PhytoScience - Article 
Detoxification and Free Radicals
What is Detoxification?
Detoxification, or detox for short is the removal of toxic substances from the body. In conventional medicine, detoxification can also be achieved artificially by techniques such as dialysis and (in a very limited number of cases) chelation therapy. There is a firm scientific base in evidence-based medicine for this type of detoxification. Detoxification can also refer to the period of withdrawal during which a person's body returns to homeostasis after long-term use of an addictive substance or by exposure to environmental contaminants, heavy metals, molds, cosmetics, house hold chemicals or industrial pollutants.
Toxification
Toxification is the conversion of chemical compounds into more toxic forms. This conversion can take place in the body as well as in substrates such as soil or water. The conversion can be caused by enzymatic metabolism in the body or in microorganisms as well as by abiotic chemical reaction. This concept is related to prodrugs, which are inactive drugs which become activated in the body. Examples of toxification include:
- Nitrite into carcinogenic nitrosamines
- Nicotine into the carcinogenic NNK (4-(methylnitrosamino)- 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone)
- Benzo[a]pyrene into the carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide
- Methanol into the toxic formaldehyde
- Ethylene glycol into oxalic acid
Free Radicals
The free-radical theory of aging (FRTA) states that organisms age because cells accumulate free radical damage over time. A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell. While a few free radicals such as melanin are not chemically reactive, most biologically-relevant free radicals are highly reactive. For most biological structures, free radical damage is closely associated with oxidative damage. Antioxidants are reducing agents, and limit oxidative damage to biological structures by passivating free radicals.
Strictly speaking, the free radical theory is only concerned with free radicals, but it has since been expanded to encompass oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species such as O2-, H2O2, or OH-.
In some model organisms, such as yeast and Drosophila, there is evidence that reducing oxidative damage does, as the theory would predict, extend lifespan. In mice, interventions that enhance oxidative damage generally shorten lifespan. However, in roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans), blocking the production of the naturally occuring antioxidant superoxide dismutase has recently been shown to increase lifespan.
Causes
Free radicals damage can originate from:
- airborne particulates
- contaminated soil
- contaminated water supply
- fungus
- molds
- fish and shellfish
- food products
- prescription drugs
- poorly formulated supplements
- heavy metals
- pesticides
- household chemicals
- industrial chemicals
- cosmetics
- soaps and deodorants
- toothpaste
As well as other harmful toxins.
Chelation therapy
Chelation therapy is the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication {those involving lead, arsenic or mercury} the standard of care in the USA dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA).[citation needed] Other chelating agents, such as 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA), are used in conventional and alternative medicine.
Complementary and alternative medicine
A range of dietary supplements and herbal medicines claim to offer new ways to prevent or treat diseases in general. Some supplements show promise and are slowly gaining acceptance in mainstream medicine. But the benefits and risks of many products and practices remain unproved in human clinical trials.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen has been demonstrated to exhibit potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Natural remedies that lower inflammation can be very beneficial in the prevention or treatment of disease. Other beneficial phytonutrients found in the whole fruit juice formula are anthocyanins, polysaccharides, stilbenes and catechins. Mangosteen can be used as an effective adjunct with standard therapies to reduce many of the side effects and helps to speed up recovery.
When indicated; mangosteen juice, when consumed daily at mealtime, may be preferred to {or out perform} some medications that have harmful adverse effects with prolonged usage. In case studies; Xango mangosteen juice from the whole fruit puree has demonstrated how the mangosteen could play a significant role in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as cancer, heart disease, allergies, asthma, tuberculosis, central nervous system conditions, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
In some cases when first consuming the product, people may experience a healing crisis or detoxifying effect {an increase or outbreak of symtoms that may last from 4 to 10 days} in the earliest stages of use. Once the body is cleared of the toxins that exasperate the condition, the healing process can get underway. This is normal and should be expected when using a quality natural product. Results will vary with individuals but the long term benefits are well worth the short term discomfort as mangosteen juice has been effective relieving or causing remission with some of the most severe health challenges.
Mangosteen juice from the whole fruit puree consumed daily, has successfully been used to treat inflammatory conditions and has demonstrated numerous additional benefits including anti-aging over other natural products. More mangosteen research is needed, but current scientific studies have demonstrated promising results. Mangosteen Science
Source - Phytoscience Research Group, Mayo Clinic, National Library of Medicine.
Updated 02Jul2009