If you are following an anti-inflammatory lifestyle and being active, but you are still in pain or below full-throttle energy, what might be going on? Healing happens for individuals in unique time-frames, but there are other factors besides diet and exercise that might slow you down. The first step is to look at each area of your life systematically. According to Dr. Peter Osborne, author of “No Grain, No Pain,” sunshine, sleep and exercise greatly affect our overall health. Living in a healthy environment is important too. But we live in a toxic world – ingesting, inhaling, and absorbing chemicals all the time. Physicians for Social Responsibility’s site states, “Environmental factors including tobacco smoke, nutrition, physical activity, and exposure to environmental carcinogens are estimated to be responsible for 75-80% of cancer diagnosis and death in the US.”
So, it is a good idea to assess your surroundings for toxicity. Tap water can be filled with chloroform. Certain plastics contain BPA, which is a chemical that has been shown to cause possible brain and behavioral issues according to Time magazine’s online site. Some of us are sensitive to cleaning products or detergents or even personal care products like lip balm, which might contain oxybenzone – a known hormone disrupter. Flouride prevalent in toothpaste is now acknowledged as a neurotoxin. Pesticides may be lowering our intelligence according to The Atlantic. Even foods you eat contain traces of heavy metals that you may be ingesting. If you microwave plastic containers, you couldeat petroleum. Chewing gum can expose you to BHA (Butylated Hydroxy anisole) – a potentially dangerous food additive. Watch out for those laser printer cartridges too! It seems like there are environmental hazards everywhere we look. Yet, we can make decisions that reduce our exposure and this may be just just what the doctor ordered for your health! Follow these tips:
-Avoid plastic bottles, containers and microwaves
-Avoid processed foods
-Use glass bowls to store leftovers instead of plastic.
-Visit Farmer’s markets and buy organic vegetables.
-Check cleaning product ingredients and research companies before buying products.
-Drink purified water.
-Get enough fresh fruit and vegetables like asparagus to support your system’s own detoxification channels.
-Get outside regularly to avoid stagnant air inside
-Take supplements to boost and support your immune system
Living clean means eating unprocessed, natural foods, limiting exposure to chemicals, getting outdoors into the sunlight, maintaining an adequate sleep schedule and doing what you can to establish natural rhythms that support your lifestyle. You can take action to minimize toxins and maximize your health!