At a time when my son was experiencing multiple seizures and was tried on multiple anti-epileptic medications I intuitively suspected that metabolic dysfunction and detoxification issues were of serious concern. It was confirmed when we began weaning him from a Benzodiazapine (that caused serious side effects). Per our neurologist’s orders we initiated the weaning process only to witness him “experience withdrawels”. At that time I took the initiative to greatly minimize the weaning dosage and we stopped witnessing withdrawel symtpoms. I knew then that his detoxification pathways were impaired.
Detoxification is a general term that I use often in my practice. It’s one of the “D’s” in the acronym H.I.D.D.E.N. stressors and what I’m learning to be a critical area to explore when looking at how to improve brain health. The term detoxification is used commonly in mainstream thinking and most often through allopathy the liver is tested through a metabolic profile. Yet, in nearly all results available to me I find that liver enzymes can appear normal on metabolic profile but in functional assessments, the liver (and its hundreds of pathways) is working very poorly.
In addition, there are much more complex pathways that contribute to detoxification. As I work my way through learning the overview of these pathways, I’m also learning that there can be numerous impairments or “blockages” that impede the function of these pathways. These blockages become even greater challenges to my work, but what I believe to be critical to the care and recovery of individuals that experience seizures. To write in this letter, about all of these pathways and impairments would require as long as it takes to write a book, but I’ll do my best to give you an overview.
There are four phases of detoxification. Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4. Phase 1 is in the intact wall of the gastroinestinal tract. It’s intention is to keep the toxins within the cell walls to safely exit the body rather than releasing the toxins into the bloodstream. If yeast overgrowth is present, heavy metals, other infections, constipation or even gluten, the gut wall can be permeable (holes). These holes allow for an easy access for toxins into the bloodstream and into other organs, including the brain. In addition, if the digestive system isn’t working optimally, food/stool is moving slowly (the person is constipated), toxins have more time to escape from the gut.
In Phase 2 toxins are moved from the gut to the liver. A portal allows the entry from the gut into the liver at which point fat-soluble materials are converted into water-soluble toxins that are much easier to eliminate. Yet, a poorly functioning, toxic, congested, constipated, leaky digestive system can overload the liver, depleting the body of the nutrients that it needs. It’s crucial at this time that infections are identified and there are optimally targeted vitamins and minerals in place.
In Phase 3 the liver uses available nutrients to bind with the toxins, to make them less toxic so that they can be excreted. These nutrients are often found deficient in many of the children and the adults I work with and they include: glutathione, glycine, cysteine, taurine and sulfate. Many of you have heard of glutathione and it’s function is significant: it binds and detoxifies heavy metals, it is a powerful antioxidant, supports the mitochondria, facilitates energy production, strengthens the lining of the gut, manages immunity, strengthens the blood brain barrier and supports methylation. Glycine and cysteine help manufacture glutathione, yet any one or all of these can either be low or high in individuals with impaired ability to convert them (referred to as enzymes). Sulfate and the process of transsulfuration is another process that can often reveal impairments and is involved in the production of glutathione. Sulfate pathways can be supported by dietary modifications and identifying specific nutrients supports. All of these impaired pathways can be assessed through self-reports, lab tests and reported symptoms.
In Phase 4 the body detoxifies more readily and well when it’s at an alkaline state. This is another crucial, necessary area to intervene with dietary modifications that may include, stopping all refined sugars, reducing natural sugars, increasing foods with alkalinity (including vegetables) and encouraging fluid consumption to improve the function of the kidneys as well as the liver.
Many kids don’t like green smoothies, or are limited by other dietary modifications. In my work ,it’s my emphasis to:
- assess the dietary needs of the individual
- consider immune-mediated responses to foods
- determine food intolerances
- integrate alkaline practices (adding in more vegetables, lemon water, hydration)
- support the families in implementing the best diet
- identify and address gut infections
- supporting the gut integrity
- identify and supporting nutritional deficiencies
- interpret lab tests to help identify potential impaired detoxification pathways
- work with the families to tweak and refine on a continuous basis
All while making it user friendly, do-able, tolerable to a child and not too stressful for families.
We often discuss the health of the digestive system thinking exclusively of the gut-brain connection. Ultimately when addressing brain health, blood brain barrier integrity, it’s necessary to look at the gut-brain-detoxification connection.
