Protect against environmental hazards

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Protect against environmental hazards

 

_http://www.canaryclub.org/component/content/article/48-glands-category/585-prot\

ect-against-environmental-hazards-.html_

(http://www.canaryclub.org/component/content/article/48-glands-category/585-prot\

ect-against-environmental-

hazards-.html)

 

The past half-century has witnessed the large-scale production, use, and

disposal of man-made chemicals into our environment. Most of the synthetic

chemicals produced in the U.S. lack adequate testing to determine their

long-term health effects in humans. But numerous studies show that human

exposure to pesticides, solvents, herbicides, insecticides, certain plastics,

and

manufacturing byproducts in our environment can cause adverse health

effects. Since these products interfere with our internal hormonal balance, we

call them hormone-disrupting compounds.

 

Hormonal Imbalance

 

A hormone disrupter is any substance that alters normal endocrine levels

or activity in the body. Synthetic chemicals can disturb the normal activity

of thyroid and other hormones, including estrogen, by binding directly to

hormone receptors; activating these receptor sites; and creating a chain of

events similar to what would happen if the hormone itself were binding to

the receptor. One of the problems is that they stay on the site too long

and your body does not know how to remove it.

 

These toxins may also bind with and occupy the receptor, blocking normal

hormonal activity. Or they may interfere with proteins that regulate the

activity of hormone. This kind of hormone disruption is associated with the

development of breast cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia, to

name just a few conditions.

 

Everyday Toxins

 

We are exposed to hormone-disrupting compounds in our everyday lives,

often without knowing it. Pesticide residues are common on fruits and

vegetable-unless certified organic. Nonorganic animal foods often contain added

hormones and antibiotics. Certain fish have high levels of mercury and dioxins.

 

 

Even some of the more flexible plastic containers in which many foods and

condiments are packaged and stored can leach out harmful chemicals.

Hormone-disrupting compounds are found in both well water and city water,

providing yet another daily means of exposure. Other culprits include

commercial

household cleaning products, conventional cosmetics, perfumes, dry cleaning

solvents, carpeting, vinyl floors, copy machines, furniture glues, air

fresheners, mattresses, shampoos-and the list go on.

 

The Greatest Risks

 

Here are some environmental toxins linked to adverse health effects:

* Dioxins are byproducts of industrial incineration and combustion.

Also produced by the manufacturing of chlorine-containing pesticides, wood

preservatives, and paper, dioxins persist in the environment for years and

accumulate in the fat of farm animals that eat contaminated feed or water.

Linked by some studies to endometriosis, these toxins appear to disrupt

endocrine function, causing imbalances.

* Polychlorinated biphenyls (PBB's) are used in coolant, lubricants,

and insulation for electrical equipment as well as in paints, dyes, and

rubber. PCB's accumulate in human fat-and in the food chain. Found in rivers

and lakes, these toxins weaken the immune system, damage neurological

development, and behave like estrogen in the body.

* Bisphenol A is a compound in some plastics. It can leach into

foods and the environment. Bisphenol A produces estrogen like effects making it

a possible contributor to immune suppression, and some cancers.

* Phthalates are added to plastic to make them strong, soft, and

flexible. These toxins are also used in carpet backing, paints, glues, insect

repellents, hair spray, nail polish, and even in toys, where they make

their way into our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption.

Phthalates hormone-disrupting effects have been found to suppress ovulation

and estradiol production and to contribute to a condition called

_polycystic ovarian syndrome_

(http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/articlepage.php?id=106) .

* DDT the pesticide and its metabolite DDE have been banned in this

country since 1972, but their effects still linger in our environment,

accumulating in adipose tissue and in the food chain. An insecticide used in

agriculture and mosquito control, DDT has estrogen effects.

* Formaldehyde is another toxic compound. Traditionally used as a

laboratory preservative, it has made its way into our homes. Formaldehyde is

used in some shampoos, conditioners, and cosmetics as well as in

construction materials, cleaning supplies, carpeting, drapes, upholstery, paper

products, and plastics. Its fumes can cause depression, fatigue, poor memory,

headaches, asthma, cough, skin rashes, and other problems. Formaldehyde has

also been linked to reduced fertility and spontaneous abortion

(miscarriage).

Need To Detox?

 

Normally, our bodies are equipped to metabolize and eliminate toxins

through the process of detoxification. But when we are daily bombarded with so

many chemicals from so many sources, our bodies can become overburdened.

Luckily, we can use diet and supplements to assist our bodies in breaking

down toxins and supporting natural hormone balance.

 

Certain foods support liver metabolism and detoxification. The family of

cruciferous vegetables (including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale,

collards, and cauliflower) contain liver detoxifying nutrients that help

to speed toxins out of the body. Flaxseed and psyllium husk powder offer

fiber that binds toxins and supports the bowel in eliminating them.

 

Herbs also support the liver: milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock root,

beet root, fenugreek, greater celandine, juniper, and fringe tree. Natural

detox teas combine many of these herbs such as " Daily Detox Tea " from M.D.

Labs, " Detox A.M. Wellness Tea " from Celestial Seasonings and " Liver Detox

Tea " from Herbalfitness.

 

Amino acids, the basic building blocks of proteins, are necessary for

detoxification of environmental pollutants. Glutathione, cysteine, glycine,

glutamine, taurine, and methionine are important for detox. Whey protein

powder is a convenient source of glutathione. Many soy and rice protein powders

have amino acids added to them, so check the labels. Selenium, vitamins C

and E, and alpha lipoic acid are antioxidants that protect us from toxin

overload. A good multi-vitamin/mineral formula such as " Multi-Vitamin Natures

Way " and " Twinlab Mega 6 " also provides necessary cofactors for liver

detoxification.

 

Any individual experiencing chronic health problems or a hormone-related

condition is wise to seek the help of a qualified health care professional

who specializes in this. Don't be afraid to seek " alternative health care

practioners " . Some of them have much more formal education in this than

conventional medical practioners.

 

While it's nearly impossible to completely eliminate these toxic compounds

from our lives, we can educate ourselves and protect against toxic

overload. Also important, we can help to educate others and get involved to

make

our planet a safer place for all.

 

Take Action

 

It's easy to become overly anxious about the amount of toxins to which we

are exposed to ever day. But who wants to live in a bubble? Instead, we can

educate ourselves in ways to minimize our exposure to these compounds and

how to support the body in metabolism and eliminating toxins. Avoiding

hormone-disrupting compounds begins simply with the choices we make at home and

the store, increasing the demand for safer alternatives.

 

* Buy certified organic fruits and vegetables grown without the use

of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, sewage slude (a

lesser-known source of toxins), or hormones. When you can and according to your

budget. Think of it as a great investment.

* Select fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables whenever possible,

limiting canned foods.

* Choose grass-fed, hormone-free meats, eggs, and dairy products

(organic when possible), and avoid eating animal fat, because of the

possibility of high concentration of chemicals.

* Eat fish low in mercury and fat, since toxins accumulate in the fat

of fish. Also avoid: tilefish, tuna, farm-raised salmon, swordfish,

shark, king mackerel, red snapper, orange roughly, and trout.

* Buy naturally chemical-free soaps, detergents, and cleaning

supplies.

* Use natural pest control instead of pesticides and herbicides for

your lawn, and adjust your mind about what looks beautiful.

* When remodeling, ask for earth-friendly, or " green, " building

supplies.

* Drink filtered water out of glass or ceramic containers, and store

and cook foods in glass, whenever feasible. Buy glass stored foods and

recycle.

* Avoid PV or vinyl (which contains plasticizers), PS or Styrofoam

(suspected carcinogens and hormone disrupters), and other resins (including

PC).

* Buy a box of surgical gloves or a good pair of rubber ones and use

them if you are in doubt about any liquid, solvent that easily gets

absorbed through your skin.

Recommended Herbs

 

_Natural Progesterone (Progensa 20)_

(http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/product.php?id=21)

_Menopause Formula (PhytoBalance)_

(http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/product.php?id=22)

_Milk Thistle(Liver Health)_

(http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/product.php?id=85)

 

_See-Xenohormones-Condition Treatments_

(http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/conditiontreatment.php?id=125)

Copyright 2003 Women Living Naturally -

_http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com_ (http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/)

Women Living Naturally was created to give you as much pertinent

information as can be found on the subject of women's hormone issues.

Permission is

granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of any of our publications

or web content provided this paragraph, including the above copyright

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Recommended Reading:

 

* Detoxify or Die by Sherry A. Rogers, MD ($22.95, Prestige, 2002)

* Having Faith by Sandra Steingraber ($14, Berkley, 2003)

* Living Downstream by Sandra Steingraber ($14, Vintage, 1998)

* Our Stolen Future by Theo Colburn, PhD ($15, Plume, 1997)