Environmental Toxicity (Part 2)

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In my last post I talked a lot about the harmful effects of manmade chemicals within our environment and identified just how little we know about how these chemicals interact with our bodies and how they are almost a definite contribution to widespread ill health.  In the next series of posts I hope to give you some specific advice to reduce the impact these chemicals have.

 

Why should you read these posts?

It is a registered  fact within the health and fitness industry  that it is harder for people to lose body fat today than it was 50 years ago, and many experts in toxicology and our environment theorise it has much to do with our huge exposure to manmade chemicals.

 

Some everyday chemicals have such an impact on natural hormones that aquatic life surrounding chemical factories change sex and develop the opposite gender’s sexual organs. This is documented in humans with a rise in gynecomastia (actual male breast tissue) and rapidly declining testosterone contributing to everything from infertility through to depression. The use of chemicals is so widespread that the average human body takes almost 3 times longer to decompose than 100 years ago because of additives and preservatives, no surprise when you consider we are exposed to over 60,000 different types of chemicals each year.

 

Although there are short term studies to show relative safety in some cosmetics and cleaning products etc. there are no long term studies. What could be seemingly safe for 5 years could in fact be killing us 50 years later? I don’t know about you but I’d rather not wait to find out.

 

Although I have no medical qualifications (and am no medical expert) I have read and personally spoken with a European Doctor who has theorised from both clinical and anecdotal evidence that the use of deodorants (particularly the ones containing heavy metals such as aluminium) are possibly a leading cause in breast cancer. People obviously spray chemicals into the armpit which are located next to the major lymph nodes. It is these which are commonly affected by cancer patients and subsequently removed via surgery and mastectomy.  Combine this with inadequately balanced sex hormones, no exercise, stress, poor diet and you’ve potentially got a ticking time bomb.

 

My top tip to reduce these risks: remove as much of it as possible from your life!

  • Feel you need to use deodorant? Bad body odour is usually indicative of inadequate nutrition, and/or an imbalance of bacteria on your skin which is further worsened by cheap cosmetics which change the pH of the skin. Ditch it and work on your diet first!
  • Do you really need 4 different types of face wash? What’s wrong with natural soap and water?
  • Opt for natural skin pH friendly natural shower gels and shampoos. I like the Sanex and Simple ranges.
  • Want to smell nice? Try spraying fragrances on inconspicuous areas of clothing or save for special occasions. All over your neck and wrists? Guess what? That’s where your skin is thinnest and the absorption is greatest.
  • Want to spray hair spray? Don’t. Not only is it adding greater chemical load but that stuff’s airborne and making its way into your lungs and respiratory tract. This not too different from the harmful effect of smoking if you are doing this regularly.
  • Want to clean the house? Always wear gloves and aim to use natural cleaning products. If you can smell it, you can absorb it. Always use well ventilated areas and spray close to the surface to stop adding airborne chemicals.

 

Part 2 coming soon!