In 1900 humans were exposed daily to about 10 chemical toxins. Today we are exposed to over 10,000 daily. The human body’s ability to process toxins has not changed.

The goal is to limit toxic exposures and increase the body’s ability to process and eliminate toxins.

Common Household Chemical Exposures Symptoms (list is not all inclusive):
Brain fog, irritability, altered mood, fatigue, headaches, tremors, vertigo, numbness, loss of balance, memory loss, learning difficulties, depression, asthma, cough, dry throat, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, skin rashes, muscle weakness or spasms, impaired sleep, hormone imbalance, breast tenderness, PMS like symptoms, menstrual cycle deviations, sweating, flushing, unusual paleness, loss of libido, and low sperm count.

Sources of Common Household Chemical Exposures

Food:
Non organic produce is coated in pesticides and chemical fertilizers. These toxins are concentrated in the skins. Washing in water does not remove them.
Solutions: Buy organic, wash in 5% vinegar or radish stems, or peel skins.

Large Fish, such as tuna, shark, sword fish, and halibut are potentially high in mercury, which affects the nervous system.
Solutions: Eat smaller fish such as salmon (non farm raised), anchovies, sardines, artic cod, and trout.

Processed foods and farm raised salmon are high in preservatives, chemical ingredients, and food coloring that add to our toxic load.
Solutions: Eat fresh, local, organic foods without preservatives or dyes.

Non organic meats tend to be high in artificial hormones, antibiotics, and various chemicals.
Solutions: Eat meats from local, organic free range animals fed their natural diet (Just because it is organic does not mean the animals were fed their natural diet.)

Food Packaging: Chemicals from Plastic and Styrofoam packaging can contaminate food.

Water:
Drinking water can be contaminated from pesticides, chemical fertilizers, animal waste, industrial wastes, and other chemicals seep into underground water tables or run off. Fluoridated and chlorinated drinking water can be problematic for many. Drinking water can also be contaminated with heavy metals due to old pipes and soldering.
Solutions: Use a high quality water purifier. (Many bottled waters or no better than tap water, so be cautious.)

Plastic containers and plastic wraps:
Plastic containers (numbers 3, 6, and 7) release chemicals into foods and drinks they contain. The release of these chemical is greatly increased with heat.
Number 3 found in cling wrap, cooking oil, and peanut butter jars leach phthalates, suspected of being endocrine, reproductive, and developmental toxicants and carcinogenic.

Number 6 found in Styrofoam, which contains butadiene and styrene, suspected carcinogens.

Number 7 found in baby bottles, “Sport” water bottles (Some Nalgene bottles), clear plastic sippy cups, microwave ovenware, and plastic utensils. Number 7 plastics release bisphenol-A, a chemical that mimics estrogen contributing to abnormal reproductive growth, birth defects, and prostate and breast cancer.
Solutions: Do not use or store food and drink in these types of plastic. Use glass, ceramic, stoneware, or metal containers. DO NOT HEAT FOOD OR DRINK IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS.

Cleaning Supplies:
Many common household cleaners are chemicals that can be harmful to human health.
Solutions: Baking soda can be used as cleanser. Dilute vinegar can be used as a glass, counter, and furniture cleaner. Dilute tea tree oil can be used to kill mold on surfaces.

Building materials off gassing:
Particle board, Carpets, Glues, Sealants, Paints, Stains, Insulation, and new Furniture release toxic gasses polluting the air in the home.
Solutions: Use green and environmentally friendly building materials. Use an air filter (Health Pro Plus has more #1 reviews than any other). Fill the home with plants, especially Spider plants, which are natural air filters.

Heaters/Stoves:
Kerosene, wood, coal, gas, and oil heaters can release carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide polluting the air in the home.
Solutions: Have proper ventilation of ducts and chimneys, replace filters regularly, clean ducts annually, use an air filter, and have plenty of plants in the home.

Lead:
Lead exposure can be the result of paint (prior to 1974), solder of copper pipes, leaded fuel, and batteries. Kids are commonly affected as they are more susceptible and likely to come into contact with paint chips and contaminated soil.
Solutions: Besides avoidance, adequate intake of zinc, calcium, and iron from food prevent lead absorption.

Other things that can be done to eliminate chemical toxins: Castor oil packs, dry skin brushing, probiotics, exercising daily, drinking plenty of water, eating organic veggies and fruit of each color daily, especially garlic, onions, lemons, rosemary, curcumin, steamed broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower.