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We wonder why it is that our society is so sick when our health is the sum of our relationship with the environment.
Environmental toxins are some of the biggest modern day stressors and threats to our wellbeing. We are all exposed to environmental toxins on a daily basis and most of us are not aware of the extent of contamination that our body has to process, eliminate, and heal from. These toxins affect us at all levels of the mind, body and spirit, and they have a lot to do with how we feel, perform and interact with the world around us. Some of these toxins we choose to put in our body, trusting regulators that "only small amounts" will be okay, but we are oblivious to the dangers that lie ahead with their chronic and cumulative consumption.
The combination of what we eat, drink, absorb, think, breathe, put on our skin, and how and where we live — and how well our body’s natural detoxification system works determines our health and wellbeing. - Dr. Axe
Experts estimate that there are now more than 100,000 synthetic chemicals in commerce in the U.S. and maybe a million in the environment.
"Fewer than 5 percent of the chemicals used in everyday consumer products in the U.S. are tested for safety in humans before they are released into commerce. By contrast, Europe generally requires testing chemicals before releasing them for commercial use". 1
"No one knows precisely how our modern-day environment is impacting our health, but we have strong indicators that our collective well-being is taking a dive. Some estimate the average American adult is loaded with 700 contaminants (2), and more startling, researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 toxic chemicals in the cord blood of 10 newborns, including flame retardants, mercury, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline and garbage" (3)(4).
In order for us to make the necessary changes to avoid and eliminate these toxins from our bodies, environment and daily lives, not only do we need to become aware of them but we also have to be very diligent about ritual self care practices that detox us from these chemicals.
Toxins in our environment
Chemicals used in industrial production and farming (pesticides, herbicides), water treatment, dry cleaning, home cleaning and body-care products ie, beauty products, detergents, perfumes
Metals including mercury, lead, aluminum, arsenic and cadmium, which are found in water, fish, soil and the air we breathe
Medications, including many prescription drugs, recreational drugs, antibiotics and vaccines
Food additives, preservatives and sweeteners like monosodium glutamate (MSG) and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame
Many genetically modified organisms (GMO) contain built-in pesticides or herbicides
Many allergenic foods, including gluten, dairy, soy, etc., can be especially toxic especially those with autoimmune conditions
Air pollution, including second-hand cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust & geo engineering chemicals
Plastics/ microplastics
Textile pollutants
inflammatory foods ie, sugar, alcohol, vegetable oils, seed oils
Cookware such as Teflon and Aluminum
Canned Food
Frozen Foods
Mold, which produces poisonous mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A [OTA])
Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chemicals formed when you use high-heat cooking or char grill meat, poultry or fish
Chronic or heavy exposure to electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) and “dirty electricity” — high or low frequency vibrations/ voltage variations/spikes on electrical wiring/ wireless/ 2g, 3g, 4g, 5g
Internal toxins - parasites, built up hormones, chronic stress, negative thinking, unprocessed emotional trauma
Ways to Detox your Body, Food & Home
Drink Plenty of Water + Lemon in the morning, throughout the day, and when you go to sleep
Filter your water. Tap water contains toxicants including fluoride, chlorine, aluminum, arsenic, herbicides and even prescription medications. Consider a solid carbon block filter as a countertop device or a whole-house water filter if possible. Don’t forget to filter your shower and bathing water, too.
Drink Detox Teas in the AM + PM instead of coffee (use raw honey or date syrup as a sweetener instead of sugar)
Take Epsom Salt Baths with minerals, salts, and detoxing clays such as betonite clay
Practice Breathwork, Yoga, exercise, work up a sweat (pump that lymph)
Hit the sauna at least once a week
Eat organic foods
Consume supplements that are derived from real food and are not derived synthetically
Wash your fruit and veggies with baking soda and vinegar
Eat more fiber
Use stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic or glass cookware.
Nonstick pans like Teflon®, contain PFOA, a chemical shown to harm the immune system, liver and thyroid.
Use glass food storage containers. Plastic leaches chemicals into your food.
Use chemical free body-care products and cosmetics
Minimize medication and slowly transition to a healthy lifestyle that supports your body naturally
Consider having your mercury amalgam fillings safely removed
Vacuum your floors.
Clean up your indoor air. Use HEPA air filters and plants such as Aloe Vera & Snake Plant
Use non-toxic cleaning products. Consider making your own inexpensive and effective all-purpose home cleanser: To four parts pure water, add one-part white vinegar and ten to twenty drops essential oils like lavender, cinnamon or lemon. Store in a glass bottle so oil does not degrade plastic.
Check for and eliminate sources of mold.
Remove shoes at the door.
Ground yourself by hiking, swimming, or walking barefoot in nature.
Minimize your electromagnetic (EMF) exposure. Science has linked exposure from artificial or “non-native” EMF from cellphones and WiFi networks with chronic diseases including heart disease, obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. (5) Put your electronics on airplane mode when not in use, Keep off your wifi, bluetooth and gps unless you are using it, consider turning off your WiFi router at night, use a wired headset with your cell phone and keep your phone far from your body.
See our Wellness Guide for reference on non-toxic products
Source: Dr. Axe: Minimize Toxins to Beat Autoimmune Disease — the Detox Plan!
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