Hidden Danger: Solvent Poisoning

by Catherine Saltzman, N.D.

Poison is an increasingly common substance in our toxic world. When we think of poisoning, we think of something harmful we ingest -- either food or chemical -- or a poisonous bite. There is another type of poison, however, accumulating in our tissues and organs and gradually creating an environment where illness and infections can take hold. Solvents are liquids that hold other substances in solution, or cause one substance to dissolve or dispense into another. Solvents are also compounds that cause other solvents to dissolve. Solvents are not natural to the body and are harmful.

Applied kinesiology or muscle testing is one way to assess or monitor poisoning. It works by accessing reflexes or trigger points on the body to gain information about a particular organ, body system or deficiency represented by that reflex. We know of dozens of reflexes on the body for various systems, individual organs, vitamins, minerals and more. In a routine office visit, we check a certain number of these reflexes automatically and others based on the health of the client. Once we determine the weakest areas, we begin to test what particular nutrients, foods, herbs or vibrational medicines will strengthen those reflexes.

I am finding that more and more sick people have, among other things, an active solvent reflex. Solvents are ubiquitous today and relatively new to the human body. Our bodies are being assaulted by these foreign chemicals faster than they can adapt or learn to cope. This weakens the immune system and affects organ functioning. There are several supplemental products designed to help the liver remove solvents. However, once we are poisoned and not feeling well, it is a difficult task to remove the solvents. It’s easier not to get them in the first place.

Since the presence of solvents in body fluids and tissues is harmful, part of my educational program is to teach clients how to recognize solvents and avoid them if possible. If a client is ill, either acutely or chronically, I suggest they find someone else to pump their gasoline or, at least, wear a face mask. In addition, I recommend they air out dry cleaned clothes for several hours before wearing them. Remodeling can cause solvent poisoning because formaldehydes and glues are in particle board or new furniture. They shouldn’t drink alcohol or use nail products or have acrylic nails done. In addition, solvents are ubiquitous in grooming and personal care products. And because they are in shampoos, toothpastes and facial products, our skin is absorbing them several times a day. These compounds pass through the skin (the skin absorbs what is put on it - transdermal patches are regularly used to deliver medicine subcutaneously) and they are accumulating and interacting in ways that no one understands.

Health care practitioners like myself are not the only ones sounding the alarm. Concern over known and suspected carcinogens and chemicals in personal care products has been intermittently exposed in the media. Such news and documentary programs are early warnings for people who would like to avoid being guinea pigs. However, the personal care industry is a billion dollar business, much like the cigarette industry, and we can expect the wheels of change to turn slowly.

Therefore, I teach clients about “the deadly dozen” ingredients in personal care products and show them how “anti-freeze” (propylene glycol) and drain cleaner (sodium hydroxide) are commonly used in expensive skin care and baby care products and much more. Deodorants, shaving creams, soaps, bubble bath, moisturizers etc., almost always contain one or more of these toxic ingredients, even when some of those ingredients, such as DEA, have been banned in other civilized countries.

As a solution, I recommend a product line called Organic Essentials, which is completely free of toxins, known or suspected. Organic Essentials is more than just a replacement for cheap chemicals. The ingredients, which have been carefully gathered worldwide, feed the cells of the skin and go deep into the tissues. Organic Essentials is a complete personal care line for men, women and children. From clients, I have heard and seen amazing testimonials: gray hair growing out dark again, thin hair regrowing, teenage acne disappearing, gums that stop bleeding, spider wrinkles disappear from the body, joint pains clear.

My advice is that we all immediately check what we are putting on our skin and into our bodies transdermally with our skin care products. Take nothing for granted. I have found that some of the most “trusted” manufacturers are using solvents and chemicals liberally. Make your personal care products safe and health promoting. This is the kind of sensible anti-aging program I endorse in contrast to injections of deadly botulism organisms, chemical peels that require a life time use of questionable sunscreens, or the risks of surgery.

A pure healing product helps the cells rid themselves of previous poisoning, and with the avoidance of previously mentioned sources of solvent poisoning, we see less of solvent reflexes on the muscle testing workup. If you know anyone who is suffering with a degenerative disease, who is interested in non-toxic living, who has a new baby, or who is a health care practitioner, please let them know about solvent poisoning and the truth of what they are breathing in and putting on their skin and in their mouth every day. No entrenched industry will educate us, we must do this for ourselves.