Living Healthy in a Toxic World

 

Living Healthy in a Toxic WorldBy Mirdza Hayden

With so much information around, it is hard to know what is true and what is not. It is hard to know if people are trying to sell us on a product or if they truly care about our health. One thing that is for sure is that the world we live in is, unfortunately, becoming more toxic everyday. Most farmers in the U.S. and many big companies care more about making money then they do about our health. Dr. Colbert says in his book "The seven pillars of health" that there are about eighty thousand chemicals registered in the US which are used in food, prescription and OTC drugs, supplements, household products, personal products, and lawn care products.

Since there are so many chemicals around us, it is important to at least TRY to eliminate some of those toxins so we can live healthier in this toxic world. Chemicals go into our body by inhalation, application on our skin or by consuming it in food, drinks or supplement form. Here are some tips on how to avoid toxins, though you can't avoid them entirely:

o Use housecleaning and personal use products that are made with natural ingredients. Many detergents, multipurpose cleaners, skin care products and body care products are made with so many chemicals that we are intoxicating ourselves. That is why we get so many headaches, allergies, skin diseases, respiratory infections, etc. Make sure you choose to use products that enhance your health; products that are made with natural ingredients.

o When it comes to eating, make sure you eat foods that are packed with nutrients. Skip the white bread, the high-sugared beverages and junk food, highly processed foods and the other foods and beverages that offer absolutely no nutrition to you. Start eating whole grain breads, lots of chemical-free fruits and veggies, as well as beverages that are made with whole foods and are not loaded with sugar.

o When it comes to supplements, make sure you choose a whole food supplement and not ones that have dyes and artificial sweeteners. Choose your supplements, and that of your kids, very carefully. Just because the bottle says it is the brand preferred by doctors and/or pediatricians, doesn't mean that it is the best one for you or your children. Make an informed decision as to what supplement you and your family take.

o When you exercise, make sure you don't do so in an area where there are a lot of cars. If you do so, you will be inhaling a lot of fumes and intoxicating your body. Personally, I prefer to exercise at home, with fitness videos that made by professional personal trainers like Tony Horton and Chalene Johnson, which are sold by BeachBody.

o Just as you know that smoking is bad for you health, stay away also from second-hand smoke which is just as dangerous.

o Drink lots of filtered water. To know how much water to take in daily, Dr. Colbert suggests that you take your weight in pounds and divide it by two. Drink that much in ounces. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, then you should drink 60 ounces of water of clean, filtered water (not tap water)

o Keep your liver in good condition. If your liver is functioning properly, it will help protect you from environmental toxins. Detoxify it regularly and maintain adequate amounts of antioxidants in your body to help support it.

o Keep your colon in good condition as well. The colon is the organ that receives the toxins from the liver and then dumps it out of our body. Make sure you eat and adequate amount of fiber each day, both soluble and insoluble. You need 25 to 30 grams a day to keep the toxins moving properly through your colon, so aim towards that.

So, even though we live in a world that is becoming more toxic everyday, there are many things we can do to avoid them. We need to choose carefully what household cleaning products we use, what personal use products we put on our bodies, what supplements we take, and what water we drink. It is also very important that you keep your liver and colon in tip-top condition by watching what you eat and by detoxifying on a regular basis.

 

 

 

Indoor Air Pollution and How to Deal With itBy Melvyn Burton

Indoor air pollution - is it a problem? Everyone knows about air pollution affecting urban areas and industrial regions. Mexico City and Southeast Asia have hit the headlines. But wherever there are cities and industry there is pollution, from industrial effluents and the
omnipresent automobile.

But indoors? The fact is that indoor air can be one hundred times more polluted than outdoor air. As the majority of people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, this is a
cause for concern.

"Sick building syndrome" is a phenomenon which emerged in the 1970s when, to conserve energy as well as to provide a more comfortable draught-free environment, many naturally ventilated buildings were superceded by airtight air-conditioned buildings. It is used to describe a situation in which a substantial proportion of a building's occupants report a number of symptoms while occupying that building. It is estimated that as many as one third of U.S. buildings suffer from sick building syndrome. Symptoms experienced by people vary as widely as drowsiness, lethargy, nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness and respiratory problems.

What are the sources of indoor air pollution?

Tobacco smoke is a major culprit, with its lethal cocktail of toxic chemicals. Insulation, synthetic fabrics, treated wood and carpets, especially when new, release potentially harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, into the air. When this air is recycled indefinitely, high concentration levels can be reached. Printers and copiers emit toxic gases. Then there are chemicals used in the manufacture of
computers, especially those added to VDUs as fire retardants, which emit high levels of pollutants when new. Even cleaning solvents make their contribution to the pollution. In some cases, prolonged exposure to this mixture can cause chemical sensitivities which may be
difficult to cure.

How can indoor air pollution be dealt with?
Potted plants can improve room air quality. They reduce levels of carbon dioxide and increase oxygen levels. Among the most effective are spider plants, rubber plants and yucca. Plants can even be used to monitor pollution. Plants can wither from pollutants before people start to sicken from them.

Regular maintenance of air conditioning systems is essential in centrally-controlled air conditioned buildings. This should include coil, fins and filters for the equipment to function effectively. The most important maintenance task is cleaning or replacement of filters. Not only do clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow, but also can directly
reduce the effective working life of the equipment. Not to be overlooked is the correct installation of air-conditioning systems in the first place. Air intake ducts need to be properly located. If they are placed in polluted areas, the system will actually bring
polluted air into the building.