With more people becoming aware of environmental toxins and the effects that it has on their health; many are making new lifestyle changes to prevent future health risks. While adjusting to new diets and breaking bad habits are a great step to this goal, avoiding environmental toxins entirely is a difficult feat. Due to technology developments and societal changes over the past centuries, alterations within the environment seemed to happen more quickly than the human body was meant to adapt to. Today, these toxins are everywhere and may even be considered unavoidable, however that does not mean that everyone’s health is on the line. Many are unaware of the products that secretly contain toxins, metals, and chemicals that constantly penetrate and hijack our systems daily. Are you interested in knowing what these products are? Be prepared for some shocking revelations…
1. Tupperware/Plastic
Believe it or not, Tupperware is one daily item that is possibly contributing to your health concerns. According to The Guardian, “there are thousands of compounds found in plastic products across the food chain, and little is known about them¹.” Tupperware (or plastic containers) are made up of Phthalates, polyethylene terephthalate, Bisphenol A (BPA) and many other elements that disrupt our hormones and endocrine systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered that Phthalates links to the potential cause of asthma, neurodevelopment delays and fertility issues amongst women¹. Meanwhile, BPA was found to be connected to reproductive problems and neonatal brain defects. When our foods are stored or wrapped in Tupperware or plastic for preservation, these chemicals seep into those foods and contaminate it, thus poisoning our bodies. Certain plastics are safer than others, however it is best to replace these with glass containers and switch out plastic water bottles with BPA-Free Stainless-Steel bottles.
2. Cosmetics
In the United States, when people think of cosmetics, it is often assumed that we are referring to facial makeup. Generally, cosmetics can branch out to other products such as hair dye, shampoo, deodorant, body wash, and skin care products. According to the Environmental Working Group, “about 595 cosmetic manufacturers have reported using 88 chemicals in more than 73,000 products²” and exposure to these chemicals have direct links to serious chronic diseases and cancer. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), lead, Imidazolidinyl Urea, 1,4-Dioxane, and Polyethylene Glycols are all toxic chemicals found within cosmetic products that we use for daily hygiene or personal reasons. VOCs can eventually lead to respiratory problems, memory failure and chronic headaches while lead can cause various conditions within the liver, kidneys, and reproductive system. Meanwhile, hair dyes contain heavy metal poisons and phenylenediamine which place individuals at a high risk of developing certain cancers such as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
3. Cleaning Products
Cleaning is a great way to protect ourselves from dirt, mold, and bad bacteria from growing within our homes. But even though the products that we use are incredible at killing off bacteria, dust, and bugs, sometimes the chemicals within these cleaning products are simultaneously dangerous to our health. Most cleaning products include detergent, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, etc. which all contain toxic chemicals that are hazardous to the body. Chemicals such as arsenic, bleach, chlorine, and ammonia are contained in all types of cleaning products. Although a small whiff of any of these will not do much harm, constant exposure to it will lead to conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, abnormal fetal development, and cancer. If one were to accidentally drink any of these fluids, it will lead to an immediate hospitalization and can be fatal depending on the amount consumed. For those who are constantly cleaning their homes and need to avoid chemical exposures, it is best to use gloves and a face mask to protect oneself from coming into contact with them.
4. Produce
- Have you ever gone to the grocery store and visited the produce section?
- Have you ever noticed how ripe all the foods looked?
- How long have these fruits and vegetables been inside of the grocery store?
- What is the secret for them lasting as long as they do?
The answer is pesticides. Whether or not people are aware of this, a majority of the produce that is sold within grocery stores contain pesticides. In the agriculture industry, farmers spray pesticides on their crops to keep them preserved and protected from insects, to ensure that they look fresh, even if they are not. Once we consume these “healthy” fruits and vegetables, they are ingested into our digestive systems, thus contaminating our bodies. After long periods of consumption, pesticides can cause some major health problems such as hormonal changes, neurological defects, infertility, autoimmune disease, and cancer. That is why at LifeWorks, we encourage our patients to eat organic produce to limit the amount of chemicals in the system and cleanse the body of all bad bacteria.
How Can These Be Avoided?
It is hard to believe that small everyday products such as these can have a massive influence on one’s life and health. Unfortunately, environmental toxins are so prevalent that it is impossible to completely avoid them, however it is possible to limit exposure. At LifeWorks, we encourage our patients to protect their systems by supporting their body’s natural detox pathways. BodyHealth has a range of products that could help. We also recommend BodyHealth’s PerfectAmino for daily energy boosts, strong immune support, and detoxification. For those interested in taking more physical preventative measures, we suggest reading packaging labels on all products and to seek grass-fed organic foods as a primary source of nutrition. If you feel that you have been exposed to environmental toxins, suffer from metal toxicity or are experiencing symptoms of other illnesses induced by products in the environment, please contact us to schedule an appointment at 727-466-6789.
