What is a Toxin?

A toxin is a substance which, when taken in (breathe, drink, eat, inject or absorb through skin) or generated within the body, may disturb physiology or damage structures within the body.

Toxins can come from outside (exotoxins) or they can be generated within the body (endotoxins)

Our Toxic Burden

- 47 Europeans were tested for organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, phthalates and perfluorinated compounds

- Median of 41 chemicals out of 101 tested found in each individual (Medical Post 2004, May 25:2)

- 2003 EWG study in U.S. found an average of 91 industrial toxins in 9 volunteers www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden

Endotoxins

- Imbalanced intestinal flora; by-products of intestinal bacteria, fungus, parasites

- Bacterial, parasitic or fungal toxins from local source of infection, such as a root canal or gum disease

- Acidic waste - lactic acid, pyruvic acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid

- Hormonal overload (excess estrogen, IGF-1, insulin, cortisol, prolactin)

Endotoxins

- Increased free radicals (reactive oxygen intermediates in the liver, lipid peroxides)

- Cellular waste

- Immunoglobulins, immune complexes linked to autoimmune diseases

- Toxic emotions and toxic memories which imprint and inform our cells, affecting cellular function

Symptoms of Toxicity

- Headaches
- Joint pain, stiffness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Depression
- Mental confusion
- Digestive disturbances
- Cardiovascular irregularities
- Flu-like symptoms
- Allergic reactions
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- High blood pressure
- Poor circulation

Six Phases of Toxicity

The ability to discharge toxins can be divided into 6 phases, first outlined by Dr. Hans Heinrich Reckeweg in 1952.

Each phase represents a deeper level of toxin retention and requires more intensive and lengthy cleansing for reversal.

1. Excretion Phase

- the body uses a route to the outside to discharge toxins: skin rash, blemish, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, perspiration, pus, diarrhea.

2. Reaction Phase

- when attempts at excretion are suppressed (i.e. lowering a fever) or are incomplete (i.e.taking an antibiotic), a local inflammation may occur to remove residual toxins: eczema, shingles, abscess, ear infection, irritable bowel, arthritis

3. Deposition Phase

- if toxins continue to increase, they will be deposited in the interstitial fluid (space around cells) and may cause: warts, polyps, neuromas, gallstones, cellulite, varicose veins, uterine fibroids, breast cysts, weight gain, atherosclerosis

4.Impregnation Phase

- If toxins are not removed from the interstitial fluid, they penetrate inside the cells, causing:
1) free radical damage
2) enzyme blockage
3) chronic diseases
Chronic diseases e.g.:
i) Asthma
ii) Diabetes
iii) Hepatitis
iv) Angina
v) Thyroid dysregulation
vi) Hormonal imbalance
vii) Cervical dysplasia
viii) Other precancerous conditions

5. Degeneration Phase

- Cells damaged by toxins with changes in cell structure and enzyme function:
e.g. liver cirrhosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, hyperthyroidism, heart attack, arthritis, infertility malignant cancer cell

6. Cancer Phase

- Cellular toxins affect the DNA causing genetic damage and formation of malignant cells

Rate Your Personal Toxicity Quotient!

How Toxic is Your Lifestyle?

Section A - Dietary Choices

1). How frequently do you eat fried, broiled, or barbequed foods?
Often(4) Once a day(3) few times per week(2) Once week(1) Almost Never(-2)

2). How Often do you consume nutritional oils(not fried or heated)? (e.g flax seed oil)
Never(2) Once a week(1) once a day(0) 2+times per day(-1)

3). How many servings of fruits or vegetables do you consume? (1 serving=1 cup)
1 per month(3) 1 per week(2) 1 per day(2) 3 per day(-1) 5+ per day(-2)

4). How often do you consume whole grains and/or natural fibre? (e.g: whole grains: brown or wild rice, millet, quinoa, barley, psyllium)
Almost Never(3) once a week(2) Few times per week(1) Often(-2)

5). How many glasses of water do you consume daily? (Water does not include coffee, black tea, soda or alcohol!)
Almost Never(3) One per day(2) 4 per day(1) 8 per day(0) 10+ per day(-2)

6). Do you consume sugar, soda, flour, or other processed foods? (e.g: canned and packaged foods, fast foods, TV dinners, foods with preservatives added or a high percentage of trans fatty acids)
3+times per day(4) Once a day(3) few times per week(2) Almost Never(-2)

7). How many alcoholic drinks do you consume per week?
12+ per week(3) 8 per week(2) 4 per week(1) 2 per week(0) Almost Never(0)

Total Score (Section A)___________

Section B - Dietary Supplementation

8). Do you take a multivitamin?
Almost Never(2) Once a week(1) Few times per week(0) Daily(-1)

9). Do you take antioxidants? (e.g: grape seed extract, selenium, or eat a high proportiona of fresh produce.)
Almost Never(3) Once a week(2) few times per week(0) Daily(-1)

Total Score (Section B)___________

Section C - Daily Activities

10). Do you exercise(30 or more minutes of continuous activity including walking or hikes)?
Almost Never(2) Once a week(1) 3 times per week(-1) 5+times per week(-2)

11). When you exercise, do you do so for more than 2 hours?(If you do not exercise, please put "0" as your answer). Exercise increases free radical production.
Most times(4) 50% of the time(2) Almost Never(0)

12). Do you sleep well and awake rested?
Almost Never(3) Sometimes(2) Usually(-1) Always(-2)

13). How often do you have normal bowel movement?
Once a week(4) Every 4 days(3) Every 2nd day(2) Daily(0) 2+times per day(-2)

Total Score (Section C)__________

Section D - Environment Factors

14). How many time do you spend in heavy commuter traffic each day? (Be sure to factor in both directions.)
30 minutes(0) 60 minutes(1) 90 minutes(2) 2 hours(3) +2 hours(4)

15). How much exposure to fumes in the workplace? (e.g: paint, solvents, industrial cleansers, etc)
Majority of time(4) 50% of the time(2) Almost Never(0)

16). How much exposure do you have to airborne particles? (e.g: pollen ,etc.)
Majority of time(4) 50% of the time(2) Almost Never(0)

17). At work or at home, how often are you in front of electronic equipment? (e.g: computers, televisions, live cameras, electric wires)
8+hours per day(3) 6+hours per day(2) few hours per day(1) Almost Never(0)

18). How often are you exposed to cigarette smoke(direct or second hand)?
All day(4) few times a day(3) few times per week(1) Almost Never(-1)

Total Score(Section D)____________

Section E - Medical History

19). Is there a history of the following in your family (grandparents, parents, siblings, children) - cancer, diabetes, heart disease, depression, obesity, liver disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, auto-immune conditions,(rheumatoid arthritis,early onset disbetes)?
2 or more(1) One(0) None(-1)

20). Have you ever had any of the following conditions- cancer, diabetes, heart disease, depression, obesity, liver disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure)
2 or more(3) One(2) None(-2)

21). How frequently do you experience the following conditions=headache, fever, sore throat, muscle aches(not exercise induced)colds or flu, rash, swelling, indigestion, such as heartburn or bloating?
Once a day(3) Once a week(2) Once a month(0) Almost Never(-1)

22). Have you ever been exposed to heavy metals via dental work or fillings?
3+fillings(3) 2 fillings(2) 1 fillings(1) Never(0)

Total Score(Section E)_____________-

Section F - Stress

23). How often do you skip breakfast or lunch?
Never(0) 1 per week(1) 3 per week(2) 5+ per week(3)

24). At work and/or at home, do you experience stress?
Very High(5) High(4) Moderate(3) Slightly(2) Almost None(1)

25). Do you use recreational or street drugs?
2+times per day(4) Once a day(3) Once a week(2) Once a month(1) Never(0)

Total Score(Section F)___________

Calculate Your TQ

Add your scores from the following sections together to calculate your TQ.

Section A - Dietary Choices ___________
Section B - Dietary Supplementation ___________
Section C - Daily Activities ____________
Section D - Environmental Factors ____________
Section E - Medical History ____________
Section F - Stress ____________

*Toxicity Quotient = ____________

*Your calculated TQ is a reflection of your health and the lifestyle factors that can affect your health.

Use your TQ to determine the Cleanse & Condition Program that's right for you!

22 to 0 points
General health picture is excellent. The right choices are being made to ensure your continued health. Continue to focus on maintaining your healthy lifestyle choices, diet, exercise, and stress management.

1 to 25 points
General health picture is average to fair, as this is the most common health picture, with a moderate risk of health complications in the next five years. Energy and mobility are starting to decline and will continue to do so. Dietary changes are essential for improving overall health.

51 to 81 points
A poor to chronic degenerative health picture, with a high risk of developing serious health complications. Energy and mobility will seriously decline in the next few years(if they have not already). Dietary and lifestyle changes are essential for improving overall health. Stress must be reduced. Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress, while at the same time improving health and increasing energy.