Are You Worried About Blocked Detox Pathways?

Have you ever felt like you're at a crossroads? You're desperate to help your child recover, but are paralyzed by fear of making the wrong move. You're not alone.

Many parents approach me, eager to start chelating their children from heavy metals. They believe toxic metals are at the root of their child’s struggles, but are afraid they’ll make things worse. They’ve been told that before any detox can begin, they need to "open" their child’s blocked detox pathways.

This notion is misleading and can scare parents into delaying actions that could help their child recover. In this post, we’ll debunk that myth, look at what’s really going on in your child’s detox system, and explore how to support them through the recovery process without unnecessary delays.

Why Some Kids Get Sick and Others Don’t

The myth of the closed detox pathway seems to explain why, despite facing the same toxin exposures, some children experience negative effects while others continue to develop typically.

I get questions all the time in this same vein, especially from parents who’ve had genetic testing done and found certain genetic variants (polymorphisms or SNPs), like the CBS gene mutation, that are often talked about in biomedical circles.

Here’s what’s important to understand: people become toxic for one of two reasons—

1. They’ve been exposed to an above-average amount of toxins, or
   
   
2. Their bodies don’t clear those toxins (like heavy metals) as efficiently as other people with the same exposure.
   
   

Our children are almost always in that second category. They are metal toxic because their detox pathways work more slowly than average, not because those pathways are shut down completely. This “slower clearance” often shows up in genetic testing, but even if you never run the tests, the real-world symptoms already tell the story.

And yes, ACC chelation works for children with slow detox systems. In fact, every child who has used ACC successfully has had this same issue, whether or not they’ve had genetic testing to confirm it.

Slow Detox Isn’t the Same as No Detox

Think of it like metabolism. You’ve probably met that person (or maybe you are that person) who can eat burgers and fries all day and never gain weight, while the rest of us gain 5 pounds just by looking at cake. Some people naturally clear metals from their body in 90 days; others take 300+ days.

But assuming that “slow” means “dangerous to chelate” is simply not true. The truth is, the body’s detoxification systems—liver, kidneys, and bowels—are constantly at work. If those pathways were truly closed, the chemicals in the environment and the food they eat every day would make our children gravely ill. The fact that your child is alive and not in the hospital is proof that their detox pathways are functioning.

Where the Myth Comes From

The closed-pathway myth stems largely from Biomed’s reluctance to chelate. They often use unsafe forms of chelation, and when parents report bad results, instead of questioning their faulty protocols, they look for other explanations.

They’ll argue that because our children’s bodies “can’t detox effectively,” a chelator will mobilize metals but won’t be able to eliminate them, causing damage. This taps into the deepest fears of parents who are terrified of making their child worse.

Their “solution” is to spend months or years—and plenty of money—trying to “open” detox pathways before starting chelation. But this just delays the real work that leads to recovery.

Proof That Chelation Works Even With Liver Issues

For more than twenty years, children have done low-dose chelation without “opening” detox pathways first. One family’s story stands out. The father had hepatitis C, which he passed to his son. Both had very high liver enzyme levels, a common issue with this disease.

Despite this, they chose ACC chelation for their son because he was regressing. They supported his liver with high doses of milk thistle and continued chelation. The result? His behavior improved—and so did his liver function.

Understanding the Body’s Detox Phases

Believing in the blocked-pathway myth can set your child’s recovery back months or even years. Instead, focus on supporting the body’s natural detox phases while safely removing metals.

So let's take a closer look at the body’s main detox pathways. 

Phase 1: Transformation
Phase 1 is where toxins first enter the breakdown process. This stage is powered largely by a group of enzymes called Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. These enzymes take a toxin and chemically modify it, often turning it into a more reactive (and sometimes more toxic) compound than it was before.

That might sound alarming, but it’s actually a necessary step. Phase 1 is essentially “cutting” the toxin into a form that Phase 2 enzymes can grab onto and neutralize. Without this step, the toxin would remain in its original form and be harder to eliminate.

Certain genetic variants can affect CYP450 activity, which is why some people break down toxins faster or slower than others. This doesn’t mean Phase 1 is “blocked”—it just means it’s working at their body’s pace. Either way, this phase still does its job and prepares toxins for safe elimination in Phase 2.

We’ll circle back to Phase 1 later, but for now, remember: the goal here isn’t to “open” Phase 1—it’s to support it and keep the total toxin load low so Phase 2 isn’t overwhelmed.

In Phase 2, activated toxins from Phase 1 are combined with other substances. This makes them water-soluble and less harmful. This phase is energy-intensive, requiring ATP and an array of nutrients. We support this phase with the nutrients needed for different conjugation pathways.

• Glucuronidation: key supports are magnesium, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and probiotics.

• Glutathione conjugation: Key supports are the minerals zinc and selenium. We give vitamin C, milk thistle, and alpha lipoic acid as part of the Detoxing Kids protocol. They will regenerate glutathione. 

• Sulfation: Key supports are Epsom Salts baths and taurine.

• Methylation: Key Supports are magnesium, B vitamins, and choline.
• Acetylation: Key supports are B Vitamins, vitamin C, and L-carnitine
• Amino Acid Conjugation: Key supports are glycine, glutamine, and taurine

When people say detox is slow or sluggish, they're referring to Phase 2. If you know the supplements recommended for low-dose chelation, you'll see that phase 2 support nutrients are part of the protocol. Milk thistle not only helps the liver's phase 2 pathway but also reduces oxidative stress and supports bile flow. This breaks down and transports substances. You can find more details on dosing in the Detoxing Kids book and video course.

Phase 1, on the other hand, breaks down toxins quite effectively on its own. But the resulting byproducts may be quite harmful and could lead to significant problems if allowed to accumulate.  Supporting phase 1 involves reducing the substances the liver has to process. To lower your child’s  toxic burden and create a healthier home environment, consider some of these action steps:

• Ditch Harmful Cleaning Products: Opt for natural cleaning solutions or brands known for their non-toxic formulations, like Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyers. Avoid products with harmful chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine bleach, and hydrochloric acid.
• Choose Safer Kitchenware: Switch out non-stick cookware for safer alternatives like stainless steel, cast iron, or lead-free ceramic. Steer clear of aluminum foil and cookware, which can leach aluminum into food.
• Revamp Personal Care Routines: Look for personal care products free from parabens, phthalates, and fluoride. Brands like Banyan Botanicals for toothpowder, or Innersense for hair care, offer healthier alternatives.
• Minimize Heavy Metal Exposure: Be vigilant about sources of heavy metals in your home. Opt for LED bulbs over CFLs, avoid high mercury fish, and consider safer dental fillings without mercury.
• Address Mold Concerns: Prevent and address mold growth in your home by maintaining low humidity levels. Ensure proper ventilation in damp areas of the house, like bathrooms and kitchens, and fix leaks right away.

We can reduce the toxic burden our children face by focusing on these areas. This will lessen the harmful substances their bodies must deal with and support their natural detox function. Let's empower ourselves to take action and create a safe, toxin-free environment for our children to thrive in.

Takeaway

You don’t need perfect genetics—or perfectly “open” detox pathways—to start helping your child recover from heavy metal toxicity. Slow detox systems are the norm in our kids, and the ACC method is designed for exactly this situation.

You can start now—support the body with the right nutrients, remove metals gradually, and reduce exposures at home. Over time, you’ll see real progress without wasting months chasing a pathway that isn’t actually closed.

Click Here for the free Non-Toxic Necessities list in our Toxin Free Home mini workbook! 

This detailed list of everyday products to replace with non-toxic alternatives simplifies your transition, ensuring you can easily keep track of your progress.