Foggy, Anxious, Irritable? Here's What Toxins Can Do To Your Brain Health

Over time, without proper care, these toxins and their metabolites can accumulate and have detrimental effects on our entire body—but particularly our brain function.

When toxins are allowed to enter the central nervous system, there can be many changes that occur in the natural milieu of the brain. The presence of toxins may result in:

These changes might sound complex and overly scientific, but they're important to know because, clinically, these physiological alterations can manifest as:

Luckily, we have natural, innate detoxification mechanisms that are meant to prevent the accumulation of toxins and their metabolites in our body and brain. We can easily detox with a commitment to lifestyle choices, and one does not necessarily need an online program or to purchase a detox-in-a-box. The first thing to understand is that there are different phases of detoxification, and the first step is heavily reliant on the micronutrients and macronutrients we consume. This first phase is based on the function of the cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver that need to be present and effectively active to start the process. After the first phase, these toxicant metabolites are even more reactive and can cause cellular damage and must undergo further phases of detoxification to convert them to less inflammatory compounds that are more easily excreted via the feces and urine. If not, these toxic metabolites will bind to parts of the cellular membranes and our DNA and result in progressive damage that affects our overall health and well-being and increases our risk of acute and chronic diseases.

That's why, most importantly, a continuous supply of plant derivatives ensures the nutrients necessary for detoxification do not run out, as they can—and they do! In fact, it doesn't even take that long for depletion of vital nutrients. Think about how sluggish you feel after the holidays and increased consumption of alcohol, processed foods, and sugary treats and also with fewer hours of sleep and less regular exercise. The cytochrome P450 enzymes can also be easily inhibited by chronic disease states but also by some commonly prescribed medications, pro-inflammatory foods such as trans fats, animal meats, and alcohol. Some individuals also have mutations and polymorphisms, which can render the enzymes less efficient.

We are faced with an ever-increasing quantity of exposures to such an extent that it often has surpassed what our body was designed to handle. Our modern lifestyle can very much contribute to a disruption in the many enzymatic reactions that take place during detoxification. Because of this, we also need to better focus on what and how we eat, how much we sleep, how often we move, and ways to manage our stress responses. Active and intentional detoxification is likely more important now than ever.