HOW TOXINS AFFECT US

Our bodies deal with toxic substances by storing excess toxins in our fat cells in an effort to protect the rest of the body from its harmful effects.

From the chemicals, we use to clean our homes, to the chemicals we use in our personal care (cosmetics etc.) toxins, have infiltrated every part of our daily lives.

A report by the Columbia University School of Public Health, estimated that 95% of cancer is caused by diet and environmental toxicity.

Another study in the British Medical Journal estimated that 75% of most cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, including exposure to chemicals.

The reality is that we are all exposed to noxious chemicals in the workplace and at home and although we cannot avoid it completely, we can certainly reduce our exposure as well as strengthen our immune system with optimum plant based nutrition to cope with this type of stress.

"Excess toxins are stored in our fat cell"s

How to limit your exposure to toxins:

Buy and eat, where possible organic whole plant foods. Meats, fish, chicken, eggs, diary etc. contain harmful chemicals and hormones.

Avoid processed foods as chemicals are used in the manufacturing of the end product.
Avoid artificial food additives, artificial sweeteners and MSG.
Choose natural cleaning products in your home.

Change to natural brands of toiletries, including shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics.
Tiredness, irritability, mood swings
Bloating, gas, constipation, bad breath. Aches and pains.
Skin problems; acne, eczema, rashes
Difficulties losing weight, weight rebound

Avoid using tap water as it contains fluoride and chlorine. Use filtered or distilled water
Eliminate the use of prescription and over the counter medicines. Learn about natural remedies to combat illnesses.
Get daily safe sun exposure to boost your vitamin D levels and in turn your immune system.
Avoid areas that does not have clean air circulating such as closed offices, smoking sections in restaurants etc.

What are neurotoxins and what do they do?

The English dictionary defines neurotoxins as “substances that interfere with the electrical activities of nerves, thus preventing them from functioning.”

How neurotoxins destroy nerve cells

Neurotoxins are substances that interact with nerve cells by over stimulating them to the point of destruction or interrupting their communication process. This process is harmful to nerve cells as it interferes with their natural chemical processes.Because of this affect, neurotoxins can shorten the life span of nerve cells and have been linked to brain disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s Chorea and Parkinson’s.

The availability of neurotoxins has increased dramatically within the last few decades. Many of these neurotoxins are found in the food we eat and water we drink. Even worse, they are also found in baby food.

Neurotoxins in food

If you have children or more importantly a newborn baby, you may want to pay close attention to the neurotoxins listed below. Children are the most vulnerable to neurotoxins, because their bodies are still developing and more sensitive. Most food products that contain neurotoxins have them listed on their ingredients list under other names, so it’s easy to make informed choices. Processed foods, such as crisps and sweets are often loaded with neurotoxins which should be avoided at all costs.

The most common neurotoxin that people consume on a regular basis is refined sugar!

Refined sugar may not be as toxic as aspartame, but it is toxic enough to cause significant harm to your body when you consume it on a regular basis in its isolated form i.e. not in a whole form such as sugar cane or fructose in fruits.

When you eat a fruit, you are not just ingesting sugar and water, but also synergistic components, such as mineral activators, enzymes, co-vitamin helpers, and fiber. These components have specific roles to play for helping your body to safely and effectively metabolize nutrients.

Without these synergistic components to help your body metabolize sugar safely, certain elements of sugar are broken down into toxic chemicals. For this reason eating the whole fruit is better than just say the fructose part. The main toxins that are released when your body metabolizes refined sugar are toxic metabolites. These metabolites destroy the respiration process of cells.

Neurotoxins to avoid

Sucralose : An artificial sweetener that is very popular in sugar-free products, especially sugar-free drinks. Sucralose was accidentally discovered while doing research to create a new insecticide, which is why some researchers suggested that sucralose should be listed in the insecticide category!
This neurotoxin is regarded as a chemical cousin to DDT. Sucralose is a chlorinated compound. When the body breaks this type of chlorinated compound, it releases toxic chemicals.
Aspartame (found in Equal, NutraSweet) Very common in sugar-free food products, especially sugar-free gums and drinks. Aspartame is made up of three brain-damaging chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol.
Aspartic acid elevates levels of aspartate and glutamate which are brain neurotransmitters. Aspartate and glutamate are “excitotoxins,” meaning that in high amounts they “excite” or stimulate brain cells to the point of destruction.
Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Ingesting aspartame can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain which disturbs the normal balance of an important brain chemical, serotonin.
Methanol is wood alcohol, the kind of alcohol that is extremely poisonous. Studies have linked aspartame to diabetes, migraines, kidney failure, seizures, blindness, obesity, neurological disorders, mental illness and brain tumours!

Monosodium glutamate (aka MSG): Very common in processed and junk foods.

Monosodium glutamate, usually referred to simply as MSG, is ubiquitous in processed foods. It breaks down in the body into glutamate, a known excitotoxin, a substance that literally stimulates brain cells to death!

A truly alarming thing about MSG is that it is in just about everything, yet it is not required to be on labels. This makes it very difficult to avoid. It is required to be listed on a label only if it’s 100% pure MSG.

Spices, flavourings, and natural flavourings can all contain up to 99% MSG with no mention on the label. Generally the saltier the food, the more MSG it will contain.

The worst offenders include foods like canned soups, snacks, processed foods and Ramen noodles.

A major source of MSG is the food at fast food restaurants. If you’ve ever felt weird after a Chinese restaurant meal, you probably experienced MSG-induced “Chinese restaurant syndrome.”

Spices, flavourings, and natural flavourings can all contain up to 99% MSG with no mention on the label. Generally the saltier the food, the more MSG it will contain.

The worst offenders include foods like canned soups, snacks, processed foods and Ramen noodles.

Avoid MSG

A major source of MSG is the food at fast food restaurants. If you’ve ever felt weird after a Chinese restaurant meal, you probably experienced MSG-induced “Chinese restaurant syndrome.”

Many people get headaches, feel dizzy, or get flushed after eating just one meal containing MSG.

Larger amounts of MSG cause arterial dilatation, migraines, upset stomach, fuzzy thinking, diarrhoea, heart irregularities, asthma, and mood swings.

List of Top MSG Sources to be avoid:

• hydrolysed vegetable protein
• hydrolysed plant protein
• hydrolysed protein
• plant protein extract
• calcium caseinate
• sodium caseinate
• yeast extract
• textured protein
• autolysed yeast

These ingredients may contain MSG:

• malt extract
• malt flavouring
• bouillon
• broth
• stock
• flavouring
• natural flavouring
• beef flavouring
• chicken flavouring
• seasoning
• spices

HEAVY METALS: What are heavy metals, and why are they dangerous?

Heavy metals occur naturally on the planet, and some (like iron, zinc, silver and copper) are even vital for life in trace amounts. While any metal has the potential for toxicity in excess, the term heavy metals usually refers to those that have no known human benefit: lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.

You may be exposed to heavy metals and not even know it. They can be contaminants in food, drugs, and supplements, or leached into groundwater. Occupational hazards from raw materials, equipment, processing, and fumes are also very common.

Some typical exposure risks include:

● Lead from old pipes, paint, or even leaded gasoline still present in topsoil (with children particularly at risk because even brief exposure can affect brain development)
● Mercury from dental fillings and industrial applications
● Cadmium from tobacco smoke or food grown in cadmium-rich soil
● Arsenic from treated lumber, coal-fired power plants, and runoff into groundwater

Heavy metals bond to and accumulate in organs and tissues, causing all kinds of physical, mental, and neurological damage. Most concerning are mercury, aluminium, lead and arsenic.
The accumulation of these in our systems leads to suppression of the immune systems and damage to the nervous system leading to a decreased ability to fight parasites, yeasts and bad bacteria. It causes overall chronic inflammation.

Many “mystery illnesses” like muscle weakness, brain fog, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and even constipation can be traced to heavy metal exposure and accumulation. Also more serious conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, Multiple sclerosis, hormonal imbalances chronic fatigue, depression and insomnia result from it.

Some of the short- and long-term effects of heavy metals and toxins on our systems include:

● Neurological disorders (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Depression, Attention deficit disorder, Schizophrenia, etc.)
● Cancer
● Nutritional deficiencies
● Hormonal imbalances
● Enzyme dysfunction
● Altered metabolism
● Reproductive disorders
● Fatigue
● Headaches
● Obesity
● Muscle and vision problems
● Immune system depression
● Allergies/Asthma
● Endocrine disorders
● Chronic viral infections

The most important defence against heavy metal poisoning is to avoid additional exposure where possible:

Aluminium: This type of metal is common in drinking water, over-the-counter antacids and vaccines. Aluminium is hard for the body to absorb, but citrate or citric acid can dramatically increase its absorption. Vaccines are one of the major contributors to aluminium toxicity,because the aluminium is injected directly into the body.
Mercury: This heavy metal is common in fish products, vaccines and amalgam fillings (also known as silver fillings). Mercury can be found in drinking water too and is one of the most toxic neurotoxins as it easily destroys brain tissue.
Fluoride (sodium fluoride): This toxin is very common in drinking water and conventional toothpaste. Fluoride was used to kill rats before it was introduced into consumer products. The fluoride used for consumer products is a mixture of many hazardous chemicals. It is known as sodium fluoride, not to be confused with the natural calcium fluoride. This is why there are warning labels on fluoridated toothpaste.
Fluoride inhibits the activity of the glycolysis enzyme Enolase which undermines glucose metabolism and therefore ATP synthesis in the brain. The brain has enormous energetic/ATP requirements and glucose is virtually the only energy substrate for the brain (except for ketone bodies under exceptional conditions).

What can we do to limit exposure?

If your home was built before 1952, have pipes and paint checked for lead

● Wear protective masks and clothing if you work in industries using heavy metals

● Use a fulvic and humic mineral supplements to naturally remove heavy metal toxins.

If you live in any industrialized country, you almost certainly have some level of ongoing heavy metal contamination.

● Eat organic produce

● Imported rice is one of the most arsenic-contaminated crops–limit your consumption and find local organic sources.

● Limit your consumption of large fish, which is often contaminated with mercury

● Heavy metals build up in animal fat–make sure your meat is from clean sources (free range grass fed )and eat sparingly

● Install water filters on your home water system.

● Switch to a biological dentist who uses nontoxic procedures and can safely remove metal fillings.

Detoxification is a natural function of the body.

No matter how healthy or unhealthy our daily routine may be, our body can always benefit from a break to properly recharge. You can see a detox like an oil change on a car, it’s absolutely essential for the long term functioning of your car.

Same thing goes for our bodies. Over time, our bodies get run down from not-so-healthy foods, caffeine, alcohol, stress and toxins in our everyday environment as well as unhealthy habits that sneak into our daily lives.

A detox gives your body the time, space, and right conditions to restore balance and be revitalized again. Even if we are not consciously detoxing, our bodies are always detoxifying its various organs so they can function in the most effective way possible and ward off disease and infection.
Detoxification is one of the oldest and most effective healing methods known to man. Hippocrates, “the Father of Medicine,” Galen, Paracelsus and other great physicians throughout history prescribed detoxification as a remedy to many ailments.

Taking time to aid the body in this way can have both short and long term health benefits. Some of these benefits include healing the body from illness, strengthening your immune system, radiant glowing skin, improved energy levels, assistance in weight loss, improved digestion and gut health, better mental clarity, balanced emotional health, and a general improvement in your quality of life.

Our colon can get congested with undigested debris and bad bacteria thriving under these conditions. So the colon is the first to get cleaned out as we need to unblock the passage to remove toxic wastes. Then we need to allow time for the body to heal and remove waste.

A Word About Heavy Metal Detoxing

The most effective ways to chelate (remove from the blood stream) heavy metals are to increase good fats:

Chemicals and heavy metals get attached to the cell wall receptors sites. Consuming especially omega 3 fats strengthen the cell membranes and functioning thereof and decrease chances of it entering and damaging the cells.

Detoxification Symptoms

The symptoms listed below can give you an indication if you might need to do a detox. If you experience two or more of those symptoms regularly, you can benefit from cleansing your system by following a proper detoxification protocol.

Tiredness, irritability, mood swings
Bloating, gas, constipation, bad breath. Aches and pains.
Skin problems; acne, eczema, rashes
Difficulties losing weight, weight rebound

Food cravings, especially sugar and salt
Poor concentration, foggy mind
Headaches, migraines
Difficulties sleeping, waking up really tired

How to Detox: Nutrition, Movement and Sleep

Nutritional Guidelines

● Reduce sugar, refined foods and processed foods. For example, foods containing white processed flour and refined sugar and artificial sugars.
● Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and drugs.
● Avoid exposure to unhealthy foods and chemicals: clean up the fridge, pantry and bathroom of all the foods containing pesticides, additives and toxic chemicals.
● Limit or avoid intake of dairy food as these can be clogging and draining on the digestive system.
● Avoid gluten grains as they upset and damage the stomach lining.
● Real, Live FOOD! Specific foods assist with deactivating toxins and removing them from the body (specifically heavy metal build-up). Aim to incorporate as many fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as possible. Focus on whole foods, raw foods and life giving highly alkaline foods. Incorporate chlorophyll-rich foods such as wheat grass and barley grass.
● Include fresh vegetable juices, smoothies,soups and salads.
● Add coconut oil and flax seeds to stimulate the detoxification process.
● Add apple cider vinegar to feed beneficial gut flora.
● Break your fast: Start the morning with a ginger and lemon drink to stimulate digestion.
● Organ support: herbal teas and specific herbs such as Dandelion root and leaf, St Mary’s thistle, Schisandra, Echinacea, Cleavers, Burdock (liver, kidney Hydrangea root, Marshmallow root, Uva Ursi, Horsetail, Parsley, Ginger root), lungs, skin and lymphatic’s (Burdock, Chamomile, Echinacea).
● Spices to support detox process: turmeric, garlic, chili powder, ginger, cardamom, clove, oregano and cinnamon. Coriander, and foods containing citric and malic acid (grapes, oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits) as well as selenium-rich foods (such as Brazil nuts, mushrooms (sparingly) and sunflower seeds) have been shown to assist with the removal of heavy metal build up within the body.

Hydration

Staying hydrated helps with the elimination of toxic particles and the rejuvenation of cells. Aim to drink between 1-3 L of clean, filtered water per day. Use meal times as a reminder to hydrate. Drink 250-500ml water (with lemon juice if you prefer) upon rising, and repeat half an hour before lunch and dinner. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day. Replace your 3pm coffee with herbal tea.Herbal, Super foods and Supplements that can help.Alkalize the body with 1 tsp of superfood greens powder mixed with water.Use Fluvic Humic acid and Zeolite to aid with the detox process.

Exercise /Movement

Helps your body cells regenerate,increases circulation and strengthens your lung capacity/ability. Aim to exercise at least 6 days per week. Break your exercise into smaller chunks of time if needed.(Refer to exercise principle)

Incorporate being active into your social life; catch up with friends for a walk, run or do a gym session instead of drinking a coffee or cocktails.

Daily movement and deep breathing: Pilate’s, walking, biking, hiking, swimming, deep breathing can really accelerate the elimination of those trapped fats and toxins.

All of these activities help with sweating, lymphatic system activation, increase metabolism and improve oxygenation.

Environmental connection

Walking without shoes on beach sand or soft grass, helps to discharge radiation from your body and is crucial for a proper detoxification. Decrease exposure to computers and mobile phones. Switch WIFI and cell phones off at night time and when your Internet is not in use. Spend more time outside in fresh air and connect with nature. Breathe fresh air into your lungs; receive your daily dose of vitamin D and boost your mood. Eat more meals outdoors, exercise outdoors instead of in a gym or studio every once in awhile.

Additional detox therapies include: infrared saunas, foot baths, lymphatic massages, dry skin brushing, exercising on a rebound trampoline, taking Epsom Sal baths, using essential oils, oil pulling, coffee enemas, Colon hydrotherapy, Magnesium citrate and probiotics.

Sleep

Sleep assists with the rejuvenation of cells and helps with the healing and repair of your entire body. Aim for 7-8 hours per night .
Be aware of the importance of sleep hygiene (avoid caffeine before bed, allow 2 hours between your last meal and bedtime, dim lighting).
Make a conscious effort to wind down before rolling into bed. Put your phone down, turn off the TV, free yourself from distractions and make your sleep space as comfortable as possible.

Proper detox. continued activity helps with sweating, lymphatic system activation, increased metabolism and improve oxygenation.

You did the detox program. You’re expecting to feel lighter, brighter and revitalized, yet by the end you still feel flat!Chances are that you might have overlooked one important mineral that our body needs to detoxify effectively…Sulphur!

What is Sulphur and why is it important?

Sulphur is one of the most abundant minerals in our body. It is found in our skin, bones, immune cells, muscles, hair, nails, cartilage and connective tissue. It’s therefore no surprise that supplements for joint health, such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin, are naturally high in sulphur!

Sulphur is needed to build the structure and regulate the activity of many important enzymes in our body. This makes sulphur integral for many important biological and metabolic processes, such as energy production, insulin function, regulation of B Vitamins and glutathione synthesis. Sulphur also has anti-inflammatory benefits and can potentially help sore, inflamed joints.

Why is Sulphur needed for detoxification?

Did you know that each cell within our body is like a mini-city? These teeny-tiny microscopic cells have their own unique environment and complex internal systems to maintain.
Sulphur-containing amino acids help to regulate cellular systems by detoxifying toxins which could threaten the cell’s function. Sulphur also acts to protect cell cities’ against free radical attacks.

Sulphur helps to maintain the integrity of cell membranes, the ‘border’ of a cell that controls what comes in, and what moves out. Therefore, sulphur has an important role in removing self-generated toxins from our cells, which is obviously important for overall detoxification!

It may be helpful for detoxifying environmental chemicals that have artificially made their way into our body. In particular, sulphur can bind with and help our bodies to eliminate toxic chemicals such as mercury, barium and aluminium.
It is required for detoxification pathways in the liver (which are called cytochrome P450 if you’d like to do some further research).
Sulphur is therefore critical to our body’s most essential detoxifying function.
Sulphur is essential for forming glutathione, which is a very powerful antioxidant.
Glutathione also optimizes the function of other antioxidants in our body. Sulphur is important for whole-body healing, healthy aging and maintaining wellness.

There is some evidence to suggest that sulphur and glutathione work collaboratively with other minerals, fatty acids and vitamins in many healing processes throughout the body. In particular, they (sulphur and glutathione) help our body to make prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation.

It is clear to see that sulphur is important to the health of our body at a deep, cellular level. It is essential for key detoxification functions in the liver and can potentially impact your entire well being.

How do I ensure sulphur in my diet?

The most common dietary sources of sulphur comes from protein foods. More specifically, found in the amino acids called methionine and cysteine.

Methionine is an essential amino acid, meaning that the body cannot make it alone and must get an external supply from the diet. On the other hand, the body can make cysteine, but needs enough sulphur from the diet to use as a building block.

The body has limited ability to store excess sulphur and any leftover amounts are passed through urine or ‘locked up’ in glutathione. In other words, we need plenty of dietary sulphur to maintain adequate levels!

Sulphur is found in plant foods such as garlic, onion, legumes, brussels sprouts, asparagus, kale and methylsulfonylmethane(MSM – a plant-based form of organic sulphur).

Some berries, figs, pineapple, grapefruit and banana also contain some sulphur. Dandelion, chives, parsley, brazil nuts and kelp are other sources.

If you consume adequate protein, fruits and vegetables, it is usually not necessary to supplement with sulphur. However, if your diet has been sub optimal for some time, you may be deficient and it is worth including the above foods in your diet going forward.

Detox survival tips Following a detox plan can do wonders for your mind and body.

Detoxing aims to cleanse your body and re-invigorate your system, as well as boost your energy levels and leave you feeling refreshed.

However this process often comes with side effects that may leave you feeling mentally down. Instead of throwing in the towel, we have put together a survival guide to help you deal with the not-so-nice aspects of detoxing.

Fatigue And Disrupted Sleep Patterns

One of the most common side-effects of detoxing is feeling sleepy. This is natural as your body is using its energy resources to get rid of toxins.There’s nothing worse than battling to keep your eyes open – especially when trying to live a normal life.

Here are some tips to boost your energy when you’re ready to crash.

Boost your brain with an energizing breakfast. Make sure you’re eating enough. After being asleep all night, your body is going to burn up the first thing that enters your stomach relatively quickly. To make sure you’re sustained, enjoy a healthy meal big enough to keep you charging on until lunch.
Escape the four walls. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, do your best to go outside, breathe in some fresh air and soak up some vitamin D.
Power down before bed. Turn off your TV, put down your phone and dim the lights in your house half an hour before bedtime. This will help you to unwind and quiet your mind before sleep.

Headaches

One of the most common withdrawal effects when you give up habits such as drinking coffee or alcohol, smoking, or cutting out processed foods, is a headache. Especially towards the afternoon and evening after going without your normal fixes for the whole day.

Tips to help you overcome that dreaded headache.

Kick it with cayenne. Surprisingly, this popular spice can help combat headaches. Simply add half a teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper to warm lemon water and sip.
Stretch it out. Your headache may be due to tension. You may feel relief by stretching out your chest, neck and back. This can be done at your desk or while watching TV. Getting your body moving and increasing circulation may reduce your headache symptoms.
Hydrate! Especially when detoxing, it is more important than ever to hydrate your body. In order to properly remove toxins from the body you need to drink enough water to flush these from your system. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water per day.

Frequent Toilet Trips

As much as no one likes to talk about it, frequent trips to the bathroom is not uncommon. As your body is eliminating unwanted junk, you may find yourself using the bathroom more than usual.

Follow the tips below to keep your tummy happy.

Take some Fluvic & humic acid to bind toxins and Zeolite to help your body carry out toxins.

Restore your gut bacteria by incorporating cultured vegetables and fermented foods or drinking a probiotic 30 min before breakfast to help repopulate healthy gut bacteria.

Other Detox experiences

Nausea

Depending on how your body is reacting to your detox, you may experience nausea. Feeling a little “off” isn’t something to be too concerned about, however if you experience vomiting, it is best to seek advice from a health professional.

Follow these tips to relief yourself from nausea.

Sip a warm cup of ginger tea. Ginger is renowned for relieving an upset tummy.
Use a cotton swab to rub a small amount of peppermint oil into your gums. Like ginger, peppermint is also known for its ability to relieve an unsettled stomach and nausea symptoms.

Cravings

You’ve taken away the things you have relied on for so long; sugar, processed foods, coffee, cigarettes etc. It’s no wonder your body is starting to crave these things. As the saying goes, “This too shall pass”.

Here are some top tips for beating cravings.

Are you eating enough? If you are hungry and unsatisfied you are bound to crave foods that will hit the spot. Detoxing is not an excuse to go hungry, so be sure to fill your plate with delicious, nutritious foods.
Are you simply a creature of habit? If grabbing a coffee before work or settling down to a glass of wine in the evening is part of your daily routine, aim to do something that aligns with your detoxing goals instead. Try going for a walk, preparing your meals for the following day, or taking five minutes to close your eyes and relax.
Practice mindfulness. What does this look like exactly? You can start by simply focusing on your breathing, listing everything in your surroundings that you can see, feel, smell and hear, or by releasing tension by progressively relaxing your muscles.

Progress

WELL DONE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE COURSE 100%

Resources

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2x7fEtqLWVfWmNldGw3NllKSDg/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fPh06WrFneV0IkNOcyFcBYk1Mv_t_hwq/view
https://aspartame.mercola.com/
https://articles.mercola.com/sugar-side-effects.aspx
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/msg-side-effects.html
https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Life-Science-Concepts-For-Middle-School/section/2.14/https://drjockers.com/toxic-chemicals/