The question is no longer IF we are toxic…

          The real question is …

                             HOW toxic are we?

Toxic burden is the total accumulation of toxins that the body is dealing with.  

These toxins come from a variety of sources but initial exposure actually begins while a baby is still in the womb!

 

Chemicals, Pollutants & Pesticides in
Umbilical Cord Blood – EWG 2005

•       287 chemicals detected in umbilical cord blood of newborns

•       Pesticides, consumer product ingredients, waste materials from burning coal, gasoline and garbage

•       Example: 8 perfluorochemicals used as stain and oil repellants in fast food packaging, clothes and textiles (including Teflon chemical PFOA)

•       Dozens of widely used brominated flame retardants

•       180 of the 287 chemicals found are known to cause cancer in humans or animal

•       217 are toxic to the brain & nervous system

208 shown to cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests

 

Patients are routinely exposed to heavy metal toxins through food, ground water, industrial waste and exposure to industrial environments.

 

WHERE are the Toxins coming from?

 

6 Most Widespread Chemicals Found in Virtually All Americans

 

1.       Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDE’s) – used as flame retardant

•       PDE’s are known to build up in human fat tissue, causing damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys.

Studies also implicate PDEs in causing sexual dysfunction, thyroid problems and brain disorders.

 

2.       Bisphenol A (BPA)

•       Found in plastic products, can linings

•       Primary human exposure through food packaging plastics

•       More than 90% of people tested by CDC were found to have BPA in their bodies

Because BPA is a reproductive, developmental, and systemic toxicant in animal studies and is weakly estrogenic, there are questions about its potential impact particularly on children’s health and the environment.

 

3.        Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Used in non-sick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, certain food packaging and other heat-resistant products

Studies verify that PFOA contributes to infertility and other reproductive problems.

Liver and immune system dysfunction also associated with the use of PFOAs

 

 

4.       Acrylamide

•       Chemical carcinogen formed when carbohydrate foods are cooked at high temperatures.

•       French fries, fried chicken, coffee – all have high acrylamide content

•       Also used in plastics, cosmetics and water treatment products

Perpetual exposure linked to cancer and neurological dysfunction.

5.       Mercury

•       Most common exposure route
is seafood

May cause permanent brain damage

 

6.       Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)

* Gasoline additive

* Not currently in use today in US

* Current detection in most Americans’ bodies

* Additional exposure from second hand cigarette smoke causes neurological and reproductive problems

 

Keep in mind, this only describes 6 toxic compounds….

the CDC’s Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals tested 212 chemicals and found ALL to be in blood and urine of most Americans!

 

How do you know if the toxins you’ve been exposed to are causing you health problems?

Common symptoms you may be experiencing indicating excessive toxins:

•       Fatigue

•       Depression

•       Headaches

•       Cognitive problems: brain fog, memory problems

•       Neurological issues: balance problems, tremors

 

Conditions and diseases associated with excessive toxic burden

•       Allergies and Asthma

•       Diabetes

•       Obesity

•       Chemical sensitivity (any adverse physical, mental or emotional reaction to the presence of a chemical smell)

•       Fibromyalgia

•       Fertility problems and birth defects

•       Parkinsonism

•       Bone marrow cancers – Lymphomas, Leukemias, Multiple Myeloma

•       Chronic infections

•       Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimotos thyroiditis, etc.