Could environmental toxins be the root cause of your health decline? This post outlines how to protect yourself from toxins every day.
Each day we are exposed to an unprecedented number of toxins, including heavy metals, pesticides, micro-plastics, industrial chemicals and food additives.
Environmental toxins are found everywhere and include naturally occurring compounds and human-made chemicals. From cleaning products to personal care products, the food we eat, the water we drink, the furniture we use and even dust these toxins can have a major impact on our overall health.
Environmental toxins can affect every part of our body and have even been linked to diseases including cancer, respiratory diseases, neurological diseases, thyroid issues, diabetes and obesity.
What are common environmental toxins?
Environmental toxins include:
Lead
Mercury
Benzene
Cadmium
Formaldehyde
BPA
Phthalates
Pesticides
Parabens
Fluoride
The best way to reduce the risk of toxic overload in our everyday lives is to reduce your exposure where possible and enhance your body’s natural detoxification systems.
Here are a few tips for avoiding environmental toxins in your every day life:
Use ceramic containers or top left over food with a plate to store
Always take food out of plastic containers to reheat
Switch to natural house cleaning products
Use 100% naturally derived cosmetics and skin care products.
Make your own body cream and hair care products using a natural based moisturiser or castile soap and add essential oils
Ensure you drink only filtered water. Tap water is full of chemicals, which can affect thyroid function, cause skin problems such as dermatitis, and block very important minerals in our bodies
Eat foods that are non-processed, fresh, organic and non-GMO where possible
Try to grow your own veggies and fruit.
How do toxin’s leave your body?
Detoxification is the process in which the body works to neutralise, transform and excrete unwanted toxins from your body. There are a number of organs involved in different detoxification processes including your lungs, skin, liver, kidneys and digestive and lymphatic systems. The toxins are eliminated from the body via sweat, urine and stools.
There are a number of foods that help to assist the body’s natural detoxification processes and this can be heightened when paired with plenty of filtered water, exercise and stress management.
Try these foods to assist the body with detoxification:
Lemon and limes alkalize the body and reduce latent acidity.
Cruciferous vegetables help the liver to detox, and include broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale and cabbage.
Avocado is rich in good fats and antioxidants, which help to protect the liver.
Beetroot is high in manganese and vitamin C, and is an excellent antioxidant.
Garlic assists liver detoxification.
Turmeric is antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and an antioxidant.
Blueberries, blackberries and green tea are some further foods that are high in antioxidants.
There are so many ways to reduce environmental toxins every day through dietary and lifestyle choices. Here is a list the Infinite Health Studio Team have put together:
Use non-commercial cleaning products and make your own, using bi-carb soda, vinegar and essential oils. You can also make your own hand wash, shampoo, conditioner and room spray.
Try using a microfibre cloth such as Enyo, which are reusable.
Don’t heat plastic containers and avoid non-stick cookware. These contain carcinogenic byproducts, which are released into our food when heated. Cast iron and stainless steel are excellent to use.
Keep glass jars and re-use them to store food.
Check labels for products that don’t contain BPA and phthalate products, which are two acids that are known to cause oxidative stress on our cells. A change to our cells such as this can results in increased infertility risk and cancer, amongst other things.
Support gut health and elimination pathways. Probiotic and fibre rich foods keep our immune system strong. Include foods such as kefir and sauerkraut, and eat plenty of vegetables to help feed your gut’s microbiome. Make sure you drink plenty of water to help flush the kidneys.
Detoxification support is helpful with certain herbs, juicing, minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients (coloured fruit and veg). Where you can, include infrared saunas and dry skin brushing to help unclog the lymphatic system.
Produce clean air by installing an air filter such as HEPA in your vacuum cleaner and decorating your home with plenty of indoor plants. Don’t forget to open your windows every so often for air ventilation!
Avoid consistent exposure to computers, mobile phones and wi-fi. Using the hands-free option, switching your wi-fi off at night and consciously reducing the usage of your mobile phone are all ways you can protect your cells from damage.
It’s easy to recognise that toxins are all around us, and while we may not be able to completely avoid them, we do have the power to make conscious decisions on how we consume, purchase and live. These simple choices all have a significant lasting effect on the number of toxins we expose our bodies to and our overall health.
Talk to one of our qualified practitioners today to take the first steps in reducing your toxic load and supporting your body with an individualised approach to health.
Book your FREE scoping session here today or phone the clinic on 0474 744 445
