Toxic Substances and How to Avoid Them

Toxic Substances How to Avoid Them

This article, Toxic Substances and How to Avoid Them deals with the environment we live in today. How much do you think about toxic substances? Most of us use products with toxins in them and take in toxins every day. Our modern lives are often dependent on toxin-laden products that we use without every really thinking about the possible effects. We should do, as there is plenty of medical evidence of the damage that is being done to our bodies all the time. Toxicants are found in our water, food and air: it is impossible to avoid them completely. We can reduce our intake of them, and we can help our bodies get rid of them.

What are Toxicants

Toxicants are poisonous substances that have their origins in plant or animal matter. They can cause disease, including cancer, developmental and neurological disorders. They can also cause severe allergic reactions. Toxicants make their way into our food and our environment in a number of ways, but can do so wherever chemicals are used. Pesticides used in farming can affect our food, and can also make their way into the water supply. Toxic run-off from industrial farms can sometimes end up affecting fish, making them toxic when eaten. Toxic chemicals are added to all sorts of household products, particularly cleaning products. There are various airborne pollutants from factories and vehicles in the air, especially in urban areas. It is impossible to escape toxicants.

Toxicants and Disease

There is strong evidence linking exposure to toxicants to disease. Most damaging may be long-term, low-level exposure to toxicants in the environment. Some chemicals are dealt with by the body quickly, while others are more difficult for the body to deal with. Over time, they slowly build up in our bodies, sitting in our tissue. Women can pass on chemicals in their own bodies to their children when pregnant, and so many of us are born with toxicants already in our bodies.

Much research has been done into toxicants, and many direct links between them and certain diseases found. For example, the link between lead absorption and disease is well-known, especially its link to developmental disorders in children. Mercury is another common toxicant, causing damage to the brain, heart, lungs, kidney and immune system. You can find some more information about research into particular toxicants and disease here. These direct links are almost certainly only a small part of the story. With all kinds of chemicals and organic toxins building up in our bodies all the time, it is impossible to carry out research into the effects of every different combination. However, we do know that incidence of unexplained diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and physical problems such as infertility is rising. It does not take much to work out that constant exposure to toxic substances cannot be good for our health.

Can we Avoid Toxicants?

It is impossible to avoid them altogether, but there are some sensible steps you can take to cut down on your exposure to toxicants.

–          Switch to natural cleaning products, rather than using chemical ones. You will be surprised at how effective they are. Just remember that previous generations managed just fine without harsh chemical cleaners.

–          Be careful about using make-up, creams, powders and other products on your skin. Try to use as few products as you can, and look for natural alternatives where possible.

–          Buy organic, unprocessed foods. Better still, grow your own. Pesticides used in agriculture are a major source of toxic chemicals, but they are not needed. Any foods that have gone through some kind of factory processing may also have been exposed to chemicals: stick to fresh wholefoods as much as possible, for both long and short term health benefits.

–          Try and avoid atmospheric pollution. It’s difficult to do, and sometimes you just can’t avoid travel through polluted rush-hour cities, but avoid it when you can. Do your bit too: ride a bike or walk if possible, rather than driving your car.

As well as avoiding toxicants, we can also take steps to try and flush those we do ingest out of our bodies. Some foods help our bodies cleanse themselves. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are good, as is beetroot, artichokes, certain berries and seeds and many others. You can also try a free sample of VelociTea to help you on your way!

If you have any ideas about Toxic Substances and How to Avoid Them, please share below in the comments section of my site.