Hello Everyone!
When you hear the term, heavy metals, you probably think of some poor soul who is working away in a toxic environment. Maybe a coal mine worker, industrial factory laborer, or something of that nature. Unfortunately, every single one of us is exposed to heavy metals on a daily basis. I wrote a blog about the top 12 toxic chemicals in your beauty products awhile ago, but this time I wanted to shed the light specifically on heavy metals because they have a significant impact on our health.
Heavy metals that we are exposed to include lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and aluminum. Sources of heavy metals are more common than one might think and include pesticide sprays, cooking utensils, ti cans, cigarette smoke, mercury dental fillings, contaminated fish, cosmetics, antacids, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, water, and cookware. Industrial processes and gasoline contribute to lead in the atmosphere, which ends up in food crops, water and soil. What's more, heavy metals like aluminum can impair your body's ability to excrete toxins by impeding your glutathione production. Glutathione is your most important intracellular detoxifier, required for reversing oxidative stress. Some individuals who may be even more at high risk include: battery makers, miners, gasoline station attendants, printers, roofers, solderers, dentists, and jewelers. If you suspect that you may have symptoms of heavy metal toxicity, then doing a hair mineral analysis is a good screening test available through healthcare practitioners.
Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity:
1. Choose organic whole foods more often
Buy and eat organic foods as much as possible to reduce exposure to pesticides and herbicide which can be sources of heavy metals. If buying organic foods is not available to you have a look at the Dirty Dozen list and avoid the most heavily sprayed produce and eat lower on the food chain. You can find a valuable list of Give your produce a bath using 2-3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp salt to remove some chemical residues.
2. Make wiser seafood choices
Seafood offers benefits of heart and brain healthy omega 3 fatty acids and protein, but with the conditions of our oceans we must make wise choices to avoid heavy metals like mercury. You can find a very helpful guide by the Environmental Working Group, which takes into consideration not only toxicity levels but sustainability as well.Top choices include sardines, wild salmon, mussells, rainbow trout and Atlantic mackerel. Top seafood choices to avoid include west coast oysters (high cadmium levels), shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, marlin, bluefin and bigeye tuna steaks or sushi, and orange roughy. Find the SEAFOOD SAFETY guide here.
3. Drink filtered water
Tap water can include many hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, dioxin, perchlorate, a chemical which has been shown to reduce thyroid hormone, fluoride, chlorine, ammonia, and microorganisms like bacteria, parasites and viruses. Depending on where you live, lead from piping could be a concern. Another concerns with tap water is the residue from pharmaceutical drugs and birth control pills. Your best bet is to avoid those plastic water bottles and opt for glass or high quality stainless steel bottles and invest in a water filtration system. They range from just over a $100 for a dual carbon filter to over $400 for a reverse osmosis filtration system. Both are great, just depends on what you are looking for.
4. Use non-toxic cookware and utensils The enzymes in food, raw or cooked, are very chemically active and react with the metallic ions in the metal cookware. This can make the food as toxic as the cookware that it’s cooked with. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are chemicals that are used to repel water, grease and stains and are found in non-stick cookware, clothing, carpeting, furniture and food containers. Our bodies absorb PFCs through food, our skin and via fumes from overheated pans. These chemicals are linked with liver damage, developmental problems, thyroid dysfunction and cancer.
Here is what to avoid:
Aluminum, in cookware and foil
Poor-quality stainless steel
Thin enamel on flimsy pots
Teflon
Cookware coated with synthetic materials
5. Read personal care product labels
Next time you slather on your lotion or lather up in the shower, take a moment to read the label. Chemical laced products can be a source of heavy metals, xenoestrogens (chemicals that resemble and displace estrogen in the body), endocrine disruptors and cancer causing agents. 95% of chemicals used in fragrances, found in almost all personal care products, are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins and sensitizers - capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.
Tips to avoid these chemicals:
•Buy phthalate-free cosmetics, nail polish
•Use paraben free cosmetics
•Use natural paper products and tampons to avoid dioxin
•Look for fragrance free products (perfume)
•Use fluoride free toothpaste
•Use aluminum free deodorant
Making the Switch: Ditch the Aluminum Laced Deodorant
It takes time to make the changes I'm suggesting, I get it. It took me years to clean up my pantry, fridge, cleaners and cosmetic bag. The hardest transition for me was cleaning up my bathroom. First of all, there are so many products that we are led to believe we need, and it's hard to let go of your favourite lip gloss... I was most reluctant to switch over to a natural deodorant because I was terrified it wouldn't work. The last thing we want is to walk around smelling funky, I mean who will listen to a holistic nutritionist who smells, right?
The problem with conventional antiperspirants is the fact that they contain not only the above mentioned chemicals from fragrances, but also aluminum. Aluminum can be neurotoxic, with mounting evidence that chronic exposure is a factor in many neurological diseases, including dementia, autism, and Parkinson's disease. The other problem is that we are slathering on our antiperspirants on a very vulnerable part of the body. Your underarms are one of the places where you will find lymphatic nodes, the little organs that are part of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are important for the proper functioning of the immune system, acting as filters for foreign particles and cancer cells. When you clog up those large pores in your armpits with toxin filled antiperspirant, you become more vulnerable to having those toxins stored in your fat cells, and your breasts are where you will find a large amount of fat cells! To avoid putting extra pressure on your lymphatic system and remove some of the toxic load, try switching to a more natural deodorant that won't clog the pores and is also free of harmful chemicals.
I have done my own testing of many many natural deodorants, but to be honest with you, most of them didn't work. Then I tried a combination of a few different natural deodorants together in hopes that the double power would ensure I was protected. So far, the only one that has worked for me is the crystal block. I have also thought about making my own but I just haven't found the time to do all the research and gather all the natural supplies, which can be hard to source.
Product Review: The Best Deodorant in the World
A few weeks ago I was contacted by a company called The Best Deodorant in the World and was asked if I was kind enough to try their product and review it. Well, with a name like that and a super duper clean ingredient list, of course I will try it out! (check out the ingredient list here, it's all good!)
I had very high hopes for this deodorant because it has everything going for it. The ingredients are completely natural, organic, and ethically sourced, vegan and cruelty free, and it goes on really easily. It's moisturizing and has a nice fresh scent from peppermint oil. LOVE it! And the best part, of course, is that it works well! I have been using this deodorant for the past week everyday and it has passed the test for chasing after kids, yoga classes, jogging and nerve racking business meetings. I can confidently say this product works and I hope you get the chance to try it out if you're looking for a safe natural alternative to a conventional deodorant! If I don't love it, I don't share it. Simple as that:)
The Best Deodorant in the World makes it so easy to love their product because they are so authentic and real. They make it easy to get your supply every month, the packaging is recyclable and doesn't leach chemicals, and the product is made of the most awesomely natural ingredients that are good for you, the environment and the rest of the world. You rock people!!
Enjoy!
Annaliisa Xx
Ready to reap the all the benefits of doing a cleanse? Sign up to receive your FREE copy of Season to Cleanse: Detox Success 101. In this sneak peak into the program I will let you in on all the secrets to achieving your detox goals + give you a head start with a detox preparation meal plan!
To join us on a journey to feeling lighter, energized and joyful, sign up for the upcoming online mini cleanse and look and feel fabulous for the upcoming holiday season. The fun starts November 24, 2014!
SIGN ME UP!
When you hear the term, heavy metals, you probably think of some poor soul who is working away in a toxic environment. Maybe a coal mine worker, industrial factory laborer, or something of that nature. Unfortunately, every single one of us is exposed to heavy metals on a daily basis. I wrote a blog about the top 12 toxic chemicals in your beauty products awhile ago, but this time I wanted to shed the light specifically on heavy metals because they have a significant impact on our health.
Heavy metals that we are exposed to include lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and aluminum. Sources of heavy metals are more common than one might think and include pesticide sprays, cooking utensils, ti cans, cigarette smoke, mercury dental fillings, contaminated fish, cosmetics, antacids, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, water, and cookware. Industrial processes and gasoline contribute to lead in the atmosphere, which ends up in food crops, water and soil. What's more, heavy metals like aluminum can impair your body's ability to excrete toxins by impeding your glutathione production. Glutathione is your most important intracellular detoxifier, required for reversing oxidative stress. Some individuals who may be even more at high risk include: battery makers, miners, gasoline station attendants, printers, roofers, solderers, dentists, and jewelers. If you suspect that you may have symptoms of heavy metal toxicity, then doing a hair mineral analysis is a good screening test available through healthcare practitioners.
Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle pains
- Indigestion
- Tremors
- Constipation
- Anemia
- Pallor
- Dizziness
- Poor coordination
- Impaired ability to concentrate
- Childhood learning disabilities (esp. from lead)
1. Choose organic whole foods more often
Buy and eat organic foods as much as possible to reduce exposure to pesticides and herbicide which can be sources of heavy metals. If buying organic foods is not available to you have a look at the Dirty Dozen list and avoid the most heavily sprayed produce and eat lower on the food chain. You can find a valuable list of Give your produce a bath using 2-3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp salt to remove some chemical residues.
2. Make wiser seafood choices
Seafood offers benefits of heart and brain healthy omega 3 fatty acids and protein, but with the conditions of our oceans we must make wise choices to avoid heavy metals like mercury. You can find a very helpful guide by the Environmental Working Group, which takes into consideration not only toxicity levels but sustainability as well.Top choices include sardines, wild salmon, mussells, rainbow trout and Atlantic mackerel. Top seafood choices to avoid include west coast oysters (high cadmium levels), shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, marlin, bluefin and bigeye tuna steaks or sushi, and orange roughy. Find the SEAFOOD SAFETY guide here.
3. Drink filtered water
Tap water can include many hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, dioxin, perchlorate, a chemical which has been shown to reduce thyroid hormone, fluoride, chlorine, ammonia, and microorganisms like bacteria, parasites and viruses. Depending on where you live, lead from piping could be a concern. Another concerns with tap water is the residue from pharmaceutical drugs and birth control pills. Your best bet is to avoid those plastic water bottles and opt for glass or high quality stainless steel bottles and invest in a water filtration system. They range from just over a $100 for a dual carbon filter to over $400 for a reverse osmosis filtration system. Both are great, just depends on what you are looking for.
4. Use non-toxic cookware and utensils The enzymes in food, raw or cooked, are very chemically active and react with the metallic ions in the metal cookware. This can make the food as toxic as the cookware that it’s cooked with. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are chemicals that are used to repel water, grease and stains and are found in non-stick cookware, clothing, carpeting, furniture and food containers. Our bodies absorb PFCs through food, our skin and via fumes from overheated pans. These chemicals are linked with liver damage, developmental problems, thyroid dysfunction and cancer.
Here is what to avoid:
Aluminum, in cookware and foil
Poor-quality stainless steel
Thin enamel on flimsy pots
Teflon
Cookware coated with synthetic materials
5. Read personal care product labels
Next time you slather on your lotion or lather up in the shower, take a moment to read the label. Chemical laced products can be a source of heavy metals, xenoestrogens (chemicals that resemble and displace estrogen in the body), endocrine disruptors and cancer causing agents. 95% of chemicals used in fragrances, found in almost all personal care products, are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins and sensitizers - capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.
Tips to avoid these chemicals:
•Buy phthalate-free cosmetics, nail polish
•Use paraben free cosmetics
•Use natural paper products and tampons to avoid dioxin
•Look for fragrance free products (perfume)
•Use fluoride free toothpaste
•Use aluminum free deodorant
Making the Switch: Ditch the Aluminum Laced Deodorant
It takes time to make the changes I'm suggesting, I get it. It took me years to clean up my pantry, fridge, cleaners and cosmetic bag. The hardest transition for me was cleaning up my bathroom. First of all, there are so many products that we are led to believe we need, and it's hard to let go of your favourite lip gloss... I was most reluctant to switch over to a natural deodorant because I was terrified it wouldn't work. The last thing we want is to walk around smelling funky, I mean who will listen to a holistic nutritionist who smells, right?
The problem with conventional antiperspirants is the fact that they contain not only the above mentioned chemicals from fragrances, but also aluminum. Aluminum can be neurotoxic, with mounting evidence that chronic exposure is a factor in many neurological diseases, including dementia, autism, and Parkinson's disease. The other problem is that we are slathering on our antiperspirants on a very vulnerable part of the body. Your underarms are one of the places where you will find lymphatic nodes, the little organs that are part of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are important for the proper functioning of the immune system, acting as filters for foreign particles and cancer cells. When you clog up those large pores in your armpits with toxin filled antiperspirant, you become more vulnerable to having those toxins stored in your fat cells, and your breasts are where you will find a large amount of fat cells! To avoid putting extra pressure on your lymphatic system and remove some of the toxic load, try switching to a more natural deodorant that won't clog the pores and is also free of harmful chemicals.
I have done my own testing of many many natural deodorants, but to be honest with you, most of them didn't work. Then I tried a combination of a few different natural deodorants together in hopes that the double power would ensure I was protected. So far, the only one that has worked for me is the crystal block. I have also thought about making my own but I just haven't found the time to do all the research and gather all the natural supplies, which can be hard to source.
Product Review: The Best Deodorant in the World
A few weeks ago I was contacted by a company called The Best Deodorant in the World and was asked if I was kind enough to try their product and review it. Well, with a name like that and a super duper clean ingredient list, of course I will try it out! (check out the ingredient list here, it's all good!)
I had very high hopes for this deodorant because it has everything going for it. The ingredients are completely natural, organic, and ethically sourced, vegan and cruelty free, and it goes on really easily. It's moisturizing and has a nice fresh scent from peppermint oil. LOVE it! And the best part, of course, is that it works well! I have been using this deodorant for the past week everyday and it has passed the test for chasing after kids, yoga classes, jogging and nerve racking business meetings. I can confidently say this product works and I hope you get the chance to try it out if you're looking for a safe natural alternative to a conventional deodorant! If I don't love it, I don't share it. Simple as that:)
The Best Deodorant in the World makes it so easy to love their product because they are so authentic and real. They make it easy to get your supply every month, the packaging is recyclable and doesn't leach chemicals, and the product is made of the most awesomely natural ingredients that are good for you, the environment and the rest of the world. You rock people!!
Enjoy!
Annaliisa Xx
Ready to reap the all the benefits of doing a cleanse? Sign up to receive your FREE copy of Season to Cleanse: Detox Success 101. In this sneak peak into the program I will let you in on all the secrets to achieving your detox goals + give you a head start with a detox preparation meal plan!To join us on a journey to feeling lighter, energized and joyful, sign up for the upcoming online mini cleanse and look and feel fabulous for the upcoming holiday season. The fun starts November 24, 2014!
SIGN ME UP!
source : http://www.annaliisakapp.com, http://wikipedia.org, http://flickr.com
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