- Toxicity Facts and Figures
- There are over 80,000 chemicals in use in the U.S.
- Every person has at least 700 contaminants in their body at any given time.
- Some toxins move in and out of the body in hours (arenic), while others can stay in the body for 50 years (DDT).
- Toxins enter our bodies through food, air, water we drink and water we bath in.
- Toxins can also be transferred from mother to baby during pregnancy and by touching our mouth or eyes.
- Chemicals or toxins can attack and damage the DNA of our cells causing premature aging and disease.
- Cellular DNA damage can also produce genetic damage that can be passed on to our children.
- Examples of some direct cause and effect relationships between chemical toxins and disease include:
- Dioxin – impedes normal fetus development.
- PCB’s – Create behavior and cognitive problems.
- DDT’s – Impedes normal breast milk production.
- Mercury – Causes attention, memory and learning problems.
- Endocrine disrupters – Some chemicals mimic hormones causing the body to send incorrect messages.
- Lead – Impedes normal brain development.
- Carcinogenic chemicals – Cause cancer.
- All chemicals – Produce free radicals which attack cells causing almost every known disease.
- Direct cause and effect relationships between specific toxins and specific quickly. Also, many toxins have a similar impact making specific attributes
- almost impossible.
- diseases is difficult because some toxins move in and out of the body
- Lab tests are the best way to establish relative cause and effect relationships and many have been done.
- Blood, urine and hair testing can measure current toxic burdens.
- As toxins have increased, so have various toxin-related illnesses. Some examples are as follows:
- Cancer – 54.4% increase 1987-2005.
- Breast cancer – 74.3% increases 1987-2005.
- Prostate cancer – 121.5% increase 1987-2005.
- Asthma – 600% increase (2% to 12%) in children 1978-1996
- Learning disabilities – estimated at 10%.
- Behavioral problems – 17-21% of children (2002).
- Infertility – 8% of couples.
- Birth defects – 5% of children (1995).
- Autism and ADHD – 400% increase from 1989-2000.
- Environmentally caused disease cost U.S. and Canadian society about $1 trillion dollars each year.
- Toxins come from:
– pesticides – mining – pharmaceuticals
– preservatives – industry – farming
– household chemicals – the soil – smoking
– printing plans – toxins in – food cooking
materials process
- Diseases associated with toxicity or free radicals include:
– Headaches – Fertility problems – Hormone dysfunction
– Fatigue – Kidney dysfunction – Muscle weakness
– Cancer – Fibromyalgia – Chronic fatigue
– Parkinson’s disease – Memory loss – Panic attacks
– Alzheimer’s disease – Abnormal pregnancy – Learning disorders
– Tinnitus – Mood disorders – Dermatitis
– Diabetes – Heart disease – Arthritis – EMR
III. Free radicals are created by other sources also:
– Within cells as part of energy production.
– Due to stress and the production of cortisol.
– From charcoal grilled meats and animal products cooked at high temperatures.
– Fried foods, hydrogenated oil, polyunsaturated fatty acids.
– Alcohol and sugar also create unstable molecules.
– Cell phones, computers, TV’s, the sun (EMR).
- The potential danger of free radical damage:
– Americans only get 50% of the antioxidants they need to protect themselves
from damage.
- Each cell gets 10,000 free radical hits per day.
- The body has 50-100 trillion cells.
- The body gets 7 trillion free radical hits per second.
- Cells go through 5 stages of deterioration; (stressal, weakened, dysfunctional, mutated, diseased).
- This deterioration happens over many years due to high levels of free radicals and low levels of nutrients.
- The body needs 10,000-12,000 mg of antioxidants per day and only gets 5000-6000 mg.
- Measured as ORAC units, the body needs 3,000-5,000 units, but only gets about 1200 units.V. This nutritional gap is caused by many factors:
- The soil has been depleted via poor framing techniques.
- Produce is picked before it is ripe.
- Produce is processed which depletes nutrients.
- Long storage and transportation depletes nutrients.
- Cooking depletes nutrients.
- Lack of adequate chewing.
- Low enzyme levels.
- Low probiotic levels.
- Cell permeability is a factor.
- People eat low nutrient foods.
- Nutritional values are down from 40-80% over the past 50 years.
- The average American does not eat the 7-9 helpings of fruits and vegetables each day (only 9% do).
- Fifty years ago, only 10% of the population was chronically ill. Today that figure Is 40% – a 400% increase.
- There are many foods with a negative nutrient impact on the body including the following:
– High fructose corn syrup – Bacon and processed luncheon meat
– Margarine – Donuts, pies and cakes
– Soda pop – Hydrogenated fat
– Diet pop – Processed sugar
– White flour pastries – Hard liquor
- There are many foods that have a high nutrient value:
– Berries – Olive oil – Kelp
– Wheatgrass – Green tea – Garlic
– Salmon – Broccoli – Onions
– Spiralina – Asparagus – Cabbage
– Sardines – Cauliflower – Apples
– Peppers – Spinach – Cinnamon
– Beets – Curry – Tomatoes
– Beans – Lentils – Whole oats and rice
- These foods are also good for detoxification.
- The following are supplements that are good for detoxification:
– L-glutathione – Zinc and copper
– Calcium D-glucarate – Milk thistle
– CoQ10 – Whey protein
– Vitamin B – Betaine
– Vitamin E – Polyphenols
– Vitamin C – Selenium
– Vitamin A (beta carotene) – Glycine
– SOD – Bioflavonoids
– NAC – Molybdenum
– Turmeric – Digestive enzymes
– Alpha lypoic acid – Green drinks
– Spirulina – Blue green algae
– MSM – Red clover
– Green tea extract – Dandelion
– Quercitine – Resveratrol
– Vitamin D – Lycopene
– Inositol
VIII. Other detoxification strategies include:
– Stress reduction via meditation, yoga and other techniques.
– Getting enough restful sleep.
– Not overeating (metabolic free radical production).
– Exercise with sweating.
– Saunas.
– Massage.
– Reduced use of cell phones, computers, television etc.
– Use sun screens for protection from sun rays.
– Limit alcohol and sugar intake.
– Drink purified water (8-10 glasses per day).
– Avoid prescription drugs unless absolutely necessary.
– Eat organic food as much as possible.
– Use natural, chemical-free household products.
– Avoid coffee, black tea and chocolate.
– Avoid meat and dairy products.
– Avoid fried foods.
– Avoid artificial foods, sweeteners, colors, etc.
– Avoid fast food, junk food and processed foods.
VIII. Tests that can help:
– Blood tests for toxins, antioxidants, minerals, etc.
– pH test to determine acid-alkaline balance.
– Hair analysis for heavy metals and other toxins.
– Live blood cell analysis for yeast levels, uric acid etc.
– EDS – Electro Dermal Screening.
- Making your detox plan:
– Taking a detox symptoms test (Holdord or Metagenics).
– Taking a nutrition analysis test (Health at Work).
– What are my 5 main toxic exposures? (Environmental)
– What are some other free radical producers for me?
– Can I avoid any of the above exposures?
– What foods can I eliminate?
– What foods can I decrease?
– What foods should I add?
– What supplements should I add?
– What other detoxification or free radical reduction strategies can I adopt?
– What tests can I agree to get?
– What are my 3 main goals for wanting to detoxify?
- Books you might want to read:
- 7-day Detox Miracle by Bennett and Barrie
- The pH Miracle by Robert Young
- Review Your Life by Brenda Watson
- Detoxification and Healing by Sidney Baker