The Central Nervous System Responds to Toxins

Research has proven disrupting chemicals that target our central nervous system can upset the communication between our endocrine and metabolic systems and organs including our skin and microbiome.

Why is microbiome important? “Gut bacteria produce hundreds of neurochemicals that the brain uses to regulate basic physiological processes as well as mental processes such as learning, memory and mood. For example, gut bacteria manufacture about 95% of the body’s supply of serotonin, which influences both mood and GI activity.” (1)

Here are 8 toxic exposures that can be found to be disruptive

1-Caffeine is undeniably a central nervous system stimulant and disrupts microbiome.” It stimulates the brain, increases the secretion of adrenaline and boosts heart rate.  It can cause “adrenal fatigue.”  Long-term use in excess of 250 to 300 mg daily may cause numerous health problems” according to Mark Mayell, author of ‘Off The Shelf Natural Health How To Use Herbs And Nutrients To Stay Well’  page 112. “Caffeine depletes the body of B Vitamins, which you need for proper brain and nervous system functioning and for converting food to energy, says Michael Murray, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Seattle and author of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Getting Well Naturally.”

2-Breathing in toxic scents can harm our central nervous system. These toxic scents include petroleum candles, incense or perfumes.  These scents can cause internal toxicity within our brain, microbiome, liver and heart heath.(2)

In the book “The Brain Wash” by Michelle Schoffro Cook, there are seven most common chemicals found in dryer sheets and their effect on the central nervous system. These include:

Alpha-Terpineol

Benzyl Alcohol

Camphor

Chloroform on the EPA’s

Ethyl Acetate

Linalool

Pentane

3-Exposure to mercury can cause negative effects to our central nervous systems, kidneys, microbiome, and cardiovascular health. According to Environmental Health Sciences Center,”the nervous system is the principal target for a number of metals. Inorganic compounds of aluminum, arsenic, lead, mercury, and thallium are well known for their neurological and behavioral effects in humans.”(3)

4-Gluten related products have a negative effect on good gut bacteria, our immune system, digestive system and nervous system and therefore affects the brain cells. Gluten also adds to an acid internal environment. More information can be found in the book, ‘Brain Grain’ by Dr Perlmutter.

5-Alcohol depresses almost every brain function, contracts brain tissues, shrinks the brain, and destroys brain cells. It disrupts microbiome, and interferes with balance and breathing.

6-Psychological stress and sugary foods, (that increase stress) affects the immune system, skin and  microbiome. “The microbiome-brain-gut axis is emerging which suggests that modulation of the gut microflora may be a tractable strategy for developing novel therapeutics for complex stress-related CNS disorders.”(4) The exciting news is we can use this information to fight Parkinson’s disease according to World Journal of Gastroenterology.(5)

7-Pesticides found in foods can disrupt our central nervous system and gut microbiome. The University of Washington, Department of Medicine explains how the brain is disrupted by pesticides and can be linked to most Central Nervous System Disease.(6)  The herbicide Glyphosate™ the active ingredient in Roundup® is also very disruptive to cellular systems throughout the body causing inflammation, neurotoxicity and increased risk for Alzheimer’s.

8-“Medications such as antibiotics are xenobiotics in humans.” (7)  have been noted to cause central nervous system toxicity.(7a) “For instance, Levaquin which was the best-selling antibiotic in 2010, faces thousands of lawsuits a year from people who have been seriously harmed after taking it. The reactions can be body-wide, impacting the central nervous system, microbiome, musculoskeletal, visual and renal systems, sometimes simultaneously.”(8)

“It is well documented that tricyclic antidepressant drugs act on 5-HT and NA receptors both in the central nervous system and in the cardiovascular system. Fluoxetine is also known to interfere with 5-HT receptors and/or signal transduction pathways in central nervous system.”(9)

Research  evidenced that Acetaminophen is found disruptive in the central nervous system.(10)

“For more than 15 years, experts have known that NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Vioxx, a type of NSAID called a COX-2 inhibitor caused as many as 140,000 heart attacks in the U.S. during the five years it was on the market. Vioxx was removed from the market in 2004. The regrettable experience with Vioxx raised awareness about the cardiovascular risk of NSAIDs, and led to further studies by Harvard Health Publications showing that the risk is not limited to Vioxx but is associated with all NSAIDs.” (11)

“Corticosteroids have been used since the 50s as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs for the treatment of several pathologies such as asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. Central Nervous System side effects include, psychiatric and cognitive disturbances.”(12)

Humira is approved for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis but has several side effects including, congestive heart failure and neurological diseases.(13)

What can we do now to improve our health?

Ask your doctor about the side-effects from your prescribed medications.

Know your farmer. Eat more foods that are full of antioxidants. These include colorful organic berries and green leafy veggies such as spinach and kale. Organic Beets are good for our heart and central nervous system.

Ditch the toxic scents including perfume and dryer sheets.

Learn what heavy metals you are exposing yourself to. Mercury is found in foods, vaccines, cosmetics and dental amalgams.

Let’s not forget the importance of drinking more water for the health of our nervous system. The brain is about 75% water. Water is vitally important for communication to the central nervous system, microbiome and the skin. Dehydration can actually increase premature aging.

It may be time to visit your chiropractor. According to The Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association, “scientific studies used animal preparations for physiological effects of spinal manipulation. Biomechanical changes caused by spinal manipulation are thought to have positive physiological consequences to our central nervous system.”(14)

Self care is important. Talk to your certified health coach. She can encourage positive ways to help you work through stress and eliminate toxins.

Connie Rogers is a Certified Integrative Holistic Health Coach and Published Author of Path to a Healthy Mind & Body

Websites www.bitesizepieces.net   and  www.thehealthguru.net

footnotes:

1- http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling.aspx

2- http://www.scsu.edu/news_article.aspx?news_id=832  see also https://nepis.epa.gov/Adobe/PDF/P1009BZL.pdf

3- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474439/

4- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24281320

5- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4588083/

6- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18032333  see also  http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0100-736X2011000700009&script=sci_arttext

7- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3552296/

7a- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24275175

8- http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm365050.htm

9- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1566050/

10- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11531168

11- http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fda-strengthens-warning-that-nsaids-increase-heart-attack-and-stroke-risk-201507138138

12- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3853679/

13- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16011443

14- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4045034/

The Central Nervous System Responds to Toxins