We are all the time eating , drinking and partaking in various activities in the course of living.
All of these result in our getting in contact with various toxins. If these go unchecked there would be harmful effects on the human body.
Toxins are anything that interferes with normal physiology and impacts bodily functions in a negative way. It comes from the food we consume, the water we drink, the products we use and even in the water we drink.
It’s all around us! Endotoxins vs. Exotoxins: Endotoxins are toxic substances bound to our bacterial cell wall and are released when the bacterium ruptures. Ammonia, uric acid, lactic acid and homocysteine are a part of the endotoxin category. These substances are waste products from our cell’s normal activities.
The build-up of these toxins cause diseases. Gout, for example is caused by uric acid lingering in our bodies. Exotoxins are toxins secreted by a bacteria. They can cause major damage by destroying cells or disrupting normal cellular metabolism in the host that carries them. These substances are human-made toxins or chemicals that we are exposed to unknowingly or we expose ourselves to willingly. They are found in processed foods, food packaging, prescription drugs, synthetic clothes, carpets (especially synthetic wall-to-wall carpet), building materials, house paint, mattresses, vinyl shower curtains, air fresheners, household cleaning products, cosmetic and skin-care products, perfumes, consumer products (even children’s toys!), emissions from cars and trucks, car interiors and tap water.
You think you’re healthy, but you don’t feel vibrant. You struggle to find the energy to get through the day. You’re irritable. Your stomach isn’t acting right. And all those headaches!
These types of ailments affect many of us in our daily lives. They’re not serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor — or maybe you tried only to be told there was nothing wrong — but they still tend to drag you down, wearing away your resistance and leaving you feeling like you’re just getting old.
I have good news for you — it probably has nothing to do with aging. Instead, you may simply be surrounded by too many toxins.
Tips to Avoid Toxins
Buy and eat (as much as possible) organic produce and free-range, organic foods. If you can only purchase one or two organic products it probably should be free range organic eggs and organic milk.
Rather than eating fish, which is largely contaminated with PCBs, dioxins and mercury, consume a high-quality purified fish or cod liver oil like Vital Advantage Fish Oil or Cardinova Eskimo 3.
fresh saladAvoid processed foods – they are processed with chemicals.
Only use natural cleaning products in your home. Most health food stores have these available or find them on-line. Switch to natural brands of toiletries, including shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics.
Have metal fillings removed as they’re a major source of mercury. Be sure to have this done by a specialized dentist. Most dentists are technically qualified to replace your amalgam fillings but only a few dentists know how to do it safely minimizing your risk of mercury exposure during the process.
Avoid artificial air fresheners, tumble-dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances.
Avoid artificial food additives of all kinds, including artificial sweeteners and MSG.
Get plenty of safe sun exposure to boost your vitamin D levels and your immune system.
Drink bottled spring water or filtered water. Reverse osmosis filtered water is best.
Signs that you have high toxin load
1. Consistent fatigue:
Even if you’re sleeping well, you may fight to get through the day. This could be a sign that your body is working too hard to get rid of the toxins you’re pouring into it. How do you cope with fatigue? If you’re answer is “more coffee†or “sweet foods,†you can bet that you’re only making the problem worse. That fatigue could also be in response to hormone disruptors that are zapping your immune system.
2. Stubborn weight gain:
It’s never easy to lose weight, but if you’re exercising daily and cutting back on calories and you are still putting on the pounds, you could be looking at a hormonal problem. Strangely enough, our natural hormone function can be greatly affected by the toxins in our foods and personal care products. You need a complete detox of your diet and personal care routine to give your body a fighting chance.
3. Bad breath:
You brush and brush, chew gum, rinse, and swallow breath mints, and still, you can’t get rid of it. Bad breath is often related to digestive problems, but it can also mean that your liver is struggling to get rid of the toxins in your body. Until you tackle the problem from the source, you’ll continue to scare away anyone who comes close!
4. Constipation:
The intestines get rid of a lot of toxins every day of our lives. When we’re constipated, we’re storing up all those toxins, allowing them to negatively affect our bodies. In addition to stomach upset, constipation can cause headaches, aches and pains, and tiredness. It can also be related to the toxins in your life, especially if you’re consuming a lot of processed foods filled with chemicals, pesticides, and preservatives.
5. Sensitivity to scents:
Strong reactions to smells — particularly fragrances — might mean that you’re simply sensitive to chemicals, which many of us are. It can also mean that your body is fighting toxic overload. Particularly if you suffer headaches or stomach upset simply from scents, this may be the case.
6. Muscle aches and pains:
If you can’t tie these to your workout yesterday, could be that the toxins in your life are working away at your muscles and joints. This is more likely if you experience muscle aches on a regular basis.
7. Skin reactions:
Acne, rashes, and other skin problems may signal a toxic overload. Acne, in particular, can be related to the toxins in our diet or skin care products. Puffy eyes and eczema or psoriasis outbreaks can also be signs that you’ve just reached your toxic limit.
Remedy:Â
If you find yourself suffering from any of these seven symptoms, here are a few tips that may help:
Support your liver with things like dandelion tea, parsley, cilantro, and milk thistle.
•   Drink more water — it helps flush toxins out of your body.
•   Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise gets the circulation moving, helping to move toxins along.
•   Get a good daily supply of digestion-supportive probiotics, found in kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, Kombucha tea, miso soup, tempeh, and kim chi.
•   Always brush your tongue — even better, use a tongue scraper—when brushing your teeth.
•   Practice deep breathing — we get rid of a lot of the toxins in our bodies through our lungs.
•   Use only natural skin care products that are free of fragrances, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and other potentially toxic ingredients, and always read labels. Use my Ingredients to Avoid list to find safer options.   Choose clean, whole, and organic foods whenever possible!
General Symptoms :
Toxins can cause or contribute to chronic fatigue, body odor, insomnia, food or chemical sensitivities and headaches. If you are suffering from these symptoms and your doctor can’t find a cause, toxins may be a factor.
•   Inflammatory Conditions:
Because toxins are foreign substances, they can provoke an inflammatory response as the body attempts to deal with them. Inflammation is implicated in the development of conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, psoriasis, asthma and arthritis, among others. Toxins in the body may initiate or exacerbate inflammatory conditions like these.
•   Gastrointestinal Problems:
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract provides one of several routes of toxin elimination. GI problems can both cause and result from toxins. People with a heavy toxic burden may experience poor digestion, constipation, ulcers, hemorrhoids and diverticulitis.
• Skin Issues:
The skin is another means of toxin elimination, and skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis are common in those who have excessive amounts of toxins in their bodies.
• Cognitive Function:
Compromised cognitive ability often results from systemic toxic overload. Memory loss, foggy thinking and mood changes can occur due to toxic overload. Symptoms mimicking dementia–even in young adults–are sometimes observed in those with heavy metal toxicity.
• Hormone Imbalances:
Xenoestrogens are a type of toxin that is becoming more prevalent in the environment; these are synthetic agents that act like estrogen in the body. Xenoestrogens can cause hormone imbalances in women, leading to symptoms of PMS and endometriosis, and in men, leading to elevated levels of estrogen and lower sperm counts.
How Toxins Affect Our Health .
The numerous amounts of toxins that we are exposed to everyday manifests in different health problems for each of us. Some symptoms related to toxicity are allergies, headaches, low energy, depression, bowel irregularities such as constipation and diarrhea, digestive problems and skin issues.
TOXICITY Toxins can affect our health in many ways. Some can kill the friendly bacteria in our guts, block oxygen from binding to red blood cells, interfere with DNA synthesis, block enzymes the body needs for normal functions or block absorption of vitamins and minerals. When toxins in our tissues and cells build up faster than they can be eliminated, bioaccumulation occurs. The toxins that remain circulating in our bodies can cause irritation and damage. When toxins are accompanied by other toxins in the same environment, they can cause further damage.
The body is designed to get rid of toxicity through our liver, kidneys and intestines. When these three main pathways aren’t functioning properly, toxins exits through our skin and lungs. Acne, skin rashes and chronic fatigue are just a few signs that our bodies are backed up with toxins. Since toxins are everywhere, it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all toxicity from our lives. However, it is possible to reduce our exposure to toxins.
Ways to Reduce Your Toxic Load.Â
1. Eat Whole foods The major source of chemicals and toxins comes from our food. So we’ll repeat this until the cows come home: Look for whole foods free of preservatives, conservatives, and coloring agents. If available, choose chemical-free and organic varieties.
2. Find your toxic triggers Toxicity is not a new problem. Long before we added the burden of human-made chemicals to our bodies, toxic buildup could occur from eating too many of the foods that don’t work for you.
3. Use chemical-free cosmetics, body care, and cleaning products Over the last few years, this topic has been written about extensively. We now have lots of companies that are creating chemical-free products. A single toxin is often not the problem, it’s the symphony of them interacting together.
4. Filter your water Water is a major source of toxins today. A recent study showed that 41 million Americans drink water contaminated with antidepressants, hormones, heart medications, and other prescription and over-the-counter medications that have made it through the water-treatment system. Add to that the chlorine, carcinogens from industrial and agricultural waste, and you’ve got some real messy stuff.
5. Do a seasonal Cleanse. Cleansing is not an afterthought for health, it’s essential in today’s chemical-laden society.
