Reduce your toxic load to improve your health

Written By Leanne Scott | FNTP, DipFNT, IHS, FDNP, RWP, BCHN, BAppSc, A-CFMP

Since the beginning of time, the world has been ‘organic’. But with the post-WW2 chemical revolution, man-made chemicals, pesticides, plastics, and radiation have proliferated the food and water we consume, the self-care products we put on our skin, the air we breathe, and our broader environment. You might think this is an acceptable trade-off, but with cancer, other chronic diseases, autism, and mental health issues rising at alarming rates, is it?

Since World War Two, the human race has created more than 80,000 chemicals. We experience them daily through what we eat and drink, put on our skin, breathe, and via other less visible means like radiation. Many of these haven’t been tested properly, if at all. Others have and are toxic, and yet continue to be permitted.

A 2004 study found 287 chemicals in the cords of newborn children. Of those, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests. The dangers of pre- or post-natal exposure to this complex mixture of carcinogens, developmental toxins, and neurotoxins have never been studied.

Greater awareness can help you to minimise your exposure and improve your health. More on this below.

Fluoride is a neurotoxin and a hormone disruptor. It can harm the thyroid gland and calcify the pineal gland. The Lancet, a long-established and respected medical journal, reclassified fluoride as a neurotoxin, joining lead and arsenic. Several countries have banned water fluoridation.

Chlorine exposure through drinking water can cause respiratory problems and damage cells. Long-term effects include memory loss and impaired balance.

Drinking water may also contain heavy metals, industrial chemicals, DDT, and so the list goes on. These are all proven to be toxic and have no benefits to humans.

What to do about your water

  • Filter these substances out of your water using a quality filtering jug or system

  • Some people also use a filter in their shower, as water is absorbed by the skin directly into the bloodstream, bypassing your body’s filtering system

Heavy metal toxicity is a proven major threat with associated health risks. Heavy metals accumulate in the body and are hard to detoxify, damaging cells and causing oxidative stress. Toxicity can cause physical, muscular, and neurological degeneration, and damage to the vital organs like the liver, heart, endocrine glands, and kidneys. It can lead to chronic fatigue, depression, autoimmune diseases, anaemia, and an increased risk of heart attack. Symptoms can also mimic those of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis, as well as ageing symptoms.

A key, common heavy metal exposure is mercury through amalgam fillings.

What to do about heavy metals

  • If you’re concerned, get your levels tested through a urine sample

  • You may need to undertake a detoxification protocol. Consult an expert, as these can be dangerous if done too quickly and without adequate preparation

  • Remove amalgam fillings using a dentist who is careful about not releasing more mercury into your body

  • Eat a diet of quality, well-sourced foods, organic where possible. Fish, for example, is a common way people are exposed to mercury. Tuna, swordfish, shark, and some mackerel are known to contain high levels, as are farm-raised fish

  • Be careful of household products. Some carry mercury, including adhesives, cosmetics, fabric softeners, felt, floor waxes and polishes, and talcum powder

  • Rethink tattoos, as their ink contains mercury, lead, and arsenic, along with carcinogens and hormone disrupters

  • Avoid exposure to substances that carry lead, such as some chocolates, cigarettes, canned foods, toothpastes, old paints, insecticides, and ceramics

  • Avoid exposure to aluminium-containing antiperspirants, baking powder, some baby formulas, plastic toys, antacids, aluminium foil, certain metal pots and pans, stainless steel cutlery, coins, and some makeup

  • In general, be aware of your sources. Arsenic, cadmium, and tungsten can be found variously in soil and crops, water, tobacco, batteries, some medicines, chocolate, and plastics

Pesticides are toxic. Studies have linked them with nervous system damage and cancer. Glyphosate, or Roundup, is banned in the EU and other places but is used in Australian and US farming. It kills bugs, including the good bacteria your gut needs for general health and mental wellbeing. The gut is where most of your immune system and neurons reside (it’s the gut-brain connection). Critically, gut microbes are needed to produce important nutrients as by-products, including short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins. The greater the diversity of bugs in your gut, the healthier you are. Without the right gut microbes, the large intestine becomes acidic and produces gas.

What you can do

  • Eat chemical-free or organic where possible. Farmers’ markets are a cheaper source, and you get to know food producers in person

  • If you can’t afford that, use the Environmental Working Group’s ‘Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen’, an annual list of the cleanest and most toxic vegetables and fruits. Avoid contamination by staying away from the dirty dozen, replacing them with pesticide-free versions. They have an app too https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php

Anything you put on your skin is ingested directly into your bloodstream, avoiding your body’s usual filtering systems. Many self-care products contain toxins like allergens, harmful substances that accumulate in your body and don’t break down, carcinogens or cancer-causing substances, hormone disruptors that interfere with the normal functioning of your hormones, irritants, neurotoxins that poison the nervous system, respiratory irritants that cause inflammation of your eyes, skin and respiratory organs, and mutagenic substances that can change your genetic material (DNA).

The top 10 most toxic substances found in self-care products to avoid are

  • Coal Tar

  • DEA/TEA/MEA

  • Ethoxylated surfactants and 1,4-dioxane

  • Formaldehyde

  • Fragrance/Parfum

  • Hydroquinone, Lead, Mercury

  • Mineral oil

  • Oxybenzone

  • Parabens

  • Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)

  • Phthalates

  • Placental extract

  • Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

  • Silicone-derived emollients

  • Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate (SLS, SLES)

  • Talc

  • Toluene

How to reduce self-care toxins

  • There are plenty of self-care products freely available at reasonable prices in chemists and online that either avoid using the worst of these chemicals or are chemical-free

  • Educate yourself and purchase consciously. How important is your long-term health to you and your family compared to poisonous beauty?

Microwave radiation emitted from cell phones, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cell towers was declared a Class 2B possible carcinogen in 2011. Several researchers think it should be re-classified as a Class 2A probable or Class 1 definite carcinogen. Possible symptoms of EMF exposure include fatigue, weakness, sleep disturbance, headaches, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, depression and anxiety, memory loss, heart palpitations, light sensitivity, skin problems, and dizziness.

Most people think that 5G is just like 2G, 3G, and 4G, and will simply create faster internet speeds. If this is the case, why have some cities around the world banned it?

5G technology will use extremely high (millimetre wave) frequencies, which are poorly transmitted through solid material. To make up for this, 5G will include not only the large phone tower but also antennae set up about every 100 metres, delivering concentrated and focused electromagnetic radiation in excess of 100 times the current levels, and will result in a massive increase in inescapable, involuntary exposure to wireless radiation. And it penetrates human skin to between 1-2 millimetres. Scientists have cautioned that before rolling out 5G, research on human health effects urgently needs to be done to ensure the public and environment are protected. Yet, the rollout has begun in Australia at the Gold Coast.

How to reduce EMF exposure

  • Ensure that when you sleep, you have your devices off or in airplane mode. At the very least, keep them at least 2 metres away from you

  • Turn off your Wi-Fi as you sleep

  • Some people replace Wi-Fi with a direct Ethernet cable

  • Lobby against the installation of 5G without proper research and consultation. 5G is very difficult to minimise once installed

Many health problems can be caused or exacerbated by exposure to the interior of water-damaged buildings. The mixture of contaminants present in the air and dust from such buildings form a toxic chemical stew that can cause inflammatory responses and illnesses such as lung disease, asthma, and CIRS or Chronic Inflammatory Mould Disease. These can be serious and may even lead to death.

What you can do about mould and mycotoxins

  • Be aware that mould can cause serious illness and is often misunderstood by doctors. One in four people has a genetic predisposition where their body finds it difficult to rid itself of mycotoxins, leading to chronic inflammation

  • Ensure your environment is mould-free. Mustiness is a sure sign of mould. If uncertain, get an expert to test

  • Don’t use bleach to get rid of mould. It feeds on or hides mould. Vinegar mixed with water at an 80:20 ratio and clove oil is better. But really, you’ll need to get rid of the course, which is water damage

  • A good website for further information is survivingmold.com

Plastics are developed from chemicals, and some are known to interfere with the hormone function. Microplastics can be found in the air and in nearly every animal. Research shows phthalates and BPA have significant negative health effects on animals and humans, including the development of dysfunctional sperm, increased inflammation, and symptoms linked to body systems controlled by oestrogen and thyroid hormones.

Reduce your exposure to plastics by

  • Not buying bottled water and drinks

  • Storing food in glass

  • Buying whole foods not stored in plastic

  • Avoiding microwaving foods in plastic

  • Not eating canned foods or using aluminium foil

  • Not giving children plastic toys

  • Refusing plastic shopping bags

Fly spray

Fly spray is an insecticide. Many brands contain Dichlorvos, a powerful chemical toxin that has been linked to health problems such as respiratory issues, upset stomach, vomiting, or even Parkinson’s disease and brain tumours. Fly spray is known as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and it works by interrupting the insect’s nerve signals to the muscle, preventing respiration so the insect suffocates.

Alternatives to Flyspray

  • Consider non-chemical pest control measures, like fly screens and swatters

  • If you are going to use them, determine the most effective pesticide for your problem, and use the correct pesticide

  • Also, choose the least toxic pesticide available and use the least amount of pesticide possible

Insect repellent

DEET is commonly used in mosquito repellents. Some research has found it has many negative health effects, including rashes, skin irritation, numb or burning lips, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Also, permethrin, another harmful chemical found in many insect repellents, is a neurotoxin and kills brain cells.

Alternatives to insect repellent

  • Use natural alternatives, which I’ve found are much more successful when travelling. You can buy them ready-made or make them up yourself quickly and cheaply

  • There are many free online recipes that use essential oils, vinegar, witch hazel, and other easily obtainable ingredients

Scented candles and air fresheners use chemicals that are toxic. Air fresheners contain phthalates (not necessarily listed) and scented candles, a host of toxins like benzene, toluene, heavy metals and others. These can cause damage to the brain, lungs, and central nervous system. They’re particularly dangerous around babies and children.

Opt for safer alternatives

  • Burn natural oils or vapourise them. Use natural alternatives available at the supermarket. For candles, use beeswax.

 
Leanne Scott | FNTP, DipFNT, IHS, FDNP, RWP, BCHN, BAppSc, A-CFMP

Leanne Scott is a trailblazer in the field of functional nutrition in Australia being the first qualified Functional Nutritional Therapist in the country. She is founder of Pure Core Nourishment, and the visionary behind the Nutritional Therapy Association of Australia and New Zealand (NTA AU/NZ). Board certified in Holistic Nutrition and a qualified Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Leanne has dedicated her career to advancing unbiased, science-based functional nutrition.

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