The Top 10 Most Common Toxins and How to Address Them
1 - Pesticides
Pesticides as well as insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, are commonly used in conventional farming to keep unwanted pests, weeds, fungi and more away from the crops. These chemicals penetrate conventional foods to its core and then make their way in to your body when consumed. According to the EPA, 6% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides and 30% of insecticides are known carcinogens.
Strategy: Buy non-GMO and organic.
2 - Mold
Where there is moisture present in buildings and homes, mold is genuinely present as well. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood products, dust and paper instillation, dry wall, carpet fabrics, upholstered furniture.
Strategy: 100% woods homes (impossible but available), Aim for more ventilated spaces, avoid leaks, always keep moisture below 50%, Limit moldy food like peanuts, wheat, corn, alcohol and coffee.
3 - Heavy Metals
Mercury, lead, arsenic, and aluminium are all in various areas of the modern environment. Low dose exposure over time leads to an accumulation of these toxins in our soft tissues, typically in the brain. This toxin accumulation is associated with various diseases like neurological disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer.
Strategy: Stay away from the sources of heavy metals, including amalgam fillings, lead based paint, tap water contamination, farm-based fish, non-stick cookware, working in a factory that uses heavy metals.
4: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)
VOC’s are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature. These airborne toxins are 2 to 5 times more concentrated inside our homes than outdoors. This concentration is because so much of our wooden furniture, appliances, and flooring give off gases for years after they are made. Example of products that emit VOCs include paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, glues and adhesives.
Strategy: Live in a chemical free home. An example is the Holz100Canada.
5: Chlorine
Chlorine is a very common manufactured chemical commonly used in the manufacturing of paper and cloth. It is also used to make pesticides, rubber, and solvents. Chlorine is found in tap water, therefor you are exposed through shower water and swimming pools. Chronic exposure to low doses of chlorine directly impacts our microbiome.
Strategy: Invest in a water filter, specifically the SpringAqua system. Use this water for drinking and cooking. Install a SpringAqua shower filter and avoid chlorinated pools.
6: Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA is an industrial chemical added to many commercial products. It started to be used in the 1950s in plastics to increase their durability. To date, is found in a wide range of products, most commonly in canned foods. BPA has estrogen properties that can lead to estrogen dominance, which negatively influences various body systems including thyroid health and fetal development and reproduction.
Strategy: Prioritize fresh foods and foods packaged in glass instead of canned foods. Avoid using plastics in general, including plastic plates and containers. Foods that contain fats are especially problematic in plastic as plastics are fat soluble.
7: Oxybenzone
Oxybenzones are used as active ingredient in sun screens. It is an endocrine disrupter, which means it interferes with production and operation of hormones.
Strategy: Create a better relationship with the sun. Lifestyle and diet play a massive role in generating resilience to the sun. Eating refined foods increases sensitivity to the sun. The danger of the lack of sun exposure far outweighs the risk of too much sun exposer. So, activating a healthy relationship with the sun without exposing the body to unnecessary toxins is vital. Always use nontoxic sunscreens.
8: Flouride
Fluoride is a neurotoxin introduced into dental products like toothpaste and the American drinking water supply.
Strategy: Rely on good quality filters like SpringAqua and avoid dental products containing fluoride.
9: Parabens
Parabens are a group of compounds used as preservatives in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. These synthetic compounds are added to many products including toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos to stop the growth of fungus bacteria and other particularly damaging microbes. Some food products containing parabens for preservation include beer, soft drinks, deserts, sauces, jams, frozen dairy, processed veggies, pickles and flavoring syrups. Parabens are known hormone disrupters associated with cancer and infertility.
Strategy: Read labels. Common names for parabens are benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparabens, isobutylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben.
10: Phthalates
Phthalates are used as plasticizers in PVC plastics that leach or evaporate into indoor air. Exposure to phthalates are associated with asthma, breast cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopment issues, behavior, autism and fertility issues. Phthalates are difficult to avoid because they are unlabeled.
Strategy: Avoid products that are packaged in recycling code-3; BPA and phytates. Avoid products that include fragrance on the label as that can be a hidden name for phthalates. Buy organic products.
