Talkin' Trash

Living in a trashcan with garbage would make just about anyone grouchy. Just ask Oscar!  Unfortunately, many of us may be living in more garbage than we even realize. Toxicity is rampant today and the body does its best to deal with the onslaught of 'poisons' with which we come in contact. 

While we all hear about the overload of toxic junk in our lives, why should we care? Here are some reasons:

• Fatigue or difficulty sleeping
• Indigestion and other temporary gastrointestinal upset
• Food cravings and weight gain
• Reduced mental clarity
• Low libido
• Skin issues
• Joint discomfort

A toxin is defined as a substance that is harmful to life. These include chemicals and metals from a variety of sources, as well as biological toxins given off by the many pathogens our bodies host. We can accumulate more toxins than our bodies can naturally handle, especially when our detox pathways become clogged and sluggish. What kind of garbage is filling our trashcans? A look at an average day tells the story: 

We start the day with a shower - chemicals are often added to our soaps and shampoos to make them smell and feel just right. And what about the water? We soak up and breathe in a good dose of chlorine (among other things) to start the day, too. 

Next, we dress and breathe in the familiar smell of our laundry detergent and dryer sheets - two more sources of toxins that we breathe throughout the day or absorb through our skin. Sodium lauryl sulfate (just ONE of many toxic ingredients common in laundry detergent) may cause irritation of the skin and eyes, organ toxicity, reproductive issues, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, cellular damage, and even cancer. For those using other personal care products such as deodorant, lotions and makeup, it is well known that many ingredients used in these products are also harmful.

On to breakfast and the possible toxins coming to us through our food in the form of herbicides and pesticides. US-grown organics can definitely be a better option for avoiding some of these added chemicals. We also need to be cautious about using plastics and non-stick or aluminum cookware.

Perhaps we also start the day with a prescription medication or two - yes, another possible source of toxins the body will have to deal with.

Of course, we could continue this story through the day listing the toxins we inhale from air pollution, manufactured fragrances in everything from perfumes to candles to cleaning products, and even the off-gassing of the new paint and carpet in our homes.

This isn't a very cheery story, and it is daunting to even try to lessen the garbage filling up our proverbial trashcans. But there is good news! You live in a body that is made to detoxify and get rid of all the trash.

We recommend taking a two-pronged approach to the problem of toxic garbage that we are all living with.

First, begin removing and avoiding toxins in your day-to-day. Start by replacing a product you use up with a product that uses natural and safe ingredients. If you are a 'do-it-yourself-er', there are many ideas and recipes for making your own products. There are also many brands available now that use much safer ingredients.

Second, clean up your detox pathways to help support the bodies normal 'trash collection'.  There are many ways to support your body's detox pathways. Epsom salt baths are very helpful and easy to do. A general rule of thumb for baths is soaking in very warm water for at least 20 minutes. Soak up to your ears with about 2 cups of Epsom salt. You may want to add some lavender or your favorite oils to further relaxation and experience better sleep. It is also important to drink pure, clean water to help stay hydrated and flush toxins. Try to drink an ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, you will drink 75 ounces (about 2 1/2 quarts) of water. More intense detox can be achieved through the use of infrared saunas, castor oil packs, enemas and binders.

Monthly office visits (schedule now) can help you move from toxicity overload to efficiently clearing toxins.  Regular rechecks help you easily stay ahead of toxins and naturally detox more effectively. We also have lots of great supplements to help with detox, including binders. 

Learn so much more about the toxins in your environment from the Environmental Working Group. Are your products safe? 
EWG.ORG

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