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What are toxins?
Definition of Toxins
The technical definition of a toxin is
an organic chemical produced by a living organism that the body
is unable to use. Toxic substances not of biological origin are
properly termed poisons. Poisons are substances which, when ingested,
inhaled, or absorbed, or when applied to, injected into, or developed
within the body in relatively small amounts may, by their chemical
action, cause damage to structure or disturbance of function. It
is a primary function of the body to remove all such substances
to allow for the absorption of nutrients. Throughout this Web site
we will use the term “toxin” to describe substances
that irritate and cause harm to the body: endogenous substances
(e.g., normal byproducts of metabolism such as ammonia formed during
protein metabolism) and exogenous poisons (e.g., toxic substances
ingested, inhaled or absorbed.)
How am I exposed to Toxins?
Our modern world carries a great toxic
burden from industrial and technological progress.
Our bodies, our air, our land, our food
and our animals endure this burden daily, the effects of which are
not fully known yet.
According to a documentary made by Bill
Moyers in 2000, there is not a single child born today who is free
of synthetic chemicals in their blood.
Sources of Exposure
- Massive amounts of chemical waste from
factories and corporate farms are dumped into our rivers and air,
and pollute our water, air and food chain.
- Electromagnetic pollution (EMF) surrounds
us constantly.
- Our air is polluted with smog, car exhaust,
pesticides and more.
- Our rivers and oceans are so polluted
that even the fish can poison us with heavy metals like mercury.
- Drinking water regularly contains PCBs,
dioxins and mercury.
- Our food is filled with dangerous chemicals
to enhance appearance, to add and preserve flavors, and to lengthen
shelf life (not your life.) Even viruses are being used as food
preservatives now on deli meats and hot dogs.
- Many of us drink coffee (a heavy-pesticide-use
crop) and caffeinated drinks daily, which dehydrate and acidify
our bodies.
- Genetically modified organisms have
made their way into nearly all corn, potato and rice products,
like breakfast cereal, potato chips and soymilk (except those
labeled 100% Organic.)
- Food is frequently irradiated to preserve
shelf life, while killing off nutrients and creating a new class
of chemicals found to cause genetic and cellular damage.
- Excess fats, sugars and artificial sweeteners
are loaded into our food products.
- Our livestock are given excess antibiotics
that leave us susceptible to anti-biotic resistant bacterial infections.
- Dairy cows are given growth hormones,
which cause painful infections and require administration of even
more antibiotics. Plastic particles migrate into our food and
beverages through packaging (and then migrate into our bodies
where they disrupt our endocrine system.)
- Chemicals we can barely pronounce, with
known poisonous and carcinogenic contents, line our bathroom cabinets,
our kitchen cupboards, our under-sink storage areas and broom
closets.
- Many of us take multiple prescription
and over-the-counter drugs to alleviate myriad symptoms without
understanding the cause of our ailments. Many of us smoke cigarettes,
or are exposed to second-hand smoke.Many of us over-use alcohol.
The list can go on. These are just a few
of the ways we are exposed to toxins outside of normal metabolism.
The body has enough to deal with in relieving
itself from metabolic by-products; to add all of these other sources
of pollution creates a state of toxic overload, and it is in this
state that disease has the opportunity to move in.
Body cleansing helps to clear the channels
of elimination, clogged by toxins. Releasing toxins and then avoiding
them in the future is paramount to achieving true health and healing.
What is a Cleanse?
Why Cleanse?
How Digestion Works
pH & Alkaline: Acid
Diets & Poor Health
Ingredients Detective
Why Organic
Importance of Green Foods
Major Bodily Systems &
Functions
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