A Cocktail of Chemicals
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Newspaper Headlines on Toxic Chemicals
In recent editions of both the Seattle Times and the King County Journal, an article entitled, “A Cocktail of Chemicals in Your Blood?” was published revealing details of a blood study. Blood was sampled from 10 Washington residents including a State Senator, a priest and a surgeon. None of these people worked in factories. The results were startling: all 10 of these individuals had at least 26 harmful chemicals in their blood. Those chemicals found in their blood and their possible side effects include: phthalates related to plastics with side effects of hormonal problems and harm to a developing fetus and infant; PBDEs (toxic flame retardants found in mattresses and furniture) with possible side effects of learning disability and hormonal disruption; lead associated with learning and nervous system problems; mercury with potential nervous system problems; arsenic with potential cancer side effects; PFCs from Teflon with increased risk for cancer and reproductive issues; pesticides which lead to increased risk of cancer, nervous system problems and health problems in children.
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There is every reason to conclude that if these chemicals were measured and found in 10 average citizens of Washington State, then it is likely that they will also be found in the blood of any individual in the US or Canada.
How Chemicals Do Their Harm
Chemicals that we are exposed to can injure the body in many different ways. They can cause harm to DNA and lead to cancer, directly injure the brain and the nervous system, cause inflammation and free radical damage, directly damage the brain and disrupt or mimic hormones and damage them. These are serious health issues for anyone, from the pregnant or breast-feeding woman to an infant, child, teenager or adult.
What Can You Do?
You can decrease exposure to harmful chemical for you and your family by trying some of the following suggestions:
1. Minimize the use of vinyl on windows and floors.
2. Buy PVC-free shower curtains and PVC-free food storage bags.
3. Buy PBDE-free furniture and electronic products.
4. Use lean meat and cut the fat off poultry and meat.
5. Choose free-range hormone and pesticide-free meats and eggs.
6. Choose organic dairy and fruits and vegetable products when possible.
7. Avoid large fish such as tuna and swordfish to decrease exposure to mercury.
8. Avoid new mercury amalgam fillings.
What about Vitamins and Supplements?
There are a number of supplements that might be helpful in decreasing the side effects of dangerous chemicals in our blood. The right vitamins and supplements will help the enzyme pathways in the liver function better to biotransform toxins. A good multivitamin and mineral supplement are important because detoxification is energy intensive. Milk thistle can aid in protecting your liver. Amino acids such as glycine, taurine and L-Cysteine are also helpful. Also, remember to eat from the cruciferous family and onion family of veggies each day.
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