural Medicine 3rd edition.
Online Edition. Elsevier Ltd. Philadelphia, PA. pg.339-351
Adam Rinde, ND Sound Integrative Health, PLLC Phone: 425-889-5894