Get Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Diet FREE One of the ways companies make money on cancer is by using words that sound great but mean little.
“Detoxification” is one of them.
Let’s take a closer look at this. On the surface, getting rid of “toxins‘ is a good idea, right? “Toxins” bad, “detox” good, correct?
Well, sure, except nobody really knows what this means. Take the “toxic” effects of drugs. We have drugs like medications, illegal drugs, drugs in food and drink (alcohol, caffeine, others) and “natural drugs” made in the body (don’t get me started on the word “natural”!)
“Toxicity”, when used in this vague sense, could be organ injury from the drug directly, or it could be a harmful effect produced by the body itself in response to the drug, or it could be an allergic reaction, or it could be a withdrawal effect from an addictive substance…just to name a few.
So “detox”, related to drugs, is pretty hard to wrap one’s brain around. What does it mean? Does a “detox” supplement help with any or all of these?
Let’s look at another area that ups the confusion ante. The body makes a lot of “toxic” waste products during normal living. Many of those made end up passing out in urine and feces, a product of busy organs like the kidney and liver. The skin excretes some in sweat, and a wee bit are exhaled. Does a “detox” supplement insure that more of the body’s wastes will be excreted?
Normal metabolism creates a whole slew of “toxins” (bad, bad poisons made by Mother Nature). Free radicals and aldehydes are just two examples. Enzymes within the body handle these, with the help of substances found in the diet. This cluster of mechanisms would be another way to look at “detoxification”. Does a “detox” supplement increase these effects?
But wait! What about all those nasties from diet, water, and air? We have our usual slew to consider, including heavy metals (lead, mercury, and so on), aromatic hydrocarbons from fossil fuel combustion (car exhaust, factories, etc), nitrates and nitrites (preservatives that end up carcinogenic in the body), plastics and everything made out of them, pesticides, herbicides….an endless list. These are all “toxins”. So “detoxification” would point to reducing the harmful effects of some or all of these, am I correct?
Does a “detox” product actually address these things?  There are so many aspects of the picture. We can decrease exposure. We can decreasing absorption of them once on the skin, or in the lungs or GI tract. We can boost the needed enzymes and other internal factors. We can increase the excretion in the urine or feces. Which is being addressed, and how?
What is the evidence? How is the claim shown to be true? Where is it shown that the promise of “detoxification” is fulfilled?
Here is my main problem with “detoxification”. You, the concerned dog lover, are in the cross-hairs of unethical companies advertising “detox” products all over the place. If you were to call the manufacturer for real data showing the product did what they claimed, and really analyze what you were sent, you would most often be disappointed.
Some of us are not trained in the finer points of critiquing information that is used to back up flimsy or false claims. And thereby, some are vulnerable to grifters out to make a quick buck.
I do not like businesses that take advantage of people in a crisis. The use of vague words that sound good, as if they contain measurable effects and definitions (but usually do not), is one of the ways innocent people experiencing pain get bamboozled.
So keep your eyes open, dog lovers.
Remember, the first step is always information gathering. The way to gather information is by questioning. Always question. You will be happy you did!
Best to all,
Dr D
About the Author
Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is known as the "dog cancer vet" and is author of Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Beyond Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation. Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information about canine cancer. Go to http://DogCancerBlog.com.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Just as you do not like businesses that take advantage of people in a crisis, I am not fond of those that exploit my dog’s cancer making a quick buck, profiting from her condition. It has been a long and rough journey. I have found it has become easier to desertain those with a genuine concern for my pet’s health from those that only have a desire to profit off those who are in need of help.
Dr. Demian Dressler your “free” kokua is very vague. I am reminded of the dangling carrot effect. It saddens me that others like myself are asked to pay for information that may help our furry family member.
Rationalize it all you want. Bachi my kind Sir, bachi.
Dear Dr D. I wanted to tell you that my Standard Poodle Connor was diagnosed with agressive giant cell sarcoma back in November 2009. They removed the growth on his forleg and adviced me he would require chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I decided against this method as I knew the stress would kill him and I did not wish to put further toxins through his body. So, I commenced on K9 Immunity and K9 transferre factor. I then saw my homeopathic vet Mark Elliott who prescribed “carcinosis and thuja” alternet weeks. Connor commenced his fifth week of this Saturday gone and his recurring tumour has vanished. Miracle or what, could it have been the combination of K9 Immunity and K9 Transferre with the homeopathic treatment who knows? But to me I am so grateful for his progress and he is 10 years old but behaves like a 2 year old. I have also put him onto a raw organic diet with meats and seasonal vegetables plus some aloe vera.
I for one will never buy conventional “dog Food” again, full of pure rubbish, and as I understand there is no governing body stating what pet food manufacturers can label their products so you could be bying freeze dried shit and it could state PREMIUM DOG FOOD no thanks. Wake up ALL DOG LOVERS and research the evidence. The proof is in the pudding!!! Reagards Lisbeth Gjetnes
Dear Karen,
I am sorry you feel like I am taking advantage of people. I have written, I think, about 150 blog posts. If you were to read each one (which I encourage you to do), you would find a large amount of useful information. I am sorry you are unhappy. One of the aspects of information delivery to a large number of people is that one has to speak in generalities. Every pet is unique, being on certain medications and having different things that need to be weighed when making decisions. Yes, general information by it’s nature is more vague than a specific recommendation for a given patient, which has to take into account more than you know.
It seems that charging for a book about something that has emotional aspects for people who need it is unacceptable, based on what you wrote. Following that, one make the same statement about charging for a surgery or a counseling session for those who need it, or even charging for the books on the shelves at Border’s.
I am sorry you feel like I am taking advantage of you, but huge numbers of others out there who appreciate what I do and motivates me to continue, so I will continue as I have been.
Perhaps the root of this comment has more to do with the rough journey you have been on, and less to do with the comment itself. I hope things get less rough for you.
Take care Karen,
Dr D
We have a lovely dog called Todi whose mother died of cancer last month (a different owner). Todi is my best friend; naturally we are very cautious as my husband is a cancer survivor too. As Karen pointed out earlier, I do not want businesses making money because I fear that my dog can develop cancer some day. Today I came across your wonderful blog and it will certainly answer a lot of questions that I have. I agree companies advertising detox products might be fooling us in buying their products.
Thank you Jess. Yes, it is strange…there are many things that can be done that are “outside the box” but the problem is that sometimes they really are not assessed. Thanks for your input.
All my best,
Dr D