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IDENTIFYING TOXINS
Atoxin is a harmful substance that, even in small doses, can cause serious health problems. When your body is functioning at its highest level, your liver, kidneys, and immune system collaborate to remove toxins as they enter your body. If the intake of toxins exceeds the capacity of your body to handle them, however, the toxins will accumulate until your body can deal with them. It is possible for your body to store toxins for years, and eventually the burden of doing so will become too great, and you will begin to feel the negative effects. As the toxins continue to accumulate, if you do not detox, your body may shut down.
There are a number of different types of toxins, some that are natural, and others that are chemically manufactured. Toxins with a biological origin are called “biotoxins,” and they serve two primary purposes: predation and defense. Predators such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and wasps produce venom that often contains some kind of hemotoxin, necrotoxin, or neurotoxin. Hemotoxins destroy blood cells, while necrotoxins destroy tissues of all types, including skin and muscle tissue. Neurotoxins affect the nervous system. Other types of biotoxins include cyanotoxins (produced by cyanobacteria), apitoxin (produced by honey bees), mycotoxins (produced by fungi), and cytotoxins such as ricin, which attack at the cellular level.
Almost every time we step outside, put something in our mouth, or apply something to our skin, we are exposing our bodies to toxins. Toxins are present in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even the environment around us.
The word “toxin” can also be applied to a number of man-made chemicals and compounds. Chemical agents such as herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides contain toxic substances, as do many cleaning products, preservatives, detergents, and paints. You may be shocked to hear that the food you eat is also likely to contain either natural or man-made toxins.
Some of the most dangerous toxins that have been found in food are completely natural. Botulinum, for example, is naturally produced by bacteria, and it is one of the most toxic substances known. Dioxin, however, is completely man-made, and it is sixty thousand times more lethal than cyanide. This toxin contaminates crops, which are then fed to cows and other livestock, and it is then passed to us when we ingest meat and dairy products. Toxins can also be found in synthetic dyes and flavors used in processed foods as well as artificial preservatives. Even the fruits and vegetables you buy in the grocery store may be treated with preservatives to prevent spoiling or artificial color to enhance appearance.
The human body is capable of standing up under a great deal of pressure, but modern diets and lifestyles push the human body to the boundary of its limits or beyond.
How Does Your Body Become Toxic?
Almost every time we step outside, put something in our mouth, or apply something to our skin, we are exposing our bodies to toxins. Luckily, our bodies are designed to protect us from harm and are capable of withstanding a great deal of abuse. Take your skin, for example: it protects your organs and bones from exposure to harmful substances. Meanwhile, the immune system is designed to attack foreign substances that get past the skin. Your digestive system serves to absorb nutrients and filter out unneeded materials. Some of the ways you may be exposed to toxins include:
The human body is capable of standing up under a great deal of pressure, but many modern diets and lifestyles push the human body to the boundary of its limits or beyond. When your body becomes overloaded with toxins, your digestive system may fail to function properly, and you may experience numerous problems, including fatigue, muscle aches, bloating, rashes, eczema, acne, water retention, and more. The only way to restore proper bodily function and to reverse these negative effects is to do a “house” cleaning and detox your body.
Exploring Common Toxins in Detail
In the earlier table, you learned some of the many ways toxins are introduced into your body on a daily basis. You probably already understand that overconsumption of addictive substances, abuse of prescription medications, and exposure to chemicals are bad for you, but what about the others on the list? Many people do not realize just how dangerous processed foods and other everyday toxins are. The information you learn in this section may shock you and make you think twice before putting that box of snack cakes in your cart on your next trip to the grocery store.
Lifestyle Toxins
Artificial Coloring — Many Americans shop with their stomachs, and they are more likely to purchase something if it looks good. The food industry has learned to capitalize on this by utilizing thousands of coloring agents to alter and improve the appearance of food. Many of these coloring agents are synthetic, derived from coal tar, and some have even been banned because they are thought to cause cancer. Artificial coloring is commonly used in beverages, candy, canned foods, and even fruits and eggs.
Artificial Flavoring — Flavorings are the most common type of food additive, and they can be either natural or artificial. The food industry uses more than two thousand different flavorings, many of which are made of chemicals. One of the most common artificial flavorings is MSG (monosodium glutamate), which has been known to cause allergic reactions, headaches, chest pains, depression, and other behavioral reactions. The FDA recognizes these flavorings as generally safe for consumption, so food manufacturers are not required to list the details of these products on labels.
Artificial Sweeteners — In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for “sugar-free” foods. The food industry has obliged with a number of artificial sweeteners, which contain few or no calories while still providing the sweet taste people crave. The bad news is that many of these sweeteners are completely artificial and have been linked to a number of health problems, including hyperactivity, behavioral problems, allergies, and cancer.
Preservatives — These substances are a type of additive that the food industry uses to keep food from spoiling. Some of the most common preservatives used are nitrates and nitrites. These substances have been known to trigger allergic reactions and have also been linked to asthma, nausea, headaches, and vomiting. Preservatives aren’t just used in canned and frozen foods, though: sulfur dioxide is a type of preservative often used to treat fresh fruits and vegetables to prevent brown spots. By bleaching out rot, these preservatives make it more difficult to pick out inferior produce, and it also destroys the vitamin B that is naturally contained in the food.
Refined Sugar and Flour — To refine something is to remove impurities or to make improvements. With that definition in mind, you might think that refining sugar and flour is a good thing when, in fact, the exact opposite is true. Refined flour is made by stripping the husk of the grain away from the starch. Without the fiber of the husk, these refined starches are quickly absorbed and broken down by the body into sugar. This causes spikes in blood glucose levels and increases the risk for obesity. Refining food products also results in the loss of many valuable vitamins and minerals—often between 50 and 90 percent of the product’s natural content.
Regular exposure to toxins through food and the environment may impact your body more than you realize—in fact, you may not understand just how much it affects your body until you detox.
Environmental Toxins
Air Pollution — Every year, air pollution is associated with more than one million deaths and innumerable illnesses around the world. Some of the major contributors to air pollution are industrial processes, combustion from automobiles, and airborne pollutants such as pesticides, radioactive fallout, and dust from agricultural practices. Pollution has been linked to increased risk for asthma as well as stunted lung growth, particularly in children.
Household Chemicals — If you were to visit all of the rooms in your house, collecting all the bottles from under sinks, in storage closets, and in your garage, you might be surprised by how much you find. Cleaning products, insect repellents, and even beauty products can contain toxic chemicals. These chemicals are particularly dangerous for children and pets, and they have been linked to cancer, learning disabilities, and reproductive disorders.
Mold — Mold is actually a type of fungus that is often found in damp, humid environments. A wet basement, for example, is a perfect environment for mold. While many mold spores are benign, prolonged exposure or inhalation of large quantities of the spores can lead to respiratory problems. Mold is particularly dangerous for individuals suffering from immunodeficiency disorders.
Phthalates and Heavy Metals — Phthalates are chemical compounds containing phthalic acid, which are found in many types of plastic, including water bottles, food containers, and toys. These substances have been linked to increased risk for birth defects, elevated cancer rates, and other health problems. Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic are extremely toxic to the human body—particularly for children. You may be exposed to these metals by consuming fish from contaminated waters, through exposure to lead-based paints, or through mining or smelting activities.
Treated/Contaminated Water — The water you drink potentially contains dozens—even hundreds—of pollutants and chemicals. All of the things you put into your body (prescription drugs, illegal drugs, artificial food additives, etc.) eventually end up in the water supply. Add to that agricultural runoff, illegal waste dumping, and other pollutants, and you are left with water that is not as clean as you think. Cities treat their water with chemicals to remove toxins and impurities, but trace amounts of dangerous substances may still be present. Also, when treating tap water, some of the natural minerals that are good for your body may also be lost.
Detoxing your body will do more than just improve the way it functions—it will also improve your energy, clear up your skin, improve your sleep habits, and reduce your risk for serious disease.
Internal Toxins
Metabolic Processes — Toxins are a natural by-product of certain metabolic processes, such as breaking down and digesting food. These processes create toxic by-products such as carbon dioxide and ammonia that need to be eliminated from the body. The liver is instrumental in filtering out and excreting toxins, but if the function of the liver is impaired, it could result in the accumulation of toxins.
Overgrowth of Intestinal Flora — Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition in which the bacteria in the small intestine reproduce too rapidly. In small amounts, these bacteria help to promote healthy digestion, but in large quantities they can cause problems. Certain bacteria produce toxins, which can damage the intestines, causing a number of gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea, inflammation, and malabsorption of nutrients.
Stress — Prolonged or repeated cycles of stress can become very toxic to your body. Stress may be induced by emotional trauma, mental illness, a difficult job, and even relationships. Over time, the accumulation of toxic stress can have a negative effect on your physical and mental health. In children, toxic stress has been shown to interrupt healthy brain development, increasing the risk for cognitive impairment.
What Are the Benefits of Detoxing?
Think back to when you ate a particularly large meal or spent a whole weekend eating nothing but fast food, takeout, and pizza. Did you feel bloated or heavy? Was your skin oily or irritated? Perhaps you had difficulty sleeping afterward or had low energy and concentration. While this example may be taken to the extreme, many people do not realize that their bodies are not operating at their full potential. Regular exposure to toxins through food and environment may impact your body more than you realize—in fact, you may not understand just how much it affects your body until you detox.
It is one thing to say that detoxing your body will help your body function more efficiently, but it’s another thing entirely to truly experience it. Chances are, you feel fine right now and are not dealing with any major health problems. If you really think about it, however, you can probably identify several areas where you could stand to see an improvement. Detoxing your body will do more than just improve the way it functions internally—it will also improve your energy, clear up your skin, improve your sleep habits, and reduce your risk for serious disease.
Some of the benefits of detoxing include:
- Balanced hormone levels
- Clearer skin and fewer breakouts
- Improved digestion and regular bowel movements
- Improved quality of sleep
- Increased energy and concentration
- Lowered risk for chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes, heart disease)
- More stable mood
- Reduced cravings for sugar and junk food
- Reduced stress levels
- Strengthened immune system
Detox Quiz
To find out whether or not your body is in need of a detox, take the time to complete this quiz. After answering the questions, tally up the total number of times you answered “yes” and the number of times you answered “no.”
1. Do you often feel sluggish or tired?
Yes
No
2. Do you suffer from allergies (food-related or environmental)?
Yes
No
3. Do you tend to catch colds easily or are you sick often?
Yes
No
4. Do you experience gas, bloating, or indigestion after eating?
Yes
No
5. Do you have dark circles or puffiness under your eyes?
Yes
No
6. Is your skin dry or do you suffer from eczema or psoriasis?
Yes
No
7. Do you have breakouts or other acne problems on a regular basis?
Yes
No
8. Do you have irregular bowel movements?
Yes
No
9. Do you currently, or did you at one point in your life, smoke cigarettes?
Yes
No
10. Do you consume alcoholic beverages more than once a month?
Yes
No
11. Do you drink an average of fewer than three cups of water per day?
Yes
No
12. Do you eat fewer than three servings of vegetables per day?
Yes
No
13. Do you currently take prescription or over-the-counter medications?
Yes
No
14. Do you use commercial cleaning products and laundry detergent?
Yes
No
15. Do you wear cosmetics or use commercial hair products?
Yes
No
16. Do you often experience headaches or fatigue?
Yes
No
17. Do you experience muscle or joint pain on a regular basis?
Yes
No
18. Do you wear cologne or perfume?
Yes
No
19. Do you use pesticides or weed killer on your property?
Yes
No
20. Do you drink unfiltered tap water?
Yes
No
1–5: Room for Improvement
If you answered “Yes” to 5 of these questions or fewer, chances are you have already begun to take steps toward detoxifying your body. A detox may still be beneficial, however, to cleanse your body from accumulated toxins.
6–12: Detox Recommended
If you answered “Yes” to between 6 and 12 of these questions, a detox will likely be highly beneficial for you. If you have never done a detox before, this is a great time to start. Cleanse your body of accumulated wastes and toxins and you will feel lighter, more energetic, and healthier than ever before.
13–20: Detox Emergency
If you answered “Yes” to 13 or more of these questions, your body is in dire need of a detox. Based on your answers to these questions, you are putting a significant amount of toxins into your body on a regular basis. If you put too many toxins into your body, it will eventually overpower your body’s ability to eliminate them. The toxins will then be stored in your fat cells and organs, contributing to many of the side effects mentioned above.