How to Protect Your Health From Environmental Toxins

sustainablelivingreport | January 18, 2017 | Avoiding Toxins, Environmental News

We are starting to learn just how much environmental toxins are affecting our health… Here’s what you should know to protect yourself.

With the relatively recent increase in so many modern diseases, including autism and brain disorders as well as many types of cancer, you may be wondering what the heck is going on?

Much evidence suggests that our constant exposure to toxins in our daily environment is a huge risk factor in these health concerns. And don’t think this only applies to you if you work with hazardous chemicals on the job!

Environmental toxins surround us all – in the plastic containers we use and consume food from, the linings of the canned goods in our pantry, the products we use in our skincare routine, and even the receipts we receive at the grocery store. All of these chemicals combine inside our bodies to impact our health.

For example, a number of recent studies have concluded that “gradual but constant exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (BPA, BPS, phthalates, parabens, antimicrobials) in plastics and elsewhere increases rates of male infertility, birth defects, endometriosis, obesity, diabetes, some cancers and premature death from heart disease and stroke. Exposure also doubles your risk of dementia, diminishes IQ scores and contributes to escalating rates of autism and ADHD.” (1)

Other studies have found that huge numbers of children born to mothers exposed to PCBs and DDT as found in second trimester blood tests developed autism and other mental disorders and disabilities. While these chemicals were banned in the 1970s, they are still prevalent in our food via water and soil contamination.

To protect yourself from these (and other) environmental toxins, here are a few things you can do:

Don’t handle thermal paper receipts; they’re loaded with BPA.

Avoid plastic containers with the recycle numbers 3, 6 or 7.

Opt for glass containers whenever possible and never microwave food in plastic containers.

Use fragrance-free cosmetics and personal-care products.

Filter your water.

Eat lots of fresh organic produce and 100 percent whole grains.

Avoid red and processed meats – especially if they aren’t organic, added sugars and syrups, and all trans and industrially sourced saturated fats (saturated fats from organically raised animals are okay in moderation).

Also, taking a prenatal multivitamin with DHA three months prior to and during pregnancy reduces autism risk by as much as 40 percent.

(1) Source: http://www.star-telegram.com/living/health-fitness/article124914384.html#storylink=cpy