The Burden of Toxicity on the Body

The burden of cumulative toxic exposures is a vital consideration during clinical assessments for chronic disease treatment and overall wellness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of toxicity has taken on even more importance because an overloaded body uses valuable energy that would otherwise be available to mount an immune response to viral infection.

Regardless of lifestyle choices, people today are often passively exposed to toxicants in their general environment that have the potential to cause various dysfunctions. Phthalates are found in foods, drinks, household products, and the air. Food-based toxicants such as metallic compounds, pesticide residues, and hormones may lead to an overloaded detoxification pathway, increased systemic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and endocrine disruption. Heavy metals, pesticides, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals may also be factors in the development of some chronic diseases.

Research shows that elevated toxicity may be associated with various autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, as well as cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic conditions. A 2018 meta-analysis of 37 studies found that exposure to heavy metals is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.

Personalized strategies designed to reduce exposure, enhance detoxification, and promote healing may include therapeutic diets, increasing glutathione production in the body, and use of saunas to eliminate toxicants through sweat and urine. Addressing the burden of toxicity on the body may improve treatment outcomes for those with chronic conditions and boost the body’s efficiency and resiliency—especially important during COVID-19.