Environmental Toxicity

In regard to environmental toxins, there is no doubt that we live in a different world than we did 100 years ago.  It can be reasonably assumed that most chronic illness can be linked in some way to toxic environmental influences.  In addition to this, genetic differences in individuals can account for up to a 100 fold difference in one person's ability to biotransform a toxin and eliminate it from the body as compared to another.

Here are some sobering statistics:

  • Since World War II, between 75,000 to 80,000 new synthetic chemicals have been released into the environment; less than half of these have been tested for potential toxicity to adult (i.e., not children) humans
  • Over 4 billion pounds of pesticides are used annually in the U.S..  This amounts to 8 pounds for every man, woman, and child (EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, 1999)
  • Current law allows 350 different pesticides to be used on the food we eat. 
  • 400 synthetic chemicals can be found in the average human body


The following study is quite disturbing, but it illustrates the pervasiveness of environmental toxins.  The study took fat samples from a large, random group of adult Americans and tested them for the presence of environmental toxins. 

Here are the results:

Xenobiotic (toxins from the outside world) Compounds in the Adipose (fat) Tissue of Americans
(US EPA National Adipose Tissue Survey, 1982)


CompoundFrequency
Styrene100%
1,4 Dichlorobenzene   100%
Xylene  100%
Ethylphenol100%
TCDD(Dioxin)   100%
9 Other Chemicals 90-98%
(Benzene, Toluene, DDE etc)
PCB's    83%

All of these have demonstrated toxic affects to humans!!  The combined effect of these is unknown but predictably significant.


Important facts about heavy metals:


Lead: Facts and Health Effects

  • Bones of modern humans contain 1000x more lead than those from pre-industrial times.
  • Toxic effects from lead have been known for greater that 1000 years
  • Subclinical (that is, below the known "toxic" limits) levels cause measurable neurophychological deficits
  • Higher levels shown to lower IQ, impair memory and reaction time, decrease concentration and attention
  • Acts synergystically with other toxicants (especially mercury and cadmium) to suppress immune function


Mercury: Facts and Health Effects

  • Average total body burden is 10-15 mg
  • There is no known safe level of Mecury
  • Environmentally ubiquitous (it can be found everywhere)
  • Sources: fish and shellfish, amalgam fillings in teeth, incinerators, industries that burn mercury containing fuels, mining and chemical manufacturing, electrical components, fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides (all of the last 3 are commonly used in food production)
  • Damages enzyme and other proteins by binding to components of liver detoxification pathways (this impairs an idividual's ability to detoxify other environmental toxins, as well as mercury itself)
  • Promotes free radical damage (a primary mechanism of cancer development, and tissue dysfuction in general)
  • High level exposure can cause permanent damage to brain and kidneys. 
  • Chronic low level exposure (typical) may cause cognitive dysfunction, depression, irritability, fearfulness, tremors, changes in vision and hearing.
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Summary

The whole point in bringing this issue of environmental toxins up to is raise people's awareness of the relationship between illness and environmental toxins.

Two meaningful steps can be taken to lessen the impact of these toxins

1.  Reduce your exposures to toxic substances however and whereever you can.  Familiarize yourself with the concept of reducing  "Total Load".  In regard to both an existing illness and prevention, this concerns the issue of the additive effect of numerous toxic substances.

2.  Take ongoing (lifestyle) measures to assist the body in biotransforming and discharging accumulated environmental toxins.  Email or call us to find out more.  Contact us

Circle of Health Clinic541-617-1195 
  Allan A. Harris ND, LAcBend, OR 

  "Finding your way home to balance and purpose - in body and mind"
Allan A. Harris ND, MSOM, LAc
541-617-1195info@circleofhealthclinic.com

Circle of Health Clinic - 600 NE Savannah Drive, Suite 1, Bend OR  97701