Tools to Naturally Detox from Medical Imaging Tests & Scans

Since battling brain cancer and undergoing all sorts of scans that come along with it – from MRIs to CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays – I’ve had so many people reach out wondering how to detox from gadolinium and/or radiation exposure. The unfortunate reality is that scans can be necessary and life-saving. But they also mean exposure to substances that aren’t good for our health. 

As with all things, you have to weigh the risk versus the reward. And in many cases, the benefit of getting a scan far outweighs the risk from radiation or heavy metal exposure. Let’s jump in…

 

Breaking Down the Differences: MRI, CT Scan, PET Scan, X-Ray

There are many different types of scans you can get, and each is a little different. Different scans pose different risks, which I’ll break down further. 

Many MRIs are carried out using gadolinium as the contrast/dye. Gadolinium is a heavy metal found in the earth. It interacts with an MRI’s magnetic field to produce the contrast scan. But it is also a heavy metal and a toxic substance. Injectable gadolinium’s metal is bound to chelating molecules to block its dangerous effects. It must then be filtered and excreted through the kidneys.

I want to point out that MRI uses magnetic imaging and not radiation. You are therefore not exposed to radiation during an MRI scan. 

CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays use a different type of technology than MRIs to create their scans, and each of these technologies emits radiation. This means that if you have any of these scans, you are being exposed to radiation. 

 

What’s the Risk?

The risk of heavy metals: 

Heavy metals are metallic elements that have a relatively high density compared to water. Exposure to heavy metals can result in heavy metal toxicity, and it can lead to downstream effects including infertility, cancer, developmental abnormalities, cardiovascular challenges, faulty gene expression, and more. 

The risk of radiation: 

Radiation of certain wavelengths, called ionizing radiation, has enough energy to damage DNA and cause cancer. Ionizing radiation includes radon, x-rays, gamma rays, and other forms of high-energy radiation.

Because heavy metals and radiation are toxic to the human body, I am a firm believer in preparation and detoxification both leading up to and following a scan that exposes you to either risk factor. 

 

Taylor’s Contrast/Heavy Metal (Gadolinium) Detox

Suggested Use: To detox from an MRI scan

1. Take TDW Liver Support and TDW Methyl Aid the day before the scan, the day of the scan, and the day after the scan. 
2. Take TDW Bind, two capsules 2x per day on an empty stomach starting the day before the scan and continuing daily until at least two days after the scan. It is important to take this binder 1 hour away from any other supplements, medications or foods. 
3. Drink plenty of fluids. I hydrate even beyond optimal levels the day before the scan, the day of, and the day after. This helps to flush the kidneys. I use minerals and electrolytes like TDW Mineral Salt or Quinton on Fullscript. 
4. Do a castor oil pack the day before the scan, the day of the scan, and the day after your scan. This is a gentle detoxification measure. My favorite brand is Queen of the Thrones (use code TAYLORDUKES10).
5. Dry brush to get the lymphatic system moving the day before the scan, the day of the scan, and the day after your scan. I love The Skinny Confidential’s Butter Brush (use code TAYLORDUKES) – it is the best!
6. Do a coffee enema once during the week leading up to the scan and once during the week following the scan.
7. Sweat DAILY the week leading up to your scan and for a week following your scan. Rotate between the use of an infrared sauna (use code TAYLORDUKES) and a detox bath, which are both meant to detox the body. Use TDW Ultimate Detox Bath once the week before the scan and once the week after the scan. For other detox baths throughout the week before the scan and after the scan, use my Detox Bath recipe: 1/4 cup magnetic clay + 2 cups of epsom salt (unscented) + 1 cup of baking soda in a warm bath. Stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes.
   • They shouldn’t be done the same day; instead, alternate sauna one day and detox bath the next. It is important to stay well hydrated and drink electrolytes when using a sauna or detox bath which induce a lot of sweating. 
   • If you do not usually use a sauna, start at 15 minutes and increase both the temperature and your duration as tolerated. The goal is to reach 150-160 degrees F for about 30 minutes. 

 

Taylor’s Radiation Detox:

Suggested Use: To detox from a CT scan, PET scan or X-ray

1. Take TDW Liver Support and TDW Methyl Aid the day before the scan, the day of the scan, and the day after the scan. 
2. Sweat DAILY the week leading up to your scan and for a week following your scan. Rotate between the use of an infrared sauna (use code TAYLORDUKES) and a detox bath, which are both meant to detox the body. Use TDW Ultimate Detox Bath once the week before the scan and once the week after the scan. For other detox baths throughout the week before the scan and after the scan, use my Detox Bath recipe: 1/4 cup magnetic clay + 2 cups of Epsom salt (unscented) + 1 cup of baking soda in a warm bath. Stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes.
   • They shouldn’t be done the same day; instead, alternate sauna one day and detox bath the next. It is important to stay well hydrated and drink electrolytes when using a sauna or detox bath which induce a lot of sweating. 
   • If you do not usually use a sauna, start at 15 minutes and increase both the temperature and your duration as tolerated. The goal is to reach 150-160 degrees F for about 30 minutes. 
3. Take SOD (Super-Oxide Dismutase) Support 4 capsules 3x per day for protection from radiation. Take this starting 2 days before your scan and for one month after. 
4. Take TDW Bind, 2 capsules 2x per day the day before the scan, the day of the scan, and the day after the scan. It is important to take this binder 1 hour away from any other supplements, medications, or foods. 
5. Take melatonin 300 mg from Happy Healing Store the night before your scan. 
6. Dry brush to get the lymphatic system moving the day before the scan, the day of the scan, and the day after your scan. 
7. Do a coffee enema once during the week leading up to the scan and once during the week following the scan. 
8. Do a castor oil pack the day before the scan, the day of the scan, and the day after your scan. This is a gentle detoxification measure. 
9. Drink plenty of fluids. I hydrate even beyond optimal levels the day before the scan, the day of, and the day after. This helps to flush the kidneys. I use minerals and electrolytes like TDW Mineral Salt or Quinton on Fullscript. 

 

Other Detox Measures

Here are several more ways to support your body in detoxing:

• Green tea, including matcha, can help detox heavy metals. And Radiation Clear tea from Reclaim Teas is helpful for detoxing from radiation.
• Eat a diet rich in antioxidants. Resveratrol, quercetin, and green tea polyphenols rank among the best-studied and most potent radioprotectants. Studies such as the aforementioned have shown that plant polyphenols can protect human cells against radiation-induced DNA damage. This includes grapes, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, citrus fruits, apples, onions, matcha and more.
• Eat diet detox hero foods. This includes spirulina, chlorella, kelp, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cilantro, garlic, onions, wheat grass, parsley, kale and coconut oil, and other herbals.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (3x per week for 6 weeks for 90 minutes) can be a way to uplevel detoxification by increasing oxygenation. 

 

One Last Note

I want to encourage you not to stress about the negative side effects of these necessary scans. Do the best you can with your detoxification measures, but then let go of the rest! 

The reality is, you’re doing them for a greater good. So have grace with yourself. Know that you’re doing your best. And release the worries, tension, stress, or frustration. It is not a burden you should carry.

 

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