According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 4 billion pounds of chemicals were released into the ground in 2000, threatening our natural ground water sources. Over 260 million pounds of chemicals were discharged into the surface waters (lakes, rivers, and oceans). Nearly 2 billion pounds of air emissions were pumped into the atmosphere.
Several thousand food additives are intentionally added to our food supply, and thousands more slip into our food supply unintentionally during harvesting, processing, or packaging. In fact, the average American consumes about 124 pounds of food additives a year.
Over 400 pesticides and herbicides are currently licensed for use on food crops, and every year over 2.5 billion pounds are dumped on crop lands, forests, lawns, and fields.
Common ways our exposure to toxins is increased:
- Eating a diet high in processed foods and fat
- Drinking tap water
- Excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Tobacco use
- Recreational drug use
- Chronic use of medications
- Lack of strenuous exercise
- Liver dysfunction
- Kidney problems
- Intestinal dysfunction
- Occupational exposure
- Using pesticides, herbicides, paint, and other toxic substances without protective gear
- Living or working near areas of high vehicle traffic or industrial plants
Extensive research shows that we are carrying a burden of toxins. How many toxins and to what extent they affect our health are the real issues. Common symptoms of toxin buildup include headaches, muscular aches and pains, and fatigue. Other issues associated with immunological toxicity, neurological toxicity, and endocrine toxicity are: chronic infections, asthma, allergies, mood alterations, poor mental functioning, reproductive disorders, menstrual irregularities, metabolic dysfunctions, stress intolerance, glucose regulation, and more.
Systemic detoxification is a good plan for everyone, at least twice per year.