It’s tempting to think of toxins as something hazardous spilling out from barrels branded with a skull and crossbones and forget about the barrage of chemicals we are unconsciously exposed to on a daily basis. Unfortunately, those hidden toxins pose risk to our health, too.
Our environment is filled with chemicals (over 80,000 to date) and most chemicals act as toxins in our bodies due to their effect on cell tissue and the difficulty our detoxification system has keeping up with the sheer amount we are exposed to every day.
Besides affecting virtually every system of the human body and acting as endocrine, nervous and immune system disruptors, toxins can cause or contribute to a wide range of illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroiditis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, prostate, breast and uterine cancers, endometriosis, fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, poor concentration, brain fog, excessive forgetfulness, depression, anxiety, mood changes, headaches, migraines, and ADHD, among others.
Obesity and difficulty losing weight can also be symptoms of toxicity—the body stores toxins in adipose tissue and, if detoxification is not optimal, the body will not support weight loss or many will experience intense detoxification symptoms while losing weight.
Toxic chemicals come from many different sources in our environment. Chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, which are prevalent in our food sources (including in meat and dairy from animals fed these foods), might come to mind first, but pharmaceuticals prescribed for us and those that are in our water and food affect us as well.
Anything with a pleasant scent or fragrance that is NOT an essential oil or plant based substance is made of a synthetic chemical — everything from scent plugins and car fresheners to scented lotions and creams to hair products to laundry detergent, even scented menstrual pads and tampons.
Some significant forms of toxins we often take for granted are perfumes, colognes and aftershaves. Not only are they filled with a long list of chemicals and toxic ingredients, they are designed so their scent lasts a long time. So a woman wearing perfume is breathing in its chemicals all day, not only through her skin, but through her lungs as well.
Although it may not seem like one day would make a difference, like drops of water in a bucket, they do add up — for you and the people around you. For example, the woman wearing perfume may have forgotten she put it on before she even reaches work, but to someone in a meeting or sitting next to her in a movie theater suffering from chemical sensitivities, even small amounts of these toxins can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, and a range of other symptoms.
It’s important to remember that one less chemical entering your body from your environment is one less chemical for your body to metabolize, process, and hopefully eliminate, but most likely store and add to your overall toxic burden. In addition to eating organically raised foods as much as possible, and supporting your body’s elimination and detoxification systems, avoid putting anything in your air or on your skin that has chemical scents and toxic ingredients (ewg.org/skindeep is a great resource).
While it is impossible to avoid every chemical toxin in your environment, eliminating the ones you have control over can make a huge difference in your health!
Contact Dr. Katka Novakova at 480-524-4304 with any questions or to ask about her 21 Day Cleanse.
Published at Natural Awakening Magazine 2016