There has been a lot of attention on the health of our environment. Mainstream media is finally speaking about the perils of our natural resources due to modern culture. Our inattention has cost us.
The same situation is happening within the bodies of most Americans. And it is not an unrelated issue. The toxins produced by our chemical-dependent culture are ruining our state of health.
You have heard the phrase, "think globally, act locally". There is not a more local place to start than your own body.
For some, it may be a daunting task: facing the fact that we all are full of toxic chemicals and ingesting hundreds more each day. I hope to share some ideas that will make this task a bit easier. I do not think it will help most of us to worry about each and every toxic substance we encounter. Instead, raising our awareness a bit at a time, and acting little by little to limit these toxins, we can hopefully give our bodies, and our environment, a much needed hand up.
First, let's look at some of the most common pollutants in our immediate environment:
aerosols
air fresheners
carpet
paint
household cleaners
perfume and cologne
detergents
personal care products
heating/cooling systems
All of these products contain chemical ingredients that are toxic to the body. Many of them have been shown to cause cancer. The majority of these chemicals have never been tested for safety. And yet they are filling our homes.
In the past, disease was always blamed on bacterial or viral infection. We have been made to believe that we must clean our homes, our carpets, our counter tops, and our bodies, with toxic chemicals in order stay free of these bacteria and virus enemies. Our culture is afraid of the slightest mess or smell.
Unfortunately, the toxins in these products build up in the body over time. Our bodies' natural detoxification systems are overburdened, and cannot handle the overload of chemical toxins. They are stored in our bodies, wreaking silent havoc.
There are two issues here: The debilitating toxins in our environment, and the strength of the body's detoxification and immune system. In order to heal and prevent chronic illness and disease, we must make changes both inside and out.
First, I recommend a gradual replacement of commercial personal care products with natural or organic versions. This doesn't have to happen all at once. Next time something runs out, replace it with a natural product.
Do the same with cleaning products. I promise that natural cleansers work just as well as the harsh chemical cleansers. Natural cleaning is a booming business, offering us many alternatives.
If you feel that you can't afford to purchase natural products, try using baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.
Follow this link for recipes:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.htmlNext, we will take a look at making changes to the internal environment. I recommend a cleanse to just about everyone. A cleanse can be as simple or as involved and thorough as one wishes. It does not need to be a fast, it does not even need to be exclusively liquid. It can be three days or 21 days.
I focus on eliminating toxins, and any other substance that interferes with the natural cleansing and detox system of the body (any allergen or processed food or drink). Exclude processed starch (anything with flour), sugar, alcohol, caffeine (be sure to gradually come off of this). Think about it as a vacation for your body. It doesn't mean you are giving up chocolate or wine forever. It is a break. It is an opportunity for your body to get ahead.
During your cleansing period, include as many leafy greens as you can. They supply nutrients and fiber. Both are essential to cleansing.
Essentially, you should be eating foods in the form closest to how they exist naturally: Whole corn on the cob instead of corn chips, brown rice instead of rice pudding. You get the idea.
I also recommend adding a few key supplements that will help the body to detox:
A cleansing supplement kit is an easy way to know you are getting what you need. I have recently used Garden of Life's
Perfect Cleanse kit. It is simple to follow (all the supplements are taken in the evening) and does not contain harsh laxatives. I found it to be very effective.
As always, I recommend using
probiotic supplements and flax fiber. Both support a healthy digestive tract, which is the root of healthy detoxification.
Receiving colon hydrotherapy during the cleansing period will produce even better results. Toxins will be removed at a faster pace, relieving the body of the burden and assisting in the detoxification.
If you do not receive
colonics, be sure that you are having at least two bowel movements a day during this time. As toxins are released into the colon, it is imperative that they leave the body. Otherwise, they will be reabsorbed into the blood stream and sent back to the liver for processing, again.
I recommend that this type of cleanse is followed at least twice a year.
These changes will not only give you a chance at a disease-free future, but will also afford you the immediate benefits of more energy, clearer skin, less aches and pains, and more joy.
Remember, do as much as you can so that you feel good. If your plan is adding more stress to your life, take a step back and reevaluate. The path to health and wellness is different for each of us. If we each take that path, ours will be a happier and healthier future.
