Reduce Your Exposure


dandeliongreens

Sometimes symptoms of toxicity can be quite non-specific and therefore, hard to pin down. Because we are all different genetically,  we will react to toxins differently and at different dosages. Toxin exposure can manifest very differently in different people, after all, we are all unique.  If you have systemic (affecting the entire body) or atopic (allergic hypersensitivity reaction i.e. asthma, skin rash) health issues that have been lingering for a while, it’s worth considering toxicity as the root cause.  

Common symptoms of excessive toxic burden can include, but are not restricted to

  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Headaches
  • Cognitive problems: brain fog, memory problems
  • Neurological issues: balance problems, tremors

Although toxins don’t cause the following conditions, they do affect the expression of the symptoms and your genetic predisposition, so lowering your toxic load may help alleviate symptoms and/or not flip the switch to “on” in your genes that predispose you to certain diseases:

  • Allergy and asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Chemical sensitivity (any adverse physical, mental, or emotional reaction to the presence of a chemical smell)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Infertility issues and birth defects
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Bone marrow cancers such as lymphomas, leukemia, multiple myeloma
  • Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Reducing your toxic exposure can produce health benefits:

  • fat and weight loss
  • radiant, youthful skin
  • mental acuity
  • reduced stress
  • greater sense of calm
  • improved sleep
  • more energy
  • improved immune function
  • improved digestion
  • reduced cravings
  • overall improved health
  • vibrancy

Tweetable: Reduce your #toxic load and feel #vibrant and #healthy.Tweet!

5 QUICK WAYS TO REDUCE TOXINS

  1. Use herbs that support our detox organs – liver, kidney and colon. i.e. milk thistle and dandelion.
  2. Encourage elimination through skin, our largest organ for elimination. i.e. sweating and dry brushing.
  3. Buy and eat organic food as much as possible – learn about the “Dirty Dozen” list and try to shop organic for this produce. [1]
  4. Reduce processed and packaged foods, which are loaded with chemicals.
  5. Replace household and personal products with a lot of chemicals with those made with natural ingredients.

FOODS FOR TOXIC LOAD REDUCTION

Liver Friendly Foods: All berries, pomegranate, green tea, burdock, water cress, beets, broccoli, kale, cabbage, apples, pears, lemons, limes, grapefruit,  Jerusalem artichokes, chicory, garlic, onions, dark chocolate are supportive of phase I and phase II  liver detoxification.  Yes, your liver has 2 phases and you need to keep them balanced to avoid crazy flu-like symptoms.

Bitter Foods: Food like dandelion, bitter melon, Swiss chard, kale, rappini, radicchio, collard green, beet greens, mustard greens all stimulate bile production. Jerusalem artichokes also stimulate bile production. Bile destroys unwanted bad guys. [2]

Essential Fatty Acids: EFAs are essential for healthy live function and successful detoxifying – they help the liver and the colon. Foods such as chia, flax, hemp cold water fish, nuts and seeds are all good sources of essential fatty acids

Complex Carbohydrates: The liver needs a steady source of energy to do its work so whole grains, legumes and lentils are ideal for this

Amino acids: Consume protein-rich foods and make sure they are digested properly because they provide the body with amino acids that are essential for successful detoxification. Lean meats, fish legumes, lentils, nuts and seeds provide good sources of protein

Fermented foods: Foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, beet kvass, kimchi, miso, wine (moderation imposed, of course), unpasteurized beer (likewise, in moderation), apple cider vinegar are rich in probiotics (good bacteria) that help the health of the intestines.  Good bacteria also helps detoxify the body and helps prevent toxins from entering in the bloodstream in the first place. It aids colon function, insuring that toxins leave the body and they inhibit bad bacteria. Bad bacteria, allowed to ferment in the colon also produce toxic chemicals which we must detox out.

Cranberry for Your Kidneys: Drink unsweetened cranberry juice to help cleanse the kidneys and bladder. They also can help to prevent bladder and kidney infections. Cranberries have a special type of phytonutrient called proanthocyanidins. Their structure allows this phytonutrient to act as a barrier for bad bacteria to prevent them from attaching to the bladder or kidney wall.  If the bad guys cannot attach to the lining wall, then they cannot reproduce, thus preventing the infection.

Today is YOUR day to change your health’s future!  Pick up the phone and call 403.801.5698 or type a quick email to hello@wattworksnutrition.ca to ask for your FREE 45-minute Discovery Chat (valued at $90).

Found this post interesting?  Share in the comments what you found interesting, confusing or want more information about.  I enjoy researching and sharing what I discover.  Looking forward to seeing your comments.


Endnotes

[1] Sara Sciammacco, “Apples Top Dirty Dozen For Fifth Year In A Row,” Environmental Working Group, Feb 25 2015, http://www.ewg.org/release/apples-top-dirty-dozen-list-fifth-year-row
[2] Donna Gates, “Why Proper Bile Flow in Your Body Is Essential For Getting Rid Of Toxins”  http://bodyecology.com/articles/
why_proper_bile_flow_essential_for_getting_rid_of_toxins.php


About Brenda

Brenda loves learning and sharing what she's learning with you. She is a certified keto/carnivore coach with Keto-Adapted (Maria and Craig Emmerich, a certified holistic nutritional consultant (CHNC), and a natural nutrition clinical practitioner (NNCP).