Harmful substances have negative long term effects.
One of the most important steps to take on our journey to optimal health is to minimize exposure to harmful substances. Dr. Bill Curry, a cancer expert who uses natural products to treat clients with cancer stated that, "Today, 43% of All Americans can expect to get cancer at some time in their lives.", and that "70% to 75% of all cancers are cause by synthetic chemicals."
Synthetic chemicals have also been linked to other conditions such as infertility, birth defects, chronic fatigue, and others. In spite of the advances in modern medicine, more and more people are suffering from conditions that were rare, & unknown in the years before the industrial revolution, in the years before the widespread use of synthetic chemicals. We are being affected, but it has been difficult to pinpoint the cause because the effects of long term exposure take months, or even years to become noticable.
How are we being exposed to these harfmful substances?
Some people are at greater risk of exposure because they live close to chemical factories, but the majority of us are exposed to harmful substances through the foods we eat, and the personal care products we use every day.
We are also exposed to toxic heavy metals ever time we visit a non-biological dentist. The silver fillings they put in our teeth, amalgam fillings, are 50% MERCURY. Mercury is a highly poisonous substance, a neurotoxin, with many harmful effects to the body. It has been linked to Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzeimers disease, among other health problems. Never let any dentist fill your cavities with any silver colored fillings. Insist on white fillings. The white fillings cost more, but when you are chosing poison, or not poison, cost shouldn't be an issue. Even being in a dentist office can expose your body to toxic mercury vapor. Even if he is not using mercury with you, he is using it with everyone else, and the toxic mercury vapor fills the air. It is best to find a mercury-free, or a biological dentist who refuses to use mercury with any of his patients.
It is recommended to get out the mercury fillings if you have any, because they constantly leak mercury vapor, and constantly exposes your body to this toxic substance. Don't let just any dentist remove your mercury fillings, it has to be done using a special protocol to avoid even more mercury from poisoning your body during the removal of the mercury fillings.
The foods we eat could be contaminated with toxic substances.
Most fruits & vegetables have been sprayed with some type of pesticide, or herbacide. The chemical residue becomes imbedded in the fruit & is difficult to wash away. Even if we wash every fruit or vegetable, some of that chemical remains on the food, and is injested. Many dairy and poultry farmers add hormones, or other substances to the feed of the animals in order to increase production (& increase their profits). These substances are usually stored in the tissues of the animals, and are passed on to those who consume the food products that come from those animals.
The personal care products we use are often full of harmful ingredients.
The major route of entry for most synthetic chemicals is absorption through the skin. Our skin is the largest organ, and it readily absorbs the synthetic chemicals it is exposed to. At this point most people think of cleaning chemicals, and make a mental note to use gloves everytime they clean. What most people don't realize is that almost all of the personal care items on the market today are loaded with harmful ingredients. Just pick up a label and try to read the list of ingredients. The cosmetic & personal care industries are self regulated, so they can add almost any ingredient to their products without needing approval from the government. If a product states that it is "non-toxic" it means that less than 50% of the animals exposed to the substance DIED within 14 days. Even some products that claim to be "natural", and have a lot of plant derived ingredients may still contain some harmful ingredients like parabens (butyl-,methyl, propylparaben). Studies have found high concentrations of parabens in human breast cancer tissue.
How do we minimize exposure to harmful substances?
In order to minimize exposure, we need to make sure that the things we eat, and the products that we allow to touch our skin are free of any harmful substances. Purchase only food that is certified organic. Certified organic means that no pesticides or herbacides were used in the production of the foods. Also make sure that the meat, milk & poultry products that you buy are free of hormones, preservatives or artificial colors. (Farm raised salmon are usually fed artificial colors to make their flesh pink, so it is more appealing to consumers.) Read the labels, especially on processed foods. Avoid foods with artifical colors, preservatives, and chemical additives. Some food products may contain propylene glycol (industrial antifreeze) & other harmful ingredients.
The steps listed below are just a brief outline of what you can do to optimize your health. Click on each step for further details.
1. Minimize exposure to harmful substances.
5. Physical exercise.
6. Stress reduction.
7. Promote spiritual, mental & emotional well being.
