Contributors to Susceptibility to PANS/PANDAS Part III - Toxins
As I mentioned in my two previous blogs here and here regarding contributors to susceptibility to complex and chronic conditions, I see three major factors contributing to the rise in prevalence: trauma, modern living, and toxins. Complex and chronic conditions such as PANS/PANDAS and autism are not necessarily directly caused by these factors, however, all three contribute to chronic inflammation and a dysregulated immune system, which increase the risk and progression of complex and chronic conditions. Individually, these three factors increase chronic inflammation and dysregulate the immune system. Together, they interact in ways that amplify their individual effects. The focus of this blog post is the effects of toxins, how they set the stage for chronic illness, and how understanding the connection is important from a homeopathic care perspective. Read on to learn about the growing number of toxins we’re exposed to, how our bodies deal with toxins, how the body responds when we’re exposed to more toxins than we can eliminate, and some key remedies for detoxification support.
Toxins are everywhere and our bodies are brilliantly designed to deal with most of them. Separate from severe poisons, our bodies can encounter and eliminate trace amounts of most substances. The question is always a matter of how much; something considered relatively benign at low levels can be toxic at high levels, or the cumulative effect of many trace amounts can ultimately create toxic overload for our bodies. Heavy metals, pesticides, “forever chemicals”, GMOs, molds, building products and particulate matter are contaminating our water, air, food, clothing and shelter in ways our bodies have not yet evolved to handle. These are relatively modern phenomena that did not play a big role in our families’ lives as recently as a few generations ago.
Amidst our modern toxin challenges, our body’s ability to detoxify is critical to maintaining health. Detoxification is a foundational process that is constantly taking place in the body to maintain health and balance and nearly every organ and cellular system plays some role in processing and eliminating toxins. From the liver, kidneys, the gut, the lungs, and skin, our bodies know what to do to take out the internal trash.
But as the growing number of toxic exposures increases, the volume can overwhelm one’s detoxification capacity. When that happens, toxins accumulate in tissues and organs over time. A buildup of toxins in the tissues and organs triggers chronic inflammation, immune system dysregulation, and damage to the gut microbiome. Together, they create susceptibility to chronic illness. Damage to the gut microbiome is especially problematic because it can further impair detox pathways in the liver and kidneys and interfere with cellular function.
Unfortunately, our toxic exposures are growing, and while our bodies are designed to handle a certain amount through our natural detoxification methods, our bodies are not adapted to thrive amidst today’s onslaught of toxins. For a growing number of people, the toxic load - especially those with a reduced capacity for detoxification - is too much to fully eliminate and it’s contributing to chronic illnesses of all kinds.
Even more concerning is the effect on the unborn. Prenatal exposure to neurotoxic substances has lifelong implications for brain function and behavior. Prenatal neurotoxicity is the term for harmful effects of toxic substances on the developing nervous system of the fetus during pregnancy. The developing brain is in some instances even more vulnerable to toxins while in utero because the placenta does not block the passage of many environmental toxins to the fetus. Fetus exposure to heavy metals, BPA, pesticides, and environmental pollutants have been extensively studied for long-term impact on brain development and subsequent cognitive, behavioral, and neurological outcomes. The findings include:
Arsenic and cadmium exposure can impair immune system development, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and immune-related conditions in children.
Heavy metals (lead, mercury, and arsenic) and BPA can increase the risks of autism due to disruptions in neuronal signaling and inflammation, especially in boys.
BPA and phthalates is linked to increased risks of anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation in children.
Lead, mercury, and pesticides have increases the risk of ADHD in kids.
Fine particulate matter exposures during pregnancy and decreased lung function in their children later in life, suggesting that prenatal exposure to air pollution can negatively impact respiratory health in childhood.
Mold exposures during pregnancy increase risk of children developing asthma, wheezing, and other respiratory conditions in early life.
Homeopathy can help.
I specialize in working with kids that have complex and chronic conditions. Children with PANS/PANDAS and autism often show elevated levels of heavy metals, mold, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and environmental pollutants. Homeopathy can’t reduce the exposure to toxins, but it can help holistically by stimulating the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms to eliminate toxins. Homeopathy doesn’t force the body to detox, but supports gentle rebalancing of internal systems from the cells to the largest organs, which allows the body to optimize its own natural detoxification abilities.
Below are a few remedies I frequently use in practice to support healthy detoxification. We have many tools in a homeopathic toolkit, and I use remedies that are targeted at the needs of each client.
Alumina: Helpful for aluminum toxicity manifesting as brain fog, confusion, or constipation
Berberis vulgaris: supports optimal kidney function such as filtering blood and excreting toxins through urine
Chelidonium majus: a strong "liver remedy," it supports the liver’s work of bile production, clearing liver congestion, and detoxifying fats and other substances
Lycopodium: useful for chronic liver congestion, bloating, and impaired digestion
Mercurius solubilis: specifically indicated for mercury toxicity with symptoms like swollen glands, metallic taste, and neurological issues
Plumbum metallicum: Used for lead toxicity, including neurological symptoms like tremors and weakness
Silica - helps the body expel foreign bodies of all kinds
Thiosinaminum: Supports detoxification of drug and heavy metal residues
Thuja - for detoxing after vaccinations, it’s understood to support lymph drainage
Homeopathy offers a profound and individualized approach to supporting healing and healing from complex and chronic conditions - aka “modern” conditions - requires working in layers. Minimizing exposure to toxins and supporting detoxification can be a critical layer. Clinically, I often see the need to address the following layers: 1.) support for reducing inflammation, 2.) calming the nervous system, 3.) addressing GI function, 4.) reducing toxic exposures while supporting detoxification, 5.) strengthening the immune system, 6.) re-balancing the body’s response to specific pathogens such as strep, Lyme, etc, and 7.) then addressing inherited susceptibilities are all critical aspects of a care plan.
Reach out today to begin your healing journey!
***Sue McKinley Homeopathy is not a doctor. The information presented here is for informational purposes only. Please consult your physician for concerns about chronic and complex health conditions.***
Sources:
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https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(13)70278-3/fulltext
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