What are Toxins and Why Do We Care?

• By Cheryl
• 27 December, 2012
• 3 Comments

Well, here we are approaching New Year’s.  If you are anything like me, you are making some kind of health resolution… lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, cook more, something!  We all do it almost as a habit at this time of year.  But, do you know how to accomplish your goals?

I’ve found some interesting health information as I learned more about vegan protein, fiber, energy and some of the other products my company provides.  Here are some key tips that will help you this coming year:

• Toxins: We come into contact with toxins in our environment constantly.  The Nemours Foundation describes body toxins as, “A toxin is a chemical or poison that is known to have harmful effects on the body. Toxins can come from food or water, from chemicals used to grow or prepare food, and even from the air that we breathe. Our bodies process those toxins through organs like the liver and kidneys and eliminate them in the form of sweat, urine, and feces.”  We are exposed to toxins everyday as we drink, eat, apply products to our skin, and simply go out into the world.

• Why do we care about toxins?  Well, when you add toxins to your body (and we all do), your body stores toxic overload in fat cells.  Those fat cells tend to appear on your stomach, hips and thighs more than other parts of your body.  Toxins can cause other problems as well:  fatigue, mood swings, and allergies or food sensitivities could be toxin related.

• What should you do?  If you are trying to get in shape or lose weight, add a detox element to your plan.  You can use natural ingredients to accomplish this goal.  Find a tea that includes milk thistle, for example, so that you can start to cleanse your liver and kidneys.  Find a gentle 7-day cleanse product (you do not need to stop eating normally) to support the liver, kidneys, and GI tract.

• What else?  Avoid highly processed foods!  In the US food supply there are currently about 3000+ synthetic additives.  Some examples are high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, MSG, pesticides, and growth hormones.  It is almost impossible to figure out which of these and how much of any of them are in foods you might purchase.  So, if you make your best effort to eat clean by focusing on organic whole foods that you prepare yourself, you are likely to eliminate many of these toxic ingredients.  Add more fruits and vegetables!

• Did you know that the skin matters?  The average woman applies 515 chemicals to her skin EVERY day.  It takes 26 seconds for the skin to absorb what you apply and send it directly to your bloodstream.  On the other hand, the skin is our largest detoxifying organ.  If we allow the skin to breathe (eliminating the application of occlusive oils like petroleum-based products), the skin will release toxins from our bodies as well.

• What is pH and why does it matter?  More and more research is happening to examine the effect of acidity on our bodies.  Overall the findings are showing that keeping our bodies at an alkaline state is creating healthier people and even possibly eliminating some illnesses.  All foods and drinks and skin products contribute to your body’s pH level.  An alkaline pH is a low pH number, up to 7 (neutral).  An acidic pH is a high pH number, from about 8 to 14.  Water is generally neutral or close to it.

• How do I affect my body’s pH?  Choose foods that help your body remain in an alkaline state:  fruits, nuts and seeds, vegetables.  Even lemon water can help:  the lemon in the water creates a chemical process in our bodies that improves alkalinity.  Avoid foods that create an acidic state in your body:  refined carbohydrates, coffee and soda, and red meat, for example.

• Give me the basics!  Ok, here’s what we all need to do…  increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, get your protein from grass-fed meats, cage-free eggs, and/or nuts.  Find a detox plan that works for you and is gentle and gradual.  Stay away from processed foods.  And my favorite piece of advice, from speaker and author Rita Davenport, “If it tastes good, spit it out!” 

Cheryl (34 Posts)

I am a wife and mom and animal lover who is passionate about health and about following my dreams. I am a lover of change and challenges! I started my home business almost two years ago and I have been able to switch to part-time instead of full-time high school teaching. How wonderful to be creating a dream life and helping others to do so as well -- all while finding healthier versions of products we all use everyday.