We are presently being exposed to hundreds of thousands of toxic compounds in the form of inorganic chemicals and toxic metals. These substances are everywhere, from the air we breathe, the foods we eat, the water we drink, the water we bathe in, the pharmaceuticals we take, the vaccinations we give our children, the smoke we inhale, the cleaning products we use, the pesticides and insecticides we come in contact with – the list goes on.

Our bodies have become virtual dumping grounds for hundreds of these toxic metals and chemicals. Studies indicate that we have between 400 and 800 toxic metal and chemical residues stored in our fat cells, and our tissues and organs.

It's even worse for those who use illicit drugs, which contain more toxins than you can imagine. More often than not, they are going to eventually need complete detoxification with the help of a detox clinic, and they will need to know what separates a good detox clinic from the best to make sure the process will be successful.

Highly Recommended: A hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is a simple, non-invasive screening test that can be used to find out if you have a heavy metal problem. This is especially useful if your program of supplements and lifestyle changes is not showing consistent positive results or is working a little more slowly than you would like.

An HTMA test will help you find hidden toxicities, help you identify the source of exposure to heavy metals, and will suggest ways to balance the essential minerals and eliminate the toxic metals.

It is important to note that may people get better through detoxification, even when diagnosed with a serious illness like ALS. Removing toxic metals can relieve some of the symptoms of the disease, and sometimes even slow down the progression of the disease entirely.

An HTMA can give you the extra information needed to take additional control of your health. I recommend a hair tissue mineral analysis test once or twice a year as a way to receive information that you can use to fine-tune your program and either hasten your return to health, or lessen your symptoms.

According to Andrew Hall Cutler, PhD., standard medical textbooks mention that both mercury and lead poisoning can easily be confused with ALS. With this in mind, it seems prudent that anyone appearing to have ALS should be screened for heavy metal toxicity.

One can actually do something about heavy metal poisoning, whereas most people with ALS eventually succumb to disease progression and death. Dr. Cutler mentions that he personally knows at least one case where a patient was misdiagnosed with ALS when he in fact had heavy metal poisoning. The person was treated for metal toxicity, and regained his health.

The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that we cannot metabolize most of these chemicals and metals. So what happens to them once we have been exposed? They accumulate in our fat cells, in our organs such as the liver, kidneys and brain, in our glands such as the thyroid and adrenals, and in the central nervous system.

Together, these chemicals and metals result in a chronic toxic overload condition in our bodies. As these toxins build up, they block the receptor sites for essential minerals, so that minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium cannot be utilized and absorbed. This causes enzyme dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, neurological disorders, damages brain chemistry, and can even lead to auto-immune disorders, cancer, and other debilitating chronic conditions.

A Genetic Predisposition to Toxic Overload?

So why do some people who have been exposed to these toxins go on to develop neurological disorders while others don't? For some, it may be a question of degree - the more toxins you are exposed to in the course of your life, the more they build up in the organs and fatty tissues of the body, until eventually the body experiences a toxic overload.

Others have suggested that some people may have an inborn (genetic) error in "metal metabolism", meaning they cannot detoxify harmful metals like others do, and so these toxins keep accumulating in the body. Ninety-five percent of autistic children, for instance, lack the protein metallothionein, which detoxifies heavy metals, and without this protein, the toxins build up in their tissues. It is conceivable that other people may have this metal-metabolism disorder as well, resulting in neurological challenges and other disorders.

The Most Common Sources of Metal and Chemical Toxicity

The heavy metals that most commonly cause poisoning are iron, lead, cadmium (found in cigarettes), arsenic and mercury.

Others include aluminum, antimony, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, selenium, tin, thallium and uranium.

Other sources of poisoning include pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, chemical warfare, radiation and common chemicals such as benzene, carbon dioxide, chloroform, dichlorobenzene, DDT, formaldehyde, hexane, toluene, trichloroethylene (TCE) and xylene.

Take Control of Your Environment

In this report I focus on a common, but not well understood, phenomenon of the toxic effects of environmental chemicals and pollutants, and how they can affect your body's health.

So if you are experiencing neurological symptoms, check out the common toxins that you may be exposed to, both at home and at work, and take steps to reduce your exposure. And last but not least, detoxify your body of these heavy metals, chemicals and other toxins that may be lurking in your body tissues. By following these steps, you will go a long way in saving your health.

Stay Away From Toxins

If you are experiencing symptoms of ALS or any other neurological disorder, from this point on:

1. Don't smoke.
2. Don't use recreational drugs.
3. Don't drink alcohol.
4. Use environmentally safe household cleaners and pesticides.
5. Use protective equipment to reduce exposures to workplace hazards.
6. Detoxify your body.

To read an in-depth report on the sources of toxins in your environment, including your workplace, click here.

The primary detoxification therapy treatment for most heavy metals is chelation therapy. Chelating agents are substances that go through the body to attract and bind heavy metals. The metals are then excreted. Chelating agents are usually given in pill form but may also be given intravenously, by suppository, or by injection. It usually takes from many months to many years for chelation therapy to remove toxic metals, and can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Though chelation therapy has been considered to be generally safe for most people, new information has surfaced that suggests these substances may not be as benign as once believed. The chelating agents used by the medical profession are drugs, and they do have side effects, sometimes severe ones.

Two of the most important factors in determining chelation safety are dosage and frequency. Too much can be extremely dangerous, and too little is ineffective. Respected toxicologists have stated that synthetic chelators should be used only in cases of acute metal poisoning, or as a last resort when other methods have been exhausted. Natural methods should be tried first.

Natural chelating agents include combinations of herbs, amino acids and other nutritional supplements. The drawback to most of these is the time it takes to really clear the body of toxic metals and chemicals. For instance, certain toxic elements can be removed by taking specific combinations of minerals and vitamins. A daily regimen of six magnesium oxide tablets plus one teaspoon of calcium/magnesium powder taken with fresh lemon juice is said to rid the body of arsenic - eventually. But at this rate, it could take years to clear all the chemicals and metals from the body.

Chemicals and heavy metals are not removed by fasting!

The most common chelators prescribed by the medical profession are EDTA, DMPS, and DMSA. These chelators are life-saving drugs in cases of ACUTE metal poisoning. Of these, the DMSA and DMPS especially carry risks of harm, and should only be used as a last resort.

EDTA is usually given intravenously, though it has recently become available in pill form. Typically, twenty to thirty or even more IV treatments are needed to eliminate toxins from the body, and the sessions last anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours. Side effects may include dizziness, headache, mild nausea, or irritation at the IV site.

Oral EDTA given in pill form is easier and more convenient than the IV version, but large amounts must be taken for it to have a beneficial effect. Unfortunately, taking these large amounts can cause side effects in sensitive individuals, so it needs to be used with caution, and should only be used for a prescribed period of time. Mainly these oral chelation products with EDTA are designed to remove cholesterol and calcium deposits in the arteries, and remove toxic metals only as a secondary function.

DMPS can also be taken orally, intravenously, or as a suppository, though it is most commonly given as an infusion or injection. It is an experimental drug, and has NOT been approved by the FDA. Its primary usefulness is for severe metal poisoning when all other detoxification methods have been exhausted.

There have been reports of serious and devastating side effects with DMPS, since it works quite rapidly at excreting the toxic metals into the bloodstream and from the bloodstream into the kidneys. Some scientists believe that the severe side effects experienced by some people are the result of too much mercury or other metals being dumped into the bloodstream at once, which overwhelms the organs of excretion, namely the liver and kidneys. Instead of being properly excreted, these toxic metals are redistributed and reabsorbed by the vital organs, where they poison the immune system and central nervous system.

Side effects in people who have generally tolerated DMPS include dizziness and weakness, the lowering of blood pressure, and flu-like symptoms.

It is NOT RECOMMENDED for people who still have their amalgam fillings, as DMPS can quickly enter the saliva and begin to dissolve the metals in the mouth, resulting in acute poisoning.

Contra-indications to DMPS:

1. Amalgam fillings
2. Allergy to sulfa drugs or sulfites
3. Elevated cadmium, iron or selenium levels
4. Elevated copper levels

If you do consider DMPS, make sure you don't have any of the risk factors above. Make sure your gastro-intestinal system, liver, and kidneys are functioning properly. If you can't eliminate the toxins, you will reabsorb them.

Before you undertake any DMPS treatments, I highly recommend you visit the web site www.dmpsbackfire.com.

This highly informative web site gives in-depth information on the various chemical chelators, as well as case histories.

DMSA comes in capsule or suppository form and is considered to be much safer than DMPS. In research studies, DMSA was proven to be three times less toxic than DMPS. It's trade name is Chemet.

DMSA is commonly prescribed orally. Oral administration is generally safer, because a patient can monitor the dose and test for side effects. The side effects of DMSA include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss and rashes. As with other chelating drugs, kidney and liver function needs to be closely monitored.

The above well-known chelators need to be taken in fairly high doses to be truly effective. Because of this, side effects are virtually unavoidable. Accordingly, these potent pharmaceuticals cannot be taken for an extended period of time (Goodman & Gilman).

As well, because of the high doses needed with these chelators, essential minerals are almost always chelated out of the body as well. Minerals most commonly lost include zinc, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and selenium, which then need to be replaced.

Toxic metals are often stored in the brain, and none of the above mentioned chelators cross the blood/brain barrier.

And last but not least, a concern has been that the metals loosened by the chelating agents are not always properly excreted. Instead, they may be reabsorbed in different parts of the body, causing more damage to the immune system and vital organs. This is why some individuals can remain just as sick after chelation as before, sometimes for years after their detoxification therapy.

When you mix bentonite clay with water, it creates a large negatively charged surface area. When the body is in a tub of warm water, the warm water opens up the pores of the skin, and the positively charged toxic particles are drawn through the pores of the skin, to be absorbed by the clay.

Most chemical and metal toxins have a postive charge, whereas the clay has a negative charge. Thus, the toxins cannot resist being drawn towards the clay. Bentonite clay has a great capacity for absorbing many times its own weight in toxins. In other words, clay baths have been shown to literally pull pollutants out through the skin, getting rid of many months and years of toxic accumulations.

It is important that you find a sodium bentonite clay that has been purified, so it contains no mold, yeast, bacteria or fungus. Also, it helps to use a clay that mixes well and disperses easily with warm water to get maximum effectiveness. Some clays do not mix well in the tub, leaving you with a cumbersome and messy clean-up.

EDTA is a chelating agent that can bind free metal ions that circulate in the blood stream. Traditional EDTA treatment for chelation has involved giving it to patients intraveneously. However, more recently, there has been a German-patented formula that utilizes a very dilute amount of EDTA so that now side effects are experienced and it can be used at home without doctor's supervision.

The active ingredients in this formula set up shop in the gastrointestinal tract where through the Law of Isotonicity, metal ions are dumped into the bloodstream (over time) and then excreted safely out of the body through the urine and stool.

Glutathione is a short string of amino acids called a peptide. It is composed of three amino acids: glycine, glutamine and cysteine.

Glutathione is a major player in detoxifying the body of many toxic pollutants, including toxic metals and chemicals. Glutathione deficiency impairs the body's ability to get rid of toxins whether they are environmental or the by-products of cellular metabolism.

If we have low glutathione levels we slowly become toxic, storing away poisons in our tissues, organs, muscles and brain. We simply cannot detoxify effectively if our glutathione levels are too low, no matter what form of detoxification we undertake.

Glutathione is made by all the cells in the body, and is the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifying agent. In one review, almost 80% of people with chronic ailments were found to be deficient in glutathione. In fact, low levels of glutathione are involved in all disease states.

Why? – because the heavier the cumulative toxic burden on the body, the greater this depletes supplies of glutathione. For example: One molecule of mercury uses up one molecule of glutathione. Since all chronic, degenerative disorders are triggered, in part, by the toxic load, it is small wonder to see why glutathione levels are such an important marker.

Glutathione is a supplement that is extremely difficult to absorb.  Most oral supplements are worthless, because the digestive tract destroys the nutrient before it can be absorbed. 

Supplements such as NAC can help your body make more glutathione, but the effect is mild. This is why intravenous therapy was once considered to be the only therapy that really works.

According to Dr. Marcus Laux, it is important to find an oral glutathione supplement that your body can truly absorb.  It survives the trip through your intestines because the glutathione is contained in microscopic little pouches called liposomes. Thus, the glutathione enters your bloodstream intact.  According to Dr. Laux, liposomes were recently tested in rigorous scientific studies, and were found to have an amazing 90% absorption rate.  That’s comparable to intravenous glutathione therapy, for a fraction of the cost. 

A cell culture study was conducted on glutathione at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by Gail Zeevalk, PhD. The study showed the neuro-protective nature of the glutathione from damage due to the known neuro-toxicants maneb (fungicide) and paraquat (herbicide).

The Infrared Sauna has an excellent reputation for detoxifying both metal and chemical contaminants from the body. It is an excellent therapy on its own or as an adjunct to other natural methods of detoxification.

Proper FAR infrared sauna therapy can be supportive for:

• Detoxification
• Enhanced Immune System Health
• Improved Cardiovascular Health
• Stress Releif
• Weight and Cellulite Management
• Pain Relief
• Skin Beautification

FAR infrared saunas help to accomplish detoxification in the following manner: A layer of fat and oil exists just below the surface of the skin. The FAR infrared light resonates with the water molecules within these lipid or fat cells.

This vigorous activation of the water molecule stimulates the fat cells to excrete toxins. These toxins will be released through the skin's sweat channels as a result of the high temperature from the sauna. As sweat and oil are secreted, the toxins dissolved in them are secreted as well. By excreting these toxins and then washing them off your body, the toxic load on the body is lowered and cellular health improves.

Oil glands help remove oil-soluble toxins that the body would otherwise have a difficult time eliminating. We have created a world filled with oil-soluble toxins such as gasoline, solvents, pesticides, ingredients in toothpaste, personal care products, etc., which the body is not able to dispose of efficiently. The longer the skin is heated, the more oil-soluble toxins are eliminated.

No other sauna company that we know of knows as much about detoxification as High Tech Health, Inc. Their specialty is providing saunas that detoxify safely and effectively. Their Thermal Life® Sauna is designed to allow anyone to detoxify at a rate that is appropriate for them.

Bio-Resonance™ Heaters

The Thermal Life® Sauna utilizes specially designed Bio-Resonance™ ceramic heaters that provide the optimal level of far infrared exposure no matter where you are in your detoxification process. A special feature of the Bio-Resonance heater is the nature of the far infrared rays that is emits. FAR infrared is a band of electromagnetic energy, just as visible light and ultraviolet light are.

The difference between visible light and far infrared is that we cannot see far infrared. FAR infrared affects the body differently than ultraviolet or near infrared light. Heat lamps emit near infrared which is only absorbed by the surface of the skin. FAR, on the other hand, is absorbed into the body up to a depth of 1 and half inches. It is experienced as a softer heat sensation which is quite enjoyable.

FAR infrared rays also stimulate the production of endorphins, the "happy hormones", and have been prescribed for pain for a long time. Bio-Resonance heating technology ensures an enjoyable, detoxifying experience.

Comparing Ceramic to Carbon Heaters in FIRS

Hight Tech Health (HTH) researched "carbon heater" technology and found it to be significantly inferior to their trademarked BioResonance® emitters because carbon heaters are inefficient and poor emitters of far infrared waves. If the emitters don't produce good far infrared, then the detoxification effect is diminished. HTH emitters are alloy tubes filled with solid ceramic . The ceramic material is warmed to the temperature range where it emits the highest quality and quantity of FIR waves. (between 6-20 microns).

The surgical grade stainless steel reflectors behind the emitters reflect back into the cabin any FIR emitted from the rear of the emitters. This way, the cabin is completely filled with 100% FIR waves and none are lost into the walls of the sauna. Carbon emitters because of their poor design and emission, lose close to 50% of what little far infrared they do emit through the back walls, because there is nothing to reflect the waves back into the center of the sauna cabin.

Carbon emitters are large thin plastic or fiberglass panels with a thin layer of carbon material sandwiched in between, or lined with fabric with carbon fibers woven into the fabric, then laminated onto the panels with a wire grid behind them to heat them up. They are made large to compensate for the extreme inefficiency of far infrared light production. They take 40-45 minutes to warm up to the point where you can even get into the sauna vs. our saunas which are warm and ready to use in 10-15 minutes.

High Tech Health will not put plastic or fiberglass into their saunas because of concerns regarding possible out-gassing of chemical compounds from these panels. These types of saunas are primarily marketed for recreational use. Another downside to carbon heaters is because of their large panel size, they produce fairly strong electromagnetic fields. HTH heaters emit extremely low levels of EMF's, about 2-4 milligauss, which is equivalent to sitting next to a reading lamp.

Carbon heaters are inexpensive to construct. They don't tend to have a long life, and can burn out in 5-6 years. HTH has never had to replace a single heater in the 14 years of selling the Thermal Life saunas. It is by far, the most durable, energy efficient and long lasting technology in the industry.

The most important four points in buying a far infrared sauna in regards to the heater technology used are:

1. Strength of Infrared – is the heater effective in promoting detoxification?
2. Energy Efficiency
3. Durability / Long lasting
4. Warm-up time

Besides linking to their site in the below-mentioned link, you can call them directly (recommended) at 800-794-5355 or 303-413-8500 and speak to one of their knowledgeable product specialists.

By mentioning our website Evenbetterhealth.com, you will receive the discount when you place the order from them. As well, High Tech Health offers a 30 day money-back satisfaction guarantee, so you can try it risk free. They also offer a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship of the cabin, the heaters, and the electrical components.

For more information and to purchase the Thermal Life® Far Infrared Sauna from High Tech Health, Inc., please click here.

Being both water and fat soluble, R-lipoic acid passes the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to chelate metals like mercury that can attach to fatty cellls and brain neurons. It has also been shown to help decrease metals from the liver as well.

R-lipoic acid also extends the life of other antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and CoQ10 in the body. This is important because a heavy metal load creates more free radical activity. The longer an antioxidant can scavenge these free radicals, the less the "detox cleansing" reaction may last.

There are two forms of alpha-lipoic acid, an S-form and an R-form. Researchers believe that R-Form may be "up to 12 times more effective" than regular alpha lipoic acid which contains a synthetic by-product.