With chronic illness on the rise in the US, it is becoming exceedingly evident that the current model of health care is not working. Consider the following statistics:
- Nearly 4 of 5 deaths in the US are the result of chronic illness. (WHO)
- Nearly half of American adults had at least one chronic condition in 2005. (CDC)
- The US spends more money on healthcare than any other country in the world, yet we ranked last among developed nations in a recent survey of health care system effectiveness. (Commonwealth, 2017)
We are becoming sicker and sicker as a society, and it’s happening at a younger and younger age. Problems that in my childhood were reserved for the elderly are now being seen in young adults—even children. What we have to understand is that diseases are no more sinister than they were decades ago. And we ourselves are no less capable of avoiding these diseases. The problem lies in the fact that our bodies are bombarded with toxins day in and day out, and all the while we deprive our bodies of proper nourishment, stimulation, and rest.
The average person in the US has more than 200 chemicals in their blood or urine. The body can handle limited exposure to toxins; but with increased exposures, the mechanisms become overwhelmed. The backup mechanism is to “stash” away the excess in the organ and fat tissues.The more you accumulate the more toxic you become, so the key is limiting regular exposures or…
Cleaning up our ROUTINE
Phthalates
- Many plastics—especially soft, flexible plastics
- Garden Hoses
- PVC, Vinyl Flooring
- Scented Products
- Body Wash
- Hair products
- Detergents
- Food, *MILK*
- Squishy or Inflatable toys
- Air fresheners
- Candles
- Deodorant
Health Effects:
- Hormone Disruption
- Infertility / Lowered Sperm Count
- Altered Reproductive Development
- ASD
- Asthma
- Osteoporosis
What to look for:
- “Fragrance”
- Recycling Code #3
- Squishy
- AKAs: BB2P, DnBP, DEHP, DiNP, DEP, DBP, BBP, DiBP, DnOP, DPP, DcHP
- “Made with Flexible Polymer”
Safer Alternatives:
- Use glass for food storage
- Buy unscented
- Wood / Bamboo Baby Toys
- Don’t drink milk
- Buy soy candles
- Open a window!
BPA (Bisphenol-A)
“A poison kills you. A chemical like BPA reprograms your cells and ends up causing a disease in your grandchild that kills him.”
–Dr. Frederick vom Saal
Found In:
- Many Plastic Bottles
- Linings of Aluminum Cans
- Linings of Tin Cans *HEAT*
- Plastic Wrap
- Receipts
- Dental Sealants
- Coffee Makers
- Other Kitchen Plastics
Health Effects:
- Estrogen Mimicker
- Hormone Disruption
- Early Puberty
- Breast Cancer
- Male Feminization
- Hypertension
- Immune Suppression
- Infertility
- Does not bind to normal estrogen regulatory proteins in the blood
- Detectible in Breast Milk
What to look for:
- Beware ALL Plastics
- #7 Recycling Code
- Beware of GREENWASHING–Products labeled BPA-free often contain substitutes like bisphenol-S or bisphenol-F, both of which were found to have just as much of a hormonal effect (or more!) than bisphenol-A.
Safer Alternatives:
- Glass Containers
- Stainless Steel
- Parchment Paper
- PLA-based plastics
- Pour Over or French Press Coffee
- Digital receipts / Wash Hands
- Fresh Fruits and Veggies!
Chlorine
Found In:
- Bathroom Cleaners
- Scouring Agents
- Bleach
- Laundry Products
- Mildew Removers
- Tap Water (When chlorinated water, ie. tap water, is heated, the chlorine is rapidly converted to toxic gas form.)
Health Effects:
- Kills Normal Gut Flora
- Airway Irritant (Asthma)
- Disrupts Thyroid Function
- Skin Irritant
- Eye Irritant
- Used as Chemical Weapon in WWI
Safer Alternatives:
- Install Shower and Sink Filters
- If you use tap water, let it sit for several hours before drinking or giving to pets
***Never mix bleach and ammonia!!!
Aluminum
Found In:
- Deodorants
- Aluminum Foil
- Antacids
- Vaccinations (Hep A and B, Hib, DTaP, HPV, Flu)
- Cosmetics
- Microwave popcorn
- Hot chocolate mixes
- Baking Powder
- Coffee Creamers
- Pickles and relish
- Tap Water
What to look for:
- Sodium Aluminosilicate
- Aluminum Chlorohydrate
- Alum
- Potassium Alum
- “Aluminized”
WHAT SOURCE CONTAINS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ALUMINUM?
Cheese. (I AM SO SORRY)
The dairy industry adds aluminum to cheese—it’s the number one source of aluminum in the diet. It’s added to give the cheese a softer texture.
Health Effects:
- Alzheimer’s
- Osteopenia
- Damage to the Central Nervous System
- Hypothyroidism
- Aching muscles
- Speech problems
- Anemia
- Estrogen mimicker
- Infertility
- Endometriosis
- Breast cancer
- Digestive problems
- Lowered liver function
- Lowered kidney function
Safer Alternatives:
- Use Glass or Parchment
- Natural Deodorants
- Read Labels
- Don’t Cook with Aluminum Foil
- Go Dairy Free
- Avoid Processed Foods
Dust
Health Effects:
- Dust absorbs toxic chemicals even decades after they were used
- Examples: Lead, Pesticides, Flame Retardants, Toxic Cleaners
Safer Alternatives:
- Get Rid of Carpet
- HEPA Filter in Vacuum
- HEPA in HVAC System
Tap Water
Common Toxins Found in Tap Water:
- Lead
- Chlorine
- Fluoride
- Lye
- Trace Pharmaceuticals
- Up to 267 Others (EWG)
- Chromium-6 (Carcinogen)
- 1,4-Dioxane (Carcinogen
A great resource to find out what is in your tap water is EWG’s Tap Water Database.
Lead is toxic to almost every organ and affects children the worst. Developmental issues, stunted growth, deafness, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and brain damage can all result from exposure to lead. If ingested during pregnancy, lead can cause premature birth. Lead exposure has even been linked to autism, prostate cancer, and reproductive problems for both men and women. It’s damaging to the cardiovascular system and kidneys, too.
Common Myths:
- Fluoridated = good for my teeth
- I’ll be OK if I drink bottled water
- I’m covered, I’ve got a Brita / fridge filter
- Boiling water eliminates toxins
Safer Alternatives:
- Bulk Distilled Water (Add Minerals!)
- At Home Filter (Read Label!)
- Natural Spring Water from a Tested Verified Source
- Glass is Best!
Hydration is critical to Detoxification
Toxic Thoughts
- We have around 30,000 thoughts a day
- Negative thoughts trigger up to 1,500 chemical or physical responses
- Alter the activity and/or release of over 30 hormones
- Recent Study: Negative thoughts are correlated with:
- Diabetes
- Allergies
Self Test:
- “Could have…”
- “If only…”
- “I just need…”
- Skin Problems
- Bad Food Choices
- “Nothing ever works out…”
- Are health problems becoming your identity?
- Replaying conversations in your head?
- Creating future scenarios?
- Cancer
Healthy Redirections:
- Face the dilemma–Make a call and be OK with your decision
- Be Mindful–Observe negative thoughts as 3rd party
- Redirect focus from past /future to now
- Enjoy the moment–Look around, smell, listen
- State what you are thankful for each day
- Forgive
“Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness”
–James Thurber
Healthy Movement
- Getting regular exercise and physical activity are important for lowering inflammation. If you are physically stagnant, you become stagnant internally. You need to move in order to circulate lymph fluid, boost cardiovascular circulation, increase respiration, and increase the expulsion of toxins.
- Having a healthy posture, proper breathing mechanics, and a balanced muscular structure will reduce stress on the body and improve oxygenation of tissues. Take this into account when deciding on a workout structure to incorporate.
- Another great strategy is to see a chiropractor to address any spinal misalignments that may contribute to nervous system dysfunctions. In fact, chiropractic adjustments have been shown to improve anti-oxidant production and lower inflammation in the body specifically (4)
