Most of us believe we are healthy. We eat right. We exercise. We avoid smoking. But our surrounding environment is quite toxic, and as a result, we have toxins in our bodies. Let’s take a look at the 5 worst chemicals that affect our health and how to avoid exposure to them.
These chemicals have become so ubiquitous, we add to the toxic load in our bodies on a daily basis. When those levels reach a critical level, we begin to experience a wide range of signs and symptoms throughout our bodies.
Over the last 50 years, our modern environment has faced an ever increasing onslaught of hazardous metals, chemicals, and pollutants. In 1998, U.S. industries reported manufacturing 6.5 trillion pounds of 9,000 different chemicals. In 2000, major American companies dumped 7.1 billion pounds of 650 different industrial chemicals into our air and water.
Some of the most dangerous offenders are as these:
Dioxins
Dioxins are chemical compounds formed as a result of combustion processes such as commercial or municipal waste incineration & from burning fuels like wood, coal or oil.
Risks: Cancer, reproductive & developmental disorders, chloracne, skin rashes, excessive body hair, and liver damage.
Major Sources: Over 95% of exposure comes from eating commercial animal fats.
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls)
PCBs were banned in the U.S. decades ago, yet is a persistent organic pollutant that’s still present in our environment.
Risks: Cancer, impaired fetal brain development
Major Source: Farm-raised salmon, which are fed ground-up fish that have absorbed PCBs in the environment resulting in a more highly concentrated dose.
Pesticides
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 90% of fungicides, 60% of herbicides, and 30% of insecticides are known to be carcinogenic. Hazardous levels of pesticide residue have been detected in 50-95% 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 & commercially raised meats), bug spray
Chloroform
This colorless liquid has a pleasant, nonirritating odor and a slightly sweet taste. It is used to make other chemicals.
Risks: Cancer, potential reproductive damage, birth defects, dizziness, fatigue, headache, liver and kidney damage.
Major Sources: Air, drinking water and food can contain chloroform.
Heavy metals
Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum & cadmium, which are prevalent in our environment, accumulate in the 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
Diseases Related to Toxic Chemicals and Pollution
The American Cancer Society has stated that environmental pollution contributes to:
- Nervous disorders
- Hyperactivity
- Emphysema
- Nasal congestion and burning eyes
- Headaches and muscle aches
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- Asthma
- Burning and tingling skin
- Irritability and mental confusion
- Lack of coordination, and other symptoms
Remove the toxic chemicals
You can be proactive and remove the toxins around you to a great extent. You can use natural cleansing techniques and make sure that you get the nutrients and a cleaner environment for optimal health. Find out how the toxic onslaught has affected you and your family and what you can do today to take back control of your health!