Toxic Load Checklist

Now that you know a little about the detoxification systems, here are some signs that your detoxification pathways may not be working at optimal levels.

Respiratory Dysfunction Checklist

Mucous producing cough

Aware of irregular or heavy breathing

Discomfort at high altitudes

Sigh frequently or “air hunger”

Shortness of breath with moderate exertion

Digestion Dysfunction Checklist

Hypochlorhydria- too little stomach acid

Indigestion, burping, bloating or sleepy immediately after meals

Heartburn or acid reflux symptoms

Nausea in evenings

Proteins hard to digest, complex meals hard to digest (combination of proteins and carbs)

Sense of excess fullness after meals

Feel like skipping breakfast, overall low appetite

Undigested food in stool

Lower Digestive tract

Anemia, unresponsive to iron

Coating on tongue

Fungus or yeast infections

Less than one bowel movement a day

Constipation, stools hard or difficult to pass

Irritable bowel or mucous colitis

Cramping in lower abdominal region

History of parasites

Liver and Gallbladder Dysfunction Checklist

Pain between shoulder blades

Stomach upset by fatty or fried foods

Loose stools with fatty foods, irregular stools, fat in stools (shiny, floating)

Nausea

Dry skin, itchy feet or skin peels on feet

Gallbladder attacks

Gallbladder removed

Bitter taste in mouth, especially after meals

Easily intoxicated or hung if you were to drink wine

Pain under right side of rib cage

Overall Toxin Checklist

Do you rarely break out into a sweat?

Do you use aluminum cooking equipment?

Do you have mercury amalgams?

Do you have your clothes dry-cleaned?

Do you eat “fast-food”  > 2 times a week

Do you drink tap, well or bottled water?

Do you have strong body odor?

Do you drink < 4 cups water a day (approximately 30 oz)

Do you live in a large urban or industrial area?

Do you use lawn or garden chemicals?

Do you sit on your computer 3+ hours a day?

Do you exercise < 3 times a week?

Do you use tobacco products?

Do you eat large fish (sword fish, tuna, shark, tilefish) more than once a week?

Do you urinate small amounts of dark urine only a few times a day?

Are you frequently exposed to solvents and chemicals at work or at home?

When you drink coffee or other substances containing caffeine, do you feel any of the following:

wired, increased aches in muscles and joints, anxiety, palpitations, sweating, dizziness?

Do you have a reaction when you consume foods containing MSG, sulfites or other preservatives?

Tomorrow I'll be posting some suggestions for improving your detoxification systems.