These days people are becoming more health conscious, from the type of cars they drive to the type of foods they eat, and the chemicals they’re exposed to from everyday products.
As most people know, nasty chemicals and toxins can be found almost anywhere, in almost anything. From chemicals in cosmetics to pesticides in produce, it can be hard to live a life that’s totally chemical free.
And unfortunately, you can’t touch, see, or smell many of these toxins. So, how do you know if you’ve been exposed to them and what signs can you look for?
If you have been exposed, how serious of an impact can it have on your health?
Did you know that research has determined that there are over a hundred thousand chemicals used in commercial products just in America? That number grows every year as thousands of new products are registered for use in lawn-care products, household cleaners, medications, and even food. Because of this, it’s becoming almost impossible to avoid exposure to these toxins.
A buildup of toxins in the body can have a major impact on both your mental and physical health.
But how can you know if or how severely you’ve been affected?
Signs and Symptoms of High Toxin Levels in the Body
There are some basic signs and symptoms to look for, many of which are commonly attributed to other health conditions.
Here is a general list of some of the symptoms you can expect if you have a high level of toxins in your body:
Often, these toxins can contribute to increased body odor, fatigue, chronic headaches, migraines, trouble sleeping, and new food sensitivities.
If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms and your physician is unable to find an underlying cause, then high levels of toxicity could be to blame.
Toxins are actually foreign substances they can have a severe effect on different systems in the body. They have also been known to have a major impact on the body’s inflammatory response. This occurs when the body tries to deal with these new substances in the body. Inflammation is often implicated in the development of certain conditions including asthma, arthritis, dementia, heart disease, and psoriasis. High toxin levels can also worsen preexisting inflammatory conditions.
Digestion Problems
GI issues are another common problem that people with high levels of toxins in the body deal with. In fact, the GI tract is one of the main ways the body attempts to rid itself of toxins. People with high toxin levels can experience ulcers, ongoing heartburn, and bowel or intestinal inflammation, a significant change in bowel habits, poor digestion, constipation, or frequent loose stools.
Skin Health
Your skin can tell you a lot about your health and it’s also another means of toxin elimination. Ongoing skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne are commonly found in people with high toxin levels.
Brain Function
Did you know toxins can also affect your memory, mood, and productivity? Toxins have a reputation of compromising cognitive ability. This includes brain fog, memory loss, and mood swings. This can even affect young adults who can display symptoms that are similar to that of dementia if they have high levels of metal toxicity.
Hormone Imbalance
Synthetic agents call xenoestrogens are commonly found in the environment and they act like estrogen in the body. They can cause a lower sperm count and an elevated level of estrogen in men and can lead to hormone imbalances in women.
What are Toxins and Where do They Come From?
These days, you’ll probably encounter more than a hundred different types of chemicals before breakfast. These chemicals are not as far from everyday life as you may think. In fact, they’ve invaded personal care products from over the counter medications and soap, to even your toothpaste and mouthwash.
Here is a list of the most common chemicals used in everyday products:
Parabens: Parabens are commonly used in cosmetics, conditioners, shampoos, and moisturizers. They’re also known to disrupt hormone function which can increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer and can majorly impact fertility. Parabens are also linked to earlier menopause in women and early puberty in children.
Phthalates: Phthalates are often found in such personal care products as shampoo and makeup. They’re known as endocrine disrupters because they’re able to mimic hormone function. These harmful toxins can cause neurological damage and reproductive damage.
DEA: This toxic chemical is often used in cleaning products, laundry detergent, and personal care products. By itself, DEA isn’t harmful, however, it reacts in cosmetic formulas, forming a harmful carcinogen known as nitrosodiethanolamine, which is also referred to as NDEA. This harmful compound is then absorbed through the skin and has been linked to several different types of cancers.
Petrolatum: Petrolatum is used as the base for diaper rash creams, ointments, and many other types of personal care products. It works by coating the skin like plastic, creating a build-up of toxins and clogging the pores. This can slow down cellular turnover, increasing the signs of aging.
Sodium Laureth sulfate: This chemical is found in a wide range of personal care products including household cleaning products, shampoos, and toothpaste. It was originally used as a chemical cleaner for oil stains.
Acrylamide: Found in different types of facial cleansers and creams, this industrial chemical has been known to cause neurological problems and infertility.
Carbolic acid: Also referred to as phenol, this chemical is found in lotion. It was initially extracted from coal tar, but these days, it’s produced from petroleum. It’s also corrosive to the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes and can have a negative impact on the nervous system and heart.
Dioxane: This is a type of petrochemical solvent that’s found in bubble bath, laundry detergent, baby shampoo, baby wash, and body wash. This chemical is closely linked to many different types of cancers, which makes it all the more alarming that’s it’s found in many products designed for children and infants.
Formaldehyde: This human carcinogen is toxic to the respiratory tract and the immune system. It’s also commonly found in shampoos, body lotion, nail polish, sunscreen, body wash, styling gel, conditioners, and makeup.
Heavy metals: Heavy metals include nickel, beryllium, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, and lead. Did you know that aluminum is actually the leading ingredient in most types of deodorant? You’ll probably find more than one of these metals in your makeup products. Lead is commonly found in lipstick and eyeshadow. Mercury and cadmium can be found in mascara, while arsenic is a common ingredient in liquid eyeliner.
How to Minimize Your Exposure to These Harmful Toxins
Typically, most people won’t feel the effects of these everyday toxins until they come down with a type of chronic disease after several years of exposure. Studies have shown that around ninety percent of cancer cases are caused by environmental toxicity and diet. These same chemicals have contaminated many wildlife environments.
Yet these harmful toxins are found in nearly every person on the planet. Some toxins have been linked to reproductive problems and certain types of cancer.
Here are some areas where you may be unknowingly exposing yourself to hidden toxins:
Gas stations: The vapors from gasoline are incredibly hard on your lungs. When pregnant, toxic fume exposure is heightened. Inhaling these fumes can increase your likeliness of experiencing certain types of cancers and respiratory issues.
In order to reduce your risk, the next time you visit the pump, wear a mask, or try to stay upwind. Always avoid topping off the tank because this can damage the vapor recovery system.
Getting your nails done: If you regularly have your nails done, then you’re probably familiar with the harsh chemicals they use. And it’s true, these fumes are in fact toxic, which is why many nail techs wear masks when they work on their clients. But what about the clients themselves?
We recommend avoiding nail salons at all cost. If you have to get your nails done, fork over the extra cash and find a higher end salon that uses better quality products.
Using bug sprays: When you’re at a barbecue, camping, or spending time at the beach, often you’ll probably grab the closest can of bug spray to ward off mosquitoes, flies, and other creepy crawlers that tend to come out during the hotter months. Unfortunately, most types of bug sprays contain a registered pesticide called DEET. It’s one of the few bug sprays that’s able to repel mosquitoes, but it’s not just hazardous to bugs. DEET contains toluene, which is a central nervous system depressant. When you spray the bug spray, it gets absorbed into the skin.
Instead of using these highly toxic sprays, search for a less toxic repellent that’s not DEET based.
Air fresheners and scented candles: Who doesn’t use an air freshener or scented candle at home? But did you know that they’re full of toxic chemicals that can increase your chances of developing asthma by as much as fifty percent?
Both scented candles and air fresheners contain phthalates, which are commonly used as sealants in adhesives. Exposure to these chemicals can increase your chances of developing endocrine or reproductive problems.
While it’s impossible to eliminate all of the chemicals you come into contact with on a daily basis, you can definitely work at limiting your exposure.
Beginning the Detox Process
The body has a built-in detoxification system that works for you round the clock, through the lungs, kidneys, liver, skin, and gut.
The liver is the body’s main filtration system. It features a couple of detox phases, each of which is very important. The first phase leads to the production of free radicals. The second phase will act upon the free radicals, rendering them harmless. If the first phase is overactive and the second phase is underactive, then you’re at risk of increased toxin levels.
The following are some simple strategies that can help to reduce your risk of toxic exposure:
Eating right and going organic is expensive, there’s just no way around it. But if you want to minimize your exposure to dangerous toxins, serious dietary changes must be made.
Avoid eating canned food. These cans are lined with BPA, which is an organic pollutant that can linger in the body for years. These pollutants can cause an increase in free radical production, which results in the depletion of the antioxidant reserves in the body.
Plastic water bottles are a menace to the environment and they also contain BPA. Instead of purchasing bottled water, opt for a weekly water delivery service, buy a water filtration system for the sinks in your home, or find water bottles that are labeled as BPA-free.
You should also closely inspect makeup products before you buy. As we have mentioned, most makeup contains triclosan and phthalates, the hormone mimickers and endocrine disrupters. And unfortunately, even top brand makeup contains these harmful chemicals. Makeup should really only contain natural ingredients. Just remember, if you can’t consume it, you shouldn’t apply it to your skin.
Ditch those household cleaners and take the natural approach. They make household products designed to clean every inch of your home. Which means every inch of your home is now covered in harmful chemicals. If you look online you can find hundreds of all-natural substitutes that can replace these dangerous cleaners. As an example, you can use vinegar to clean windows or even hardwood floors. You can even use lemon juice or baking soda to fight tough stains. There’s a natural product out there that can replace any harmful cleaner, so do your research.
Always read product labels before you buy. The largest source of chemicals is found in cosmetics and personal care products. Make sure the products you buy are paraben and phthalate-free. You should also avoid any products that contain a form of vitamin A that’s called retinyl palmitate. This ingredient has been linked to lesions and tumors.
Working out more can also help. Toxic chemicals are stored in the fat cells. One of the best ways to break down these cells and remove toxins from the body is through regular, consistent exercise.
Try not to fall for any of those popular detox teas or special cleanses. The only real way to eliminate toxins in the body is by sweating them out or by breaking down stored fat in the body. These products will only increase urinary frequency, which isn’t very effective in removing toxins.
Ditch saturated fat for good. Many types of toxic chemicals are actually attracted to fat. Once these chemicals make their way into your body they’ll enter fat cells. You don’t have to give up all your favorite junk food, but try to avoid saturated fats that are found in fried foods and some types of meat.
It may sound too simple, but increasing your water intake can actually help. Water can be an effective way to flush a small percentage of toxins from the body. Experts recommend drinking at least three to four liters a day.
Supplements that Can Help Detoxify Your Body
If your body has accumulated high levels of toxins over the years, then the odds are it’s in need of serious help considering high toxin levels can result in poor organ function, limiting the body’s ability to eliminate these harmful invaders. But there’s still hope, and natural supplements you can take that will allow your body to eliminate these toxins in a period of weeks or months.
Below is a list of the top supplements you can take that will help to naturally rid your body of toxins:
Vitamin B2 is a combination of riboflavin and iron and it has a lot to offer in terms of detox support. The riboflavin helps to improve the liver’s ability to detox, while the iron works to support the liver in breaking down harmful toxins.
Vitamins C and E provide the body with antioxidant protection, which means they help neutralize free radicals. These vitamins are available in supplement form if you normally fail to consume the daily recommended dosage.
Natural sources of vitamins C and E can be found in hazelnuts, almonds, olive oil, peppers, strawberries, and oranges.
Turmeric is a type of spice that’s been used in India for thousands of years where it’s commonly used to treat a variety of health issues. While this potent spice isn’t commonly used in Western Medicine, studies have shown that it offers a number of health benefits that can treat a wide range of conditions including joint pain, burns, infections, and high toxicity levels in the body. This natural liver detoxifier is very powerful and can also be used to relieve pain, promote digestion, and improve circulation.
Burdock root is an herb that has a powerful reputation as an incredible blood cleanser. It’s also loaded with detoxifying nutrients including magnesium, vitamins E and C, and folic acid. It’s also a natural diuretic and can help to expel toxic buildup in the blood, eliminating the toxins through the urine. This herb can be found in supplements or teas.
Calcium D Glucarate is a naturally occurring compound that the body makes in small amounts. It’s available in supplement form and it works to remove excess estrogen, plastics, heavy metals, herbicides, and pesticides. It can also lower cholesterol levels.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0728KTHM4″ locale=”US” tag=”orknees-20″]Chlorella[/easyazon_link] is a type of algae that works to bind and remove harmful toxins from the body. Studies suggest that regular consumption of this algae can even prevent heavy metals from accumulating in the organs and soft tissues of the body. Chlorella is commonly used to detox the body after chemotherapy treatment, and it also supports immune health, promotes weight loss, and fights the signs of aging. This type of algae is available in supplement form and promises results in as little as two weeks for certain conditions.
Why You Must Act Now
Once you learn more about the dangers found in pretty much any type of setting you’re probably starting to worry that those seemingly harmless symptoms can be indicators that something more serious is going on inside your body.
If you’ve been experiencing subtle changes in your body, such as alternating constipation and diarrhea, chronic headaches, ongoing joint pain, adult onset allergies, chronic fatigue, or a general feeling of malaise, the odds are your body is struggling to deal with the high levels of toxins in your body. You can certainly continue to try masking these symptoms, but this will only allow the toxin accumulation to continue.
People often don’t realize how unhealthy they have become over the years until they realize that the many health issues they deal with on a daily basis are anything but normal.
Most people contribute it to aging. The change in vision, increase in stomach upset, chronic heartburn, and endless headaches shouldn’t be something you have to struggle with every day, but if you’re unsure whether these health problems are indicative of something more serious, it may be time to do a little investigating and find out what you can do now to rid your body of toxins.
When toxins begin to accumulate in the body, the immune system must defend against them. A strong immune system will quickly identify the enemy, working to destroy it, but a weakened immune system that’s worn out and overloaded will be slow to respond to these toxins, or it may not respond at all.
If you’ve experienced any of the symptoms we’ve discussed it’s important that you take the appropriate steps and make the necessary changes that can prevent further damage.
You can take a simple online toxicity test that can help you to determine on a general basis what your toxicity level is. The fact of the matter is that due to all the factors listed above, plus many more, if you notice that you are not feeling in tip top shape, feel fatigue, have rashes, and so on, it may be time to detoxify yourself. You can take a free toxicity quiz here.