It seems they're impossible to avoid. Environmental toxins are par for the course with modern living, but the good news is, there are ways to limit their effects.
THE STORY SO FAR…
Let's take a look at some of the major environmental toxins include heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Heavy metals
Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel and aluminium are some of the most serious environmental toxins to face mankind.
Heavy metals may enter the body via contaminated food, through the lungs as pollution, and through drinking water. Many of these metals have no safe level for the body and are highly toxic to humans. Heavy metals are often stored within the delicate tissues of the brain, nervous system and kidneys, where they disrupt normal function.
Signs of heavy metal toxicity can be extremely difficult to identify due to the diverse range and vagueness of symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, poor coordination, muscle pain, tremors, constipation and dizziness.
Volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from a range of items in the average household. VOCs have been linked to low mood. Some of the many effects of exposure to VOCs include eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system.
VOCs are emitted usually as gasses from dry cleaning fluids, paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
Persistent organic pollutants
These are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife.
POPs may include pesticides such as DDT & dieldrin, industrial compounds, and dioxins and furans appearing as by-products in chemical production and during burning of chlorinated substances by industry. POPs have been linked to many health problems such nervous system damage, diseases of the immune system, and reproductive and developmental disorders.
HOW ARE OUR BODIES EQUIPPED TO GET RID OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS?
The body is an amazing organism and despite the massive exposure to environmental toxins we still manage to live, breath and function in this modern world!
We are porous beings in that our cells will absorb things from our environment and our lungs will inevitably suck in pollution. However the miracle of life is that our bodies are designed to deal with this onslaught – to a certain extent.
Our liver is the major detoxifying organ of the body and it is equipped with two major phases of detoxification that work on breaking down and eliminating many toxins from the body.
Bile, excreted from the gall bladder, plays a role as a laxative for the bowel and facilitates excretion of these broken down toxins from the body.
A fibre-rich diet also helps facilitate elimination through the bowels. Toxins and body wastes are also excreted when we sweat, the skin being an important organ of elimination. Even tears help us eliminate waste.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
- Eat a diet rich in unprocessed foods, particularly fresh organic fruits and vegetables to supply adequate nutrients and fibre
- Wash vegetables and fruit in apple cider vinegar or ask at your local health food
shop for suitable vegetable washes.
- Keep you home well-ventilated
- Try to avoid jogging or exercising near main roads
- Learn to use low-toxicity products to clean your home: eg. vinegar, essential oils, borax, bi-carb soda etc.
- Try to avoid setting up home near major roadways
- Avoid applying chemicals onto your body (eg. nail polish, perfume, chemical-laden cosmetics).
- Where possible, choose environmentally-friendly and non-toxic building materials and furnishings for your home
- Vacuum and dust regularly
- Avoid the use of insecticides (eg. insect sprays and chemical flea treatments)
- Fill your house/office area with plants as they absorb VOCs and clean the air
References available on request