Are You Suffering from Toxic Overload?
Toxic overload is far more common in the modern world than many people realize. Exposure to contaminants has never been more prevalent in human history.
Your Body Is Being Flooded
Toxicity can come from pollutants in soil, water, or air, household cleaning supplies, rampant pesticide use, chemical additives to the food supply, industrial building materials, and a cornucopia of pharmaceuticals, experts estimate we’re exposed to billions of pounds of toxins every year.1
Most of which have no long-term studies regarding safety to human health.
Across the United States, studies done on tap water alone came back with some shocking data. More than 300 toxins were found in various water samples all over the country. In the expose published in the New York Times, the contaminant exposure to the population was likened to having 100 x-rays.2 3
Your body is an efficient machine and it does everything it can to break down these foreign compounds and get them out. When substances can’t be flushed from your system, they’re stored away in your tissues in an attempt to quarantine them.
Naturally, this method doesn’t work for long.
Eventually, basic bodily functions start to weaken. It might be small signs at first, hard to recognize. Then it might be a consistent issue that makes you wonder if you have a new allergy or if you’re “coming down” with something.
Since the symptoms cover such a wide range of possible problems, toxic overload can be difficult to diagnose or treat. Some patients suffer for years without relief – being treated for a diagnosed condition that simply doesn’t “respond” to conventional treatment.
It could be your body struggling against toxic bioaccumulation in your tissues. Your immune system is powerful and fights every second of every day to protect you. As a result, it can take decades for rampant toxicity to affect you enough to notice.
Common Signs of Toxic Overload
- Fatigue that doesn’t ease with rest
- Aches in muscles or joints
- Sinus congestion, post-nasal drip, or other recurring sinus issues
- Persistent headaches
- Digestive problems including bloating, gas, inconsistent bowels, or heartburn
- Poor sleep quality such as insomnia or hypersomnia
- Decreased concentration, memory, or cognitive ability
- Unusual cravings for things you don’t normally eat
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Skin irritation that includes rashes, eczema, psoriasis, or acne
- Mouth sores or bad breath
- Difficult menstruation, fertility issues, or excess water retention
Life expectancy for humans have never been higher but our incidence of disease has reached epidemic proportions as well.4
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement saying, “As people live longer, they are more prone to chronic diseases. The spread of fast food, processed food, salt added in manufacturing, is all contributing to cardiovascular and cancer risks.”
What’s referred to as the Standard American Diet has spread to other countries and their citizens are suffering as well. In the past thirty years, obesity rates have skyrocketed.5
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion confirmed that 1-in-2 adults was diagnosed with at least one of these chronic conditions:6
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Other epidemic-level diseases that have rapidly overwhelmed patients, doctors, and healthcare costs are neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2012, “Half of all adults – 117 million people – had one or more chronic health conditions.” They stated that 1-in-4 adults are diagnosed with two or more chronic health conditions.7
Chronic Care in American estimates, “By 2020, a projected 157 million Americans will have one or more chronic condition accounting for 80% of all health spending.”
How Can You Reduce Toxic Overload?
Both conventional and holistic caregivers agree that diet plays a powerful role in overall health. However, the majority of doctors and scientists believe that detoxification is unnecessary.
They point to the power and efficiency of the human immune system and claim, “The immune system doesn’t need help…your body already detoxifies itself.”
That was likely true prior to 1960. Before the explosion of plastics, chemical additives, and fake food available on every corner.
This outdated wisdom is sound if you grow or buy purely organic vegetables, meats, and dairy products. If you use only natural household cleaners and avoid every beauty care item that contains ingredients that aren’t completely natural. If you don’t have stain-resistant carpet, non-stick pans, or BPA plastics in your home. If you have a private water well that’s been tested (and cleared) for pollutants.
If you’re like the majority of us who live and work in structures we did not build, consume food or beverages we did not produce, and buy cleaning and beauty products at a chain store…you might want to give your immune system a helping hand because you’re probably suffering (even mildly) from toxicity.
Detoxification is not the be-all, end-all of health. It’s no “cure” (no matter what you’ve heard).
It’s a way to give your immunity a chance to rest, clean up, and reset. Detoxification was never meant to be a fad and it should never be extreme. You can do it safely, gently, and naturally at home with readily available ingredients you buy and blend yourself.
References:
1Dr. Hyman: https://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/19/is-there-toxic-waste-in-your-body-
2New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/us/17water.html
3New York Times: www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/toxic-waters/contaminants/about/index.html
4NY Daily News: www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/people-living-longer-sicker-prone-chronic-diseases-study-article-1.1079401
5Nutrition Reviews Journal: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257829/
6Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/General-Health-Status
7U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/