ABSTRACT
Antioxidants are an essential component in the treatment and prevention of metal and chemical toxicity. Antioxidants protect the liver from damage and support detoxification processes. Most tissues have detoxification enzymes; however it is the liver that is often considered the primary organ responsible for detoxification. This chapter focuses on the sources of the toxins, assessment of toxic load, and toxin avoidance and elimination. Sources of toxins are grouped into one of three categories: exogenous, endogenous, and toxins of choice. Exogenous toxins are comprised of toxic agents that arise from external factors. Persistent organic pollutants are compounds which are designed for specific chemical/physical/biological effects as well as resistance to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Endogenous toxins are those originating from within an organism and are not attributable to any external or environmental factor. Many conventional laboratory tests change within the “normal” range in proportion to toxin load.
