Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is something of a medical
mystery. The medical community is divided over whether or not MCS
actually exists.
Some physicians acknowledge MCS as a medical disorder that is
triggered by exposures to chemicals in the environment, often beginning
with a short term, severe chemical exposure (like a chemical spill) or
with a longer term, small exposures (like a poorly ventilated office
building). After the initial exposure, low levels of everyday chemicals
such as those found in cosmetics, soaps, and newspaper inks can trigger
physical reactions in MCS patients. These patients report a range of
symptoms that often include headaches, rashes, asthma, depression,
muscle and joint aches, fatigue, memory loss, and confusion.
Others in the medical community, however, do not accept MCS as a
genuine medical disorder. The Centers for Disease Control, for example,
do not recognize MCS as a clinical diagnosis. There is no official
medical definition of MCS, partially because symptoms and chemical
exposures are often unique and are widely varied between individuals.
Some physicians are skeptical of concluding that low concentrations of
the same chemicals that are tolerated by everyone else can cause
dramatic symptoms in MCS patients. The American Medical Association
denies that MCS is a clinical condition because conclusive scientific
evidence is lacking.
Numerous factors may participate in the development of
hypersensitivity to even minute levels of toxic and generally non toxic
chemical substances. Normal responses to subtoxic doses of chemical
substances may be affected under the following conditions.
abnormalities in enzyme and protein synthesis. Approximately 50% of the
population are slow acetylators, i.e., they detoxify some chemicals
slowly and thus are at risk to chemical sensitivity.
Chemical sensitivity or the allergic tendency of an individual can
be inherited. However, allergic tendency, with no previous family
history of allergy, can also be acquired in a number of ways.
Hypersensitivity may follow viral infections such as mononucleosis or
viral pneumonia, or severe emotional reactions such as grief. The most
common incitement appears to be low grade, long term chemical exposure,
although a short term high level exposure, such as seen in industrial
accidents, may produce similar effects.
There is apparently no consistent pathway by which the immune system
mediates chemical hypersensitivity or loses its control
mechanism and begins to sensitize inappropriately to chemicals. The
pathways used by the immune system to develop this phenomenon not only
vary from chemical to chemical but from exposure to exposure, and
certainly differ from individual to individual.
There are also the secondary effects or pathways of allergic
inflammation to be considered, for instance, gastrointestinal symptoms
range from vague indigestion to full blown colitis (inflammation of the
colon). These may result in nutritional deficiencies.
The deficiencies begin with increasing the sensitivity of the immune
system to food. Generalised inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
secondary to food sensitivity often causes poor nutrient absorption
which leads to vitamin and mineral deficiency. Eventually the
individual may become deficient in digestive enzymes, which in itself
will initiate food intolerance or sensitivity.
With increasing vitamin and mineral deficiency and enzyme
deficiencies, the end result is an inability to detoxify chemicals
giving rise to more food and chemical sensitivities. Thus a vicious
cycle is set that will only be overcome by judicious supplementation of
vitamins, minerals and digestive enzymes.
Biochemical Considerations
Phenolic compounds present in plant food stuffs and pollens, food additives, perfumes, tobacco smoke, air pollution (benzene),
preservatives and pesticides can activate the release of arachidonic acid and thus giving rise to the inflammatory response.
This inflammatory process occurs through a non-immunological
mechanism associated with symptoms described as "allergic". Patients
presenting with symptoms of IgE are very possibly chemically positive.
Relative frequency figure of immunological V's non immunological
reactions is approximately 1:4. However, in
either case treatment must include attenuating or inhibiting the
inflammatory cascade.
Many phenolic compounds potentiate the toxicity of adrenalin and
nor-adrenalin by interfering with their oxidation (inactivation). These
adrenalins give rise to symptoms of palpitation, mood change, panic
attacks etc. They also cause the release of eicosanoids and thus
precipitate the inflammatory cascade.
Nutrients that decrease chemical sensitivity
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is essential in the function of four or five enzyme
systems, all of which effect normal function in the chemically
sensitive.
Glycine
Glycine, along with taurine and glutamine are utilised in
xenobiotic peptide conjugation reactions using acyl CoA. Glycine
metabolism can be impaired in the chemically sensitive with pyridoxal
phosphate (active B6) dysfunction. Glycine alleviates the toxic effects
of several substances such as phenols, benzoic acid and methionine.
Taurine
Taurine and to a lesser extent glycine are the major amino acids
associated with the removal of toxic chemicals and metabolites from the
body. Low taurine levels appear to be a major factor in the chemically
sensitive, particularly to chemicals such as chlorine, chlorite
(bleach), aldehydes, alcohols, petroleum solvents and ammonia.
Taurine can also reduce severity of reactions to hypochlorite ions
produced by phagocytes in response to wheatgerm agglutinin, fluoride,
and an ionic detergents.
Pollutant damaged individuals with pancreatic dysfunction, duodenal
acidity and food allergies often present with deficient urine levels
and marginal or low blood levels of valine, leucine, and isoleucine.
Chemically sensitive individuals often have difficulty in maintaining
adequate pH and need copious bicarbonate supplementation to allow the
pancreatic enzymatic activity to be adequate when disturbances occur in
the digestive tract, amino peptidase enzymes (activated by zinc)
hydrolysed small peptides to release these branch chain amino acids. As
enzymatic activity is dependent on pH, bicarbonate from the pancreas is
needed to bring the pH of the small intestine up to 7 or higher to
allow the peptidase enzymes to work. Thus, inadequate bicarbonate
secretion or supplementation can heighten the chemical sensitive to
food allergy and further inflammation.
Methionine
Methionine conjugates xenobiotics through methylation reaction. It
is the most frequently impaired or disordered amino acid metabolite in
the chemically sensitive. It helps detoxify the body of adrenalin, nor
adrenalin and serotonin. It's assimilation is often disturbed as it
requires proper stomach pH for pepsin activity, proper duodenal pH for
normal pancreatic function and proper activity of carboxy pepidases
(some requiring zinc for activation). Co factors that improve
methionine metabolism are magnesium, pyridoxal phosphate, serine, folic
acid, betaine, and vitamin B12.
Impaired methionine metabolism increases sensitivity to hypochlorite
and give symptoms of headaches, eye strain, muscle weakness, fatigue,
myopia, and mild myopathy.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Approximately 20% of chemically sensitive individuals are deficient
in this vitamin. Supplementation often results in improvement in
chemically sensitive individuals.
Pollutant injury to thiamine (B1) occurs from excess intake exposure
to formaldehyde, alcohols, glycols, or by over use of the aldehyde
detoxifying mechanism. Thiamine act as an intermediate carrier of
aldehyde groups, without, it aldehydes can accumulate in the body. It
must be noted that thiamine is very important in energy production. A
relative deficiency will cause tiredness, weakness and anxiety.
Symptoms of which are common in chemically sensitive individuals.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
60% of chemically sensitive patients are deficient in B6, whether
they are taking oral supplementation or not. The active form of vitamin
B6 is pyridoxal 5 - phosphate, which can be overwhelmed by exposure to
aldehydes.
Deficiency in pyridoxine or suboptimal co enzyme activity of
pyrodoxal - 5 - phosphate may lead to subnormal taurine levels,
with the subsequent increase in chemical sensitivity. Drugs such as the
oral contraceptive, chlorpromazine, amphetamine, reserpine and isonizid
can all lead to a relative B6 deficiency.
Choline
Chronic ingestion of a diet deficient in choline has a major
consequence that include hepatic, renal, memory and growth disorders,
all of which are seen in some chemically sensitive patients.
Disturbances in methionine and/or B6 metabolism is frequently seen in
the chemically sensitive, which may inhibit the efficient production of
choline, therefore, causing methylation reaction.
Folate and Vitamin B12
Approximately 35% of chemically sensitive individuals are low in
folate and approximately 15% are deficient in vitamin B12. Many
medications such as aspirin, the oral contraceptive and anti
convulsants interfere with folacin absorption and metabolism. Disturbed
B12 and folate metabolism results in impaired methylation of
xenobiotics with exacerbation of chemical sensitivity, particularly to
chlorines.
Magnesium
Approximately 40% of chemically sensitive individuals are magnesium
depleted. As magnesium is involved in over 500 enzyme systems, its
depletion can result in poor detoxifying ability. Substances that
deplete magnesium are pollutants, alcohols, diuretics, steroids,
glucose, phosphate depletion and pesticides.
Treatment
gives the worst reaction. This chemical may, in sufficient dilution, be
used in sublingual treatment in controlling reactions.
not wear synthetic under garments or clothes. Cottons and woollens are
usually safe. Do not dry clean clothing and use simple soaps for
washing.
stove in preference to a gas stove or range should be installed. If
this is not possible ensure adequate ventilation within the cooking
area.
should be inert. Rock wool insulation is usually satisfactory.
Preferably hard, inert materials such as stone, terrazzo, hardwood,
cement, brick, and terra cotta tiles should be used for flooring. Be
careful of wool carpeting with latex or rubber backing.
plastics, such as plastic bags, wrapping, window screens, plastic
containers, vinyl seating, plastic tablecloths, and other plastic
furnishing should be removed from the home. Use glass containers,
cellophane bags. aluminium wrapping and wall paper.
any synthetic or rubber furnishing in the bedroom. Use all cotton
pillows and mattresses. Electric blankets should not be used. Cane or
hardwood, leather, wool or other natural fiber should be used in
furnishings. Cabinets may be made of formica, hardwood or metal but not
of chipboard and without silicone chalking.
sources of chemical exposure are from chemicals released from glued
parts and grouting, particularly when heated; chemicals used in hobbies
such as photography, photocopying machines; pesticides used indoors or
in the garden; timber impregnated with chemicals; tobacco smoke.
Nutritional Supplement
Supplements suggested below will reduce the inflammation and
hopefully improve the metabolism of these chemicals. The nutrients such
as Taurine, B1, B5, Glycine, Methionine, B12, and Folate need to be
taken regularly to improve tolerances to chemicals.
tolerance to many chemicals, however in a few individuals it can
increase chemical toxicity. In these individuals Alkali, one hour after
meals may be of great benefit.
The
nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements
that may help the condition. Please do remember however that
nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in
no way replaces medical treatment.
- Henry Osiecki. The Physicians Handbook of Clinical Nutrition. 1 875239 11 1
