zenobiotics and cellular detox

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Xenobiotics and Cellular Detoxification”

J. Ghen, DO, PhD

Xenobiotics as Cellular Toxins

A toxin is any agent that is capable of producing a deleterious response in

a biologic system. Toxins that adversely effect humans come from all sorts

of sources: processed food, tap water, prescribed and recreational drugs,

working environments, our homes, the air we breathe, amalgams in our teeth,

even from our clothing and laundry detergents. Almost every known chemical

substance has a potential to produce injury or lead to death of the

organism. We are constantly challenged by compounds that are without

nutritive value. These foreign materials are both the products of our modern

industrial age as well as toxins that were present during the formation of

the original cell.1

Toxic substances are also referred to as xenobiotics.2 They are ingested,

absorbed and inhaled. Under ideal circumstances (perfect health), the body

detoxifies and eliminates all toxins,2 performing the ongoing tasks of

clearing and detoxifying. The primary organ for detoxification is the liver,

and many toxins must be biotransformed by the liver from fat-soluble

compounds to water-soluble compounds before they can be excreted by the

kidneys.

Xenobiotics biotransformed by the liver are released into the intestine

through the bile. The liver has at least four transport systems for active

excretion of toxins into the bile.2 Once the bile enters the intestine, it

can either be reabsorbed or excreted. Reabsorption can lead to very long

half-lives for xenobiotics. Clearing and detoxification causes an increase

in intestinal motility which leads to a decrease in transit times. This

suggests higher rates of excretion of toxins. All body secretions appear to

have the ability to excrete chemicals; toxins have been found in sweat,

tears, and breast milk.3

People often mistake this normal detoxification process for symptoms of

disease. Many common diseases are largely due to the adaptive response of

the body to stress (emotional or physical) rather than to direct damage by

germs, poisons and life experience. The body's attempt to return to

equilibrium or homeostasis depends on its ability to eliminate cellular

toxins.4 Failure to clear the body of accumulating toxins leads, at some

point, to the balance shifting in favor of the environment and against the

living body. Disease is a fight for health.4

This fight for health has been transferred into " symptoms " of " disease " that

we often try to eliminate to make us feel better. The body's natural

corrective cleansing measures can cause discomfort and, in efforts to treat

this " disease " and make it go away, vital elimination functions are often

suppressed. In suppressing " symptoms " (or cleansing responses), the body may

become retoxified. Many autoimmune conditions may be the result of

xenobiotic retoxification as toxins that should have been eliminated are

suppressed and then re-incorporated into existing and newly formed tissues.

These tissues are then tainted. They are recognized as foreign by the immune

system and an autoimmune condition results.

Factors such as lifestyle, dietary habits, and stress play a role in

affecting the body's ability to detoxify. Constant exposure to occupational

and/or environmental toxins should also be considered. However, these

factors can be changed at any time. Corrective measures with positive

changes can work wonders. Changes in lifestyle that include stress

reduction, increases in physical activity and dietary changes are required

to promote detoxification. Vitamin deficiencies (C, E, and B complex) and

mineral deficiencies (copper, magnesium, and calcium) reduce the rates of

xenobiotic biotransformation. Many of these nutrients are in short supply in

today's highly refined and nutrient depleted diets.5 Low protein intake also

has been found to increase markedly the toxicity of a number of

xenobiotics.6

Another important step toward detoxification is to eliminate sources of

toxic exposure from the environment. This is often easier said than done.

Chemicals and metals are the most pervasive cellular toxins. Currently more

than 100,000 chemicals are in commercial use today: 25% are known to be

hazardous.7,8,9 Recent reports from the Environmental Protection Agency

demonstrate that 100% of samples of human body fat contained toxic doses of

chemicals including styrene (Styrofoam), 1,4-dichlorobenzene (moth balls,

house deodorizers), and xylene (paints, gasoline). See Table 1 for this EPA

study. The five most toxic trace metals are cadmium, mercury, lead,

beryllium and antimony. These metals are involved in at least 50% of the

deaths in the US and much of the disabling diseases.10

To assist the body's elimination of cellular stores of these xenobiotics, an

approach using homeopathic nutraceuticals has been developed. This cellular

detoxification is termed homeovitics.11,12,13

Cellular Detoxification

Cellular detoxification is an integrative approach to wellness that has been

pioneered by M. Kratz, PharmD, of Naples, Florida. Dr. Kratz, who was

the first pharmacist to be appointed to the Editorial Board of The Merck

Manual, and is now the coeditor of the Journal of the American Nutraceutical

Association (JANA), has been researching this concept for over 20 years. He

is convinced that cellular toxicity is a contributing factor to aging and

intends to prove that detoxification on a cellular level will have an

anti-aging effect in humans.

" We know that supporting the cell on an energetic level will improve immune

function, " Dr. Kratz states. " Our animal studies have confirmed what we have

observed in humans, that using homeopathic forms of nutraceuticals

(homeovitics) prepared by serially agitated dilutions has a beneficial

effect on cellular metabolism. Biochemicals, such as coenzyme Q10,

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and nicotinamide

adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nutrients, i.e. alpha lipoic acid and

tetrahydrofolic acid, in energetic, physiologic concentrations support

mitochondrial function. " He adds " we began using all of these substances in

a homeovitic form back in the early eighties and they have since become

popular as nutraceuticals.... it seems we were ahead of our time in

observing that these homeovitic nutraceuticals had beneficial effects,

particularly on immune function. " 14

In addition to this innovative approach to cellular support, Dr. Kratz is

focusing on a second area of clinical research; the adverse effects of

cellular toxins such as chemicals and metals and how to eliminate these

toxins. By applying the same homeovitic principle he used in his original

work on cellular support, Kratz developed protocols for cellular detox that

help the body clear and eliminate cellular toxins. Detoxification using

serially agitated dilutions was the subject of a critical review and

meta-analysis of 105 published studies. Four of five outcomes meeting

quality and comparability criteria showed positive effects. This 1994 review

appeared in Human and Experimental Toxicology. 15

" My sense is that primary cellular toxins such as certain heavy metals and a

variety of environmental chemicals can compromise many cellular systems....

they bind essential enzymes, affect electron transport cascades, and hinder

DNA repair mechanisms, all leading to premature aging.... of the cell and of

us, " says Dr. Kratz. " So let's get the lead out, so to speak, and see if we

can positively influence our aging biomarkers.... this is the essence of our

current research on cellular detoxification, " he concludes.

A recent article in the Winter 1999 edition of the Journal of the American

Nutraceutical Association16 chronicled Dr. Kratz's development of the

homeovitic approach to cellular support and detoxification. It also

presented a review of recent research in this field. As a coauthor of this

JANA article, I have personal experience with the potential of Kratz's

anti-aging protocols. My best adjective is.... exciting. My patients are

benefiting from results which are anecdotal at this point and I am looking

forward to participating in more formal clinical evaluations.

Pharmacist A. tti from Tucson, Arizona, has this to say about

the cellular detoxification program.... " I've seen it lower laboratory

markers such as liver enzymes to normal values. People feel better, chronic

illnesses improve. I have used cellular detox on at least 50 of my patients

and more than 90% have benefited. This program has expanded both my

pharmaceutical care and my practice opportunities. " Mr. tti is a

member of the American Nutraceutical Association's (ANA) Pharmacy Advisory

Council and is also a Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN). He has spoken

on behalf of the ANA at several pharmacy association meetings across the

country.

A member of the Editorial Board of JANA, Jack O. , DC, MS, DACBN, is

also a proponent of Dr. Kratz's protocols.... " To me, cellular

detoxification is the place to start clinical nutrition. I have used it on

all of my patients for the past 7 years, well over 1,000 individuals have

benefited from this program. It is an integral part of my BioMAP. " Dr.

practices in Arlington Heights, Illinois and has developed a

computerized BioMetabolic Assessment Program (BioMAP) for personalized

evaluation of nutritional status.

After 15 years of working as a registered nurse in conventional medical

settings, Deborah Burkhart, RN, CCP, embraced complementary medical

approaches to wellness. In describing her experience with cellular

detoxification, she says.... " cellular detox is important, make that

essential, to a successful nutritional program. An unhealthy body has lost

the ability to detoxify itself as it would normally do. Dr. Kratz's

protocols support the body's natural detox processes. "

Ms. Burkhart has researched, lectured and practiced holistic healthcare for

eight years. She has a practice in nutrition, deep cleansing and rebuilding

the body. In November of 1998, she started Optimal Health Center in Santa

, California. The Center is an association of 15 independent

practitioners providing clients with quality holistic care.

Partners in Wellness, an integrative health care organization based in

Naples, Florida, has assumed the responsibility of coordinating clinical

validation of Dr. Kratz's protocols for cellular detox as an anti-aging

strategy. Clinicians, pharmacists and individuals with an interest in this

project may contact Reinhart at 800.801.9494 (or e-mail to

myhart1122@...) or e-mail to Dr. Kratz at amkratz@....

References

1 Jakoby, WB and Ziegler, DM. The enzymes of detoxification. Journal of

Biological Chemistry. 265(34): pp. 20715-20718, 1990.

2 Klaassen, CD and Eaton, DL. Principles of toxicology. In: Casarett and

Doull's Toxicology, MO Amdur, J Doull and CD Klaassen (Eds.) New York:

McGraw-Hill, Inc., Fourth Edition, pp. 26-30, 1993.

3 Stowe, CM and Plaa, GL.Extrarenal excretion of drugs and chemicals. Annual

Review of Pharmacology. 8: pp.337-356, 1968.

4 Selye, H. The Stress of Life (revised edition). New York, McGraw-Hill,

Inc., 1978.

5 United States Department of Agriculture, Report #2. USRDA, Dietary Intake

Studies, 1986.

6 Sipes, IG and Gandolphi, AJ. Biotransformation of toxicants. In: Casarett

and Doull's Toxicology, MO Amdur, J Doull and CD Klaassen (Eds.) New York:

McGraw-Hill, Inc., Fourth Edition, p. 118, 1993.

7 Lappe, M. Chemical Deception. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, 1991.

8 Bellini, J. High Tech Holocaust. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, 1989.

9 DNA repair works its way to the top. Science. 266(Dec. 23): 1926, 1994.

10 Schroeder, HA. The Poisons Around Us. Indiana University Press (1974)

Keats Publishing. New Canaan, CT, 1994.

11 Gennaro, AR. REMINGTON: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy.19th

Edition. Chapter 50: Alternative Healthcare. Mack Publishing. p. 834, 1995.

12 Pizzorno, JE and Murray, MT. A Textbook of Natural Medicine. Section 3,

Contemporary Homeopathy. Churchill Livingstone. 1993.

13 , CC. Encyclopedia of Complementary Health Practice. Part IV,

Practices and Treatments. Springer Publishing. p. 391, 1999.

14 Kratz, AM. Homeovitics... contemporary, innovative homeopathy. The

Journal of Applied Nutrition. 48: pp. 7-9, 1996.

15 Linde K, Jonas W, et al. Critical Review and Meta-Analysis of Serial

Agitated Dilutions in Experimental Toxicology. Human & Experimental

Toxicology. 13: pp. 481-92, 1994.

16 Ghen, MJ, Kratz, AM. Homeopathic Nutraceuticals... a New Frontier.

Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association. 2: pp. 12-13, 1999.

J. Ghen, DO, PhD, is a clinical associate professor at NOVA

Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale,

Florida and practices integrative medicine with an emphasis on aging

intervention and prevention.

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