The body is constantly eliminating waste through a complex network of organs and actions. It’s natural. But what happens when there’s too much toxic buildup? The system becomes overloaded and nothing gets moved out, leaving you sick and tired.

Today we’ll address the ways different metabolic and environmental toxins make their way into your system and how your body eliminates them. We’ll learn to look for excess buildup of these toxins and how to boost your own ability to process them. Toxicity effects many of the systems we’ve already talked about and interacts with many of the diseases we’ve discussed. If you’re experiencing diabesity, inflammation, cellular damage, or hormonal imbalance, there’s a chance toxicity is involved.

~ Dr. Mark Hyman

Doctors Data (Urine Toxic Metals)

The chelation challenge test is often better than any other test at identifying the levels of heavy metals. An FDA-approved chemical chelation agent called DMSA can be used to mobilize the metals that are found in a 6-hour urine sample that is collected and sent to the lab.

Mercury TriTest by Quick Silver

This test measures both organic mercury from fish, also known as methylmercury, which is mostly what you find in your blood, and it also measures inorganic mercury which comes from dental fillings or pollution.

Organic Acid test (Organix) by Genova Diagnostics. The organic acids test looks at how well your body is able to detoxify. It measures specific compounds including sulfates, pyroglutamate, and orotate. It tells us if there is a problem with your detox pathways or if you're exposed to toxins.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): This is a blood test that can be run by all conventional lab companies. It is a liver function test that can indicate if there is liver damage occurring.

• Normal: 0–40 IU/L
• Optimal: 0–25 IU/L

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): This is a blood test that can be run by all conventional lab companies. It is a liver function test that can indicate if there is liver damage occurring.

• Normal: 0–44 IU/L
• Optimal: 0–26 IU/L

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT): This is a blood test that can be run by all conventional lab companies. It is a liver function test that is specific for toxin exposure and for fatty liver. This value can be elevated in people with diabesity, drug exposures, excess alcohol intake and for many other reasons.

• Normal: 0–65 IU/L
• Optimal: 0–29 IU/L

Additional Resources:

• The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) shows you how to reduce toxic exposure from fruits, veggies, fish, meat, household cleaning products, and personal hygiene products
• Toxicity Questionnaire: Toxin quiz 
• EWG Dirty Dozen List: Foods you must buy organic
• EWG Clean 15 List: Foods you can buy conventionally

The content in this course has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is provided on the understanding that it does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. Always work with qualified healthcare practitioner when making changes to your medication, diet or overall healthcare plan.