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Environmental Toxins & Your Health

Environmental toxins are everywhere and the majority of them are found in products that we come into contact with on a daily basis. It would be difficult to safe-guard ourselves against them all, but a good place to start would be to avoid consumer-based products that have been found to contain high levels of hormone-mimicking chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, PVC, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). Traces of these “hormone disruptors” have been found in a variety of products that many of us use on a frequent basis, such as plastic water bottles, chemical-based cosmetics, canned goods, household cleaning products and scented candles.

These toxins eventually build up within glandular tissues, and oftentimes interfere with the production and function of key hormones such as cortisol, insulin, testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. Many of these environmental toxins accelerate the body’s aging process and significantly increase the risk for a wide range of health challenges, including diabetes, adrenal fatigue, obesity, heart disease and macular degeneration.We’re not only polluting our environment with these toxins, we’re polluting our own bodies. I recommend limiting your exposure to the following products to avoid the negative impacts on your health:

Plastic Water Bottles – Plastic water bottles and other various soft plastics are manufactured using an organic compound known as bisphenol A (BPA). BPA acts as an estrogen in the human body and eventually disrupts the balance between estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in the body.

Scented Products – This isn’t limited to scented candles and aerosol air fresheners – we’re talking about laundry and dish washing detergents, deodorants, perfumes and colognes as well as many hair styling products such as gels, sprays and dyes. Many of these products contain phthalates – chemicals that disrupt the production and function of sex hormones, oftentimes leading to erectile dysfunction in men and low libido in women.

Antibacterial Products – Not all bacteria is bad. We rely on specific microorganisms – “good” bacteria – to ward off the bad. Using antibacterial and antimicrobial products on a regular basis can actually make us more susceptible to foreign pathogens and infection. Additionally, ingredients used in the manufacture of antibacterial products can disrupt hormonal balance.

Household Cleansers – The average household contains at least 20 toxic chemicals. In an overkill effort to rid our homes of dirt, grime and bacteria, we contaminate our homes and can make our families and ourselves sick. The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition has singled out bleach as the most harmful chemical lurking in our homes. When mixed with acidic cleansers, such as ammonia, bleach reacts violently, emitting toxic gas, similar to mustard gas.

Smoking – Did you know that as little as one cigarette can raise your risk of developing lung cancer? It’s true. Just think what a pack a day could do to us in the long run. Smoking leads to the oxidization of the body’s cells and in addition to raising one’s risk of lung and throat cancer, smoking also increases the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease. Smokers aren’t the only ones at risk either - the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 3,000 non-smokers die of lung cancer each year as a direct result of secondhand smoke.

The Organic DifferenceThe word “organic” refers to the agricultural methods that farmers use to cultivate fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. “Organic” practices are designed to conserve water and reduce environmental toxins and pollution. Not only do organic foods oftentimes taste better, they’re also a whole lot better for you – here are some reasons why:

Fertilization - Instead of using chemical-based fertilizers, organic agriculture uses manure or compost to enrich the plants and soil with their necessary nutrients. Many of the chemicals used for fertilization contain a variety of toxic substances that oftentimes end up contaminating the crops.

Synthetic Hormones – Conventional farmers use a long list of synthetic hormones to spur the growth of their livestock and expedite the animals’ development. Synthetic hormones disrupt the production and function of our natural hormones and on the long-term can cause hormonal imbalances, including thyroid disease and metabolic disorders.

Antibiotics – Farmers use antibiotics to ward off infection and disease in their livestock. The trouble is many of these antibiotics have a similar effect to that of synthetic hormones. Farmers need to use large quantities of antibiotics to offset the many health risks that oftentimes accompany the overcrowded living conditions that the animals are accustomed to.

Organic Certified Feed – The majority of cattle, chickens and other farm-raised animals are fed nothing but corn-based feed - which has little nutritional value. Organic farmers feed their animals only Organic Certified Feed – meaning that it contains at least 95 percent ORGANIC ingredients. Organic feed provides the animals with the nutrients and vitamins that they require for optimal development.

Source: BodyLogic MD
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