ABSTRACT
In the thousands of observations and scientific studies performed in the Environmental Control Unit (ECU) on chemically sensitive patients, pollutantnurient interactions were found to be basic to understanding chemical sensitivity. Several principles involving these interactions have evolved, and their use will aid the clinician in evaluating the effects of pollutant overload upon the body's nutrient pool. These principles emphasize that (1) both an individual and his specific end-organs are biochemically and nutritionally unique and that there are many reasons for pollutant deposition and injury; (2) an energy loss can be seen in the chemically sensitive and is now understandable due to pollutant interactions upon the energy regulators (adensosine triphosphate [ATP], phosphorous, calorie and proteins metabolism) of the body; (3) cellular and organelle excesses as well as deficiencies of nutrients occur due to pollutant injury (e.g., solvents), resulting in damage to the membranes and regulators of cells, nucleus, mitochondria, etc.; (4) pools of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes exist which are available for a finite amount of detoxification, and when they are depleted by poor nutrient intake or excess demand (due to pollutant overload), the system dysfunctions and illness starts. Only at this point will nutrient deficiencies appear, but even then, they may not be obvious or measurable due to end-organ specificity; (5) pollutants may adversely affect food quality, eating habits, intestinal flora, transport across membranes in the gut and bloodstream as well as transport across extracellular fluid and within the cells; (6) pollutants may disturb or destroy nutrients directly; (7) pollutants compete with nutrients for absorption and utilization; (8) pollutants damage the reabsorption mechanism in the kidney and possibly the gastrointestinal tract; and (9) they can also damage the repair mechanisms. Knowledge of these principles allows better understanding of the nature of chemical sensitivity and affords the clinician a methodology by which to evaluate and treat systematically the chemically sensitive patient.
