Check out part one here.
Aloe vera includes a number of chemical constituents derived from the plant which provide a number of benefits to the GI tract with ingestion. (Mills 2005) Various studies have demonstrated benefits including bowel regularity and various inflammatory conditions (Brawn & Cohen 2015; ,Bone & Mills 2013). It is considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Adding aloe into the GI Detox ™ product can offset the constipating effects of charcoal and clay while lowering inflammation that may occur with detoxification.
Silicon resides in our bodies as the third most abundant trace element. In our cells and tissues, it occurs bound strongly to oxygen in silica or silicate forms. GI Detox ™ utilizes monomethyl silanetrienol (MMST) silica, a stable organosilicon, monomeric form different from the naturally occurring inorganic form. This synthetic form offers the benefits without the concerns of the inorganic form’s potential contaminants. When combined with water, a gel forms that provides a very large surface area that can absorb considerable toxins. This gel plus toxins can then be eliminated in the stool. The MMST appears safe in studies (Jugdaohsingh 2013).
Apple pectin obviously comes from apples. Pectin in general is a soluble fiber found in the cell walls of plants. In GI Detox ™, the apple pectin serves several purposes. The fiber aspect assists in maintaining bowel regularity that might be hindered by the charcoal portion. This fiber also feeds colonic bacteria allowing them to produce short chain fatty acids for colonic health. The pectin can also bind some heavy metals such as lead and mercury (Kohn 1982). Dietary amounts of pectin are safe and a study of 6 months of 10grams twice a day was well tolerated without serious adverse events (Kang et al 1988). It appears to be safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding (Natural Medicines).
Humic and fulvic acids are naturally occurring organic materials from the decomposition of lifeforms, mainly vegetable materials (Carrasco-Gallardo et al 2012). Humic and fulvic acids are found together but act differently in the GI Tract. We do not absorb humic acid into the bloodstream, so its effects are primarily to block the absorption of toxins in the GI tract. Fulvic acid, on the other hand, does absorb into the bloodstream and may exert anti-inflammatory and other effects throughout the body (Carrasco-Gallardo et al 2012). It may chelate metals for detoxification. While there is little scientific evidence for the safety of humic acid, its long term use in natural medicine is encouraging (Natural Medicines). Fulvic acid does have some safety studies but neither has been tested safely in breastfeeding and pregnancy, and therefore its use is discouraged in those patients (Natural Medicines, Natural Medicines).
Together, these substances offer a broad combination of biotoxin binding capacity. When attempting to lower the levels of biotoxins like mold, toxic algae, or Lyme toxins, utilizing this safe and effective binder allows our team to start a good 20 MPH detox for multiple potential toxins. We time the dosing at least 2 hours away from other meds and supplements so that the absorptive ability of the binder does not interfere with absorption of the vitamin, supplement, or medication. By timing the dose 30 to 60 minutes before lunch and supper, patients can time their other therapies either around breakfast and bedtime, or sometime after the meals. While the aloe and pectin in the product help many to avoid constipation, we add glucomannan fiber capsules to assure regular bowel movements.
Helping biotoxin patients achieve a healthier more abundant life requires a multi-modal and methodical process. GI Detox ™ helps improve the elimination of biotoxins, thus moving our patients towards that restoration.
References:
Part 1
Karaman R. Novel Modified Bentonite-Montmorillonite and Activated Charcoal Complexes for Detoxification. International Journal of Clinical Toxicology.2014;2(2):37-41
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Professional Monograph: Activated Charcoal. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=269/. Accessed 12/08/2021.
Gao Y, Wang G, Li Y, Lv C, Wang Z. Effects of oral activated charcoal on hyperphosphatemia and vascular calcification in Chinese patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease. J Nephrol. 2019;32(2):265-72.
Part 2
Mills S, Bone K.The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety.Philadelphia, U.S.A.: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.
Braun L, Cohen M.Herbs and Natural Supplements an Evidenced Based Guide.Vol 2. 4th ed.Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia; 2015.
Bone K, Mills S.Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine.Second ed: ChurchillLivingstone, Elsevier; 2013.
Jugdaohsingh R, Hui M, Anderson SHC, Kinrade SD, Powell JJ. The silicon supplement ‘Monomethylsilanetriol’ is safe and increases the body pool of silicon in healthy Pre-menopausalwomen.Nutrition & metabolism.2013;10:37-37.
Kohn R. Binding of toxic cations to pectin, its oligomeric fragments and plant tissues.Carbohydratepolymers.1982;2(4):273-275.
Kang JY, Tay HH, Guan R, Math MV, Yap I, Labrooy SJ. Dietary supplementation with pectin in themaintenance treatment of duodenal ulcer. A controlled study.Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology.1988;23(1):95-99.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Professional Monograph: Pectin. 2018;http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed 30/08/2018.
Carrasco-Gallardo C, Guzmán L, Maccioni RB. Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with PotentialProcognitive Activity.International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.2012;2012:6741
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Professional Monograph: Humic Acid. 2018;http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed 30/08/2018.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Professional Monograph: Fulvic Acid. 2018;http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed 30/08/2018.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
