The
Growing Problem Of Toxicity
In recent history, mankind has managed
to drastically change the chemistry of the environment in which
we live. For example, in 1989 alone, more than 1,000,000,000 pounds
of chemicals were released into the ground, threatening a portion
of the soil we grow our food in and the natural underground water
tables that supply some of our drinking water. Over 188,000,000
pounds of chemicals were also discharged into surface waters such
as lakes and rivers. More than 2,400,000,000 pounds of chemical
emissions were pumped into the air we breathe. A grand total of
5,705,670,380 pounds of chemical pollutants were released into the
environment we eat, breathe, and live in—all in just one year.
Is it any wonder that environmental illnesses
are becoming more common! Education and training in these
matters are significantly lacking - look how our young are encouraged
to use all sorts of chemical products - look at the continued bombardment
of chemcial products adverts on the television and other media!
To compound the problem of our toxic environment, we have refined
away much of the nutritional value of our food supply and replaced
it with artificial colorings, preservatives, flavourings, conditioners,
etc. This poor quality diet—combined with extensive use of
antibodies in medicine and agriculture— may have redisposed
many of us to experience a kind of “internal” pollution.
Internal pollution occurs when the healthful bacteria in the intestinal
tract are overcome by unhealthful bacteria. These unhealthful bacterial
release toxic by-products into our circulation which can negatively
affect many aspects of our overall health.
Will Toxicity
Have An Effect On You?
What does this problem of toxicity mean for us
individually? It may present a threat to the vibrant level of health
we would like to enjoy. But whether we succumb to the adverse effects
of toxicity depends on our knowledge of the subject and the choices
we make. We need to take personal responsibility to make sure that
we do not fall victim to toxicity. That involves learning what we
need to do to help our body protect itself from toxicity.
Basic Ways
To Avoid Toxicity
Let’s begin with some of the basic requirements
to avoid toxicity. Do all you can to purify your work and home environments.
If you know the source of any toxic materials at work, such as stored
or leaking chemicals, dyes, paints, solvents, glues, acids, or household
offenders such as insecticides or cleaning agents, remove them if
possible. If the offending materials cannot be removed, an effective
air purification system may be needed. At least, wear protective
clothing and/or breathing apparatus when using any toxic materials.
Regular replacement of furnace and air conditioning filters may
also be helpful.
It is also very important to eat a good diet with plenty of fresh,
wholesome foods. Avoid eating excess fat, refined sugar and foods
high in additives and preservatives. Eat moderate levels of protein
(approximately 15% to 20% of your calories) and fat (approximately
20% of your calories), while increasing levels of complex carbohydrates
(approximately 60% of your calories). Substitute organically-raised
animals and organically-grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
Drink plenty of purified water (ideally 5 pints a day). A home water
purification system is highly desirable to provide pure water for
drinking and cooking.
Support Your
Body's Efforts To Eliminate Toxicity
One thing is certain in our effort to purify
our work and home environments: it is impossible to avoid toxicity
completely! With that realisation, the importance of supporting
your body’s efforts to eliminate accumulated toxins cannot
be overstated.
Water Or
Juice Fasts Less Complete
Formerly it was believed that a water or juice
fast was a preferred detoxification program. These fasts were thought
to work under the principle that the body will be able to clear
stored toxins and heal itself when the “stress” of digestion
and the further accumulation of toxins were eliminated. The modern-day
realisation that the body’s detoxification mechanism is a
heavily nutrient-supported process has made it clear that simple
juice or water fasting is less complete and no longer the method
of choice. Prolonged fasting may weaken muscles and various organs
because of protein losses and a gradual slowing of metabolic activity
as the body endeavours to conserve its depleted energy resources.
More Complete
Support For Detoxification
A more current approach to detoxification is
to nourish the body thoroughly, fueling its natural detoxification
mechanism with the nutrients needed to achieve optimal detoxification
activity. By providing high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates
and essential fats, the body gets what it needs to prevent muscle
and organ breakdown and depleted energy resources. But that is just
the beginning. Nutrients are needed to support the function of the
organs directly involved in detoxification: the liver, the intestinal
tract and the kidneys. Intelligent application of nutrition may
help in the following ways:
Intestine: The nutrients zinc and pantothenic acid, the amino acid
L-glutamine, carbohydrates known as fructooligosaccharides, and
microorganisms known as acidophilus and bifidus, are a few of the
substances that provide support for the health and integrity of
intestinal function. In a proper state of health, the intestine
promotes elimination of toxins through (1) regular bowel movements,
(2) eliminating the build-up of unhealthful microorganisms and internal
toxins, and (3) providing a strong and intact barrier to prevent
the leaking of toxic materials from the intestines into circulation.
Liver:
The vitamins A, B3, B6, C, E, beta carotene,
the amino acids L-cysteine and L-glutamine, and components known
as glutathione and phospholipids are some of the substances that
support liver function. In a proper state of function, the liver
filters out and transforms toxic substances that have entered the
blood into harmless substances that can be excreted in the urine.
Interestingly, it appears that the ratio of dietary protein to carbohydrate
may be a very important factor in determining the ability of the
liver to detoxify certain substances. Research has shown that the
herb Milkthistle helps in the repair of damaged liver cells.
Kidney:
The vitamins A, C, B6 and the minerals
magnesium and potassium, are just some of the substances that support
kidney activity. The kidney provides a major route of toxin excretion
via the urine; hence the importance of drinking at least five pints
of water a day, and preferably more, to wash your system through.
Fat:
Weight reduction and management is helpful
for those who are overweight. Excess fat provides a ready storage
site for fat-loving toxins entering the body. Once deposited there,
it is very difficult to remove them. Unless the excess fat is removed,
they remain there with the possibility of being a continual source
of toxicity.
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