Am I getting tired of beating the same drum? Not at all.
Especially when I find information citing research that confirms what I’ve been
saying for years.
In a new study published in the Journal of Environment Research it was found that participants
(ages 18-65) who ate a diet consisting of at least 80% organic foods for one
week had a staggering 89% less pesticide residue in their urine, compared with
what is found when conventionally (pesticide laden) grown produce is eaten.
This is a huge result, but exactly what does it mean? One of
the main components of pesticides is organophosphates. These have been found to
inhibit a specific neurotransmitter essential for carrying signals between
muscles and nerves. Organophosphates may also cause paralysis and children, in
particular, are at greater risk from pesticides because their bodies do not
detox as easily as adult bodies.
For many families purchasing organic produce is cost
prohibitive. All conventionally grown produce contains a dose of toxic
pesticides. According to a Natural Society report (5/6/14 - The 15 Cleanest and 12 Most Pesticide-Laden
Produce of 2014):
“Today, over 1
billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States alone every
year, leading to numerous health and environmental consequences. Among the many
negative effects of pesticides, research has found that these chemicals
can lead to cancer, birth defects, infertility, kidney failure, and much more.
Monsanto’s Bt toxins are killing human embryo cells, while Roundup and
glyphosate are leading to a kidney disease epidemic in poor farming regions….”
While this statement relates to the United States I can
safely say that the situation is not markedly different in just about every
other country that has adopted large crop, mono-agricultural farming methods.
The Dirty Dozen
The items of produce that have been found to be most toxic
are: 1) Apples, 2) Strawberries, 3)
Grapes, 4)Celery, 5) Peaches, 6) Spinach, 7) Sweet Bell Peppers, 8) Nectarines,
9) Cucumbers, 10) Cherry Tomatoes, 11) Snap Peas (imported) and 12) Potatoes.
The Clean Fifteen
The produce items found to hold least pesticide residue and
have tested low on pesticide concentration are:
1) Avocados, 2) Sweet Corn (though is likely to be GMO), 3) Pineapples,
4) Cabbage, 5) Frozen Sweet Peas, 6) Onions, 7) Asparagus, 8) Mangoes, 9)
Papayas (tho likely to be GMO), 10) Kiwis, 11) Eggplant, 12) Grapefruit, 13)
Canteloupe, 14) Cauliflower and 15) Sweet Potato.
If you’ve been putting off growing some of your own fruits,
vegetables and herbs possibly you may reconsider your options. During the
warmer months, especially, it’s a great time to begin growing some of your own
food supply. If you don’t know how to, then there is an abundance of books
available on all types of gardening, including growing food in small spaces, in
pots as well as containing great information on making your own insect
repellent sprays that are organic and non-toxic.
Another option is to frequent farmers’ markets and find
produce that is grown free of chemicals, though not necessarily labelled
organic. Being certified Organic is a huge expense that many farmers cannot
afford.
Toxin Toxout
A newly released book, Toxin
Toxout – Getting Harmful Chemicals out of our Bodies and our World, by
Bruce Lourie and Rick Smith explains how toxins damage our bodies and
environment, and best of all provides some simple strategies that can be
applied to reduce the levels of pollutants and exposure to them.
Detoxing Your Body of Pesticides and Other Chemicals
Just the other day I heard a news report that the chemical
toxins from car exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke (including second hand) are
highly toxic to the body. There is no doubt that over time the toxins
accumulate. What are the long term health implications of this? Why is it
important to detox regularly?
The first time I undertook a detox was in the mid-90s. It
involved preparing all meals from scratch, using only wholesome unprocessed
foods. This detox process lasted six weeks. By the end of it my skin glowed, my
eyes were clear, hair shone and I had a huge amount of energy – I felt better
than I had for years. Since that time I’ve made it a point to ensure that my
body detoxes regularly and on an ongoing basis.
As many of you know I eat a largely organic diet. Starting
the day off with a freshly slow pressed vegetable juice is a great way of
helping the body remain ‘clean’ on the inside. However, in recent times I’ve
added a teaspoon of either spirulina or chlorella powder to my morning juice.
Both these potent green powders actually help the body eliminate heavy toxic
metals. There are no immediate side effects or even signs that the body is
detoxing. However, every few weeks I find a subtle hint that there is a release
of toxins. This release is evident in a strongly metallic taste in my mouth, it
also is evident in my body’s eliminations as a strong metal smell. When
perspiring, especially, the odour can be strong for a brief moment.
However, the body only releases heavy metals at a very slow
rate and not a great deal is released at a time, which is why it pays dividends
to continue taking chlorella and/or spirulina regularly. I use powder, mixed
into juice, as the rate of absorbability in the body (from liquids) is up to
about 98%, whereas taking these potent greens in tablet form results in an
absorption rate of only about 50%.
Exercise and Sweating Important
An article at www.mercola.com
entitled Niacin, Exercise, and Sauna – A
Simple and Effective Detox Program That Can Significantly Improve Your Health cites
significant research findings on the health benefits of detoxing.
Research is cited in the article, demonstrating clearly that
the body stores toxins in fat and other fatty organs such as the brain. When
weight is lost toxic chemicals gradually move out from the body’s fat stores.
Exercise is a key to elimination, as pesticides and other
toxic chemicals are safely released via the skin, the body’s largest organ. The
article cites the work of Dr Yu, who stresses the importance of taking niacin
to “mobilize toxic substances from your
fat cells”. His study focuses on mobilizing toxins from both the skin and
the GI tract. Dr Yo recommends using niacin in conjunction with both exercise
and sauna therapy.
Not everyone has access to a sauna. However, I’m finding
that hiking up and down the trails in the mountains two to three times a week
(regardless of the season) is ideal for building up a sweat, as well as
providing an aerobic workout. Dr Mercola and other fitness experts recommend
high intensity interval training, as a means of stimulating the human growth
hormone in adults – and which, I assure you, generates lots of sweating!
I have never taken niacin as a supplement on its own. It may
be something you feel is appropriate to explore and learn more about.
Toxins in the Breast Tissue
With breast cancer being one of the scourges of our time
there are steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of succumbing to
this insidious disease. The breasts consist of tissue and fat cells – a great
place for toxins to reside. The lymph glands, located close to the breasts, are
also an area where cancer cells locate. This is why regular exercise (with sweating)
is important. The lymph moves the toxins, via the lymph, to the liver which
then detoxify slowly.
It has also been found that the sweat glands under the arms
are able to eliminate the stored toxins. I’ve found a wonderful product, Detox Deodorant – for night time detox use
– to be brilliant for helping remove stored toxins from the breast tissue. This
product is applied like a deodorant, but at night time, and washed off in the
morning shower. The developer of this product has undertaken years of research,
and the use of thermal imaging to map the reduction of toxins in the body as a
result of regular application of this product. For more information on this
product (which happens to be totally synthetic chemical and petroleum free) go
to www.herbalixrestoratives.com
Hydration is Important
It’s easy to overlook the importance of hydration in this process. Drinking purified water – and plenty of it – helps the liver, sweat glands and fat cells eliminate toxic chemicals from the body. My personal preference is to have a water filter that filters out fluoride and chlorine, and other chemicals. A water purifier doesn’t have to be overly expensive to be of a high quality. Do your research and find the purifier system that suits your body, one that ‘feels right’.
While detoxing your body from chemicals limit your intake of coffee, sodas and other flavored liquids as much as possible. Prepare meals from scratch using wholesome, natural foods and avoid consuming pre-packaged, processed foods.
One Day at a Time
If you have never undertaken a detox program the first thing
to remember is – don’t feel overwhelmed! Take it one day at a time. Make the
changes slowly. Adjust to the changes before taking the next step. This way you
will begin to identify what works, notice the minor changes and improvements in
wellbeing.
If your body contains a lot of toxic chemicals there is a
possibility that you may actually feel sick, have headaches and generally feel
out of sorts for up to a week or two! If so, just take it slowly and ensure you
persist with the process as your body may be going through a similar process as
someone who’s giving up cigarette smoking or alcohol. I’ve experienced this
type of healing crisis response in my body numerous times (for various reasons)
and it’s never comfortable. The final result, however, is well worth the
discomfort.