Toxins & The Environment

by Lynn Tondat Carter

The time may soon come when our spiritual journeys may become blocked by the sheer inability of our bodies and minds to join in. The reason: insidious poisoning by toxic chemicals. How are the effects of these toxins manifested in the body and mind? It is estimated that 60 to 80 percent of all cancers are a direct result of chemicals in our air, water and food. Further, neuroscientists are now studying the role of environmental toxins in the development of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and in mental/behavioral disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder.

Toxins that directly affect the nervous system are called neurotoxins. Since the nervous system is intricately connected to the immune system, neurotoxins also affect our immune functions. Thus, our very ability to think and feel normally can be drastically affected by exposure to toxins. It does not take a giant leap of logic to realize that we could soon be in such a state of toxic poisoning that we would be unable to "problem-solve" our way out. How serious is the problem? Serious.

In 1989 alone, EPA estimates, in its Toxic Release Inventory National Report, that 1.9 billion pounds of chemical were dumped into our nation's water systems. In that same year, 2.4 billion pounds of chemicals were released into the atmosphere; with the total chemical attack on the environment estimated at 5.7 billion pounds. This is only in one year. According to a recent report by the National Research Council, 70,000 of the chemicals in commercial use today have not even been tested for neurotoxic effects.

Known neurotoxins that we are most commonly exposed to are lead, mercury, cadmium and pesticides. Most of these toxins are colorless and odorless, making sensory detection impossible. While sudden poisoning can result in immediate reactions that are traceable to the source, the symptoms of poisoning from today's pollution may come on more slowly due to a gradual build-up.

Here is just a partial list of common sub-clinical symptoms of toxicity: fatigue, lethargy, depression, headaches, allergies, chronic infection, frequent colds, nervousness, sudden anger, sensitivity to perfume/odors, memory loss and joint pains. Because so many of these symptoms could stem from a multitude of other causes, often toxicity is not readily suspected. With continued exposure, neurotoxins may trigger the expression of a disease for which one has a genetic predisposition. In general, it is thought that toxins pose the most dangerous risk for our children.

What You Can Do

So what can be done? The answer: lots! First, we can decide to approach this monumental problem logically and calmly with the intention of finding workable solutions in our own lives. We can take constructive action by becoming better informed about what these toxins are and where they come from. We can learn how to reduce and eliminate one's exposure to the toxins in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. Some of these actions are simple, some more complicated.

One easy way to reduce the effects of neurotoxins is to increase the nutrients in our diet that counteract cell damage caused by free radicals. Toxins, stress and by-products from normal cell metabolism all increase free radicals in our cells. Free radicals are highly unstable forms of oxygen that damage cells by robbing electrons from cell structures in order to stabilize. Free radicals are thought to play a significant role in aging, cancer, immune system changes and neurological diseases.

Antioxidants bind with and render harmless the cell-damaging free radicals. Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables, particularly those containing beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and bioflavonoids. Since our normal dietary intake of these all oxidants may not be enough, given the toxins in today's environment, one solution is to take nutritional supplements containing antioxidants. Check with a nutrition- minded health care professional for recommended amounts. By the way, most of today's nutritionists would agree that the RDA's, or Recommended Daily Amounts, are far too low to offer the type of protective effect that can help adequately reduce free radical damage.

Eat Organically

A second solution is to demand organic foods! Make a commitment to buy and eat food which is grown organically. Support your local organic suppliers and farmers. Some farmers and cooperatives offer opportunities to buy shares for weekly supplies of organic food. Check with your health food stores to make these contacts. To get organic food at the larger supermarkets, present the manager with a petition of names of people who will support them if they begin to stock organic foods. Quite simply, if the demand for toxin-free food is there, then the public will get it.

Whether your fruits and vegetables are organic or not, be sure to wash off any surface dirt before eating or cooking. Dust is a common source of dangerous levels of lead and cadmium. Also avoid buying waxed produce, since paraffin can serve to trap these and other toxins.

Testing the air and water quality in our homes can be done fairly easily. If a problem exists, the installation of a filter system can be done to insure safety. Check Consumer Reports to get the names of the top rated models of test kits and filter devices. For some air quality problems, one corrective measure may be to simply increase the circulation of fresh air.

Ultimately, it will take heightened public awareness and, undoubtedly political action to see global changes. However, by implementing some of these simple measures, we can at least begin this healing process for ourselves and our children.

The above article was excerpted from "The Celestine Journal", and is reprinted with permission from Satori Publishing, P.O. Box 360988, Hoover, AL 35236.

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This article was
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"The Celestine Prophecy Journal: An Experiential Guide"
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About The Author

Lynn Tondat Carter, Ph.D., has her doctorate in physiological psychology and is Professor of Psychology at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, MA.