Toxic Chemicals Affect Your Brain, Hormones and Health - Paula Owens

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Toxic Chemicals Affect Your Brain, Hormones and Health

Toxic Chemicals Affect your Brain, Hormones and HealthToxic chemicals are everywhere nowadays! They’re in the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the soil, the personal care products we use and put on our body, the household products we use in our homes, yards and garden, and the environment.

The obesity epidemic, the rise in autism, autoimmune disease, neurological disorders, cancer, behavioral problems and mental health disorders. What’s to blame? It’s not our genes. Our food, water and air are being systematically poisoned. TOXIC CHEMICALS are a huge contributor!

We’re exposed to more toxic chemicals nowadays in a 30-day period than our grandparents were exposed to in their entire lifetime. Couple that with an individual that has impaired methylation; their ability to detox these toxic chemicals is inhibited.

Over time, the toxic burden of these chemicals buildup and accumulate in our brain, cells, organs and body affecting how we feel, function, think, perform and look. Infants, children, fetus and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals. Several studies now report the presence of dozens to hundreds of man-made chemicals and pollutants in placenta, umbilical cord blood, and newborn blood spots. Toxic chemicals are passed from the mother to the child through the umbilical cord and breast milk causing pre-polluted babies.

Children with chronic illness grow up to be adults with chronic illness.

In the 1980s, 5–10% of children lived with a chronic illness. As of 2018, 40% of children, 50% of teens, 60% of adults under age 65, and 90% of adults over 65 live with a chronic illness.

Rising teen depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety and behavioral mental health disorders add another 10–20% so that 50% of teens struggle with a chronic illness (Bethell et al., 2011). Sixty percent of adults under 65, and 90% of those over 65, now live with a chronic illness, a number that has doubled since the 1980s, and continues to grow.  [Mitochondrion, March 2020]

Toxic chemicals can accumulate and pass from one species to the next through the food chain. They’re hazardous to humans, pets, animals, wildlife and the environment.

Toxic chemicals are harming your health, damaging your brain, disrupting your hormones and causing disease

  • Aflatoxins, mycotoxins
  • Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and radiation (cell phone towers, smartphones, computers, smart meters)
  • FD&C colors and pigments, carrageenan
  • Flame retardants: 90% of individuals have flame retardant chemicals in their bodies
  • Formaldehyde, silicone
  • GMOs
  • Halogens: Fluorine, fluoride, chloride, chlorine, bromine and bromide
  • Heavy metals (lead, mercury, aluminum, arsenic, cadmium plus others), metalloids, mercury amalgams
  • Neonicotinoids
  • OTC and pharmaceutical drugs, vaccine residues
  • PCBs, parabens, phthalates, plastics, solvents, BPA, PVC, PFCs, PFOA, PBDEs
  • Glyphosate, 2,4-D, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, organochlorides, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), Organophosphates
  • Sodium laurel sulfate, triclosan
  • Artificial sweeteners: Sucralose, Splenda, aspartame, Truvia, Sweet n Low, Equal
  • Teflon, aluminum and non-stick cookware
  • Toxic fumes, indoor and outdoor air pollutants, dust, artificial fragrances, perfume, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene compounds, chem trails

Toxic Chemicals Affect your Brain, Body, Hormones and Health - Paula Owens, MS Holistic Nutritionist and Functional Health PractitionerBioaccumulation of chemicals and toxic metals often from repeated low-level exposures are the cause of many chronic mental and physical health problems. Research appearing in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry (1992;4:189-94) linked chemical and pesticide exposure to violent behavior.

Are toxic chemicals making you fatigued, fat, depressed and sick?

Studies have linked phthalates, pesticides, PFCs, toxic heavy metals and several other toxic chemicals to hormone changes, lower sperm count, less mobile sperm, birth defects in the male reproductive system, obesity, diabetes, low testosterone and thyroid irregularities.

Health issues linked to toxic chemicals in the body

  • ADHD, OCD, learning disabilities, behavioral problems
  • Anxiety, depression, mental illness, mood disorders, neurotransmitter degradation
  • Asthma and respiratory diseases
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Autism
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Cancer
  • Dementia, neurological disorders
  • Diabetes and insulin resistance
  • Metabolic dysfunction, disrupted metabolic pathways, mitochondrial damage, altered biochemistry
  • Damaged DNA and epigenetic change
  • Early puberty, early menopause, intensified hormonal conditions
  • Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Food sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, increased allergies
  • Hormone imbalances including impaired thyroid function, adrenal insufficiency, low testosterone, and estrogen dominance. Studies have identified an association between chemical exposure (e.g., to phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and nonpersistent pesticides) with lower levels of testosterone, increased estrogen and increased risk of cancer.
  • Hypertension
  • Impaired detoxification
  • Infertility, miscarriage, brain-damaged offspring, reproductive and developmental harm
  • Intestinal permeability aka leaky gut, digestive distress
  • Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
  • Sick building syndrome
  • Skin rashes, itching
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Weight loss resistance, obesity

“Over 50% of ADHD and many mental health problems and neurological disorders can be attributed to toxins.” – Dr. Joseph Pizzorno

“There are far too many know and suspected cancer-causing chemicals in products that people young and old use every day of their lives. Many of these chemicals are time bombs, altering the genetic switching mechanisms that lead to cancer in later life.” – Kenneth Cook, EWG president and co-founder

Toxic Chemicals Affect your Brain, Body, Hormones and Health - Paula Owens, MS Holistic Nutritionist and Functional Health PractitionerChemicals are either ingested, inhaled or absorbed. There are many things within our control that we can do to reduce our toxic load and the harmful effects of chemical exposure. Lowering our toxic burden can help reduce our risk of cancer and other chronic illnesses. Important factors are awareness, avoidance, and making the necessary adjustments and changes by addressing food, air and water quality, home, garden and personal care, and flame retardant furnishings.

Protect Yourself and Your Family from Toxic Chemicals

Simple Solutions to Reduce your Toxic Burden and Exposure to Harmful Chemicals

Food

  • Dairy products, meat (animal protein), eggs, coffee and the EWGs “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables are especially important items that must be organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised and GMO-free
  • If you see any of these ingredients on any product, leave it on the shelf!
  • Avoid farmed salmon and large fish such as tuna, shark and swordfish
  • If you have an infant, breast-feeding your baby is ideal; if you’re not able to breast feed, homemade organic formula is a healthy option
  • Avoid canned foods and canned beverages
  • Avoid food that comes in chemically-coated food containers and wrappers; when you consume the food, you consume the chemicals
  • All grains contain mycotoxins! Avoid grains, gluten, fast food and processed frankenfoods. Food scientists use dangerous chemicals to make you eat, and buy more junk food.
  • Cook the majority of your meals at home
  • Practice these simple detox tips that are safe enough to do every day
  • Look what’s happening to our food: video

There are too many people counting calories, and not enough people counting chemicals!

 Clean Water

  • Filtered shower water is a necessity (not an option or a luxury). Install a water filter in your home, especially for the water you drink, cook with and shower in to minimize exposure to fluoride, chlorine, toxic metals, microbes, industrial pollutants, pharmaceuticals and other harmful chemicals. You absorb 3x more chemicals through your skin than when consumed orally. Even if you’re not taking any prescription drugs, they’re in the water supply (chemo drugs, oral contraceptives, hormones, hypertension meds and many others)!
  • Avoid bottled water in soft plastic containers and plastic water bottles. Never drink water from plastic containers that have been in a hot car, garage or warehouse.
  • Avoid camel-backpack type water containers. Avoid bottles and containers with the numbers 3, 6 and 7 on the bottom.

Household and Personal Care

  • Purchase safer, natural, organic cleaning and personal care products or make your own with a few simple ingredients
  • Use low-toxin, chemical-free, organic makeup, moisturizers, sunscreen lotion and creams
  • Avoid spraying pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, RoundUp, weed killers, and other chemicals in your home and yard
  • Stop using cancer-causing chemicals in your home and on your body: scented air fresheners, candles, hair sprays, and perfumes and colognes with synthetic fragrances
  • Avoid aluminum-containing deodorants, antiperspirants and antacids
  • Opt for ceramic, glass and stainless-steel cookware and food storage containers. Avoid Teflon and aluminum cookware, plastic wraps and aluminum foil.
  • Never microwave anything in plastic
  • Stop using dryer sheets and fabric softeners; they contain neurotoxic, immune disrupting, hormone-disrupting chemicals that are harmful to humans, pets, wildlife and the environment

Lifestyle Tips

  • Detox periodically with the 10-day Detox program and implement these detox tips that are safe enough to do every day
  • Educate yourself on the side effects of pesticides, EMFs, glyphosate, OTC and Rx drugs, vaccines and oral contraceptives and how these chemicals are affecting your health
  • Test to assess your toxic load. Start with the basics: blood tests, comprehensive DNA stool test, toxic metals, viral infections, micronutrient testing and organic acid testing (OAT). Rule out chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS)
  • Keep your lymphatic system, liver and gallbladder healthy
  • Optimizing adrenal function is crucial for healing from multiple chemical sensitivity, healthy detoxification and hormonal balance

Oral Health and Dental Care

  • Use fluoride-free toothpaste or make your own with a few simple ingredients
  • Get second opinions on root canals and dental implants
  • Avoid mercury amalgam fillings. If you have mercury amalgams, consider having them removed.

Home and Office

  • Use only green or low-VOC paint, carpet, rugs and other products
  • Avoid furniture with particle board
  • Opt for mattresses and furniture with the least amount of flame retardants and chemicals
  • Take your shoes off before entering your home
  • New car? Keep the windows open to off-gas the chemicals
  • Use HEPA air filters and change them monthly. Consider an air purifier for your bedroom, car and office.
  • Check for leaky faucets, water heater and pipes
  • Minimize the amount of carpet in your home; opt for tile or hardwood (not laminates)
  • Avoid urea formaldehyde in building products
  • Opt for salt water swimming pools vs chlorinated
  • Live as far away as possible from freeways and busy streets
  • Buy mercury-free light bulbs
  • Ventilate your home by opening the windows
  • If you have any of your clothes dry cleaned, hang them outdoors for 24-48 hours before bringing them inside the home
  • Tell your landscaper not to use any RoundUp or any other chemicals, herbicides or insecticides on your property
  • If you live close to a golf course or green belt area, consider the amount of pesticides and herbicides being used
  • If your home, school or workplace has been water damaged, test for mold with an ERMI test, which identifies 36 different mold species

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

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