Adjunctive Treatments for BII
Detox
Danielle Valoras (PA-C, Charlotte): “Detoxing has not been proven effective for the treatment of BII. But a healthy diet, hydration, and exercise will always enhance healing from any condition. For biotoxin diseases such as BII, the root cause may be the implants, and as such, explantation is a key step in the healing journey. Many people ask me what the right “detox” program is after explantation; please keep in mind that “detox diets” rarely identify the specific toxins they are supposed to remove.
There is a lot of foundational work that everyone can do. Like eating clean, making sure you chew your food well before swallowing, etc. Basically, you can start a good, nutrient-dense diet by adding lots of colorful vegetables and fruits – there are many diets to choose from. What works for me is keeping it simple and clean. Add healthy foods and remove foods that can cause inflammation or cannot be digested well.
Consider a diet that encompasses healthy eating: gluten-free, dairy-free, processed sugar-free, and alcohol-free with non-GMO, organic, and wild-caught protein sources. Make sure you are hydrated, including electrolytes throughout the day, and make sure you eat a variety of antioxidant-rich foods and foods containing phytonutrients and sources of sulfur like cruciferous vegetables. Consider a diet rich in pre- and probiotics to keep your digestive system healthy, which is important for proper detoxification and immune health. Restful sleep and stress management are extremely important; rest is healing. Go for balance, not perfection. Continually assess and pursue efforts to support healthy immune system balance and function.
Lymphatic drainage
Danielle Valoras (PA-C, Charlotte): “The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that carry lymph throughout the body. Its responsibilities include cleaning the cellular environment, returning excess tissue proteins and fluids to the blood, providing a pathway for the absorption of fats into the bloodstream, and producing and transporting antibodies (white blood cells called lymphocytes) throughout the body to fight infection.
The lymphatic system is thought to play an important role in people with breast implants and breast implant-related illnesses.
When the lymphatic system is blocked by structure or physiology, health can deteriorate. Imagine an engine with car oil and you can think of our lymphatic system as an oil filter. Imagine how slow and straining the engine would be if the oil wasn’t constantly filtered. Sluggish lymphatic fluid is a breeding ground for infection and dysregulation.
Because lymph cleans almost every cell in the body, the symptoms of chronic lymphatic blockage are varied. These symptoms can make it difficult to identify the root cause, triggers, and mediators that affect our health. There are signs and symptoms you can tell if your lymphatic system is affected. There is also thermography that can show you where your body is most affected by lymphatic stagnation.
Other studies
Further clinical studies are needed to identify key treatments for breast implant disease. We know that removing implants helps a lot in gaining vitality and health.
Treatments that CAN help support your lymphatic system include:
1. Lymphatic drainage massage and/or visceral manipulation
2. Healthy and clean food
3. Deep breathing exercises
4. Simple body movements, i.e. yoga, walking, bone bounce, etc.) and
5. Dry brushing
6. Infrared sauna (post-explantation)
7. Support the adrenals with electrolytes and hydration
