How to Avoid the Top 10 Most Common Toxins

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How to Avoid the Top 10 Most Common Toxins

 

 

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

with Rachael Droege

 

There are many upsides to living in a modern, high-tech society (like

having access to the Internet and digital cameras and MP3 audio

players to name a few of my favorites.) But as with most things in

life and in nature, whether you call it yin and yang, balance or the

principle that opposites attract, with the upside comes a significant

downside.

 

For all of the conveniences and advances that we have grown so

accustomed to comes a slew of environmental toxins -- chemicals and

other materials largely from industry and carelessness -- that have

very much saturated our water, our food and the very air we breathe.

 

Many of these toxins are things that you can't see, smell or feel, at

least not right away. One of the major problems with them is just

that. We don't realize that we're being affected until we come down

with a chronic disease after years of subtle and often consistent

exposure to a combination of these toxins.

 

This makes it almost impossible to pinpoint a specific environmental

toxin as the source of illness, yet when you look at the facts -- the

increasing numbers of cancers, immune system disorders, neurological

problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities,

allergies and hormonal disturbances that are facing the nation -- it

is hard NOT to take notice. Consider these statistics:

 

* Some 77,000 chemicals are produced in North America

* Over 3,000 chemicals are added to our food supply

* More than 10,000 chemical solvents, emulsifiers and

preservatives are used in food processing

* 1,000 new chemicals are introduced each year

 

Where do all of these chemicals end up? They are absorbed into our

groundwater, rivers, lakes and oceans, spewed into our air, and added,

quite intentionally, to our food supply.

 

The Effects of Toxins on Your Body

 

A study in last year's British Medical Journal estimated that perhaps

75 percent of most cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle

factors, including exposure to chemicals. Another report, this one by

the Columbia University School of Public Health, estimated that 95

percent of cancer is caused by diet and environmental toxicity.

 

This is really not surprising when you consider that estimates show

most Americans have somewhere between 400 and 800 chemicals stored in

their bodies, typically in fat cells. Some of the short- and long-term

effects of these toxins include:

 

* Neurological disorders (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's,

depression, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, etc.)

* Cancer

* Nutritional deficiencies

* Hormonal imbalances

 

 

 

* Enzyme dysfunction

* Altered metabolism

* Reproductive disorders

* Fatigue

* Headaches

* Obesity

 

 

 

* Muscle and vision problems

* Immune system depression

* Allergies/Asthma

* Endocrine disorders

* Chronic viral infections

* Less ability to tolerate/handle stress

 

The 10 Most Common Toxins

 

The following toxins are among the most prevalent in our air, water

and/or food supply. This list is by no means all-inclusive, as

thousands of other toxins are also circulating in our environment.

Keep reading to find out tips to avoid these toxins and others as much

as possible.

 

1.

 

PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls): This industrial chemical has

been banned in the United States for decades, yet is a persistent

organic pollutant that's still present in our environment.

 

Risks: Cancer, impaired fetal brain development

Major Source: Farm-raised salmon. Most farm-raised salmon,

which accounts for most of the supply in the United States are fed

meals of ground-up fish that have absorbed PCBs in the environment and

for this reason should be avoided.

 

2. Pesticides: According to the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA), 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30

percent of insecticides are known to be carcinogenic. Alarmingly,

pesticide residues have been detected in 50 percent to 95 percent of

U.S. foods.

 

Risks: Cancer, Parkinson's disease, miscarriage, nerve

damage, birth defects, blocking the absorption of food nutrients

Major Sources: Food (fruits, vegetables and commercially

raised meats), bug sprays

 

3. Mold and other Fungal Toxins: One in three people have had an

allergic reaction to mold. Mycotoxins (fungal toxins) can cause a

range of health problems with exposure to only a small amount.

 

Risks: Cancer, heart disease, asthma, multiple sclerosis,

diabetes

Major Sources: Contaminated buildings, food like peanuts,

wheat, corn and alcoholic beverages

 

4. Phthalates: These chemicals are used to lengthen the life of

fragrances and soften plastics.

 

Risks: Endocrine system damage (phthalates chemically mimic

hormones and are particularly dangerous to children)

Major Sources: Plastic wrap, plastic bottles, plastic food

storage containers. All of these can leach phthalates into our food.

 

5. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): VOCs are a major contributing

factor to ozone, an air pollutant. According to the EPA, VOCs tend to

be even higher (two to five times) in indoor air than outdoor air,

likely because they are present in so many household products.

 

Risks: Cancer, eye and respiratory tract irritation,

headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment

Major Sources: Drinking water, carpet, paints, deodorants,

cleaning fluids, varnishes, cosmetics, dry cleaned clothing, moth

repellants, air fresheners.

 

6. Dioxins: Chemical compounds formed as a result of combustion

processes such as commercial or municipal waste incineration and from

burning fuels (like wood, coal or oil).

 

Risks: Cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders,

chloracne (a severe skin disease with acne-like lesions), skin rashes,

skin discoloration, excessive body hair, mild liver damage

Major Sources: Animal fats: Over 95 percent of exposure

comes from eating commercial animal fats.

 

7. Asbestos: This insulating material was widely used from the

1950s to 1970s. Problems arise when the material becomes old and

crumbly, releasing fibers into the air.

 

Risks: Cancer, scarring of the lung tissue, mesothelioma (a

rare form of cancer)

Major Sources: Insulation on floors, ceilings, water pipes

and healing ducts from the 1950s to 1970s.

 

8. Heavy Metals: Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and

cadmium, which are prevalent in many areas of our environment, can

accumulate in soft tissues of the body.

 

Risks: Cancer, neurological disorders, Alzheimer's disease,

foggy head, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red

and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels

Major Sources: Drinking water, fish, vaccines, pesticides,

preserved wood, antiperspirant, building materials, dental amalgams,

chlorine plants

 

9. Chloroform: This colorless liquid has a pleasant, nonirritating

odor and a slightly sweet taste, and is used to make other chemicals.

It's also formed when chlorine is added to water.

 

Risks: Cancer, potential reproductive damage, birth defects,

dizziness, fatigue, headache, liver and kidney damage.

Major Sources: Air, drinking water and food can contain

chloroform.

 

10. Chlorine: This highly toxic, yellow-green gas is one of the most

heavily used chemical agents.

 

Risks: Sore throat, coughing, eye and skin irritation, rapid

breathing, narrowing of the bronchi, wheezing, blue coloring of the

skin, accumulation of fluid in the lungs, pain in the lung region,

severe eye and skin burns, lung collapse, reactive airways dysfunction

syndrome (RADS) (a type of asthma)

Major Sources: Household cleaners, drinking water (in small

amounts), air when living near an industry (such as a paper plant)

that uses chlorine in industrial processes.

 

Tips to Avoid Toxins

 

It's impossible in this day and age to avoid all environmental toxins.

What you can do, however, is limit your exposure as much as possible

with the following tips:

 

*

 

Buy and eat, as much as possible, organic produce and

free-range, organic foods. If you can only purchase one organic

product it probably should be free range organic eggs. Fortunately

most grocery stores now have these available. If they don't contact

the store manager and encourage them to carry them. Additionally I

believe raw milk products are a key to staying healthy. They are best

obtained locally but many people have a great challenge finding them.

*

 

Rather than eating fish, which is largely contaminated with PCBs

and mercury, consume a high-quality purified fish or cod liver oil .

Contact your favorite health food store for it or another high quality

brand or use our store for your immediate convenience. Another option

is to have your wild-caught fish lab tested to find out if it is a

pure source (we've found a delicious Alaskan wild red salmon that is

mercury- and PCB-free and safe).

*

 

Avoid processed foods -- remember that they're processed with

chemicals!

*

 

Only use natural cleaning products in your home. Most health

food stores will have these available or you can search on line for them.

*

 

Switch over to natural brands of toiletries, including shampoo,

toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics. Same sources here, either

your local health food store or you can search on line.

*

 

Remove any metal fillings as they're a major source of mercury.

Be sure to have this done by a qualified biological dentist. Although

nearly any dentist is technically qualified to replace your amalgam

fillings, far less than 95 percent have any clue on how to do it

properly so your risk of mercury exposure is minimized. Please avoid

the mistake I have seen THOUSANDS of patients make and have your

fillings replaced by a non-qualified dentist. I made this mistake

myself nearly 20 years ago. Do it right the first time and save

yourself the expense and grief. If you don't personally know a

qualified biological dentist, many people find one by contacting

several of the health food stores in their area and asking the

employees who they know. This is typically an excellent resource as

they are usually networked quite well in the local health community.

*

 

Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric

softeners or other synthetic fragrances as they can pollute the air

you are breathing.

*

 

Avoid artificial food additives of all kind, including

artificial sweeteners and MSG

*

 

Get plenty of safe sun exposure to boost your vitamin D levels

and your immune system (you'll be better able to fight disease).

*

 

Have your tap water tested and, if contaminants are found,

install an appropriate water filter on all your faucets (even those in

your shower or bath).

*

 

Seek to build your health up through the nutrition insights

detailed in my Total Health Program, and then limit your use of drugs

(prescription and over-the-counter) as much as possible. Drugs are

chemicals too, and they will leave residues and accumulate in your

body over time.

*

 

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