Are Toxins the Cause of Your Problems?

Many of us suffer with symptoms, and often attribute it to various reasons, women perhaps even more so-often “hormones” are to blame! For others, they think it maybe “food sensitivities”, but how often do we think, “oh it’s too many toxins”?

Common toxicity symptoms can be inflammation like aches and pain, headaches, fatigue, bloated, etc.

Many times, a detox can really help them to start feeling better without the use of any medications. Let’s face it, we are surrounded by toxins every day.

Statistically, a woman just using various personal care products will use an average of 12 products, exposing herself to 168 chemical ingredients!

Just a couple weeks ago, the conglomerate Procter and Gamble recalled more than 30 aerosol hair care products, due to containing a cancer-causing chemical, benzene.

Another common household toxin is glyphosate, which is one of the world’s most common herbicides. It is the active ingredient in popular weed-control products like Roundup, and Pondmaster. It is used in lawns, greenhouses, forest plantings and unfortunately, it is also sprayed in staggering quantities on most commercially grown staples crops, including canola, corn, cotton, soybeans, alfalfa, sugar beets and wheat.

Even the World Health Organization (WHO)’s has classified glyphosates as a “probable human carcinogen”. It can also be detrimental endocrine disruptor (which means it makes your hormones go off balance). Last but not least, it also kills beneficial gut bacteria creating more leaky gut problems which can lead to food sensitivities and other inflammatory health concerns. No wonder we don’t feel very good when exposed to it.

Now, you don’t need to worry about having a small amount of exposure to glyphosates but the problem is that it is so prevalent that we are surrounded by it every day: it is in our food, water and air!

Recently, we ran a stool test on a patient, and found that she had elevated levels of Beta-Glucuronidase, a marker that can reflect an imbalance of gut bacteria and show the body is having a difficult time detoxing.

If someone is having problems with bowel movements, gas, bloating, or even other concerns like mood, and skin, we often recommend a comprehensive stool test to show us how well the gut is working, and what is the balance of bacteria, and other markers like beta glucuronidase.

Ultimately, we can’t live in a bubble, which is what I wanted to do after an Environmental Health Conference a few years ago. We need to remember it is the long-term exposure to toxins and the lack of elimination (bowel movements/sweating) from our body that may be a concern.

My Top 5 to Avoid Glyphosates:

Buy organic products-This will help to reduce your exposure but will not eliminate it 100%. Glyphosates have been banned in organic farming but in a World Health Organization report, 1/3 of organic oats were still tested with traces of glyphosates.
Avoid all GMO foods- including processed and packaged foods containing non-organic corn, soybean, and sugar in all their varieties.
Choose vinegar as a home weed killer-Don’t use Roundup!
Be sure you\’re having regular bowel movements. Constipation causes the toxins to stay in your colon longer.
Consider a Cleanse. Support your liver and bowel health with supplements for a short period of time, 2 weeks generally is good, while eating a gentle and clean diet, and using high grade non allergenic protein powder.