A Detox Strategy to Help Maximize Athletic Performance

By Robert Silverman, DC, MS, CCN, CSCS

One of the most dangerous culprits that affects an athlete's ability to perform at an optimum level also happens to be one of the most elusive. Environmental toxins are virtually everywhere given their almost global nature; for instance, we don't think too much about the packaging food comes in, or the shampoo we wash our hair with – or even the air we breathe.

Environmental toxins come in two categories – chemicals and metals. They are accumulated and trapped in the fatty tissue of the human body from medications, food preservatives, and exposure to pesticides, air pollutants and other harmful toxins in the environment. These toxins come from a variety of sources, but initial exposure actually begins while a baby is still in the womb.

All-Too-Common Toxins

According to the CDC's Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, more than 212 chemicals have been found to be present in the blood and urine of most Americans. The six most widespread chemicals are:

• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as a flame retardant
• Bisphenol A (BPA), found in plastic products (e.g. bottled water)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), found in non-stick cookwares
• Acrylamide in items cooked at high temperatures (e.g. French fries, fried chicken and coffee
• Mercury - found in seafood
• Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) – exposure from secondhand smoke

As one example, research data suggests there is a strong relationship between urine concentrations of Bisphenol A and type 2 diabetes and reduced testosterone levels.

Our liver serves as our body's natural detoxification process. It supports the body's ability to excrete toxins once they have been neutralized, thus reducing the chance they will recirculate and be stored in the body. Unfortunately, as a result of vast exposure to pervasive toxins, the liver is unable to break down fat-soluble toxins. Even in an athlete, these accumulated toxins get released back into the bloodstream. Both health and performance are impaired as these toxins recirculate in the body.

Impact of Excessive Toxin Burden

Here are some of the common symptoms that can indicate toxin overload. All of these symptoms affect an athlete's ability to train and focus, and most importantly, play on game day:

• Fatigue, lethargy, weakness
• Depression
• Headaches, irritability
• Cognitive problems, e.g., brain fog, memory problems
• Concentration difficulties
• Generalized muscle aches
• Decreased athletic performance

Detox Pathways in a Healthy Liver

Step 1: Toxins, which are fat soluble, are transported from the intestine to the liver. These include metabolic end products, chemical pollutants and contaminants, micro-organisms, food additives, drugs / medications, and alcohol.

Step 2: In the liver, toxins undergo phase 1 detoxification to neutralize certain toxins.

Step 3: The remainder of the unneutralized toxins move into phase 2 detoxification, which then transforms the remainder into water-soluble compounds.

Step 4: Newly transformed toxins are then transported to either the kidneys, where they are excreted in the urine; or to the gallbladder, where they are eventually excreted via the feces.

Detox Pathways in an Unhealthy Liver

In an unhealthy liver, toxins are unable to be detoxified at the speed they are brought to the liver. In these cases, toxins build up and recirculate in the blood, contributing to long-term poor health – and most importantly for athletes, impaired performance. These unneutralized, fat-soluble toxins can be stored in body tissues such as fat, the brain and the nervous system, causing systemic symptoms.

The Solution: Appropriate Nutritional Support

The success of a metabolic detoxification program can be maximized by using well-researched nutrients, vitamins and herbs to balance and support the body's detoxification pathways.

The gastrointestinal tract is the first-pass detoxification barrier against large chemical compounds that are foreign to the human body. My first nutritional recommendation would be two probiotics, specifically B. lactis (Bi-07) and L. acidophilus (NCFM), which have both been documented to help with GI stability and health. Additionally, low-allergen-potential nutrients nourish the GI barrier and support the elimination of toxins.

Rice proteins and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) derived from milk fat, palm and coconut oil boost metabolism. They allow clearance of potential allergens that may be contributing to impaired toxin clearance.

The liver is the next toxin treatment center. Nutrients that help regulate liver processes include L-cysteine, magnesium, glucuronic acid, glycine, glutathione and sulfate. Antioxidants also support the clearance of reactive intermediary compounds. A comprehensive vitamin profile, including vitamins A, C and E, and a broad spectrum of B vitamins also help neutralize these compounds.

Three substances of biofunctional modulators have the ability to simultaneously influence phase 1 / phase 2 activity in the liver: green tea catechins, ellagic acid and watercress glucosinolates.

These supplements, coupled with detox-friendly dietary intake, enable athletes to safely and efficiently remove toxins from their bodies, leading to improved health and athletic performance. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Resources

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Robert Silverman, DC, MS, CCN, CSCS, graduated from the University of Bridgeport, College of Chiropractic. He also has a master's of science in human nutrition. Dr. Silverman is a nationally known speaker and has published numerous articles, in addition to giving seminars on injury-related prevention, treatments and nutrition for various organizations and Fortune 500 corporations. He also serves as a chiropractor and sports injury consultant for basketball players, professional wrestling organizations, local, collegiate, and professional sports teams, professional triathletes, body-builders, martial artists and cyclists. To learn more, visit his website: www.drrobersilverman.com.