A great write up on what you can do to help your body detox from chemical exposure. This is of course for anyone around the Palestine, OH, train derailment where they burned terrible chemicals with no concern for those in the area as well as other areas that experienced chemical spills recently. And a reference for us here in Wyoming with a lot of rail traffic. Moreover, I’ll quote a couple of the main ones below, but there is a wealth of holistic things you can do to help your body cope.
The Ohio Emergency Management agency created a controlled explosion by releasing and burning the chemicals in an attempt to control the hazardous materials. Exposure to these gasses can produce damaging reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl radicals that wreak havoc on the body and impair mitochondrial function.
From a health perspective, even people living far beyond Ohio should be concerned about this incident and should support their bodies accordingly. It is difficult to know the various toxic compounds that were released into the air, water, and soil in these areas and how far these residues will carry by wind and water.
These chemicals are hazardous to human health and can be absorbed through our lungs, digestive tract, and skin. The extent of possible risk depends on the concentrations of contaminants and the length of exposure. Keep in mind, even low levels of exposure to toxic compounds can cause cancer, hinder the immune system, fuel inflammation, disrupt endocrine function, and damage the brain.
Antioxidants
Supplementing with antioxidants is important for helping to scavenge damaging free radicals. Glutathione is known as the body’s master antioxidant and is naturally produced within the body. Supplementing with a liposomal form is generally best absorbed.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a precursor to glutathione and is sometimes better tolerated. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is also an excellent antioxidant to neutralize hydroxyl radicals.
Support the Liver
The liver is one of the primary detoxification organs and certain supplements can help it do its job. Calcium d-glucarate helps facilitate phase two detoxification in the liver called glucuronidation. Milk thistle can reduce oxidative stress and free radical damage in the liver. As a bonus, these supplements also help the liver detox estrogens appropriately and foster healthy cholesterol levels.