|
Why Do I Feel Toxic?...
And What Can I Do about It?
In the past 50-70 years we have radically altered the environment in which we as humans live. Annually we dump 4-6 billion pounds of chemicals into the soils, rivers, oceans and air -- from petrochemicals, to pesticides, to industrial waste products. All of which are toxic to living things, mostly by interfering with hormonal and nervous systems.
We have radically altered our diets to include high quantities of
sugar, overly processed foods (high in calories but stripped of nutrient
content), large quantities of hydrogenated fats, excess amounts of stimulants
(i.e. caffeine and MSG) as well as chemical preservatives, artificial
food colorings and additives. All chemicals our bodies were not evolved
to readily detoxify.
The way we grow our crops and farm animals has radically changed.
Industrial farming has depleted the soils' nutrient and mineral content.
Petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides and genetic modification are utilized
to compensate. Chemically altered crops are then fed to farm animals
given huge quantities of antibiotics and artificial growth hormones.
Then, what we consume becomes us.
Additionally we take many antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, synthetic
hormones, and pharmaceuticals which may damage our gastrointestinal systems and alter our body's normal balance of healthy bacteria. As
a result, our self healing systems become overwhelmed, putting further
stress on the body.
On top of all this, the frenetic pace of the information age has radically
changed our work and family lifestyles. There seems to be hardly any
downtime, and we are often relentlessly stressed psychologically. From
TV to radio, faxes, emails, cell phones, and Blackberry's, we are bombarded
with constant stimulation - particularly anxiety provoking images and
information. All of these factors create toxic internal stress chemicals
which affect our body's balance and health if we can't get rid of them
(see Adrenal Fatigue and Thyroid).
We may be living longer, however, often the quality of our long lives
is markedly affected. If our detoxification mechanisms are overwhelmed,
we may be plagued with chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, hormonal
disturbances, allergies and the debilitating effects of diabetes, hypertension,
obesity, heart disease, cancer and many autoimmune diseases.
So what can we do?
The good news is our bodies have great self healing powers! We come
equipped with extensive and elegant detoxification mechanisms which
can be supported at all levels. The Cleanse and Clear program has been
designed scientifically to support detoxification and repair our damaged
metabolisms. It begins with utilizing well researched nutrients, enzymes
and phytochemicals along with an elimination diet to decrease toxin
exposure.
Just as important is looking at our lifestyles and how we can lower
levels of toxic internal stress chemicals. Small changes in self care
at emotional, psychological and spiritual levels can reap huge benefits!
See tips for Self Care.
Liver and gastrointestinal detoxification is at the foundation of my approach to creating wellness and hormonal balance. Along with an elimination diet, certain nutrients and supplements (now combined in convenient medical foods) are critical to supporting these processes.
Copyright
2006 - 2008, Margaret Christensen, M.D.
| 