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The "Why" of It
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In case you are wondering "why me?' There are reasons why some people are more susceptible to mercury than others. Science is only beginning to unlock the answers, but for now, at least we have a beginning. Basically, there are three main reasons why symptoms of mercury toxicity may occur, even from small exposures.
The first is the genetic component. Yes, your genes are very important in the processing and management of toxins. The enzyme systems of the liver and the rest of the body are complicated and complex. Some of us handle toxins, including mercury, better than others simply because of our genetic make-up . It is known by several mechanisms that this is true. In pharmacology, the term polymorphism is used to describe why some individuals are more susceptible than others. Naturopathic doctors recognize this individuality. No individual's biochemistry is going to function exactly the same.
The second reason has to do with "total body burden." This means your body is like a barrel. It can only hold or handle so many toxins at one time. Once you reach a certain amount, the barrel overflows, causing you to feel sick. Previously, your symptoms were probably tolerable, but they were starting as the barrel began to fill. Often manisfesting as: fatigue, sluggishness, lack of normal clarity and concentration, worsening of allergies, headaches, menstrual problems, sore throats, skin and GI problems. But once the barrel overflows, all these symptoms escalate quickly and new problems develop. The barrel size has to do with your genetics and lifestyle. I have often heard patients say: "I never had problems in the past, I was able to eat and drink what I wanted, even smoke if wanted, but now that I've turned 45, I seem to be falling apart." This is a classic example of what happens when you over fill your barrel and it spills over. Your body can no longer keep handling the toxins, so they become free to interfere with the enzyme systems of your body. Now your body can not process food well, create energy molecules, nor repair itself effectively.
Often people who are fighting chronic disease have some type of toxic insult that throws them over the edge. This can be a work related exposure or even something from childhood. I have worked with many patients who pedaled their bikes behind the pesticide truck as it came through their town.
The third factor is lifestyle. How you choose to live. Yes, you are part of the problem or part of the solution. Do not expect your body to perform like the high performance wonder it is, if you give it poor quality fuel and treatment. You have a part to play in how fast the barrel fills. It is not all about genetics. Lifestyle changes are vital to regaining health and we can work on these. Some people want to go slow with them, while others want to accomplish them all at once. The choice will be yours, I will give you options and encouragement. Do not underestimate the power you have over your own health and even your genes. Even some genetic problems can be corrected or lessened with time. Our bodies have DNA repair enzymes, which correct damage that is caused by internal or external factors. These repairs keep you from developing cancers and making faulty proteins, etc. Basically they help keep you healthy in the long run. Often these repair enzymes get hindered by toxins. Treatment can help remove these obstacles to health.
Another consideration is stress. The human body is cleverly designed to handle stress. The adrenal glands are the major players in dealing with stress. In studies of animals without adrenals, it was found stress would kill them. This is how protective the adrenals glands are. However, chronic stress wears them down and then they can no longer help you function well. Chronic stress can be of emotional origin or from external factors such as your job or relationships. Thus, stress reduction can be important component to regaining your health.
I am pleased to announce that recently gentic testing just became available at reasonable prices. These new tests are very powerful tools that reveal the specific variations in your genetic code that could be part of the reason you dont feel optimal. Finally something to explain, on a laboratory test, why you are more sensitive to things in the environment than others. You illness may be in your genes, not your head. Click to go to my genetic testing page.
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