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.
If the demand for toxin-free food
is there,
then the public will get it.
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.
Info
or Order The Celestine Journal
This
article was
excerpted from-?
"The Celestine Prophecy Journal: An Experiential Guide"
Info/Order
this book
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.
| Comments () >> |
 |
 |
