Binders feature next in the series of posts looking at some of the most studied and well renowned nutrients and supplements capable of improving mitochondrial function and energy production.

Reducing toxic load and chronic infections has been shown endlessly to help boost cellular energy and ease fatigue.

Binders support detox and antimicrobial protocols by helping remove toxins from the body.

Heavy metals, mycotoxins, microbial byproducts and chemicals can all be tackled with the use of binders which assist in eliminating them from the GI tract.

Binders are diverse in their origin and what toxins they have an affinity for, occasionally making it helpful to be selective when deciding which types to employ.

What are they?

Binders, as their name suggests, are agents that bind to toxins in our body. They are for the most part natural in origin although pharmaceutical versions do exist.

What do they do?

Binders serve many purposes such as assisting with detoxification and reducing die-off reactions, making them a crucial part of any detoxification or antimicrobial protocol.

They do this by attaching to toxins in our GI tract before they are eventually excreted through the stool.

How do they help?

This process positively impacts our organs and mitochondria over time, thereby assisting with energy production.

Different binders have a certain affinity to various toxins, ranging from heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticides and chemicals such as glyphosate.

Some examples

Zeolite, chlorella, modified citrus pectin, bentonite clay, chitosan, activated charcoal, cholestyramine, silica and humic and fulvic acids are all traditional and well-known binders.

Carbon-based binders have also become widely used in recent years.

Consumption

Most experts regard binders as safe, but users should exercise caution with dosing and timing.

Supporting elimination pathways including the kidneys and bowel is also key if taking a binder.

Please consider speaking with a practitioner or coach well versed in nutritional supplementation and detoxification before deciding whether binders are suitable for you.

You can find other ME/CFS related blogs here.