Toxicity

In today’s modern world, we are surrounded by thousands of synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, and environmental pollutants that our bodies were never designed to process. Over time, repeated exposure to these substances can overwhelm the body’s natural detoxification pathways, resulting in what we refer to clinically as toxicity.
At Intercoastal Health, we apply a functional medicine practitioner approach—integrating advanced biomarkers and root-cause analysis—to uncover toxic burden, restore detox function, and support whole-body resilience through personalized care.

What Is Toxicity?

Toxicity refers to the accumulation of harmful substances—environmental (e.g., Heavy Metals), biological (e.g., mold mycotoxins), or synthetic chemicals—in the body at levels that interfere with normal physiology. While the liver, kidneys, lymphatics, skin, and gut work to eliminate toxins, chronic or high-level exposure can exceed their capacity, leading to tissue damage, inflammation, and multi-system dysfunction.

Symptoms of Toxicity: Recognizing the Silent Burden

Symptoms of toxic burden are often nonspecific and may be misattributed:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
• Digestive disturbances: bloating, gas, constipation
  
• Skin issues: eczema, rashes, hives
  
• Mood changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
  
• Brain fog and memory difficulties
  
• Hormonal imbalances: irregular periods, low libido, thyroid dysfunction
  
• Increased sensitivity to chemicals
  
• Poor immune function: frequent colds, chronic infections
  
  

Diagnosing Toxicity: A Functional Medicine Evaluation

1. Detailed Exposure History
   We review occupation, home environment, diet, travel, and personal care products to identify sources like mold, contaminated water, industrial pollutants, or dental amalgams.
   
2. Biomarker-Based Testing
   
   • Heavy metal panels (blood, urine, or hair)
     
   • Organic Acids Test (mitochondrial dysfunction, gut dysbiosis)
     
   • Glutathione status: Evaluates the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifier via Glutathione – Total.
     
   • Liver and kidney function: Ensures primary detox organs are optimized.
     
   • Genetic testing: Identifies polymorphisms (e.g., MTHFR, COMT, GST) that impair detox pathways.
     
3. Symptom Scoring
   Validated questionnaires help gauge symptom patterns and trigger advanced testing when needed.
   
   

Key Biomarkers

Common Sources of Toxicity

1. Heavy Metals
   
   • Lead (old pipes, paints, spices)
     
   • Mercury (large fish, dental amalgams)
     
   • Arsenic (groundwater, rice)
     
   • Cadmium (batteries, smoke)
     
2. Environmental Chemicals
   
   • Pesticides on produce
     
   • BPA and plastics in food containers
     
   • Phthalates/parabens in personal care products
     
   • VOCs from paints and cleaners
     
3. Biological Toxins
   
   • Mold/mycotoxins in water-damaged buildings
     
   • Bacterial endotoxins from gut dysbiosis
     
4. Pharmaceuticals
   
   • NSAIDs, acetaminophen, statins, some antibiotics, and chemotherapy agents increase liver burden
     
     

Clinical Implications of Toxic Burden

Unaddressed toxicity contributes to:

• Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)
  
• Autoimmune disorders (Hashimoto’s, lupus)
  
• Hormonal imbalances (thyroid dysfunction, PCOS)
  
• Cardiovascular disease (hypertension, atherosclerosis)
  
• Cancers (mutagenic chemical effects)
  
• Mitochondrial dysfunction (fatigue, metabolic issues)
  
• Developmental delays in children (lead, mercury exposure)
  
  

Functional Medicine Detoxification: A Personalized Protocol

Step 1: Reduce Exposure

• Choose organic produce
  
• Use air and water filters
  
• Eliminate plastics and synthetic fragrances
  
• Avoid inflammatory foods
  
  

Step 2: Support Detox Organs

• Liver: B vitamins, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), IV therapy infusions of glutathione and cofactors
  
• Kidneys: Hydration, electrolytes, and kidney-supportive herbs
  
• Gut: Address dysbiosis and promote regular elimination
  
• Skin: Infrared sauna, dry brushing for lymphatic support
  
  

Step 3: Correct Nutrient Deficiencies

• Magnesium, zinc, selenium, sulfur-rich foods (garlic, onions, crucifers)
  
  

Step 4: Targeted Supplementation

• Binders: Activated charcoal, bentonite clay
  
• Antioxidants: Vitamin C, alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione
  
• Chelation: Under supervision for heavy metals
  
  

Monitoring Progress

We track outcomes via:

• Symptom scales and quality-of-life surveys
  
• Repeat biomarkers (e.g., heavy metal levels, glutathione status)
  
  

Nutrient repletion labs
Patients typically report improved energy, clarity, mood, and resilience.

Further Reading

• Jaishankar M, Tseten T, Anbalagan N, Mathew BB, Beeregowda KN. “Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals.” Interdiscip Toxicol. 2014;7(2):60–72.
  
• Grandjean P, Landrigan PJ. “Neurobehavioural effects of developmental toxicity.” Lancet Neurol. 2014;13(3):330–338.
  
• Landrigan PJ, Fuller R, Acosta NJR, et al. “The Lancet Commission on pollution and health.” Lancet. 2018;391(10119):462–512.
  
• Clarkson TW, Magos L. “The toxicology of mercury and its chemical compounds.” Crit Rev Toxicol. 2006;36(8):609–662.
  
  

In conclusion, a comprehensive evaluation by a functional medicine practitioner in Florida identifies cellular and molecular imbalances driving toxic burden. By integrating evidence-based nutrition therapy with IV therapy and Regenerative Medicine services—where rapid nutrient delivery and tissue support are paramount—we offer a regenerative, preventive framework to rebuild detox pathways, reduce inflammation, and restore vitality. Call (904) 799-2531 or schedule online to request your personalized toxicity assessment.