Occasionally I get contacted, usually from someone new to this plight, about how to detox from the Fluoroquinolones (FQ’s).   This is a complex subject that I admit is hard to make sense of given the varied amount of information that is found floating around the Internet, and unfortunately much of it based on flawed paradigms, assumptions, and beliefs.  Let’s briefly look at detoxification and, despite what you have read or heard, how most of it does not apply to FQ’s.

First of all, detoxification is unquestionably a natural process that is always going on in our bodies.  Numerous organs and systems including the liver, kidneys, lungs, lymphatic system, gastrointestinal tract, and bladder all contribute to the regular elimination of the natural metabolic byproducts of digestion, activity, and cellular regeneration.

Many aspects of our modern life can make the work of these organs much harder and given our mass produced, highly manufactured, chemically laden society, the burden placed on these organs can eventually lead to a disease process.   However many in the alternative world erroneously suggest that detoxing is possible from FQ’s.  This type of thinking presents an ignorance about how the FQ’s work in the human body.

Now, let me say that it is highly probable that, for many, the FQ’s interfere or ‘throw off’ many metabolic processes.  These disrupted metabolic processes can, for some, cause the accumulation of toxic products to occur in the body. For instance, I have seen some floxies become very chemically sensitive and it would suggest that, among other things, their metabolic systems involved in removing toxins have become impaired.   I have also seen an unusual amount of floxies become affected by or sensitive to the burden of heavy metals that have been accumulated throughout a lifetime of environmental exposure.  These things become manifest after floxing. 

For some, eating healthier, juicing, relieving chronic constipation, staying better hydrated, or some other detoxifying procedure or products (like Zeolite) provides some relief from some of the unpleasant symptoms incurred by these various malfunctioning metabolic processes and accumulation of toxins. This is all well and good but not to be a Debbie Downer it does not actually detox or remove the FQ’s or their metabolites.   It just addresses some of the downstream problems associated with FQAD. 

Remember, to stay on point, I am talking just about the removal of, or detoxing, the Fluoroquinolones or their metabolites, from the body, not other substances that they FQ’s have caused to accumulate through their damaging actions.  

Over the last decade I have talked to literally hundreds of FQ victims and have had direct and indirect interactions with many, many more.   I have extensively worked with researchers, met with the FDA (not really all that important but is sounds impressive), and even have been foolhardy to pay out of the pocket in the past for expensive health consultants during my times of desperation. I have watched groups of people take three paths in an attempt to heal; #1, do nothing, #2 pursue alternative healing methods either through naturopaths, holistic healers, etc…, #3 rely on traditional doctors and traditional medicine.  With the slight exception that the group choosing to follow path #3 has seems to have a slightly worse outcome (give or take a few percentage points), no path has resulted in greater healing over the other!  Seriously. 

If there was a form of detoxing that would work to remove the Fluoroquinolones or their metabolites from the body (if there are actually any FQ’s left in the body), everyone would know about it and everyone would use it to heal and move on with their lives.

Also, it is not necessary for the Fluoroquinolones to remain in the body for them to do damage, you can read that FAQ here. 

So, why does detoxing not directly affect the Fluoroquinolones?

  • FQ’s are synthetic not natural designed for deep tissue penetration.
  • FQ’s damage the body in the same fashion that chemotherapy (anti-cancer) and heavy metals damage the body (Note the FQ’s are not heavy metals). 
  • FQ’s can damage both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.
  • FQ’s can change gene expression and start pathogenic (disease) processes.
  • FQ’s do not need to remain in the body to cause long term damage via the above genetic avenues.
  • FQ’s can damage other cellular structures besides DNA.
  • FQ’s can permanently alter the gut microbiome.
  • FQ’s can upregulate MMP’s causing long term connective tissue problems.
  • and on and on (I could literally make a list with over a hundred entries).

I will fully concede that certain detoxing regimens of procedures may help some individuals deal with or correct the unpleasant symptoms of metabolic systems that have gone awry, especially if these detox protocols are done very safely. However, caution is indicated because, conversely, for some, detoxing has proven to be dangerous and cause unwanted symptoms or harm. One thing is for certain, detoxing is not a ‘cure’ for floxing and, due to the complexities involved in floxing, cannot be universally applied to everyone as a treatment.  From the experience shared with me by many individuals who have tried detoxing,  the detoxing paradigms of many alternative medicine practitioners, who claim to be able to ‘remove’ or ‘cure’ FQAD do not apply to a synthetic DNA damaging/altering chemotherapeutic agent that should not be handed out like candy by our ignorant medical establishment.

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