We are exposed to toxins every day and increasingly more of them. We can be exposed to them through swallowing, breathing, or they can be absorbed through our skin. Different chemicals and degrees of exposure will produce different effect throughout the body. Some effects on the body can be hazardous and can result in long term chronic illnesses or poisoning. For the most part many of the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis produce more mild effects, some of which are still unknown by researchers. Surprisingly, many common conditions that we suffer from can be attributed to toxin build up in the body.

Some chemicals or toxins are only present in our body for short periods of time before they are eliminated. Continuous exposure to these toxins can result in “body burden” which refers to the total amount of chemicals that are present in the body at one given time. Scientists estimate that most people have about 700 contaminates in their body at any given time, no matter where you live. Unfortunately many chemicals can attach themselves to dust particles or survive in the water and we are living on a toxic planet. No matter how healthy we think we are living, we will always be exposed to toxins in one form or another. Exposure to toxins can have many negative health affects. These include but are not limited to direct damage to organs such as the lungs, kidney, brain, and our reproductive system. Other adverse affects which have been noted are headaches, asthma, infertility, endometriosis, a weakened immune system, and even cancer.

So how do you avoid toxins? As a consumer you can start with making the right product choices. Be sure to buy as organic as possible at the grocery store as many chemicals can be transferred from food into your body. Also be extremely careful when choosing your water source. Though tap water meets certain standards, unfiltered water will contain chlorine which is toxic. Secondly, make your own household cleaners as most of the store bought ones can be extremely harmful. Lastly, doing an annual cleanse will help rid the body of any built up toxins which have accumulate throughout the year. Some cleanses, if gentle enough, can even be done every couple of months.