The Invisible Invaders’
In this week’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at toxins and pathogens. We’ll be explaining how they are absorbed into our body, and how they affect our biochemical pathways and their functionality. We’ll also discuss defence systems like detoxification, and how you can help prevent your exposure and minimize the effect of toxins and pathogens on the body.
THE INVISIBLE INVADERS: TOXINS AND PATHOGENS
Our bodies have become extremely intelligent in the way that they absorb nutrients from the environment around us, and then utilise those nutrients in the critical biochemical processes that occur every day. But nutrients are not the only things we can absorb from the outside world. Toxins, such as heavy metals like lead and mercury, and pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, are constantly in contact with us through the things that we eat, drink, touch, and breathe in. Our world has become increasingly toxic in comparison to previous generations, with toxins found in everyday things like our diets or cleaning products. Heavy metals like mercury can be found in food items such as fish, and then absorbed into the body where it can be difficult for it to be fully excreted. Pathogens can also be passed from one human to another, but these pathogens aren’t seeking to harm us. In fact, pathogens rely on us as human ‘hosts’, the perfect environment for any form to take up residence to replicate and thrive. Parasites for example use our food intake as their own food source, and can even mimic your hunger hormone, ghrelin, to try and send signals to prompt you to feel hungry and therefore consume more food. Due to their microscopic appearance however, it can be difficult to tell whether toxins or pathogens are present without testing.
COPYCATS AND CHEMICAL DISRUPTORS
There are thousands of receptors in our body that are targeted by one specific molecule that is designed to activate that pathway, and in turn, set off a chain reaction that spreads throughout the whole body. Due to their molecular appearance however, a lot of heavy metals are extremely similar to their nutrient counterparts that the body actually requires. Lead can be found extremely easily in our environments, from tap water, to the paint in your house, and even the soil you’re growing your vegetables in. But lead can be mistaken for calcium in the body, and can compete with calcium to be absorbed where it needs to be. This then means that the lead obstructs calcium and sits in its place, without creating the reaction that calcium would have. Instead, due to being fat-soluble, lead actually breaks down the tissues of our bodies and can even cross the blood-brain barrier to interrupt vital neuropathway actions - the signals that our brain sends to the rest of our body. Pathogens like bacteria can be passed by human contact with a contaminated surface, or via air particles. When they attempt to replicate, they also produce their own toxins - not something that’s ideal for its human host! These toxins create an infection and trigger your inflammatory responses, disrupting your biochemical pathways.
HOW HAVE OUR BUILT-IN DEFENSE AND DETOXIFYING SYSTEMS EVOLVED?
Whilst our bodies have an intricately designed detoxing system, it can be difficult for the body to compete with an increased amount of toxins in the body. Heavy metals aren’t absorbed typically in large doses at a time - rather, they are slowly accumulated over time. We need to become more aware of our potential exposure, such as aluminium in our deodorant, and reduce our daily intake as much as possible. Our organs have an incredible ability to process heavy metals and toxins, but due to the nature of these molecules, they often cannot be fully excreted out with other waste. Therefore minimising your overall absorption is the ideal solution. Basic hygiene principles stand to minimise your risk of being infected by pathogens and then can be aided by things such as supplementation and support, such as worming. By being aware of our general state of health and becoming more in tune with our bodies, we can detect symptoms and signs of increased toxins and pathogens in our system, and work with our bodies, not against them.
MORE FROM LUMINOUS BODY
To listen to the entire Luminous Body podcast episode ‘Inside Out! The Chemistry of Your Health Part 3: The Invisible Invaders’, you can play on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For more inspiring stories and messages, head to the Luminous Body website or book a consultation with Dr Jaxson or Dr Hilary.