Chemical sensitivities differ from allergies as they do not evoke an immune response, though they can suppress immune function with long-term exposure. There are different types of sensitivities and chemical sensitivity natural treatment options are available.
Aldehydes are found in perfumes, new furniture, carpets, paints, leathers, and similar items. The nutrients molybdenum, iron, and vitamins B2, B3, and B5 can help break down the aldehydes so you can properly detoxify them. If you notice a symptom such as a headache, nausea, or fatigue while you paint a room or during/after you get your hair styles (colored), it’s most likely due to an aldehyde sensitivity. Some people have a genetic tendency towards an aldehyde sensitivity, for others it is provoked by a yeast/fungal infection (usually in the digestive tract) where the yeast converts another chemical into an aldehyde, giving you more than you can handle.
Natural Aldehyde Detoxification
Whenever painting, installing a new floor or carpet, or when new furniture is purchased, it is always a good idea to put certain plants in that room or rooms to help draw the aldehydes out of the area so they are removed much more quickly. The plants that help the most with this are golden pathos, spider plant, elephant ear, and lacy tree philodendrons. Use one plant for every 100 square feet of room. Or, in the case of some new furniture, putting the plant above or on a table next to it will suffice. Zero and low VOC paints are also available today. The paint smell will be gone is a couple days, not weeks or months!
Hydrocarbons
Another type of chemical sensitivity is a hydrocarbon sensitivity that is found in more volatile chemicals such as gasoline, as well as products such as Sharpe magic markers. Hydrocarbon sensitivities are usually provoked by a fatigued immune system. Therefore, building up your immune system usually helps a lot with overcoming or at least dealing with the sensitivity better.
Sulfite Sensitivity
Many people are also sulfite sensitive, where they cannot handle sulfite containing foods such as wines, certain dried fruits, and most balsamic vinegars. Many restaurants preserve their salad bars with sulfites to keep them looking fresh longer. Sulfite sensitivities cause headaches and other nagging symptoms in people and they don’t even realize that they are sulfite sensitive. The minerals molybdenum and selenium can help this sometimes.
MSG Sensitivity
MSG sensitivities are also very common, and there are a lot of people who either don’t know their symptoms are coming from MSG, or they don’t know that they are getting hidden forms of MSG in their everyday foods. MSG is derived from glutamic acid (glutamate), a natural amino acid. It is found in foods such as tomatoes, milk, and mushrooms. It functions as a neurotransmitter and combined with the amino acids cysteine and glycine, makes the powerful compound gluthathione, necessary for detoxification and cell repair. But when processed, the glutamate becomes a problem. For more info on MSG, check out this excitotoxin article here.
Hello Dr. Stephen,
I am interested to learn you opinion on detoxification from hydrocarbons. My family and I were exposed to months of natural gas during the Aliso Canyon blowout of 2015-16. Since that time my daughter and I have developed what seems like food sensitivities. It is my opinion that they are not true sensitivities, but an overload of the immune system that is battling hydrocarbon toxins. What products and/or companies do you recommend – what diets?
Thank you in advance.
All the best in health
Danae
That’s a bit involved as there are many factors to consider. Glutathione levels are important, and there are a lot of nutrients involved in that synthesis – particularly manganese and selenium. I’ve used Se before with hydrocarbon issues, as well as molybdenum, which is important for proper breakdown of aldehydes.