We live in a modern world full of innovation and convenience — but with that progress has come an invisible burden: toxins. They’re in our food, water, air, furniture, flooring, personal care products, cleaning supplies, and even our children’s toys.
And while our bodies are designed to detox — through the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, and skin — they were never designed for today’s level of exposure. The toxic load we face now is unprecedented in human history.
What Happens When the Body Can’t Keep Up?
When your detox systems become overloaded or sluggish, toxins don’t just disappear — they recirculate, accumulate, and interfere with everything from hormones to brain function. Over time, this can lead to what many patients describe as “mystery symptoms” — or worse, chronic disease.
Environmental toxin buildup is often at the root of:
- Hormonal imbalances (PMS, PCOS, low libido, thyroid resistance)
- Autoimmune disease (immune confusion triggered by persistent toxic load)
- Fatigue and brain fog (mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation)
- Joint and muscle pain (low-grade inflammation from toxin storage in tissues)
- Mood and sleep disturbances (toxins impact neurotransmitters and circadian rhythm)
And yet — toxic exposure is rarely addressed in conventional medicine. Labs are “normal,” symptoms are chalked up to stress or age, and you’re told to “wait and see.”
At Restorative Medicine Center, We Take a Different Approach
Our goal is not to “cleanse” you with a trendy diet or a quick-fix supplement. Our goal is to help your body safely remove the burden of environmental toxins — through a strategic, evidence-informed process that works with your unique biology.
Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal uses a Root Cause Triad™ approach to assess and treat toxic burden — because detox is never just about toxins. It’s about:
- What microbes are disrupting your immune system
- What exposures you’ve had (and may still have)
- How your nervous system, liver, mitochondria, and detox pathways are functioning
This is whole-body detox at the cellular and systemic level — and it’s how we help patients from Troy, MI and beyond heal from the inside out.
What Are Environmental Toxins?
Heavy Metals
These metals are naturally occurring in the environment, but due to industrial pollution and modern exposure sources, they now accumulate in human tissues at toxic levels.
Common sources include:
- Amalgam dental fillings (mercury)
- Contaminated water (lead, arsenic)
- Non-organic foods (cadmium)
- Industrial areas or old plumbing
Endocrine Disruptors
These are chemicals that mimic or block hormones, leading to significant disruption in the endocrine system — even at tiny doses.
Common sources include:
- Plastics (BPA)
- Fragranced personal care products (phthalates)
- Skincare and cosmetics (parabens)
- Receipts, food packaging, and household cleaners
Mycotoxins
Produced by toxic molds in water-damaged buildings, mycotoxins are invisible, volatile, and extremely inflammatory. They’re particularly dangerous for individuals with HLA-DR genetic susceptibility, who can’t detox mold effectively.
Symptoms include:
- Brain fog
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Sinus issues
- Fatigue that worsens in certain environments
Pesticides & Herbicides
Used heavily in non-organic farming, these chemicals (like glyphosate) are toxic to gut flora, endocrine tissues, and detox enzymes.
Even trace levels in food or water can:
- Damage intestinal lining (leaky gut)
- Trigger immune confusion
- Disrupt liver detox and methylation pathways
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
These gases are released from synthetic materials — and they’re in nearly every home and office. Common sources include:
- Paints and adhesives
- Carpets and furniture
- Air fresheners and cleaners
- Plastics and electronics
Signs and Symptoms of Toxin Overload
Chronic Fatigue + Poor Sleep
Toxins impair mitochondrial energy production — leaving you wired, tired, or both. Sleep becomes shallow, unrefreshing, or non-existent.
Brain Fog, Headaches, Mood Swings
Biotoxins and heavy metals cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to inflammation in the limbic system. This manifests as:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory issues
- Irritability or depression
- Anxiety or panic for “no reason”
Skin Issues: Rashes, Acne, Hives
The skin is a secondary detox organ. When the liver or gut is overwhelmed, toxins are pushed out through the skin — resulting in:
- Chronic or cyclical breakouts
- Itchy rashes
- Eczema or psoriasis flares
- Unexplained hives or welts
Hormonal Imbalances
Toxins are notorious endocrine disruptors, interfering with estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol. You may experience:
- PMS or irregular cycles
- Low libido
- Infertility
- Perimenopause symptoms far earlier than expected
Digestive Problems
The gut is highly sensitive to environmental toxins. Exposure to pesticides, mold, or plastics can result in:
- Bloating
- Food intolerances
- Constipation or IBS
- “Leaky gut” and nutrient malabsorption
Chemical Sensitivities
If you feel sick around perfumes, air fresheners, gasoline, or new furniture — this is your body saying it can no longer buffer the chemical burden. This is a hallmark of limbic system sensitization and toxin overload.
Poor Exercise Tolerance + Post-Exertional Malaise
When toxins impair your mitochondria, even light movement can feel like running a marathon. You may crash after activity, feel flu-like, or experience next-day fatigue. This is common in mold illness, Lyme, and chronic fatigue syndromes.
What a Detox Plan May Include
Foundational Preparation
Before we start releasing toxins from tissue, we make sure your detox pathways are open and supported. Otherwise, toxins recirculate — causing more inflammation and symptoms.
We focus on:
- Bowel regularity – You must be pooping daily; otherwise, toxins reabsorb
- Hydration and electrolyte balance – Supports kidney function and cellular detox
- Mineral replenishment – Zinc, magnesium, and trace minerals are essential cofactors
- Blood sugar stability – Keeps the nervous system regulated and prevents crashes
Detox Phase
Once the body is ready, we move into targeted detoxification based on your test results and exposures.
Binders
These help trap toxins in the gut so they can be safely excreted, not reabsorbed. Options include:
- Activated charcoal
- Bentonite or zeolite clay
- Cholestyramine or Welchol (for mycotoxins)
- Modified citrus pectin
Antioxidants + Glutathione Support
Detox creates oxidative stress — so we support with:
- Liposomal glutathione or NAC
- Vitamin C
- Alpha lipoic acid
- Selenium and B vitamins
These help neutralize the byproducts of detox and protect your mitochondria.
Liver Support
Your liver is the body’s main detox organ — and it needs to be nourished:
- Milk thistle
- NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
- Phosphatidylcholine
- Dandelion root or burdock
We also evaluate and support liver phase 1 and phase 2 detox enzymes.
Bile Flow Agents
Bile is critical for eliminating fat-soluble toxins (like mold, pesticides, and hormones). We may use:
- Ox bile
- Digestive bitters
- Taurine or glycine
- Phospholipids
If you’ve had your gallbladder removed, we pay extra attention to this area.
Targeted Protocols for Specific Toxins
- Mycotoxins: Cholestyramine, glutathione, sauna, mold avoidance
- Heavy Metals: Chelation (only when appropriate), cilantro, ALA, mineral balancing
- Pesticides/VOCs: Sauna, antioxidant pathways, methylation support
These protocols are never started all at once — we build them step by step, based on tolerance, labs, and symptom tracking.
Excretion Support
Once toxins are mobilized and bound, they need to leave the body efficiently — through stool, urine, sweat, and lymph. If excretion pathways are sluggish, toxins just get reabsorbed, keeping you in a cycle of inflammation.
We use simple but powerful therapies to enhance elimination:
Lymphatic Movement
Your lymph system doesn’t have a pump — it depends on movement. We support drainage with:
- Dry brushing
- Rebounding or light bouncing
- Gentle movement and stretching
- Castor oil packs (especially over liver and abdomen)
Far Infrared Sauna
One of the most effective ways to eliminate fat-soluble toxins — especially mycotoxins, plastics, and heavy metals. It also supports:
- Mitochondrial health
- Circulation
- Parasympathetic activation (rest and digest mode)
We’ll guide you on how to sauna safely, including hydration, timing, and pacing.
Red Light Therapy
Red and near-infrared light support:
- Mitochondrial repair
- Inflammation reduction
- Tissue healing
- Cellular detoxification
This gentle therapy is often used in detox-sensitive individuals and can be paired with sauna or lymphatic work.
Nervous System Regulation
If you're stuck in fight-or-flight mode, detox pathways shut down. Even worse, your body may reabsorb toxins, sensing them as threats and triggering histamine, mast cell activation, or anxiety.
That’s why we always include limbic system and vagal nerve support — especially for patients with:
- Mold sensitivity
- Chemical intolerance
- Histamine or MCAS symptoms
- Trauma history or nervous system dysregulation
We recommend and help guide patients through:
- Limbic retraining programs (DNRS, Gupta, etc.)
- Vagal nerve stimulation (breathwork, humming, cold therapy)
- Somatic practices (grounding, tapping, movement)
You’re Not Broken — You’re Burdened
Environmental toxins are invisible — but their effects are not.
If you feel like your body is stuck in a fog… If you’ve been told your symptoms are “just stress”... If you're tired of doing “all the right things” and still not getting better...
It might not be you — it might be your toxic load.
At Restorative Medicine Center, we know that true healing isn’t just about removing what’s wrong — it’s about restoring what’s right. That’s why we don’t chase symptoms. We look for root causes, and detoxification is often a critical part of that process.
Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal is here to help you detox the right way — with strategy, safety, and support.
When your body finally lets go of what it doesn’t need, you can finally reclaim your energy, clarity, and vitality.
Contact Us Today
📍 Restorative Medicine Center
705 Barclay Circle, Suite 115
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
📞 Phone: 248.289.6349
📠 Fax: 248.289.6923
🕘 Office Hours:
Mon – Thurs: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri: Closed
🌐 www.restorativemedcenter.com
📩 Email: drbirkmeier@gmail.com