Practitioner Tip: The First Steps to Detox
Why we start here! It seems simple, but your body can’t detox what it can’t eliminate.
Hi friend,
Let’s talk detox! And why we work "backwards" when preparing for it in Step 1 of the MC360 Method: Stabilization.
If you're new here, it helps to know that in MCAS healing, order matters. Stabilization before detox. And within detox itself, Phase III is the guide.
But why is Phase III an important detox first?
In a nutshell, your body needs to be able to move things out before you pull even more toxins loose. And to understand why, it helps to know just a little bit about your body and how your liver actually processes toxins.
Today we’ll talk about:
Why Phase III detox comes first (before Phase I or Phase II)
Supports for different guts (fast, slow, undecided)
Why supporting your nervous system isn’t optional
The clinic rule about binders
Let’s get started!
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This post is for informational purposes only. To read our full disclaimer, please scroll to the bottom of this post.
A Quick Look at Detox Phases
Your liver has a lot of responsibilities, and detox is one of the most important.
Your liver works around the clock to clear toxins, from everyday chemicals to the mycotoxins that come with mold.
And this detox happens in three phases. Here are a few basics if you’re not familiar with these.
Phase I is where your liver takes toxins and starts to break them down. The intermediate compounds created in Phase I are often more reactive and damaging than the original toxin. So...
Phase II takes those reactive intermediates and prepares them for removal by attaching molecules that make them water-soluble and ready to be transported out. You may have heard of some of the processes that happen here, like:
Glucuronidation
Sulfation
Glutathione conjugation
Methylation
Acetylation
Phase III is elimination. Ideally, you move those now-packaged toxins out through bile into the gut, and out through urine, sweat, and stool.
You can see that Phase III is last, but here’s why we start there.
If the exit isn’t open, it doesn’t matter how well Phases I and II are working. Toxins get processed, packaged... and then reabsorbed right back into your body because there’s nowhere else for them to go.
Note: Bile is very resource intensive for your body to produce. Did you know that you recycle about 95%!?! Right along with the toxins they are carrying.
So, the rule in the clinic is that before we add a single binder, daily bowel movements are a must.
Binders help move more of that toxin-laden bile out for good. They also encourage toxins to start moving from your tissues. And you need to be able to move toxins out of your body permanently to get better.
But we know gut issues and MCAS go hand in hand. Let’s look at a few ways to support elimination.
What “Moving” Looks Like
The goal is at least one easy to pass, complete, and well-formed bowel movement every day. But how you get there depends on what’s actually going on for you.
Here are some ideas you can discuss with your practitioner depending on what gut and elimination issues you are dealing with.
IF YOU TEND TOWARD CONSTIPATION OR SLOW MOTILITY:
You run the risk of reabsorbing much of what your body is trying to eliminate, feeding SIBO, SIFO, or other gut imbalances. And more. Daily bowel movements are the goal.
Magnesium can be a gentle place to start. It draws water into your gut and makes stool easier to pass.
Many people start with Magnesium Oxide (not well absorbed, stays in the gut) or Magnesium Malate (fairly well absorbed, energizing)
Related Post: Best Magnesium for MCAS
Hydration matters more than you may think. Water makes everything in your gut work better. And, as you just read, urine and sweat are other ways your body moves toxins out.
Gentle movement can do a lot for sluggish motility, even short walks
Supporting bile starting with gentle things like arugula or bitter herbs before meals, dandelion tea, or Purity Calm decaf coffee. You can move into other bile supports like TUDCA, choline, taurine, or ox bile as you need and tolerate them.
Parasym Plus may also be helpful for some. This supplement supports your parasympathetic nervous system (your “rest and digest” state) via the vagus nerve. Which directly governs gut motility.
Nervous system work. Many of us with mold and MCAS are stuck in sympathetic overdrive. And that alone can slow everything down as resources are diverted to other functions. Supporting the parasympathetic side of your nervous system helps motility and a host of other functions!
IF YOU TEND TOWARD LOOSE STOOLS OR FAST MOTILITY:
This can be just as problematic for detox as constipation.
Things are moving too fast for proper absorption, putting a further strain on resources.
Loose stools are a common issue with Histamine Intolerance. Working on a low histamine diet is often helpful. You may also consider things like:
Nervous system work helps reduce inflammation
Electrolytes and mineral support along with hydration to replace what’s being lost
Soothing supports like slippery elm, marshmallow root, or aloe vera can help calm and coat an irritated gut lining
TributyrinX can help calm inflammation and firm up stools
IF YOU CYCLE BETWEEN CONSTIPATION AND LOOSE STOOLS:
This is a common MCAS and dysautonomia pattern. Your gut motility is dysregulated, not just slow or fast. This means strategies from both the constipation and loose stool sections may be helpful. And it’s especially important to work on your nervous system and calming mast cells while you support your gut.
IF YOU HAVE INCOMPLETE BOWEL MOVEMENTS:
This pattern again often points to bile and nerve issues
Supporting bile starting with gentle things like arugula or bitter herbs before meals, dandelion tea, or Purity Calm decaf coffee. Your liver may not be releasing enough bile to fully move things through.
Parasym Plus can also help some people here. Poor vagal tone affects the gallbladder’s ability to contract and release bile properly. And it plays a role in general gut motility.
Artichoke and ginger are also supplements that have studies supporting their use for motility
Others need prescription motility aids
FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE GUT ISSUES:
No matter what issues, some foundational things are helpful.
Aim for at least ½ your body weight in ounces each day
Consider adding some electrolytes if you tolerate them (even a tiny pinch of salt or baking soda can be a good place to start) (if you have high blood pressure consider Tri-Salts instead)
Nervous system work
Calming mast cells
Working on identifying food intolerances and adjusting your diet (temporarily, this is not the end goal)
Gut supports like enzymes, HCL (as needed), and TributyrinX can all support gut function while you heal
Related Post: The Best Support for Leaky Gut
While there are many possible “best” ways forward depending on your unique case, the key message is elimination (and stabilization) before binders and targeted detox!
This is just one piece of the puzzle.
And when you're sensitive, the order and details of how you do things matters just as much as what you do.
If you want to go deeper, the Precision Mold Master Class walks you through the full picture, with the same information we use in the Clinic and easy-to-follow printable guides that include:
Testing
The right order
Targeted binders
Gentle supports
Resources for lowering your mold exposure
And the protocol frameworks built specifically for sensitive bodies
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As always, go slow and be kind to yourself.
Show up each day in whatever small next step you have chosen. That’s what moves your health forward.
Together in healing,
The Mast Cell 360 Clinic Team
P.S. Ready for 1:1 support in your MCAS Healing Journey? You can book a strategy session with the Mast Cell 360 team today! Together, you can review what has worked and what hasn’t. Then, gain personalized guidance on your next best steps.
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