Do you feel sluggish and tired, but your blood tests show normal results? Your body may be dealing with daily toxin exposure.

We are exposed to toxins in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil our food is grown in. Chemicals are used to kill off pests, make food ripen faster, and lengthen the shelf life. They are also used in cosmetics and cleaning materials. Research has shown that these chemicals can accumulate in our bodies and cause serious health issues such as birth defects, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, neurologic disorders, chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases, allergies, and cancer. Identifying and removing these exposures as much as possible is important to stop continuing exposure. 

Symptoms of toxin exposure: 

• • Tiredness
  • Allergies
  • Acne-prone skin
  • Weight issues
  • Brain fog
  • Constipation
  • Bloating
  • Gassiness
  • Stress 

Top 6 toxins found in our food and how you can get rid of them to reduce their impact on your health:

• Pesticides and herbicides (Glyphosate/Roundup). These are sprayed on plants to kill pests from destroying crops. It has proven to cause major health issues like birth defects, neurological disorders, autoimmune syndromes, and hormone disruption, wreak havoc on the microbiome, and increase the risk of cancer by 41%. Buy organic as much as possible to minimize pesticides. Organic produce contains high levels of phytonutrients which are beneficial to support cellular health and against toxin damage. Choose organic food with the most pesticides called “The Dirty Dozen”, and buy produce with the least pesticides called “The Clean 15”.

• Food additives. These are chemicals added to food to help preserve and enhance colour, appearance, or taste. There are natural forms of additives that can be used, but a synthetic copy of the natural compounds is mostly used. 5 of the biggest additives are artificial flavours, artificial sweeteners, artificial colours, flavour enhancers, and preservatives. Avoid purchasing packaged and processed foods and cook as much as possible from scratch. Avoid food with unknown ingredients and a list with lots of numbers.

• Heavy metals – Mercury is found in our waterways due to industrial pollution. These are absorbed by plants and then eaten by fish. Avoid large fish with the highest contamination like swordfish, mackerel, tuna, sea bass, halibut, and marlin. Aluminium is found in our water and cookware. Use a water filter for your drinking water and use stainless steel and glass. Arsenic is found in pesticides, preservatives, drinking water, and rice (even organic). California, India, and Pakistan have the lowest levels of arsenic in their rice. To reduce arsenic found in rice by 30%, you can rinse rice thoroughly, soak it well, cook in a 6-1 water rice ratio, and drain excess water when cooked. Choose alternatives like quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, and polenta.

• AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) are harmful compounds formed through cooking methods. Browning and caramelization lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) arise when meat is grilled or smoked at high temperatures. The fat drips onto hot cooking surfaces and produces volatile PAHs that can seep into the meat. Choose to boil, poach, steam, or slow cook to reduce AGEs and PAHs.

• Alcohol is extremely toxic to the body. Drink in moderation and don’t drink alcohol to quench your thirst. Drink lots of water when consuming alcohol and choose wine/beer above spirits. Drink alternatives like kombucha instead.

• Cookware and plastic containers. Teflon, aluminium, and copper are known to be the most harmful cookware. Use ceramic, stainless steel, enamel, cast iron, and non-leaded glass.  Chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) leach from plastic containers when exposed to heat. Avoid warm/hot water in a plastic container, never use plastic in a microwave, and don’t drink twice from the same water bottle. Use BPA-free plastic containers and opt for glass. 

How to get rid of accumulated toxins?

Detoxification helps to clear out toxins accumulated in the body and stimulates the body to repair and regenerate itself. It is the first step to treating diseases like arthritis, heart disease, gall & kidney stones, osteoporosis, low energy, poor blood sugar control, eczema, asthma, low immunity, digestive & colon disorders, hormone imbalances, premenstrual syndrome, and infertility. Detoxifying may leave you feeling worse for a short period until you start to feel better, have more energy and better mental clarity, your skin starts to clear up, your bowls become more regular, your hormones become balanced, and your aging process starts to slow down. Detox is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women. Consult your medical professional if you are underweight, taking medications, or have a medical condition.

Minimize your daily toxin exposure by implementing the following changes:

1. Avoiding processed foods.
2. Buy organic produce as much as possible.
3. Read food labels and understand what the ingredients are.
4. Cook from scratch.
5. Use natural cleaning material.
6. Use safe cookware.
7. Reduce plastic use.
8. Detox to get rid of accumulated toxins.