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Human exposure to toxic chemicals has dramatically increased in the last
century. Millions of compounds have been formulated and some 50,000 are now
in commercial use. The environmental persistence of many of these compounds
is cause for concern. In addition, many of these synthetic compounds
accumulate in biological organisms ("bioaccumulation"), storing in bone,
fat, or another compartment of the body.
Hundreds of these compounds are found in U.S. citizens, with many present
in each of us (1). In addition to commercial compounds, many drugs -- both
pharmaceutical and so-called recreational -- can remain in the body for an
extended time. Drugs such as LSD (2, 3), PCP (4), cocaine (5), marijuana (6)
and diazepam (7) are found in fat. These drugs can be retained for extended
periods, especially under conditions of chronic use (5,8-11).
Adverse health effects have been shown for some of these compounds.
Health effects from most compounds have not, however, been studied in
detail. Further, the health effects from combinations of chemicals are
unknown. It is clearly preferable to have low levels of foreign compounds
rather than high.
II. Reduction of Bioaccumulated Compounds Detoxification
course
While we still do not fully understand the bio-active mechanisms or the
kinetics of many toxic substances, physicians have known for centuries that
health problems can ensue as a result of accumulations of xenobiotics
(foreign chemicals) and have looked for ways to safely and effectively
reduce body burdens.
Ramazzini, in his 1713 work, Diseases of Workers,
notes that writers of works on poisons at that time "advise, in general,
remedies that have the power of setting the spirits and blood mass in motion
and of provoking sweat" (12), a recommendation which aligns well with
current knowledge of the kinetics and metabolism of foreign compounds.
Approaches to handling bioaccumulation of harmful chemicals depend on
increasing the rate of removal of these compounds. This is accomplished by
either altering the compound to a non-toxic form or by enhancing the rate of
elimination.
This philosophy has been applied in many ways. In acute poisoning,
purging is a key means of removing the toxic compound before adverse effects
arise. For this reason, a strong purgative is included in the highly toxic
pesticide, paraquat.
Ingestion of compounds known to bind to the contaminating compound has
been used in some cases. This increases the rate of removal of the toxic
compound because it cannot be reabsorbed as it passes through the intestine.
In this manner, cholestyramine was successfully used to reduce levels of
Kepone (13), and Prussian blue was used to reduce levels of radioactive
Cesium (14).
A fasting technique has been used to enhance the mobilization of
fat-stored compounds. This approach resulted in improved symptoms in 16
PCB-exposed Taiwanese patients (15), although the levels of PCBs in the
blood of these patients increased.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) has been used for many years in the
treatment of lead toxicity. EDTA binds to lead and other compounds in the
blood, the resultant complex then being eliminated. (16,17)
Reduction of fat-stored chemicals must be aimed at mobilizing chemicals
from fat stores, distributing the mobilized chemical to routes of
elimination, and increasing the rate at which these routes are utilized.
This is the design behind the detoxification procedure developed by Hubbard.
III. The Detoxification Program Developed by L. Ron Hubbard
This program was designed to mobilize and enhance the elimination of
fat-stored xenobiotics. The Hubbard program was specifically developed to
reduce levels of drug residues but has proven to be applicable to the
reduction of other fat-stored compounds.
The program has gained widespread support due to its effectiveness and
the fact that it is well supported by the medical litreature. Each component
of the program is in alignment with current research on the mobilization of
fat stores and the facilitation of toxin elimination. The components of this
program are:
A. Exercise:
Fat is stored throughout the body, with significant deposits not only in
adipose tissue but in cellular reserves, membranes, etc. Exercise is aimed
at both promoting deep circulation in the tissues and enhancing the turnover
of fats.
Numerous studies have shown that exercise promotes the circulation of
blood to tissues (18) and also promotes mobilization of lipid from storage
depots
(19-24). Mobilization of fat stores is accompanied by mobilization of the
toxins stored in the fatty tissue (25-27).
B. Sauna:
Mobilization of chemicals is not desirable if routes of elimination are
not enhanced. Chemicals are excreted through many routes including feces,
urine, sweat, sebum, and lung vapor.
The purposes of the sauna aspect of this program are two-fold. Heat
stress is a means of increasing circulation (28) and of enhancing the
elimination of compounds through both sweat and sebum. It is documented that
methadone (29), amphetamines (30), methamphetamines and morphine (31),
copper (32), mercury (33), additional metals (34) and other compounds appear
in human sweat. Enhancement of this elimination route is a key purpose of
the sauna aspect of this program.
In addition to an increase in sweat production, increased body
temperature results in heightened production of sebum, the material produced
by the skin's sebaceous glands (35). In patients exhibiting "chloracne", a
specific skin disorder caused by chemical exposure, the causative compounds
may be detected both in adipose tissue and in sebum of the skin (36).
Though not a major route of elimination for polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), PCBs may be found in sebum of exposed individuals (37). Both the
concentration of PCBs and the quantity of sebum produced have been shown to
increase during the detoxification program developed by Hubbard (38).
C. Supplements:
Niacin
Effects of specific vitamins are utilized as well. Niacin has a long-term
effect of reducing the mobilization of fatty acids (39). However, the
initial reduction in mobilized fatty acids following a single dose is
followed by a transitory increase in free fatty acid mobilization (40,41).
Mobilization of free fatty acids by other mechanisms has been shown to
result in concurrent mobilization of the fat-stored chemicals (26,27). This
also appears to occur during this detoxification program. The increased
turnover of fat results in mobilization of fat-stored chemicals and the
opportunity to eliminate them from the body.
Oils
One means of excretion of chemicals is through the bile. However, such
bile excretion results in elevated levels of chemicals in the intestine,
providing an opportunity for reabsorption of these compounds (42,43).
It has been known for many years that addition of unsaturated oils to the
diet can increase the excretion rate of certain compounds. This is due
either to blocking the reabsorption of the chemical or to altering the rate
at which the compound is excreted (45).
Supplementation with unsaturated fats also affects the content of the
stored adipose tissue (45). Apparently, as the stored fats are mobilized and
re-stored, the dietary supplements replace some of the mobilized fats so
that an exchange is effected.
Supplementation
Vitamin and mineral supplementation is included for several reasons.
Replacement of vitamins and minerals lost through sweating is one reason.
Correction of any deficiencies is necessary as well.
Extensive sweating is a component of this program. As significant levels
of vitamins and minerals appear in sweat, their loss through sweating could
create deficiencies were they not replaced.
Deficiencies may already be present. Specific vitamin, mineral and amino
acid deficiencies are known consequences of alcohol and drug abuse, due
either to poor nutrition or to the action of the drugs themselves (46-48).
PCB poisoning in animals has been shown to result in a significant decrease
of vitamin A in the liver and serum (49,50).
Further, research in animals has demonstrated that vitamin deficiencies
retard the metabolism of drugs (51). Changes in nutrient levels, with
consequent adverse effects on metabolism, may occur with other chemicals as
well.
Supplementation with vitamins is anticipated to assist the individual in
several ways. Such supplementation will certainly assist in correction of
nutritional deficiencies. It might also be expected to aid in the metabolism
of chemicals.
D. Sufficient liquids to offset the loss of body fluids through sweating:
This is a logical necessity during any extended period of sweating. In
addition to liquid supplementation, sodium, potassium, calcium-magnesium
solution and cell salts are taken on an individual basis. Patients
undergoing this detoxification program are monitored to ensure signs of heat
exhaustion or salt depletion do not appear.
E. Regular diet supplemented with plenty of fresh vegetables:
This program is not a dietary program. The only change in diet required
by patients on this program is that they eat plenty of fresh vegetables.
This ensures that bowel movements remain regular.
F. A properly ordered personal schedule which provides the person with
the normally required amount of sleep:
The detoxification program is intensive. The mobilization and elimination
of stored chemicals can put a stress on the individual's body. Therefore, it
is imperative that individuals ensure that they are well-rested during the
program.
IV. Studies Regarding the Detoxification Program Developed by L. Ron
Hubbard
A. Safety of the Program
An initial study of 103 individuals demonstrated the safety of this
program. Medical complications associated with the program occurred in less
than 3% of the individuals and were minor in nature. There was one case of
pneumonia, one of ear infection, and one case of diarrhea during the
approximately 3 weeks of program delivery. Reductions in blood pressure and
cholesterol were Benefits of the program. The program also resulted in
improvements in psychological test scores. (52)
This program is designed to mobilize and eliminate fat-stored chemicals.
During any such program in which xenobiotics are deliberately mobilized from
fat stores, it is important that elimination keep pace with this
mobilization process. Otherwise it is possible that mobilization will result
in heightened blood concentrations of the mobilized compounds.
Blood levels of chemicals were monitored in a study of electrical workers
conducted by Schnare & Robinson (53). They showed that blood levels of both
PCBs and pesticides were fairly consistent over the course of treatment.
Thus, elimination of compounds appeared to keep pace with their mobilization
during this study.
B. Results of Detoxification
The detoxification method developed by Hubbard has been shown to reduce
levels of several fat-stored chemicals. Studies of this method have focused
on individuals who have accumulated fat-soluble compounds through either
occupational or environmental exposure.
In 1983, Roehm reported reductions in DDE and PCBs and clearing of
symptoms in a Vietnam vet with a range of symptoms (54).
A 1984 study demonstrated statistically significant reductions of from
10.1 to 65.9 percent for sixteen fat-stored compounds. The compounds tested
included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)
and chlorinated pesticides. The study population had been specifically
exposed to PBBs approximately 10 years prior to treatment. Reductions in
PBBs were 58.7 percent (p<0.O5) when treated with the Hubbard method.
(55) According to independent evaluation, the chemical levels for PBBs had
not reduced during the five years prior to treatment (56).
In a controlled study, electrical workers exposed to hexachloroBenzene (HCB),
PCBs and other compounds, were treated with the Hubbard method.
Statistically significant reductions of 30% for HCB and 16% for PCBs were
observed. These reductions were stable at follow-up observations 3 months
subsequent to treatment (53).
Further documentation of PCB reduction was reported in the case of a
female factory worker from Yugoslavia. Her excessive PCB levels (102 mg/Kg
in adipose and 512 ug/L in serum approximately 50 times higher than the
general population) were reduced by 63% in adipose and 49% in serum
following treatment. In addition, a spontaneous breast discharge containing
PCBs ceased during treatment. This woman's symptoms also improved over the
course of treatment. (38)
Improvements in this woman led to a controlled study of a group of male
co-workers. Again, reductions in PCB levels were observed and improvements
in symptoms noted for the group treated with the Hubbard method. (57,58)
As the number of toxic chemicals in the workplace increases, it is
sometimes difficult to identify the exact nature of a toxicant. Such was the
case for a woman exposed to both the residues trapped in filters from the
exhaust stacks of an oil-fired electrical generator and the contaminated
water used to clean these filters. She became ill following 6 months of such
exposure and was unable to work. During treatment with the Hubbard method a
black substance began oozing from her pores. This abated late in treatment.
Both her objective and subjective complaints were reduced following
treatment and she was able to return to work. (59)
Firefighters are often exposed to toxic compounds in the course of their
work. Such was the case for a group of firefighters responding to a fire
involving transformers filled with PCBs. Several of these men became ill
following the fire.
Neurophysiological and neuro-psychological tests were conducted on 14 of
these firefighters 6 months after the fire. This battery of 22 tests
demonstrated that the firefighters who had been involved with the fire were
significantly impaired in both memory and cognitive functions when compared
to coworkers from the same department who had not participated in fighting
this fire. (Scores for 13 of the 22 tests were significantly worse in the
exposed firefighters.)
Following treatment with the detoxification method developed by Hubbard,
significant improvements in 6 of the 13 tests originally showing impairment
were noted. (60)
These firefighters were also tested for peripheral nerve damage. Five of
the seventeen firefighters tested showed significant peripheral neuropathy.
All showed improvement following treatment with the Hubbard method, with two
of the five returning to normal range. (61)
Many people have experienced adverse health effects after exposure to
compounds whose identity is unknown. The detoxification program has been
shown effective in alleviating symptoms in such patients. In one study, the
selected patient population reported symptom profiles prior to treatment
that were in alignment with chemically exposed individuals reported by other
authors (not statistically different). Following treatment, their symptom
profiles had improved significantly and were now not significantly different
from a healthy population. (62)
V. Summary
This body of peer-reviewed litreature substantiates the effectiveness of
the Hubbard program in reducing levels of foreign compounds stored in fat
and in improving the symptom profiles of chemically exposed individuals.
Health Benefits of this program are not limited to symptomatic improvements.
In the case of documented impairments in neurological function, these
impairments were shown by two independent approaches to be significantly
improved by detoxification treatment.
This program has proven to be a safe and effective addition to clinical
practice. As the quantity and variety of chemicals employed in our society
increase, it can be expected that this program will become increasingly
relevant. Compiled August, 1991 by the Foundation for Advancements in Science and
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