Detox for Firefighters

Simple ways to prevent occupational disease

DISCLAIMERThe advice offered in this presentation is in no way

meant to diagnose, treat or replace proper medical treatment from a qualified medical practitioner.

Detoxification isn’t difficult, but if you have serious health concerns or are taking prescription medications, don’t attempt a detox without the aid of a qualified health practitioner ie: holistic nutritionist, naturopathic doctor, homeopath or alternative health MD.

I offer my services free of charge to any firefighters that need help with a detoxification protocol (supplements provided at my cost). Sessions can be conducted via phone or Skype. Supplements can be shipped.

Ellie Steele, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Sports Nutrition Adviser, Personal Trainer Specialist and Volunteer Firefighter with South Frontenac Township, Ontario Canada

613-372-3622 ellie@evolutionwellness.ca

Toxic ExposuresCarbon Monoxide- Invisible deadly gas that you can’t see,

smell or taste. Causes damage to brain, central nervous system and heart, may cause suffocation or death.

Hydrogen Cyanide- Released through burning of plastics and metals. Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicant ,Endocrine Toxicant, Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant, Neurotoxicant, Reproductive Toxicant, Respiratory Toxicant, Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons- Released through brush and forest fires as well as burning of any preserved wood materials. On the basis of available data, the PAHs benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd] pyrene are

classified as "Probably Carcinogenic to Humans“. -Canadian Environmental Protection Act

Benzene -causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene causes cancer in humans. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, cancer of the blood-forming organs.

Acrolein -severe pulmonary irritant, associated with hemorrhagic cystitis, skin exposure causes serious damage, suspected human carcinogen.

How the body deals with toxic elements

• Routes of entry…inhalation, ingestion, absorption• Toxins circulate in blood as body attempts to break them

down and eliminate them• Circulating toxins cause headaches, dizziness, bad taste

in mouth, upset stomach, general malaise, reduced mental activity or brain fog, vision problems etc. On a long-term basis they cause various destruction and disruption of all organ tissue (lungs, heart, liver, kidney, stomach, brain, central nervous system, eyes, skin, colon…you name it) They are a major player in cancers (especially brain, lung, colon and liver), ulcers, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, skin disorders, Alzheimer's, thyroid disease, diabetes, heart disease……

How the body deals with toxic elements

• The liver attempts to neutralize the chemicals or break them down

• The liver works hard to break down elements that are found in nature such as caffeine, alcohol (it takes the liver about an hour to break down 2 oz. of alcohol, a relatively benign toxin)

• Body doesn’t produce the necessary enzymes or antioxidants to break down chemicals that were not part of our evolution. There are five to seven million different chemicals known in the world. At least 400 million tonnes of chemicals are produced worldwide each year including agricultural chemicals, food additives, pharmaceuticals, fuels for power production, chemical consumer products, etc. In North America alone at least 1,200 new chemicals are developed each year.

How the body deals with toxic elements

• Without the ability to neutralize or break down chemicals, the body does the next best thing…removes them from the circulation to prevent damage to vital organs

• Chemicals are stored in liver, fat cells, bone tissue, muscle tissue, brain tissue (especially inhaled)

• These chemicals will be permanently stored with small amounts leaking into circulation on an on-going basis, due to natural fluctuations in body functions…cells die, release toxins, toxins are re-stored

How can you clear toxins?

Compounds found in nature are extremely good at locking onto the poisons currently in circulation as well as pulling them from storage and removing them harmlessly from the body….

• Fiber binds to fat circulating in blood, which is how most toxins are carried, and removes it (that’s also why it lowers cholesterol)…pectin from skins of apples, vegetables, salba seed, flax seed. Fiber is also very important for keeping the doors open (bowel function)

How can you clear toxins?

• Sea weeds are excellent detoxifiers…Sodium alginate found in sea vegetables such as kelp, dulse, nori etc. lock onto to heavy metals (chelation) and other chemicals in the blood and remove them via the colon

• The antioxidant glutathione peroxidase is created in your body to deal with free radicals. Free radicals are created in HUGE amounts by toxic chemicals (cigarette smoke included) and they are one of the main causes of aging (oxidation reactions, think peeled apple, think peeled apple plus lemon juice) Vitamin C is needed in large doses to create glutathione

How can you clear toxins?• Clinical trials have proven silybin (milk thistle) to be effective in

treating chronic liver diseases and in protecting the liver from toxic chemicals

• Milk thistle's hepatoprotective effects may be explained by its function of altering the liver cell membrane structure, blocking the absorption of toxins into the cells. Hepatoprotection by silymarin can also be attributed to its ability to increase the intracellular concentration of glutathione, a substance required for detoxification reactions in liver cells. Milk thistle is also an antioxidant that is more potent than vitamins C and E.

• Dandelion Root - Taraxacum Officinale's blood cleansing ability treats rashes, psoriasis, eczema, chicken pox, measles, infections, inflammations, boils, intestinal abscesses, red, swollen painful joints, eyes, and skin, as well as fever.

• Sweating is an important route of elimination- try a far-infrared sauna

• Proper hydration allows the kidneys to flush out toxins though urine

Nature teams with Science… • In the US, Hubbard's detoxification program has been used

effectively to treat chemically exposed workers. One presentation referred to 14 firefighters who were exposed to some of the highest levels of dioxins and dibenzofurans ever recorded in America during a fire and explosion. The 14 firefighters were given neuropsychometric tests (measuring factors such as reaction-time, memory, body balance, dexterity, etc.) before and after detoxification. After detoxification, the 14 firefighters showed "...significant improvements in nerve function.... Symptoms in the exposed group were also greatly reduced and 13 of the 14 firefighters were able to return to work. (The 14th was unable to return due to hearing loss caused by the transformer explosion.)“

This study was published as "Neurobehavioral Dysfunction in Firemen Exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Possible Improvement after Detoxification" (Archives of Environmental Health, Vol. 44, No. 6, 1989.)

How’d they do that?• Hubbard's program includes niacin

to stimulate lipid mobilization; moderate aerobic exercise to increase circulation; intermittent sauna (140 to 180 degrees) with frequent showers to remove toxins; ingestion of cold-pressed oils to provide a clean replacement for the toxic lipids being excreted; vitamin and mineral supplementation to correct deficiencies and to replace those lost due to increased sweating; adequate liquids to aid elimination and compensate for fluid lost in sweating; a diet that includes plenty of fresh vegetables; and plenty of rest.

Every day for 30 days after an exposure or as a yearly detox…

• Take 2 tablespoons of greens food powder with a high sea vegetable content. Take one tbsp. in the morning, one at night.

• Drink 2-4 liters of pure spring water• Take 2 tablespoons high-quality fish oil 2 x day• Take 3000-5000 mg of vitamin C in divided doses i.e. 1000-1700 mg

3 x per day (up to 12,000 mg for the first three days after exposure)• Take 20 drops milk thistle or dandelion root extract 3 x • Take a fiber supplement. 1-2 tsp salba seeds or apple pectin

(sufficient water intake is very important with this)• Take a high quality multi-vitamin plus extra vitamin B3 (niacin)• Take a 30 minute walk or other continuous activity• Use a sauna 2-5 x week• Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night• Add at least 3 servings of vegetables, reduce meat, alcohol, coffee

and cigarette consumptionOR go to a natural health practitioner for a complete detox protocol

based on your biochemistry. We use homeopathic remedies, foods and more in-depth tools to create a program specifically for you.

Are there any side effects?• As toxins are released into the blood to be removed through the

routes of elimination (breath, bowel, skin, kidneys) they may cause some reactions…diarrhea, nausea, headaches, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes or itching, bad breath, yellow tinge to the skin, body odor…

• These are temporary and will be avoided or greatly reduced by eating better, drinking more water and using a sauna 1-2 x per week. IMPORTANT If bowels aren’t functioning 2 or more times per day, take more fiber and drink more water……OR STOP YOUR DETOX AND CALL ELLIE

• High doses of vitamin C can cause harmless diarrhea. If bowel tolerance is reached (diarrhea) don’t take any more vitamin C for that day and take 2000mg less than the dose that caused it for the remainder of your detox. Reaching bowel tolerance is a great sign that you’ve saturated your tissues with this powerhouse nutrient and no more is needed, but you must continue to keep it at that level so vitamin C can do it’s job of stopping oxidation and mopping up the carnage. IF YOU’RE A SMOKER YOU’LL NEED 35 MG MORE VITAMIN C FOR EACH CIGARETTE YOU SMOKE.

Are there any side effects?• Do not take Dandelion if you are taking any of the following

prescription medications……Ciprofloxacin, loop diuretics, spiropolactone, thiazide diuretics, triamterene. Milk thistle does not interact with any meds, but meds may increase the need for milk thistle, such as Acetaminophen, chemotherapy, methotrexate and many others. Call Ellie for a complete list

• Rather uncommonly, niacin (Vitamin B 3) can cause a “niacin flush” reaction that is completely harmless but often causes people to rush to emerg thinking they are dying. It is defined by a very fast flushing (blood vessels dilate, blood rushes to surface of skin, heart rate may increase, skin may feel hot and slightly itchy). Reaction fades within 15 minutes and is actually beneficial. The first few doses of niacin are most apt to cause flushing. The response may lessen with repeated dosages.

• Taking 2 tablespoons of fish oil daily can lower unhealthy blood lipids so effectively and dramatically that any cholesterol lowering medications may become unnecessary.

• Blood pressure may increase during a detox due to elevated heart rate caused by toxins released into blood. If blood pressure is already high, please see a naturopath or holistic nutritionist to safely detox.

You can do it…… The act of detoxification is greatly

hindered by not reducing the amount of toxic exposure on a daily basis…continuing to consume coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, toxic foods (fast food, pop, chips, candy etc.) can cause greater detox symptoms and prevent the stored toxins from being released. It’s only a month…..can you go a month without beer? Can you reduce your number of cigarettes by half? Can you eat 3 pieces of fruit or vegetables every day? Can you have one coffee instead of 2 or 3? Can you eat fish instead of beef? If you care about yourself and your family you can.

DISCLAIMERThe advice offered in this presentation is in no way

meant to diagnose, treat or replace proper medical treatment from a qualified medical practitioner.

Detoxification isn’t difficult, but if you have serious health concerns or are taking prescription medications, don’t attempt a detox without the aid of a qualified health practitioner ie: holistic nutritionist, naturopathic doctor, homeopath or alternative health MD.

I offer my services free of charge to any firefighters that need help with a detoxification protocol (supplements provided at my cost). Sessions can be conducted via phone or Skype. Supplements can be shipped.

Ellie Steele, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Sports Nutrition Adviser, Personal Trainer Specialist and Volunteer Firefighter with South Frontenac Township, Ontario Canada

613-372-3622 ellie@evolutionwellness.ca