Environmental Toxins (Vibrant America)
- Environmental toxins, technically called toxicants, are substances produced endogenously from the human body and which, when absorbed, inhaled, or ingested, can cause acute or chronic toxic overload, which may manifest in a variety of biological organ, tissue, and cellular-level systems.
- Environmental toxins are cancer-causing chemicals and endocrine disruptors, both human-made and naturally occurring.
- Susceptibility to toxic overload varies person-to-person, and can be affected by a variety of factors including:
- Genetics
- Environment
- Diet
- Liver and kidney health
- Microbiome composition and diversity
- Age
- Adiposity
- Gender
- Lifestyle
- Immune system capacity
- Screening patients with multiple chronic inflammatory symptoms, resistance to weight loss, and signs of excessive total toxic load is important to detecting unknown chemical exposure to daily products, foods, and environment
- Screening for Environmental Toxins can aid practitioners in uncovering true root causes of toxicity from common environmental sources and provide a clear roadmap to detoxification and healing
- In order to assess the most comprehensive potential for total toxic load, consider running Environmental Toxins with a Vibrant Heavy Metals, Mycotoxins, or Food Additives panels
2-Hydroxyisobutyric Acid (2HIB)
Optimal range: 0 - 1005 mcg/g
2-Hydroxyisobutyric acid is formed endogenously as a product of branched-chain amino acid degradation and ketogenesis. This compound is also the major metabolite of gasoline octane enhancers such as MTBE and ETBE.
LEARN MORE3-Methylhippuric Acid (3MHA)
Optimal range: 0 - 74 mcg/g
Methylhippuric Acids (MHAs) are metabolites of xylene (dimethylbenzenes).
Xylenes are widely used as solvents in products including paints, detergents, pesticides, fuel, perfumes, and exhaust fumes.
The main effect of inhaling xylene vapor is depression of the central nervous system (CNS), with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Long-term exposure may lead to irritability, depression, insomnia, agitation, extreme tiredness, tremors, hearing loss, impaired concentration, and short-term memory loss.
A condition called chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy, commonly known as "organic solvent syndrome" has been associated with xylene exposure.
LEARN MORE4-Methylhippuric Acid (4MHA)
Optimal range: 0 - 74 mcg/g
Since 4-methylhippuric acid (4-MHA) is a metabolite of p-xylene, the measurement of 4-MHA in urine may be correlated to a subject's level of xylene exposure.
LEARN MOREAtrazine
Optimal range: 0 - 0.02 mcg/g
Atrazine one of the most widely used herbicides in US to prevent pre- and postemergence broadleaf weeds in crops such as maize (corn) and sugarcane and on turf, such as golf courses and residential lawns. It used to be the most commonly detected pesticide contaminating drinking water and studies suggest it is an endocrine disruptor, an agent that can alter the natural hormonal system. The implications for children’s health are related to effects during pregnancy and during sexual development.
LEARN MOREDimethylphosphate (DMP)
Optimal range: 0 - 5.2 mcg/g
Organophosphates are one of the most toxic groups of substances in the world, primarily found in pesticide formulations. They are inhibitors of cholinesterase enzymes, leading to overstimulation of nerve cells, causing sweating, salivation, diarrhea, abnormal behavior, including aggression and depression. Children exposed to organophosphates have more than twice the risk of developing pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), an autism spectrum disorder. Maternal organophosphate exposure has been associated with various adverse outcomes including having shorter pregnancies and children with impaired reflexes.
LEARN MOREEthylparaben
Optimal range: 0 - 6.1 mcg/g
Ethylparaben belongs to the paraben family and is an anti-fungal agent often used in a variety of cosmetics and personal-care products. It is also used as a food preservative. Although parabens are generally considered safe when used in low percentages, a study claimed to have found a link between parabens and breast cancer.
LEARN MOREmono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP)
Optimal range: 0 - 5 mcg/g
MEHP is a metabolite of Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) which belongs to the most common environmental toxin phthalates.
Phthalates, often known as plasticizers, are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They are widely used in:
- cosmetics,
- adhesives,
- detergents,
- lubricating oils,
- automotive plastics,
- and plastic clothes.
LEARN MOREN-Acetyl (2-Cyanoethyl) Cysteine (NACE)
Optimal range: 0 - 11.8 mcg/g
NACE is a metabolite of acrylonitrile, which is used in the production of acrylic fibers, resins, and rubber.
Acrylonitrile is metabolized by the cytochrome P450s and then conjugated to glutathione. Supplementation with glutathione should assist in the detoxification of acrylonitrile.
LEARN MOREN-Acetyl Propyl Cysteine (NAPR)
Optimal range: 0 - 5 mcg/g
NAPR is a metabolite of 1-bromopropane. Chronic exposure can lead to decreased cognitive function and impairment of the central nervous system. Acute exposure can lead to headaches.
1-bromopropane is an organic solvent used for metal cleaning, foam gluing, and dry cleaning. Studies have shown that 1-BP is a neurotoxin as well as a reproductive toxin. Research indicates that exposure to 1-BP can cause sensory and motor deficits. Chronic exposure can lead to decreased cognitive function and impairment of the central nervous system. Acute exposure can lead to headaches.
LEARN MOREPhenylglyoxylic Acid (PGO)
Optimal range: 0 - 105.6 mcg/g
Styrene is used in the manufacturing of plastics, in building materials, and is found in car exhaust fumes. Polystyrene and its copolymers are widely used as food-packaging materials. The ability of styrene monomer to leach from polystyrene packaging to food has been reported. Occupational exposure due to inhalation of large amounts of styrene adversely impacts the central nervous system, causes concentration problems, muscle weakness, fatigue, and nausea, and irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat.
Reduce exposure by eliminating plastic and styrofoam containers for cooking, reheating, eating or drinking (especially warm or hot) food or beverages. Replace these containers with glass, paper, or stainless steel whenever possible. Elimination of styrene can be accelerated by sauna treatment, reduced glutathione supplementation (oral, intravenous, transdermal, precursors such as N-acetyl cysteine [NAC]).
LEARN MORETriclosan
Optimal range: 0 - 45 mcg/g
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent present in some consumer products, including toothpaste, soaps, detergents, toys, and surgical cleaning treatments.
Humans are exposed to triclosan through skin absorption when washing hands or in the shower, brushing teeth, using mouthwash or doing dishes, and through ingestion when swallowed.
Additional exposure is possible through ingesting plants grown in soil treated with sewage sludge, or eating fish exposed to it. Triclosan has been associated with a higher risk of food allergy. Triclosan has also been found to be a weak endocrine disruptor. Prenatal triclosan exposure was associated with increased cord testosterone levels in the infants.
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