Did you know that the air in your house is more polluted than outside? This is something I learned recently from Dr. Thom after he returned from a Cancer Conference (Advances in Cancer Strategies, April 2012). The Environmental Protection Agency is also aware of this and has an extensive article on indoor pollution. (1) Some of these are from construction or cleaning products. As our homes become more energy efficient they become more airtight and the chemicals accumulate indoors. In the very least open those windows on a nice day and get outside.
The more toxins we are exposed to, the more they accumulate. Toxins tax our liver and immune system, and increase one's risk for cancer. One chemical found in nearly all plastics is bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is an estrogen mimicker and has been implicated in breast and prostate cancer. (2, 3) So avoid plastic as much as possible. Some suggestions:
- avoid buying food in plastic
- use stainless steel or glass water bottles
- store leftovers in glass or metal
A detox program may be helpful to decrease the toxins in your system. Dr. Kristi Hughes has a great detox program with a support group on facebook. Talk to your naturopathic physician to see if detox is right for you.
References
Disclaimer: For individualized specifics of how to create positive lifestyle changes in your life, please talk to your naturopathic physician or primary care provider.
