healthy lifestyle

Cameron J Nicholls

How to avoid absorbing toxins

Prevention is far better than a cure!

A balanced approach to natural holistic health is the first requisite. Eliminate chemicals and use organic products and produce if at all possible and you will find most of the troublesome metabolic diseases that we are plagued by in our Western cultures

Major illness and disease, including cancer and heart disease, can be prevented from happening in the first place. Often the body can reverse disease conditions if everything is in place and the body can draw on the support it needs. However, there is no such thing as a cure for cancer or any other immune system disorder for that matter.

However, scientific studies have shown the body can recover from virtually any disease provided it can draw on what it needs. This means you may need to supplement with bio-available minerals and phyto-nutrients.

Likewise, it can be hardly argued that removing the source of the problem will minimize the problem and eventually eradicate the problem itself. This is also true for non-toxic living. In order to effectively remove toxins, it is imperative that we identify what they are first. Knowing this will enable us to remove the toxin at source.

Here are 10 effective tips for non-toxic living by removing the toxins at source.

Step One: Avoid Scented Products

The key words to note for effective implementation is avoid and use only First of all, avoid all scented products which include perfumes, colognes, after-shaves, personal-care products, air fresheners etc. Avoid also disguised scented products. They are doubly toxic.

Step Two: Pesticides and Fungicides

All pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers must be avoided because pesticides are neurotoxins and they attack bugs and you indiscriminately.

Applying pesticides does not prevent pests from coming in, so using them when pests are not present does nothing other than expose children, adults and any pets to toxic chemicals.

In June, 1993, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released its long-awaited report on the health hazards posed to infants and young children from exposure to pesticides in the food supply. The Academy stated that "[M]any pesticides are harmful to the environment and are known or suspected to be toxic to humans. They can produce a wide range of adverse effects on human health that include acute neurologic toxicity, cancer, reproductive dysfunction, and possible dysfunction of the immune and endocrine systems."; It also found that ";pesticide residues are widespread in the U.S. diet. They are consumed regularly by most Americans, including infants and children.";

According to expert entomologists the most widely used insecticides are nerve poisons, which cause nerves to fire in an uncontrolled manner and disrupt endocrine systems. And it's well documented that prolonged exposure can result in similar effects on humans, with results ranging from vomiting to severe breathing problems. Further research also indicates these insecticide poisons may also play a role in causing issues such as ADHD, autism, and even infertility.

Tip Three: Fabric Softeners

Avoid all fabric softeners, dryer sheets, scented detergents etc as these products are very toxic and very harmful to the environment.

However, as published in the British Journal of Midwifery, Vol. 6, Iss. 10, 01 Oct 1998, pp 670 - 674:- The widespread use of fabric softeners in conjunction with modern detergents in the home has led to concerns that they may cause adverse skin reactions, particularly on infants and those with sensitive skin. It has been determined that the use of fabric softeners is not a cause of infant dermatitis (‘nappy rash') (Jenkins et al, 1983; Schneider et al, 1974; Steinbock and Swoboda, 1974; Motegi et al, 1974; Bouchier-Hays, 1988). But recently more detailed work on the specific effects on the skin has shown that Lenor from Procter and Gamble has no adverse effects, and indeed its use has some measurable benefits.

Tip Four: Food Coloring

Food coloring include substances that are added to foods to prevent spoilage, improve appearance, enhance the flavor or texture, or increase the nutritional value.

In the European Union, food additives are often given ‘E' numbers: a set of standard codes which have been approved by the European Union. The main categories of additives are colours (e.g. E100, curcumin), preservatives (e.g. E200, sorbic acid); antioxidants (e.g. E300, L-ascorbic acid); emuslifiers and stabilizers (e.g. E322, lecithins); and sweeteners (e.g. E421, mannitol). Other food additives include:

• acids (e.g. citric acid, give a sour taste)
• anti-caking agents (e.g. some phosphates, to help food flow easily)

• antifoaming agents (e.g. oxystearin, to prevent excessive frothing)

• bases (e.g. bicarbonate, as a raising agent and acid neutralizer)

• bulking agents (e.g. guar gum, adds bulk without adding any calories)

• firming agents (e.g aluminium salts, to retain crispness)

• flavour modifiers (reduces flavour)

• flour improvers (e.g. cysteine)

• glazing agents (e.g. waxes, to give polished appearance)

• humectants (e.g. glycerol, to prevent foods, such as marshmallow, drying out)

• liquid freezants (e.g. liquid nitrogen, to freeze food quickly)
• packaging gases (e.g. nitrogen, to control the atmosphere within a package)

• propellants (e.g. carbon dioxide, to form an aerosol, forcing food out of containers)

• release agents (e.g. silicates, to prevent food sticking to pans)

• sequestrants (e.g. sodium hydrogen diacetate, to help remove heavy metals from food

• solvents (e.g. glycerol, to dissolve solids in food).

Foods with colors, dyes and preservatives and food containing nutra-sweet are to be avoided. They are dangerous to your body.

There is a seemingly endless list of side effects from aspartame ingestion. Since it was discovered, scientist have found adverse effects through experimentation including brain tumors, headaches, vision loss, and many other neurological problems. They have also reached conclusions about the causes of these adverse affects. In 1994, a report was released that listed 92 symptoms associated with aspartame ingestion and said that aspartame accounted for 75 percent of all adverse reactions reported to the Adverse Reaction Monitoring System.

Tip Five: Clean Air

The major concern with air pollution relates to its effects on humans. Since most people spend most of their time indoors, there has been increased interest in air-pollution concentrations in homes, workplaces, and shopping areas. Much of the early information on health effects came from occupational health studies completed prior to the implementation of general air-quality standards.

For clean air in rooms, open your windows as often as possible. The outdoor air has been found less toxic than the indoor air. This is true even in the most polluted cities.Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (hvac) industry term to define the characteristics of a comfortable home. For maximum comfort, three factors must be taken into account. They are:

1. temperature,

2. humidity level
3. cleanliness of the air.

The temperature is maintained at a comfortable level by the homes hvac system. It is easily adjusted at your thermostat.

It is important to measure the humidity throughout your house. Basements are notorious for having higher humidity levels. Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms also have higher humidity levels. Bedrooms and rooms closer to these areas will have a higher humidity level than ones further away.

Electronic air cleaners are devices that are designed to remove pollutants from indoor air. Most of the units operate using the principle of electrostatic precipitation.

Tip Six: Cleaning Products

Use only non-toxic cleaning products and personal-care products that are safe.

Dr. Gideon Koren is a pediatrician at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Koren says young children are especially vulnerable, partly because of exposure. Everything goes in their mouths and they virtually live on the floor:

1. Their body systems and organs are not fully developed (developing organs are more sensitive to environmental toxicants): a newborn baby has the "framework" for the structures that control respiration, heartbeat, reflexes and bone growth but the organ development continues for 10 - 15 years.
2. Neurological development is ongoing during childhood, with very crucial stages occurring during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood.
3. The way in which, and extent to which they metabolize chemicals are very different than in adults.
4. They exhibit behaviours that increase their contact with chemical toxicants (closer to the floor, i.e. their breathing zone is different, hand to mouth activity, time spent indoors, play).

"Household cleaners fall under the Hazardous Products Act, which dates back to the mid-1960s. They're regulated by the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations. Labels are required to provide hazard symbols like "poison" and "flammable." They also have to give information about first aid treatments for those ingredients. But there's no requirement to list other chemicals that could cause long-term health effects - and no warnings that say anything like "may cause respiratory problems."

Tip Seven: Permanent Pressed

Clothes that are permanent press and wrinkle resistant have been treated with formaldehyde that does not wash out and therefore bad for the skin. Avoid using these kinds of clothes. Just only go for natural-fiber clothing (100% cotton, linen, wool or silk).The same goes for bed linens and blankets. Avoid no-iron or wrinkle resistant. Use only 100% cotton, wool or pure silk.

• The EPA recommends that an adult should not drink water containing more than 1 milligram of formaldehyde per liter of water (1 mg/L) for a lifetime exposure, and a child should not drink water containing more than 10 mg/L for 1 day or 5 mg/L for 10 days.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a permissable exposure limit for formaldehyde of 0.75 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends an exposure limit of 0.016 ppm. At room temperature, formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell. It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. Formaldehyde is naturally produced in small amounts in our boAt room temperature, formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell. It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. Formaldehyde is naturally produced in small amounts in our bodies.

Sources of formaldehyde exposure:

• Smog
• Cigarettes and other tobacco products
• Gas cookers, and open fireplaces
• Used in many industries, hospitals and laboratories
• Given off as a gas from manufactured wood products used in new mobile homes.
• Household sources such as :

• fibreglass, carpets, foam in cushions, permanent press fabrics, paper products, household cleaners, shampoos, bubble bath, medicines and disinfectants.

Removing formaldehyde sources in the home can reduce exposure. Formaldehyde is given off from a number of products used in the home. Providing fresh air, sealing unfinished manufactured wood surfaces, and washing new permanent press clothing before wearing can help lower exposure.

Tip Eight: House Plants

House Plants do more than just brighten up a room with scent and color. Along with being pleasing to the eye and nose, they bring real health benefits to your body. Studies confirm complaints about headaches, stress, heart/circulation-symptoms and colds decrease when indoor plants are present as well as keeping the air purified.

The Top 10 Air Purifying Plants

The following plants are most effective in removing potentially harmful chemicals-including those in paints, varnishes, dry cleaning fluids, car exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke-from the air in your home.

1. Mother Fern
2. Dragon tree
3. Ivy
4. Ficus
5. Philodendrons
6. Spider plants
7. Peace lilies
8. Ferns
9. Chrysanthemums
10. Palms

Culture a select group of houseplants as they are beneficial to remove toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene etc. Other plants for removing these and other toxins are philodendrons, aloe vera, English Ivy, golden pathos and boston fern.

Tip Nine: Filtered Water

Drink and bathe in filtered water. Taking a shower in chlorinated water will cause the chlorine to get into your blood stream. And you should also avoid swimming in chlorinated pools.

The chemical element chlorine is a corrosive, poisonous, greenish-yellow gas that has a suffocating odor and is 2 1/2 times heavier than air. Chlorine is changed to its liquid form by compressing the gas, the resulting liquid is then shipped. Liquid chlorine is mixed into drinking water and swimming pools to destroy bacteria.

To stop chlorination of drinking water to eliminate the elevated cancer risks from chlorination by-products would be foolhardy. Nonetheless, the data provide strong evidence to support expanded efforts in research and development of alternatives to chlorination for the disinfection of drinking water. Chlorination is particularly effective in preventing recontamination during distribution. Alternatives must provide a similar level of protection.

Under conditions of average temperature, humidity, and activity, the human body loses and, therefore, must replace about 2.3 liters of water each day. Two-thirds of this consumption is in the form of water or some other beverage. Concerns about the health risks or taste of drinking water may cause those who consume tap water to shift to bottled water, or other beverages. These beverages may include sweetened soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, which can pose health risks greater than those associated with drinking water.

Here's What The Experts Have To Say:

Chlorine is used to combat microbial contamination, but it can react with organic matter in the water and form dangerous, carcinogenic Trihalomethanes. According to Dr. Joseph M. Price, MD, in Moseby's Medical Dictionary, "Chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of modern times. It is an insidious poison".

"The drinking of chlorinated water has finally been officially linked to an increased incidence of colon cancer. An epidemiologist at Oak Ridge Associated Universities completed a study of colon cancer victims and non-cancer patients and concluded that the drinking of chlorinated water for 15 years or more was conducive to a high rate of colon cancer." Health Freedom News, January/February 1987

"Long-term drinking of chlorinated water appears to increase a person's risk of developing bladder cancer as much as 80%; according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Some 45,000 Americans are diagnosed every year with bladder cancer." St. Paul Dispatch & Pioneer Press, December 17, 1987

"Although concentrations of these carcinogens are low...it is precisely these low levels which cancer scientists believe are responsible for the majority of human cancers in the United States." Report Issued By The Environmental Defense Fund

"Chlorine itself is not believed to be the problem. Scientists suspect that the actual cause of the bladder cancers is a group of chemicals that form as result of reactions between the chlorine and natural substances and pollutants in the water." (organic matter such as leaves and twigs.)St. Paul Dispatch & Pioneer Press, December 17, 1987

Morris, with epidemiologist Thomas C. Chalmers and his colleagues at Harvard, used a new technique called meta-analysis to combine the results from the 10 best studies, yielding the new findings. They report that people drinking chlorinated water over long periods have a 21% increase in the risk of contracting bladder cancer and a 38% increase in the risk of rectal cancer. "I am quite convinced, based on this study, that there is an association between cancer and chlorinated water.", says Robert D. Morris of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, who directed the new study.

Greenpeace reports have found chlorine-based compounds to be the most common toxic and persistent pollutants in the Great Lakes.

• To learn more, please visit Water for Life USA

The 10 Benefits of Filitered Water

Water filters provide better tasting and better smelling drinking water by removing chlorine and bacterial contaminants.

1. Point-of-use water filters remove lead from drinking water immediately prior to consumption, thus preventing this harmful substance from entering the body.
2. The purchase of a countertop filter results in a source of clean, healthy water that costs much less than bottled water.
3. Water filters greatly reduce the risk of rectal cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer by removing chlorine and chlorine byproducts from drinking water.
4. A solid block carbon water filter can selectively remove dangerous contaminants from drinking water while retaining healthy mineral deposits that balance the pH of drinking water.
5. Drinking clean, filtered water protects the body from disease and leads to overall greater health.
6. A water filter provides clean, healthy water for cooking, as well as drinking, at the convenience of tap water.
7. Water filters reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disease by more than 33 percent by removing cryptosporidium and giardia from drinking water.
8. Drinking pure water is especially important for children. Water filters provide the healthiest water for children's developing immune systems.
9. Water filters offer the last line of defense between the body and the over 2100 known toxins that may be present in drinking water.

• To learn more, please visit Water for Life USA

Tip Ten: Glass jars

As much as possible store food only in glass jars.

Avoid plastics!

Bisphenol A an (ingredient of plastic) was first synthesized in 1891.

Its current uses are as a primary monomer in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Bisphenol A is also used as an antioxidant in plasticizers and as a polymerization inhibitor in PVC.

Bisphenol A was investigated in the 1930s during the search for synthetic estrogens. At that time, another synthetic compound, diethylstilbestrol, was determined to be more powerful than estrogen itself, so bisphenol A was not used as a synthetic estrogen.

Polycarbonates are widely used in many consumer products, including sunglasses, CDs, water and food containers and shatter-resistant baby bottles. Some polymers used in dental fillings also contain bisphenol A, while epoxy resins containing bisphenol A are popular coatings for the inside of cans used for canning food.

Bisphenol A has been known to leach from the plastic lining of canned foods and, to a lesser degree, certain plastics which are cleaned with harsh detergents or used to contain acidic or high temperature liquids. Infants fed with concentrated (canned) infant formula have among the highest exposures of anyone eating canned foods. Infants fed canned formula with poly- carbonate bottles can consume quantities of bisphenol A up to 13 µg/kg/day.

Dose Effects/µg/kg/day (measured in laboratory animals) Study Year

• 0.025 Permanent changes to genital tract 2005
• 0.025 Changes in breast tissue that predispose cells to hormones and carcinogens 2005
• 1.5 Low levels of human exposure from diet 2003
• 2 3 0% increase in prostate weight 1997
• 2.4 Signs of early puberty 2002
• 2.4 Decline in testicular testosterone 2004
• 2.5 Breast cells predisposed to cancer 2006
• 10 Prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer 2006
• 10 Insulin resistance 2006
• 10 Decreased maternal behavior 2002
• 13 High levels of human exposure from diet 2003
• 20 Damage to eggs and chromosomes 2003
• 25 Health Canada provisional human exposure limit 1999
• 30 Hyperactivity 2004
• 30 Reversal of normal sex difference in brain structure 2001
• 50 U.S. human exposure limit 1998

The major benefit is used glass jars and bottles can be recycled into new glass jars and bottles over and over again without any reduction in quality. Cullet from all sources is the major raw materials it replaces

Recycling glass has the following environmental benefits: reduces raw material usage reduces energy usage reduces greenhouse gas emissions reduces landfi ll encourages others to recycle.

Recycling glass does indeed save energy as compared to using raw ingredients to make new glass. picture of glass bottles for recycling The Glass Packaging Institute notes that energy costs drop about 2-3% for every 10% of recycled glass used in the manufacturing process. Glass bottle recycling also reduces resource use and pollution.

But what about glass bottle re-use?

Good news!

Costs drop even more when glass packages are sterilized and reused without being crushed, melted, and reformed. There are many factors that affect the costs and efficiencies associated with a bottle reuse program as compared to recycling "non-refillables," including:

• Whether deposits on refillable bottles (or taxes on non-refillable bottles) are required to increase recovery rates of refillables.
• How successful local recycling programs are at collecting non-refillable bottles. How willing retailers are to accommodate collection programs for refillables.

• Whether the beverage industry will geographically restructure its bottling operations to reduce the distance traveled by refillables. Whether beverage companies will collaborate to use industry-standard bottles (or whether governments are willing to force them to do so).

Removing toxins at source is the best method to guarantee a non-toxic environment and non-toxic living.