Many people have chronic illnesses that are exacerbated by, or can be caused by, toxins in the environment. There are two major categories of toxins in the environment that can affect your health: heavy metals and chemicals. One does not need to have a single large exposure to get sick. Many times people can feel sick from repeated exposure to low levels of these toxins that exist in many areas of our daily environments.
Today we will discuss what some of these toxins are, and how they can affect your health. Next time, in part 2, we will discuss some ways to test for these toxins, and general ways to help with these issues.
Some of the heavy metals in our environment are mercury, lead, and aluminum. Mercury can be found in rainwater and freshwater ponds and lakes, incineration of coal by-products, and large fish such as tuna. Mercury can cause changes in the mucosal layer of the digestive system, and can affect the kidneys, the liver, adrenal tissue, and the brain. Lead can be found in soil near foundries, in old paint, in some products from China, and other sources. Lead is much more of a problem in children than adults, as lead binds to the phosphorous in bone, blocking its ability to grow and repair. Aluminum is found in many products such as aluminum cans and anti-perspirants. Aluminum has been found to be a neurotoxin in animal studies, high levels of aluminum and Alzheimer's are connected, and it may also alter acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) metabolism.
Chronic heavy metal toxicity has a cascade effect on health. The 2 main areas it can affect are the digestive system and the endocrine system. Heavy metals can disrupt these systems to an extent where you start to feel symptoms such as fatigue, chronic infections, IBS, yeast overgrowth, muscle cramping, autoimmune diseases, weight fluctuations, insomnia, stiffness of joint, and 'skipped' heart beats. On labs, you may see low white blood cells, low blood proteins, low iron, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.
Chemicals in the environment can also have harmful effects on your health. They mostly seem to have effects on the endocrine system. Compounds that mimic estrogens (found in plastics and pesticides) can disturb estrogen balance and lower testosterone. A group of compounds called Phthalates can be found in plastics, detergents, soaps, vinyl flooring, and some medication coatings. These compounds also have effects on cells in the testes of males and in the ovaries of females. Symptoms people can feel from these toxins are hyper-acidity, fatigue, autoimmune issues, PMS, food allergies, gallbladder problems, and urination problems.
Part 2 will be posted next week.
Today we will discuss what some of these toxins are, and how they can affect your health. Next time, in part 2, we will discuss some ways to test for these toxins, and general ways to help with these issues.
Some of the heavy metals in our environment are mercury, lead, and aluminum. Mercury can be found in rainwater and freshwater ponds and lakes, incineration of coal by-products, and large fish such as tuna. Mercury can cause changes in the mucosal layer of the digestive system, and can affect the kidneys, the liver, adrenal tissue, and the brain. Lead can be found in soil near foundries, in old paint, in some products from China, and other sources. Lead is much more of a problem in children than adults, as lead binds to the phosphorous in bone, blocking its ability to grow and repair. Aluminum is found in many products such as aluminum cans and anti-perspirants. Aluminum has been found to be a neurotoxin in animal studies, high levels of aluminum and Alzheimer's are connected, and it may also alter acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) metabolism.
Chronic heavy metal toxicity has a cascade effect on health. The 2 main areas it can affect are the digestive system and the endocrine system. Heavy metals can disrupt these systems to an extent where you start to feel symptoms such as fatigue, chronic infections, IBS, yeast overgrowth, muscle cramping, autoimmune diseases, weight fluctuations, insomnia, stiffness of joint, and 'skipped' heart beats. On labs, you may see low white blood cells, low blood proteins, low iron, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.
Chemicals in the environment can also have harmful effects on your health. They mostly seem to have effects on the endocrine system. Compounds that mimic estrogens (found in plastics and pesticides) can disturb estrogen balance and lower testosterone. A group of compounds called Phthalates can be found in plastics, detergents, soaps, vinyl flooring, and some medication coatings. These compounds also have effects on cells in the testes of males and in the ovaries of females. Symptoms people can feel from these toxins are hyper-acidity, fatigue, autoimmune issues, PMS, food allergies, gallbladder problems, and urination problems.
Part 2 will be posted next week.