Do you need more detox foods? Most likely! Why? When there is not enough ability to detoxify chemicals, they can wreak havoc on you and cause premature aging of your DNA.
Now more than ever, our diets need more. More spices, more herbs, more super foods.
Before the ages of modern technology and chemicals, we may have been able to subsist on a more basic diet.
Here I will present you with some information about chemicals in our foods, chemical exposures, health products, and home environment that may surprise you; I know it did me.
Table of Contents
What are Toxins?
Toxins are foreign chemicals that enter our body and simply must go through a process of detoxification by our liver and our intestines. Toxins can also be natural substances that are eaten in too large of quantities at any given time. A good example of this is sugar when we overindulge.
When there is not enough ability to detoxify these chemicals, they can wreak havoc on you; increase cancer risk, heart disease risk, and cause premature aging of your DNA.
The detoxification process requires nutrients, plant substances, and antioxidants from your foods to occur most effectively.
Chemical Safety Testing
Fact:
Did you know that absolutely ZERO safety testing is required for most household cleaning products, industrial factory products, and personal healthcare products before they are brought to market?
Innocent until proven guilty. Or innocent until many people are sick from exposure.
When I learned this fact at a functional medicine conference years ago, I was shocked. I really was under the impression that regulatory agencies had a modicum of consciousness about this. That there is a level of protection for the people. It’s not true.
Take this for example: Triclosan, an antibacterial that has been on the market for a long time was just removed by the EPA because it has questionable safety and reasonable concern for health. It is slated to be phased out over the next year.
Triclosan is in your toothpaste that you use every day. Make sure that it is not in yours now.
This and 24 other chemicals that our common in healthcare products are getting phased out over the next year. For more information about this recent ban, clickhere.
How many new chemicals ?
There is no way to know an exact number, but as of 1994, over 80,000 artificial chemicals are commonly used and over 2 million are in existence.
According to Chemical Industry Archives, part of the Environmental Working Group:
The EPA reviews between 2000 and 2500 applications for chemical approval each year, or between 40 and 50 new chemical applications each week. (EPA 1997, pg. 6 and 44) (1).
- 8 out of every 10 chemicals are approved within three weeks, with or without test data (EPA 1997, pg 36).
- 90% of 23,971 chemicals approved by EPA between 1976 and 1994 were approved with no restrictions on their proposed use and production and with no requests for additional test data, regardless of the amount of data submitted (2) (3)
- Of those 23,971, a very small percentage have been removed.
It is hard to prove causality once something is everywhere.
Skin Absorption of Chemicals
The short answer is yes. Think about a nicotine patch, for example or even a narcotic patch and scopolamine. They are used on the skin for various pharmaceutical effects.
That grocery receipt you pick up every day? It is coated with bisphenol A, and it absorbs into your body(4). So are many paper styles, magazines and countless other products.
While an exact amount of chemical absorption is unknown, read more here for reasons to avoid chemical exposure, even in everyday products.
Toxins in Household Products
Toxins in cleaners? Yes! Your first clue is this: they don’t usually list ingredients. How insane is that? For product reviews click here:
Personally, I find that vinegar, lemon essential oils, borax, Bon Ami, and a good sponge clean just about anything as well or better than any chemicals.
Detergents and fabric softeners are full of weird chemicals too. Even suspected carcinogens.
Tip
Make your own detergent or buy 100% natural products. I buy a natural product and add in lavender essential oils to make it smell nice.
Skip any fabric softeners and add your own favorite natural scent. I mean, really, does it make it soft anyway or just add chemicals to your clothes?
Candles: be aware of perfumes and untested chemicals here too.
Personal Product Chemicals
Toxins in personal products are everywhere. From sunscreens to lotions and beauty products: there are some nasty chemicals out there, some of which are known or suspected carcinogens and endocrine disrupters.
Safer products are available and you can even make your own.
Diet Toxins
Toxins in the diet are largely related to agricultural practices, but also from additives, cooking methods, preservatives and flavor enhancers.
Chemicals in foods also come from the convenient plastic packaging, especially from hot foods that begin to wear the plastics down, which are known endocrine disrupting chemicals.
The best bet for safe food is to grow your own food. When you can’t do that, choose organic, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
Toxins in agriculture
Rules and safety in the area of agriculture are in need of major overhaul. An expert review of one chemical widely used, glyphosate, is now considered a probable human carcinogen.
The use of this chemical is so widespread, it is found in every nook and cranny of the globe, even where it isn’t used.
Toxins Before Birth
Does aging from chemical pollution start before we are even born?
New research suggests that damage from pollution occurs before we are born. Air pollution exposure is related to the early aging of the DNA in utero, aging before we are born.
The best way to avoid inhaled pollutants and chemicals: spend time away from heavy traffic and fumes as much as possible. Take your days off in parks and fresh air places like hikes.
Detox Foods for Lung Health
The lung is exposed to many toxins in urban areas. One strong way to get more detox foods is to eat LOTS of the following:
- Apples and green vegetables
- Ginger, turmeric
- Garlic, onions
- Citrus
- Berries
- Carrots, sweet potatoes
- Hot peppers
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Sage
- Peppermint
- Licorice
Detox Supplements
Smog and inversions make it less likely to get vitamin D from the sun. Make sure you supplement with vitamin D3.
How Foods Detoxify
Vegetables can help with all 3 phases of the detoxification process, making them at the top of my list. Each and every meal should have a minimum of 2 servings of vegetables preferably, but also fruits in a pinch.
My favorite foods for detoxification
- raw broccoli
- broccoli sprouts
- onions
- garlic
- kale
- collard greens
- mustard
- asparagus
- radishes
- chlorella.
Consider supplemental vegetables as an add-on for days when life is too busy for this.
Spices for Detoxification
Spices and herbs are as a general rule potent detoxifiers. My favorite spice detoxifiers are:
- Turmeric
- Oregano
- Mustard
- Hot peppers
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Black pepper
- Cilantro
Consider additional detoxification by using essential oils that may help detoxify, such as cilantro or citrus oils. Use only high-quality essential oils.
Rather than a soda, grab a spice-infused tea or spice up your coffee. Also, add copious amounts of spices to recipes.
For more ideas, check out my blog about spicing it up.
Protein Foods Detoxify
The building blocks of protein called amino acids help with the liver’s ability to detoxify chemicals, so make sure you get high-quality proteins throughout the day.
These include:
- eggs
- meats
- chicken
- nuts
- seeds
- legumes
Other Detox Food Tips
- A common sense approach to living with minimal chemical exposure is to use simple products without added perfumes and additives.
- Whole, organic foods that bypass factory processing are the best bet.
- If a food has an ingredient list that is long or difficult to pronounce, it is likely best to leave it on the shelf.
- Get fresh air as much as possible.
- Protect you digestive tract by getting protiotic-rich foods as well!
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