CIRS Drainage and Detox Support

Providing comprehensive holistic support for any treatment protocol is essential for optimal healing. Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex condition that affects the body’s ability to naturally detoxify and eliminate harmful biotoxins. When this natural detoxification process is impaired, it can lead to a buildup of toxins that further compromise the body’s systems. For CIRS patients, it’s not uncommon for drainage pathways—the routes through which the body eliminates waste—to become blocked or sluggish, making it difficult for the body to expel harmful substances.

 

In these cases, supporting the body’s drainage and detox processes becomes essential. Without opening up these pathways first, introducing binders and other detox strategies may result in uncomfortable symptoms or an overwhelming toxin burden. One of the keys to managing CIRS treatment effectively lies in carefully supporting both drainage and detox, ensuring the body has the tools it needs to safely and efficiently remove these harmful biotoxins.

 

We will explore best practices for how to open up and support these critical drainage pathways, providing practical steps to help CIRS patients on their healing journey. Whether you are in active treatment or seeking to understand more about it, these strategies can serve as a foundation for improved health.

 

What Is CIRS?

 

 

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex condition that impacts multiple systems within the body, leading to a variety of symptoms. It is triggered by excessive inflammation resulting from an overactive immune response. Proper diagnosis of CIRS requires comprehensive lab testing and a detailed review of the patient’s medical history, making it a more challenging condition to detect.

 

Because CIRS presents with such a broad range of symptoms, it is often misdiagnosed or treated ineffectively. Unlike typical immune disorders that can be identified through abnormal results in standard autoimmune tests, CIRS does not show up in these conventional tests. This makes a specialized and in-depth diagnostic process critical for correctly identifying and managing the condition. Accurate diagnosis is key to ensuring patients receive the most effective care for their unique needs.

 

 

What leads to the heightened immune response and widespread inflammation characteristic of CIRS? The primary triggers are biotoxins—naturally occurring toxins that initiate and exacerbate CIRS. These harmful substances can come from a variety of sources:

 

• Water-Damaged Buildings: Around 80% of CIRS cases are linked to exposure to environments affected by water damage. These spaces often harbor mold mycotoxins, bacteria, and chemical irritants that spark inflammation in susceptible individuals. Even components from dead mold can contribute to systemic inflammation, affecting both the body and brain.

 

• Insect Bites: Bites from certain insects, such as ticks and spiders, can lead to chronic conditions like Lyme disease. Pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti, along with venom from recluse spider bites, can trigger long-term health issues.

 

• Seafood Consumption: Consuming tropical reef fish contaminated with ciguatera toxin, often linked to harmful algal blooms like cyanobacteria, can result in biotoxin-related illness. Larger reef fish accumulate these toxins by eating smaller fish that have ingested toxic dinoflagellates.

 

• Contaminated Water Exposure: Coming into contact with or inhaling water contaminated by toxic algae blooms, including cyanobacteria and Pfiesteria, can provoke the inflammatory responses associated with CIRS.

 

• Other Biotoxin Sources: Additional CIRS triggers include certain vaccines, viruses, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), endotoxins, and actinomycetes, all of which can contribute to the onset and progression of the syndrome.

 

 

Biotoxins are microscopic molecules that can easily penetrate cell membranes, making them difficult to detect using standard blood tests. These toxins typically enter the body through inhalation but can also be introduced via ingestion, insect bites, or contact with contaminated water.

 

Not everyone exposed to biotoxins, such as mold, will develop CIRS. The likelihood of developing biotoxin-related conditions largely depends on genetic factors and life stressors. Key triggers such as serious illnesses, surgeries, high fevers, pregnancies, significant biotoxin exposure, or traumatic events can cause a cytokine storm, activating the CIRS gene in those genetically predisposed, particularly individuals with HLA-DR genes. This means CIRS can develop at any point in life. It’s important to note that the absence of symptoms doesn’t guarantee immunity, and genetic testing can be a helpful tool for assessing risk.

 

While biotoxins can cause immediate illness in some, most people’s immune systems can identify and eliminate these toxins. However, those with a genetic predisposition to CIRS have immune systems that fail to recognize and clear these toxins. As a result, biotoxins remain in the body, triggering a chronic inflammatory response and a range of long-term health issues.

 

For a more detailed understanding of CIRS, click here.

 

Pro-Tip: If you think you’re suffering from CIRS, start with our White Glove Service for comprehensive care.

 

What Is the Shoemaker Protocol?

 

 

The Shoemaker Protocol is a comprehensive, step-by-step treatment plan developed by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker to address CIRS. This protocol is the only peer-reviewed and clinically supported approach for treating biotoxin illness, including mold-related conditions. It systematically targets the complex effects of biotoxin illness by focusing on the underlying inflammatory pathways that contribute to the condition. Each stage of the Shoemaker Protocol is carefully ordered to address various downstream impacts of biotoxins, ensuring an effective and thorough treatment process.

 

The initial stages of the protocol focus on eliminating the source of biotoxin exposure, whether through mold remediation, avoiding contaminated environments, or other environmental interventions. Once exposure is minimized, the next crucial step is removing biotoxins from the body. This is achieved using binding medications such as Cholestyramine (CSM) or Welchol, which help bind and remove biotoxins from the body.

 

As the protocol progresses, additional steps aim to correct the inflammatory response and hormonal imbalances caused by biotoxins. This includes normalizing cytokine levels, addressing hormonal deficiencies, and resolving downstream effects of biotoxin exposure. Each phase of the protocol is designed to restore balance to the immune and endocrine systems, ultimately leading to symptom relief and improved health.

 

Before beginning step two, which involves using binders CSM or Welchol, it is essential to support proper drainage and detox pathways. Without ensuring these pathways are open, biotoxins may not be effectively eliminated, potentially worsening symptoms. Proper drainage and detoxification are critical to making the Shoemaker Protocol a success and ensuring that the body can handle the removal of harmful toxins.

 

Drainage Overview

 

 

Drainage is the body’s way of removing toxins, waste, debris, and pathogens through a variety of pathways. Drainage pathways help the body naturally drain and detox on its own. Focusing on drainage ensures you’re properly eliminating before detoxing.

 

If any of the body’s drainage pathways are not functionally optimally, toxins can’t properly exit the body. Instead, they will recirculate and be reabsorbed by the body, which leads to stagnation. Over time, stagnation and the burden of toxins become too great that chronic disease and illness ensue.

 

It is ideal to ensure drainage pathways are open and functioning before starting a detox or attacking phase of a healing protocol. If the drainage pathways are blocked, the toxins the body is trying to detox won’t be able to exit the body properly. Recirculation and reabsorption will occur, likely causing a Herxhemier reaction. A Herxheimer reaction, also known as die-off, is when the body is overwhelmed by the healing protocol and feels worse before getting better.

 

When the body’s drainage pathways are open and ready to remove toxins, the body will have fewer healing crisis reactions. That’s why supporting drainage pathways is essential for improving the comfort and efficacy of CIRS treatment binders.

 

Drainage Foundations

The following are foundational supports that should be prioritized before starting any drainage or detox protocol.[/vc_column_text]