Living in a world that has allowed pollution to run rampant under the guise of progress and prosperity, the effects are taking their toll in numerous ways. Not only does our environment suffer greatly in that the rain forests are disappearing, the climate is changing and increasing numbers of animal species are becoming extinct, man is also being impacted.

Our bodies are increasingly burdened with toxic substances from the air we breathe, the things we touch, the food we eat and the water we drink. Sources of pollution tend to be closer than we think: the mercury present in the amalgam fillings in our mouth is only one example. This pollution can affect our health in many ways, particularly by influencing the immune system.  Cancer and allergies are only some of the damaging effects. In addition, cardiovascular disease, accelerated aging and degeneration, behavioral and learning problems, thyroid dysfunction, as well as, reproductive problems have also been linked to an overload of toxins.

A small, yet growing, group of people is specifically becoming sensitive to chemicals (perfumes, detergents, exhaust fumes, etc.). This condition is  known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity ( MCS ). (See Allergies and Other Sensitivities) This is causing a wide array of complaints that make it increasingly more difficult to function in our modern society. Interestingly, a large number of people suffering from MCS, suffer from other sensitivities (foods, inhalants) as well. Complaints may manifest as chronic fatigue, nausea, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, eczema, and many more.

The immune system is a complex network of specialized organs and cells designed to defend the body from attack by foreign substances. Normally, the immune system’s prime function is fighting off infections. However, an improperly functioning immune system can cause a variety of diseases.

The effects of exposure to toxic substances not only depend on the dose, but also on the amount of time a person is exposed, individual traits and whether more than one toxin is present.  Multiple toxins can add a detrimental accumulative effect.

Toxic substances become damaging to the immune system by behaving like haptens.  Haptens are small molecules that bind to the body’s own proteins and distort their structure.  This causes the body to no longer recognize these proteins and to consider them “foreign.”  Foreign substances provoke the immune system to respond and fight altered proteins.

Thus, these proteins, that were originally considered a healthy part of the body, become immunoreactive (provoke immune system reaction) and can give rise to many different complaints and conditions such as allergies and autoimmune disease.

It is known that toxins can cause cancer. Given the fact that the immune system plays an integral part in anti-cancer defense, the presence of toxic substances creates two problems for the body. They not only promote cancer in and by themselves, but they also make it much more difficult for the immune system to fight off the cancer.

Toxins can promote accelerated aging and degeneration, including cardiovascular disease. One of the ways this happens is by blocking enzymes needed for important chemicals reactions. In a sense, they pull the handbrake on these enzymes and slow down these critical reactions.

There are numerous ways of measuring the presence and concentrations of toxins in the body. Most of these tests can only be performed by specialized government institutions. A test than can readily be done, however, is the Toxic Metal Provocation Test (TMPT). This urine challenge test measures a number of important toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, bismuth and many others.

The Amsterdam Kliniek performs this test and can tailor an elimination treatment aimed at the specific toxic metal or metals requiring removal.

The most effective way of elimination is through chelation therapy, using substances such as DMPS and DTPA. Generally, these treatment series are much less intensive and shorter than EDTA chelation therapy used for cardiovascular disease. The right food supplements further support the cleansing process.