Countering the effects of our toxic world

Countering the effects of our toxic world

In 2010, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report revealed that nearly 2.5 billion pounds of chemicals are released annually into the air, soil and water.

by Victoria Bowmann, Ph.D. — 

Harvard professor David C. Bellinger, Ph.D., expressed concern over the harmful effects of the more than 80,000 chemicals that our children are exposed to on a daily basis — at home, school and play.

In 2010, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report revealed that nearly 2.5 billion pounds of chemicals are released annually into the air, soil and water. The EPA maintains an Integrated Risk Information System that serves as a repository for scientific opinions on chemical toxicity; however, it only lists 550 chemicals. This not only makes us ignorant of our risks, but also human guinea pigs in this industrial soup.

Water-soluble toxins are excreted in urine and sweat, and fat-soluble toxins are drawn into the fatty portion of cells, creating cellulite and fatty deposits. An important three-fold approach exists for detoxification: (1) avoid the exposure, although that is unlikely in the world today; (2) eat foods with high levels of vitality to give your body energy with which to work; and (3) undertake a comprehensive program to address the toxins.

The detoxification organ, the liver, attempts to eliminate the toxins that invade the body daily. The channels for elimination are the kidneys and bladder for urine, the skin through sweat, the lungs through breath, and the colon for solid wastes. When it is unable to do this efficiently, the body’s burden becomes greater, causing many symptoms, such as fatigue, nervousness, skin eruptions, sleep problems, joint pains, allergies, digestive issues, impaired immune function and sluggish bowels.

The fat-soluble toxins are more difficult to eliminate than the water-soluble ones. Treatments can include chelation, far-infrared saunas, cleansing baths, nutritional support, liver cleansing, homeopathic combination remedies, and colon hydrotherapy, with appropriate infusions for cleansing.

Perhaps the most important aspect is to periodically address these concerns so the body burden is reduced. At the least, annual cleansing is recommended. If your toxin exposure is high, twice yearly or quarterly is recommended.

Age is another factor, since body functions tend to decrease with age. Cleansing can slow the aging process because it reduces the body burden of toxins. Becoming proactive can have a remarkable effect for increasing energy, vitality and the enjoyment of life.

Victoria Bowmann, Ph.D., is a licensed massage practitioner specializing in cleansing and detoxification. She has been in private practice in northeast Phoenix since 1978. 602-971-8392, vbowmann@cox.net or myrealhealth.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 34, Number 6, December 2015/January 2016.