Daily Detox – Toxin Elimination Formula Monograph

Description

Daily Detox is a proprietary blend of whole food concentrates and digestive enzymes that support the neutralization and elimination of toxins from the body. Daily Detox contains Chlorella, an algal organism rich in nutrients and phytochemical compounds that reduce the toxic burden in the body by interfering with the absorption of toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. A special thin-cell wall Chlorella, not cracked-cell, is utilized to protect its active components. A proprietary blend of enzymes in Daily Detox breaks down the Chlorella within the gastrointestinal tract and releases its active compounds. This high-potency enzyme blend also breaks down dietary allergens and irritants and can help reduce Candida activity in the intestinal tract by lysing yeast cell walls. Daily Detox also contains a unique concentrated broccoli extract high in isothiocyanate compounds like sulforaphane that induce Phase 2 detoxification processes in the liver. Together, Chlorella and broccoli extract reduce the overall toxic burden on the body by interfering with absorption of toxins from the intestinal tract and enhancing liver detoxification processes. This dual detoxifying effect is unique to Daily Detox. Daily Detox can be used as an adjunct to short-term detoxification programs or for daily detoxification support.

Overview

The body is continually exposed to a multitude of endogenous and exogenous toxins. Each day waste materials are generated by the body’s cells as by-products of normal physiological processes such as energy production and tissue repair. These wastes must be expeditiously removed from the body to prevent damage to cellular structures and/or interference with essential metabolic processes. A greater threat to health is the burgeoning level of chemical toxins in the environment. Over the last century, the rise of industry and advancements in technology have led to the creation of thousands of chemical compounds that now permeate the environment. Many of these xenobiotics have been associated with acute and chronic health problems such as asthma, autoimmune dysfunction, cancer, fibromyalgia, neurobehavioral disorders, and Parkinson’s disease.

The body manages chemical toxins with an array of detoxification processes carried out by multiple organs and systems including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, and lymphatic and circulatory systems. Through a variety of means these systems participate in the sequestration, neutralization, transport, and removal of toxic compounds from the body. While each of these areas has an important role to play, the gastrointestinal tract and liver are perhaps the most vital components of the body’s detoxification efforts. Most toxins gain entry into the body through the diet. The gastrointestinal tract is thus a repository for a host of toxic compounds including pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals used in agriculture; heavy metals and industrial chemicals that contaminate soils and municipal water sources; aflatoxins produced by overgrowth of fungal organisms; methylmercury in certain species of fish; synthetic flavorings, colorings, and preservatives added to processed foods; chemicals in plastics that leach into packaged foods; and toxic compounds generated by unhealthy cooking methods such as frying or grilling over an open flame. Toxins may also enter the intestinal lumen via bile, diffusion from enteric blood vessels, sloughing of intestinal epithelial cells, or as metabolic by-products of intestinal microorganisms. Under ideal conditions, most toxins that enter the intestinal tract are eliminated in the feces. Suboptimal functioning of the gastrointestinal system, however, may slow intestinal transit to the point where toxins have time to damage intestinal cells or be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Nutritional supplementation that supports the sequestration of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and their elimination in the feces can play an important role in reducing the body’s overall toxic burden.

The liver is an absolutely essential component of the body’s detoxification efforts. Toxins that gain entry into the systemic circulation are filtered and processed by the liver in preparation for elimination through either the feces or urine. The liver processes toxins with an array of enzyme systems capable of biotransforming harmful chemicals into less reactive, more water-soluble compounds that are easier to excrete. The two primary metabolic pathways utilized by the liver for detoxification are referred to as Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 pathways typically involve oxidative or reductive reactions that modify functional groups on toxins in order to render them more hydrophilic and capable of further transformation in Phase 2 pathways. Phase 1 reactions can also lead to chemical intermediates, including free radicals, that are more toxic than the parent compound and must be detoxified by Phase 2 reactions. The cytochromes P450 are perhaps the best known and most widely studied enzymes that participate in Phase 1 reactions. Phase 2 detoxification primarily involves conjugation reactions in which side chains are enzymatically added to toxins to enhance their excretability. Examples of conjugation include sulfation, methylation, glutathionation, and glucuronidation. Once toxins have been biotransformed by Phase 1 and Phase 2 reactions they are either transported to the kidneys for excretion in the urine or incorporated into bile for elimination in the feces. A select group of nutritional compounds are known to enhance the liver’s detoxification capacity by favorably modulating Phase 1 and Phase 2 pathways.


Research

Chlorella

Chlorella vulgaris is a unicellular, freshwater algal organism widely consumed for its nutritional and health benefits. Chlorella contains high concentrations of protein, fiber, an array of vitamins and minerals, and the green pigment chlorophyll. Research indicates the chlorophyll component of Chlorella contributes significantly to its detoxifying effects. Chlorophyll is a fat-soluble, photoreceptive compound that allows Chlorella and all photosynthetic organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy. Numerous health benefits have been attributed to ingestion of chlorophyll including antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, and chemopreventive effects. Studies suggest the protective benefits of chlorophyll derive from its capacity to form strong molecular complexes with toxic compounds in the intestinal tract and prevent their absorption. While protective properties have also been ascribed to chlorophyll’s antioxidant activity, spectrographic data demonstrating molecular interactions between chlorophyll and toxins support the notion that chlorophyll acts primarily as an interceptor molecule in the diet, “trapping” chemical toxins in the intestinal tract and reducing their bioavailability. In a Salmonella assay, chlorophyll has been found to inhibit the mutagenicity of N-hydroxyl Trp-P-2, a direct¬acting mutagen. In Drosophila, oral administration of chlorophyll derived from Chlorella significantly suppressed the number of wing abnormalities caused by the mutagens Trp-P-2 and 4NQO. Rats coadministered dioxin and Chlorella excrete significantly more dioxin congeners in their feces than do rats administered dioxin and a control diet. Significantly, Chlorella seems to preferentially stimulate excretion of dioxin congeners known to have a lower metabolic turnover and longer half¬life compared to those more easily metabolized and less toxic. Chlorella also has the capacity to increase elimination of dioxins already absorbed into the body by binding onto the toxins as they reenter the intestinal lumen via bile or exfoliation of intestinal cells. A study examining the effects of administering chlorophyll derived from Chlorella to dioxin-exposed rats showed elevations of fecal dioxin excretion similar in magnitude to that obtained with whole Chlorella suggesting that chlorophyll is the component of Chlorella most likely responsible for suppressing dioxin absorption.

In addition to complexing with the chlorophyll component of Chlorella, evidence suggests specific toxins like heavy metals can be bound and trapped by elements within Chlorella cell walls. Polysaccharides and proteins make up the bulk of the cell wall contents of Chlorella and provide a variety of ligands to which heavy metals can be chelated. Adsorption of heavy metals by microbes like Chlorella is so effective that the process is now being developed as an inexpensive, environmentally friendly means for remediation of industrial wastewater. While use of algae for heavy metal detoxification has yet to be studied in biological systems, a number of Chlorella species including C. vulgaris have been found to effectively adsorb heavy metal contaminants such as cadmium and lead from aqueous media.

Chlorella Nutrient Content and Digestibility

Chlorella is a broad genus containing approximately 20-30 species. The two species most commonly used as nutritional supplements are C. vulgaris and C. pyrenoidosa. Studies show these species are roughly equivalent nutritionally. C. pyrenoidosa contains slightly higher levels of certain nutrients like vitamins B1, B6, and inositol while C. vulgaris contains slightly higher levels of vitamins B3, C, and protein. Physiological differences between species, however, may substantially affect the bioavailability of these nutrients. Most Chlorella organisms, including C. pyrenoidosa, have thick cell walls that cannot be adequately broken down in the digestive tract. This has led some manufacturers to adopt methods of artificially lysing, or “cracking”, the cell walls in an effort to improve the nutritional profile of their Chlorella products. One manufacturer of a popular brand uses mechanical pulverization to break the cell walls in its Chlorella product, but this process has not been demonstrated to improve the digestibility of Chlorella. Concerns have also been raised as to whether destruction of the cell walls can adversely impact some of Chlorella’s more sensitive nutrients such as vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids. One way to improve digestibility and avoid nutrient degradation is to utilize a thin-cell wall type of Chlorella. The cell walls of different Chlorella species vary widely, ranging from approximately 20 nanometers to over 200 nanometers in thickness. Studies show thin-cell wall Chlorella can be utilized for its nutritional benefits without the need for chemical or mechanical rupturing of cell walls. In one in vitro study, pepsin digestibility of thin-walled Chlorella vulgaris protein was measured at over 80%, suggesting high nutrient bioavailability from this Chlorella species despite having intact cell walls. In a follow¬up experiment, two groups of animals were fed diets containing either thin-walled Chlorella whose cells had been ruptured using high-pressure homogenization or thin-walled Chlorella whose cells were intact. The digestibility of the two diets were compared and found to be roughly equivalent at over 80%. These experiments suggest thin-cell wall Chlorella may be the preferable form of Chlorella to use when maximum nutrient bioavailability and integrity are desired.

Enzyme Blend

Enzymes are bioactive proteins that catalyze nearly all chemical reactions in the body including digestion of dietary macronutrients. Supplemental digestive enzymes may facilitate gastrointestinal detoxification in a number of ways. Evidence suggests proteolytic enzymes help break down the antigenic components of foods, rendering these foods less allergenic. In one study, proteolytic predigestion of meat proteins reduced their allergenicity in children with sensitivities to these proteins. Similarly, some doctors report that carbohydrase enzymes like cellulase, hemicellulase, and xylanase, which break down the fibrous components of plant cells, may help expose allergenic proteins and make them more vulnerable to degradation by endogenous or supplemental proteolytic enzymes. Carbohydrase products have also been developed that claim to modify phenolic compounds in plant foods in such a way as to facilitate their metabolism by persons with phenol sensitivities. While clinical studies supporting these observations are currently lacking, preliminary evidence suggests that enzymatic breakdown of allergens in the diet can help reduce the antigenic burden in the gastrointestinal tract.

Supplemental digestive enzymes may also be of use in reducing levels of Candida organisms in the intestinal tract. While the pathogenicity of intestinal Candida remains controversial, many clinicians remain convinced this yeast causes digestive and systemic symptoms and see benefit with anti-Candida regimens. Toxin production by Candida has also been postulated to play a role in the etiology of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) based on observations of elevated Candida levels in stool cultures of AAD patients and resolution of symptoms after treatment with the antifungal agent, nystatin. The cell walls of yeast organisms like Candida are composed largely of beta-glucan and glycoproteins that are susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis. In vitro research shows the enzyme beta-glucanase can effectively reduce the viability of Candida organisms in their own protective biofilms. While clinical trials are lacking, evidence suggests enzyme preparations containing beta-glucanase and protease may be an effective means of reducing intestinal toxicity attributable to the presence of Candida.

Digestive enzymes also help lyse Chlorella cell walls for complete nutrient delivery within the gastrointestinal tract. The cell walls of Chlorella species consist largely of polysaccharides, such as cellulose and hemicellulose, and protein. These components make effective substrates for cellulase, hemicellulase, and protease enzymes. Although thin-cell wall Chlorella does not require “cracking” during the manufacturing process, as explained earlier, enzymatic lysis of cells walls in the gastrointestinal tract further improves digestibility and enhances the bioavailability of chlorophyll and other nutrients contained within Chlorella cells.

Broccoli Extract

Broccoli contains chemical compounds that enhance detoxification primarily by improving liver function. Like other cruciferous vegetables, broccoli is rich in phytochemicals called glucosinolates. In the body, glucosinolates are converted into compounds known as isothiocyanates that exert protective effects by modulating detoxification pathways in the liver. Specifically, isothiocyanates and their metabolites inhibit activation of toxins by Phase 1 enzymes and strongly induce enzymes associated with Phase 2 detoxification processes. One of the major isothiocyanates in broccoli, sulforaphane, has been called the most potent natural inducer of Phase 2 detoxifying enzymes ever identified. In mice, sulforaphane induces the Phase 2 enzyme mGSTA3, a type of glutathione S-transferase that detoxifies aflatoxin by conjugating it to glutathione. The protective potential of isothiocyanates is augmented by their ability to neutralize free radicals, modulate inflammatory pathways, and induce apoptosis. Some isothiocyanates are known to form metabolites like indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and diindolylmethane (DIM) that have potent cell¬protective properties in their own right. These indole compounds appear to work primarily through antiproliferative and apoptotic mechanisms. I3C has also been shown to upregulate specific cytochrome P450 enzymes involved with the deactivation of carcinogens. Human epidemiological studies from around the world have found an association between cruciferous vegetable consumption and chemoprevention. An intervention trial carried out in China examined the effects of a glucosinolate-rich broccoli sprout extract in a population with a high degree of exposure to aflatoxin-contaminated foods. Aflatoxin exposure is thought to contribute to the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in this region. Two-hundred participants were daily administered either broccoli sprout extract containing 400 umol (approximately 175 mg) of glucosinolates or placebo for 2 weeks. The researchers observed a wide variation among the study subjects in the degree of bioavailability of the glucosinolates and conversion to isothiocyanates as measured by urinary excretion of metabolic end products of glucosinolates known as dithiocarbamates. Interindividual variation in dithiocarbamate excretion ranged from 10.1 to 144.1 umol/12 hours on day 10 of the trial. A strong, highly significant inverse correlation was observed between excretion levels of dithiocarbamates and excretion of the DNA adduct, aflatoxin-N7-guanine. This inverse association demonstrates that persons who had the highest bioavailability and bioconversion of glucosinolates have the lowest levels of a biomarker associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The researchers postulate that isothiocyanate induction of Phase 2 enzymes caused a shunt in aflatoxin metabolism away from the formation of harmful DNA adducts and towards excretable metabolites.

Summary

The gastrointestinal tract and liver are the most vital organs involved with detoxification processes in the body. Suboptimal functioning of either organ can compromise detoxification and increase the presence and activity of chemical toxins in the body. A number of nutritional compounds have been shown to support gastrointestinal sequestration and elimination of harmful chemicals as well as liver detoxification pathways. Chlorella binds toxins in the intestinal tract preventing their absorption and facilitating their elimination in the feces. Digestive enzymes can help break down potentially irritating or allergenic dietary substances and may reduce Candida viability in the intestinal tract. Broccoli extract provides a source of isothiocyanates that enhance detoxification by favorably modulating Phase 1 and Phase 2 pathways in the liver.

Daily Detox is designed for persons who wish to support the body’s essential detoxification processes. Daily Detox will benefit anyone with daily exposure to environmental toxins, but may be particularly indicated for persons who regularly consume processed, packaged or non-organic foods, drink unfiltered water, live near a source of pollution, or are occupationally exposed to chemical toxins.

Additional Information – Dosage & Interactions

Dosage

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule twice daily with meals or as directed by a physician. Daily Detox can be used as an adjunct to short-term detoxification programs or for long-term detoxification support. Additional benefits may be achieved by using Daily Detox along with other formulations that support detoxification such as Foundation.

Precautions

Some individuals may experience respiratory sensitivity to enzymes derived from Aspergillus organisms and should thus avoid inhalation of Daily Detox if mixing capsule contents with foods or beverages.

Drug Interactions

Some forms of proteolytic enzymes have been shown to reduce platelet aggregation and may thus theoretically augment the effects of anticoagulant medications such as Coumadin. Chlorella may stimulate immune function in some persons and therefore could potentially reduce the efficacy of immunosuppresant medications.

Contra Indications

There is a general belief that proteolytic enzymes can exacerbate pre-existing damage to esophageal, gastric or intestinal mucosae, but reports of adverse events of this type have not appeared in the medical literature. As a precaution persons with gastritis, active ulcer, gastro-esophageal reflux disorder or known damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa may wish to consult with a healthcare provider before using supplements that contain proteolytic enzymes. Women who are pregnant or nursing should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using this product. Persons with known allergies to any of the ingredients in Daily Detox should not use this product.

How Supplied

Capsules: 60 vegetarian capsules per bottle with full-bottle shrinkwrap.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place (59°F-85°F) away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.

Other Ingredients

Vegetarian capsule (hydroxypropyl methyl-cellulose, water), L-leucine, cellulose, and silicon dioxide.


*Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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