QUICK LINKS
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CHECKLIST
- A LOOK AT THE TOXIN LOAD
- REDUCE EXPOSURE & IMPROVE ELIMINATION
- MANAGE YOUR 3 ENVIRONMENTS
- CONTAINMENT
- LAB TESTING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS
- LAB TESTING CONTINUED
- WATER QUALITY
- GENERAL STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING EXPOSURE
- HOW TO IMPROVE DETOX & ELIMINATION
We are a microcosm of our environment. As synthetic chemicals, pesticides, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and other pollutants get released into our environment, they end up inside of our food and inside of us. But we have several leverage points for reducing the pollution inside of us.
We can reduce our exposure by learning the major sources. And we can improve our ability to process and excrete synthetic chemicals, which you’re already doing through the practices and the botanicals in the program.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CHECKLIST
This list will likely take time to complete so take it one item at a time. Each one is a massive win so if you make an improvement, share it in the group and pat yourself on the back. Each change has compounding benefit for your health and those you live with.
SWAP OUT NON-STICK PANS FOR HEALTHY MATERIALS
USE AN AIR QUALITY MONITOR (OPTIONAL)
USE AIR FILTERS IN SPACES WHERE YOU SPEND MOST TIME (USUALLY RECOMMENDED)
SWAP OUT TOXIC CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR NATURAL ONES
SWAP OUT FLUORIDE CONTAINING TOOTHPASTE
SWAP OUT TOXIC PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS (LOTIONS, SHAMPOOS, PERFUMES)
SWAP OUT FRAGRANCE AND PETROLEUM CONTAINING LAUNDRY DETERGENTS
SWAP OUT AIR FRESHENERS (AND THOSE STICKS!) FOR NATURAL CANDLES AND INCENSE
SWAP OUT WATER IN PLASTIC BOTTLES FOR FILTERED, SPRING OR DISTILLED
LONGER TERM
REMOVE SYNTHETIC CARPETS
SWAP OUT FURNITURE THAT CONTAINS FLAME RETARDANTS
SWAP OUT FURNITURE THAT RELEASES VOCS (E.G. PARTICLE BOARD)
USE VOC FREE PAINT AND STAINS
A LOOK AT THE TOXIN LOAD
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- An overview of the chemical load
- How chemicals affect our metabolic pathways
- We need to focus on reducing the “total toxic load” rather than individual chemicals
REDUCE EXPOSURE & IMPROVE ELIMINATION
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- We want to leverage both sides of the equation - reducing our exposure and improving our efficiency of elimination
MANAGE YOUR 3 ENVIRONMENTS
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- We have an internal environment (our body), our local environment (where spend most of our time indoors), and the greater environment (where our home is located)
- Your exposure story
- Patterns of exposure: amplitude, duration, specificity and detox ability
- Specificity patterns
CONTAINMENT: HOW THE BODY PROTECTS YOU BY STORING CHEMICALS IN YOUR TISSUES
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- When the body cannot get rid of pathogens and chemicals, it will sequester it in tissues to prevent it spreading in your circulation
- Many chemicals hide in fat tissue. As you lose weight, these can be released into circulation. Binders can be helpful for reducing re-exposure.
- A look at a review on Dental Mercury Amalgam Safety from the European Commission scientific committee
LAB TESTING FOR ENVIRONENTAL CHEMICALS
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- First, look at your exposure history
- Great Plains GPL-TOX Profile
- Mercury Tri-Test from Quicksilver Scientific
LAB TESTING CONTINUED
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- Cyrex Array 11 for looking at antibodies to some common environmental toxins
- Organic Acids tests give us a window into your capacity to detoxify
- Dutch Hormones from Precision Analytics gives us information about pathways that are shared by our own hormones and environmental toxins
LAB TEST INTERPETATION
This video can also be found in the Lab Testing Module.
MANAGING MERCURY
WATER QUALITY
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- Water should contain H20, minerals and healthy gases
- It should not contain pollutants, plastic and other harmful components
- The Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database
GENERAL STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING EXPOSURE
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- 1) Clean the bad actors out of your home
- 2) Back to basic materials
- 3) Reduce personal care product consumption
- EWG Guide Skin Deep can be a helpful resource
- 4) Buy local, organic and seasonal veg & fruit when possible
- 5) Avoid most processed foods in boxes and bags
- 6) Avoid water in plastic bottles (even if it says BPA free)
- 7) Buy hormone and antibiotic-free meat
- 8) Choose clean sources of fish
- Smart Seafood Buying Guide from the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC)
IMPROVING DETOXIFICATION & ELIMINATION
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VIDEO OUTLINE
- The first stages of the Program are immensely beneficial for helping you improve your detox capacity and remove bioaccumulated toxins
- Breathing and sweating push fluids to the skin surface which protects you from things like viruses or environmental toxins from getting in
- Identify leverage points for improving the system
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