Environmental pollution

We frequently hear warnings about toxins in the air we breathe, the food we eat and water we drink. These messages will not go away. Why? Because, like it or not, it is a very real problem. We live in a toxic world. Harmful chemicals surround us, and we all react differently to them. Witness the prevalence of unexplained syndromes, sensitivities, illness and disease, especially among the younger population. These symptoms simply did not exist, or were rare, just a generation ago. I recently read Toxin Toxout by Bruce Lourie and Rick Smith and this fact was brought home in spades.

There are over 80,000 synthetic chemicals in use today and our bodies readily absorb these chemicals. Industrial chemicals are coursing through our veins and lodging in our body fat. Every time you turn around, it seems there is another toxic assault on our health: plastics, resins, sprays, preservatives, non-stick coatings, and the list goes on. Off-gassing chemicals, such those found in carpets sprayed with stain-resistant coating, end up in our bodies, where they have the potential to build up and interfere with cell signalling and other biological processes. Some act like hormones or damage DNA.

Rather than decoding our genes to unlock the secrets of disease, scientists are learning that our genes are fine until the outside world changes how our genes are expressed. It is now believed that a great number of diseases – from autism to allergies to cancer - are caused chemicals in the environment impacting our genes. 

Knowing the problem is the first step. So how do we reduce our exposure to the most dangerous chemicals and how do we get them out once they get in?

• Avoid certain plastics (and never microwave plastics or styrofoam)
• Avoid using heavily scented personal care products
• Buy safe non-stick pans – Teflon contains harmful chemicals that leach during cooking. Look for PTFE- and PFOA-free non-toxic cookware (Also avoid aluminum cookware unless it is anodized)
• Buy toxin-free sunscreens, deodorants, shampoos, toothpaste and other personal care products
• Make informed decisions before purchasing clothes, furniture, cars, etc.
• Use non-toxic cleaning products

Here is the Toxin Toxout top ten list of ways to get toxins out of your body:

1. Use natural personal-care products that don’t contain chemicals like phthalates or parabens
2. Eat more organic food to avoid pesticides
3. Drink the more filtered tap water
4. Use natural fibres and green products like low-VOC paints and avoid products that might off-gas
5. Eat more vegetables and less meat to avoid toxin-grabbing animal fat
6. Sweat more – toxic chemicals like BPA and phthalates leave your body through sweat
7. Exercise
8. Optimize your body’s natural detox mechanisms by adopting a detox lifestyle
9. Buy less, buy green
10. Support politicians who believe in a greener economy and organizations that work for a cleaner environment

The bottom line is: decrease toxins and increase nutrients for a powerful reduction in toxic buildup.

We also need to become informed and outspoken consumers. Toxicity is a new frontier of science and every one of us should be paying attention. And we need to make regulatory agencies pay attention also. The best solution is to avoid polluting substances in the first place; therefore we must demand that manufacturers replace risky substances with safer ones.

Every day we are exposed to a host of toxins some of which we may be unaware. To remove these from our bodies we must take the necessary steps to ensure toxins do not build up in our bodies and cause us serious health problems. And be aware how important our everyday product choices are.