Environmental Toxins and What You Can Do About Them.

One of the best ways to prevent cancer and chronic disease is by limiting exposure to environmental pollutants. We are exposed to hundreds of toxins on a daily basis and while total avoidance is impossible, there are steps we can take to limit our exposure and help our bodies remove them more efficiently.

Since the early 1930’s over 83,000 new chemicals have been introduced into the environment. The Environmental Working Group did a small study that found 287 environmental chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of pregnant women.

Exposure is so small you have nothing to worry about

The manufacturers of industrial pollutants say that the amount of pollutant exposure is too small to have an impact on our health. How can a 1 part per billion blood level of a toxic substance cause harm? They equate it to 1 pancake in a stack that is 4,000 miles long. While this is true it does not mean that 1 pancake cannot have an impact on our biological systems. Take a look at how small of a blood level we need for drugs to work.

Here are three examples:

1. Albuterol, a drug used to treat asthma is effective at 2.1 parts per billion
2. Paxil, an antidepressant works at 30 parts per billion
3. Nuva Ring, a contraceptive works at 0.035 parts per billion

So if it only takes a very small blood level of a drug to have an effect on the body why would other chemicals be any different? Then add the synergistic effect of 287 chemicals together and we have toxic overload.

So what can you do about it?

Detoxify

The liver is an amazing organ. Introduce almost any substance and the liver will break it down and eliminate it whether it has seen it before or not. This is called detoxification. There are 2 phases of detoxification and both require many, many nutritional components to work effectively and efficiently. The best way to supply these components is through a diet that is high in raw, uncooked, organic (let’s not add more toxins from pesticides) fruits and vegetables. If you do not get enough of these components, your liver simply cannot process the toxins and they are stored in your body. There are also a number of supplements you can take for added liver support if you refuse to go the fruit and vegetable route.

Limit exposure as much as possible

It is estimated that women use about 12 personal care products per day, exposing them to over 180 different chemicals. Shampoos, make up, lotions and creams are applied to the skin. The chemicals in these products are freely absorbed through the skin. Using organic, natural products that are preservative free is the best choice.

Foods

Avoid artificial sweeteners and processed foods that contain MSG, food coloring, preservatives and pesticide residues, as well as canned foods that contain large amounts of BPA.

Plastics

Never microwave plastic even if it says microwave safe. That only means it is safe for the plastic, not you. Avoid bottled water to limit BPA exposure and always wash your hands after handling cash register receipts, which give you the greatest risk of exposure to BPA.

We can’t live under a rock or live in fear from these things, but we can take steps to limit their effect on out health. By limiting exposure and supporting our bodies natural ability to detoxify we can remain healthy and disease free.

Please feel free to comment and share with friends below. Thanks for your support!

Stay healthy my friends,

The Wellness Professor