We are all exposed to many toxins from industrial production, waste disposal, and agriculture that have been amassing in the environment. These substances, known as xenobiotics, are foreign to biological systems and can cause serious harm to ecosystems and human health. Common xenobiotics include pesticides, preservatives, plasticizers, personal care products, dyes, and pigments. They are found in everyday items like cosmetics, food additives, drugs, and industrial chemicals.
As I discuss in my book The Holistic Guide To Gut Health, the human gut microbiome plays a crucial role in processing xenobiotics. However, exposure to xenobiotics can disrupt the microbiome, leading to dysbiosis, an imbalance of microbes in the gut, which is linked to various diseases.
There is a field of study known as toxicomicrobiomics. This is how xenobiotics and the microbiome interact. These interactions can be diverse. For example, some contaminants harm the gut microbiome, leading to health problems. On the other hand, gut bacteria can help protect the body by breaking down harmful substances. However, in some cases, gut bacteria can transform xenobiotics into more toxic compounds.
One class of chemicals to be aware of includes microbiota-disrupting chemicals (MDCs) because they harm the gut microbiome. These include bisphenol, phthalates, heavy metals, triclosan, parabens, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and pesticides. Many of these substances enter the human body through food, water, air, and skin contact. Pesticides like glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon have been shown to alter gut bacteria, potentially leading to health problems. Antibiotics are another type of MDC.
The impact of xenobiotics on the body is regulated by complex processes known as ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion). These processes involve not only human genes and enzymes but also the microbiota. Through the proper use of diet and targeted nutritional supplements, one can help with the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics. A high fiber diet of organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes is supportive of ridding the body of xenobiotics. These foods also improve microbiome health by feeding healthy, disease-preventing microbes. Some examples:
Probiotics: Yogurt with live cultures, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and tempeh.
Prebiotics: Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, and chicory root.
The use of probiotic supplements is a cutting-edge approach to detoxifying xenobiotics. Personalized nutrition and probiotic treatments could help protect the gut microbiome and promote overall health. I often have patients improve detoxification capacity using our Ultra Mega Flora, which contains human-studied strains.
Conclusion
The growing presence of xenobiotics in our environment and their harmful effects on human health require everyone to take action to protect their health. Consume organic foods and purified water as best you can. Also, make sure to use clean topical products on your skin. Moreover, air purification systems should be used at home and at work. Also, insist the government put resources into cleaning up and regulating the food supply (ie. which RFK is attempting to do). Make sure to use only clean products on your skin. Lastly, consume prebiotic and probiotic foods, and consider quality probiotics to help the body eliminate environmental toxins.
Reference
Ortiz, P., Torres-Sánchez, A., López-Moreno, A., Cerk, K., Ruiz-Moreno, Á., Monteoliva-Sánchez, M., ... & Gruszecka-Kosowska, A. (2022). Impact of cumulative environmental and dietary xenobiotics on human microbiota: risk assessment for one health. Journal of Xenobiotics, 12(1), 56-63. Impact of Cumulative Environmental and Dietary Xenobiotics on Human Microbiota: Risk Assessment for One Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox12010006
