Toxins: The Hidden Health Crisis and How To Protect Yourself
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Toxins in the environment are a global health crisis, and avoiding them is something we all need to do. In a series of studies, the US Environmental Protection Agency discovered that 100% of the people they studied had toxins stored in their fat including dioxins, PCB's, dichlorobenzene, xylene, and styrene, all of which are known carcinogens. When the body encounters toxins, they are often stored in the fat and soft tissues to keep them from circulating in our bloodstream. This is one of the reasons that detoxification should go hand in hand with weight loss.
We encounter toxins all kinds of ways, even places we might not even think about. They are hiding in cosmetics, dry cleaning, fragrances, candles, air fresheners, household cleaners, and more. The EPA suggests that indoor air can be 5 times more polluted than outdoor air.
With toxins so prevalent, we can't solely rely on the liver to detoxify our body. It is important that we take proactive steps to avoid toxins wherever we can. While we cannot completely eliminate our exposure, we can make a significant impact. Because many toxins disrupt immune function, hormone balance, and neurological function, you can improve your health with some simple changes designed to limit your exposure.
Water Pollution
You might not think the water you are drinking is a potential source of toxins, but it can be. An investigation from the Associated Press showed that the water from 24 metropolitan areas contained drugs and pharmaceuticals. Water treatment plants are not able to filter these chemicals out. In most cases, they even add chemicals like chlorine and fluoride.
You can get your water tested to determine what chemicals you might be up against. It's a good idea to filter your water at home instead of buying filtered water in plastic jugs. This will keep plastic particles from leaching into your water supply. You can learn about water filters from the National Sanitation Foundation website, and chose one that is right for you.
You might already have a water filter that you use for drinking, but that is not the only way to avoid toxins. Chemicals can easily enter your bloodstream by coming into contact with your skin. We recommend filters for your showerhead and regularly cleaning your showerheads with vinegar. This is especially important in the shower because mycotoxins or chemicals like chlorine can enter your body through your lungs when you inhale the steam.
Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution can come in many hidden forms - from chemicals that get tracked in on the bottom of your shoes to the chemicals that radiate from new paint, furniture, carpet, laminate flooring, clothes, or mattresses. There are many household plants that have been tested by NASA as air purifiers, but several are toxic to pets.
The amount of plants you would need to completely clean the air might make your house look like a jungle. However, adding a few can still boost the air quality. A high-quality air filter should also be a part of every home.
Another way to clean up air pollution is to replace plastics in your house with cloth alternatives including swapping vinyl blinds for cotton curtains. Cotton shower curtains or glass doors can be used instead of plastic ones. Rugs, tablecloths, and placemats should all be made of organic materials too. These items can be thrown into the washing machine to get rid of dust, mites, and pet dander. This will also help improve the air quality. They even have tiny air filters for your car, which helps clean out chemicals that radiate from the plastic as it heats up in the summer.
Pesticides
Produce can expose you to pesticides and other chemicals. Pesticides are particularly dangerous because of the effect they can have on female reproductive hormones and the endocrine system. It is important to buy all natural, whole foods whenever possible but we understand that budgets can be a concern. The Environmental Working Group publishes a list each year called the Clean 15 of produce that you can eat without buying organic. These are the fruits and vegetables that contain the least amount of pesticides. They also publish a list called the Dirty Dozen, which is a list of produce you want to buy organic because they contain the most pesticides.
Washing your produce can remove some of the pesticides, however the National Pesticide Information Center states that no washing method is 100% effective against all types of pesticides. In fact, some are designed to penetrate the skin and sink into the flesh. In other cases, like with apples, wax is put on top of the fruit to keep them fresh. This layer of wax seals in pesticides.
Indoor Pollution
We may not realize how many toxic chemicals we are exposed to in the comfort of our own home. The cosmetics we use for personal hygiene are full of industrial chemicals known to cause cancer. The cleaners, laundry soaps, and dish soaps can be full of petro chemicals that pollute our body and our environment, even air fresheners and candles let off chemicals when they are burned. We might even think a little dab of concealer under our eyes or some nice smelling lotion is harmless. The truth is that your skin is one of the largest organs that absorbs chemicals directly into your bloodstream.
Don't get discouraged. When reducing your exposure to toxins, make a list and start switching out products for healthier alternatives one at a time. For example, there are several all natural cleansers that you can switch to. There are even effective DIY cleaners that you can make at home that are as effective as their chemical counterparts. The Environmental Working Group has a Healthy Living App for your phone that lets you scan a product and immediately get a rating on how toxic it is.
Cosmetics might be one of the hardest transitions. We all have our favorites; however, your cosmetics may not be loving you as much as you love them. The Environmental Working Group has a Skin Deep Database that lets you look up your cosmetic and get a rating on how toxic the product is.
It can also be hard to let go of the fragrances we use to make our house feel more like home. This can come in the form of candles we light to destress, or the fabric fresheners we use right before we have guests over. One easy solution is essential oil diffusers. High-quality, organic essential oil blends can have amazing health benefits in and of themselves, in addition to being less toxic.
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