The question isn’t whether we are toxic or not, but rather how toxic we are, and what role our genetics and nutrient status play.
More than 80,000 toxic chemicals have been introduced into North America for commercial use, including over 20,000 in Canada. As a result, we are exposed to chemicals every day through the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and the household and consumer products we use.
Over time, our bodies can begin accumulating toxic chemicals faster than we are able to eliminate them, which may contribute to a wide range of chronic health concerns.
Common environmentally related health problems include:
One of the most important aspects of environmental medicine is examining an individual’s genomic makeup. Everyone has SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), subtle variations in genes and enzyme structures that can significantly influence how efficiently a person breaks down and eliminates toxins.
These genetic differences can result in toxin clearance rates that can vary from only a little bit faster or slower, to up to 5x faster or slower from one person to another.
Another important factor is nutrient status. Modern agricultural practices, soil depletion, and chemical use in food production can contribute to lower nutrient levels in our food supply, which may lead to nutrient deficiencies. When key nutrients required for detoxification and metabolism are lacking, the body’s biochemical processes including those involved in toxin processing and elimination will not function optimally.
Environmental medicine therefore involves a thorough investigation of each person’s history including occupational exposures, home environment, hobbies, and lifestyle, along with their genetics. When appropriate, specialized blood and urine testing may also be used to measure levels of specific toxicants in the body.
Some of the most common exposures we evaluate include:
Total body burden is a term used to describe the cumulative load of toxins and toxicants stored in the body. These substances — including heavy metals, plastics, mold toxins, pesticides, and solvents — are commonly found in our air, water, food, and everyday personal and household products.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the average person in the United States carries at least 212 chemicals in their blood and urine. Everyday products such as plastic containers, cosmetics, and children’s toys can contain various combinations of chemicals. Many of these substances have undergone limited long-term safety testing, and most were approved for consumer use without consideration of the potential health effects of chronic, cumulative exposure.
A helpful way to understand this is to imagine your body as a barrel and these chemicals as substances being added to it. Over time, daily exposures accumulate and may eventually cause the barrel to overflow. When this happens, symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, pain, skin conditions, asthma, allergies, and other chronic health concerns can begin to appear.
At first, these symptoms may seem relatively minor. However, if the underlying exposures remain unaddressed, they can contribute to more significant health conditions over time.
When people think about chemical exposure, cancer is often the first concern — and while this association and causation is well known for cancer, research increasingly shows that environmental toxins are also linked to many other chronic conditions. These may include autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, neuropathies, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, hormone imbalances (endocrine disruption), infertility, and weakened immune function.
Several factors influence how quickly toxins accumulate in the body. Genetics, occupation, lifestyle, and home and work environments can all play an important role, yet they are often overlooked during standard medical assessments.
Research on genetic variations (SNPs) shows that one person may eliminate certain toxicants 2 to 5 times faster or slower than another, which can significantly influence susceptibility to environmental exposures.
At EnviroMed Clinic, our goal is to determine whether your total body burden — past or present — may be a primary cause or contributing factor to your symptoms. This begins with a comprehensive assessment of your health history and potential exposures, followed by targeted laboratory testing when appropriate.