From heavy metals to agricultural chemicals, scientists have known for years that environmental toxins and other harmful substances pose significant risks to our health and that of the planet. Some dangerous chemicals have been banned over the years, but many are still widely used today — and new research is showing just how disastrous they are to humans and the environment.
Here are a few recent studies that underscore how dire the situation has become. Keep reading for steps you can take today to eliminate all types of toxins and repair the damage they have done.
The Trouble with Tire Rubber
A team of experts from Imperial College London’s Transition to Zero Pollution are sounding the alarm about the health and environmental risks of car tires.
Particles from car tires, which are made from toxic chemicals, leach out into the ecosystem, finding their way into oceans, rivers, the air, and our food supply. The impact can be devastating.
“Tire wear particles pollute the environment, the air we breathe, the water run-off from roads and have compounding effects on waterways and agriculture. Even if all our vehicles eventually become powered by electricity instead of fossil fuels, we will still have harmful pollution from vehicles because of tire wear,” says lead author Dr. Zhengchu Tan of Imperial’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Titanium Dioxide Warning
Tire rubber particles are just one in a growing list of toxic threats, as new research surfaces about the dangers of other chemicals. Many of these have been around for decades but are only now getting more attention.
For example, a new study in Nanotoxicology shows that titanium dioxide (E171) — used in M&Ms, Skittles, Chips Ahoy!, Beyond Meat plant-based chicken tenders, and other products — can enter the blood through the mouth (inner lining of the cheeks). From there, this food coloring can buildup in tissues and organs, contributing to serious health problems. Earlier animal studies link titanium dioxide nanoparticles to pre-cancerous cells in the colon.
Titanium dioxide is now banned in all Europe, as is glyphosate, the toxic weedkiller in Roundup.
Recycled Food Containers — Study Raises Concerns
Recycled food containers seem like the ideal solution to the world’s plastic problem. But according to a new analysis published Cambridge University Press, reused plastic food packaging can accumulate toxins and leak harmful chemicals, including benzene, heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, and bisphenol.
“In this way, plastic reuse and recycling become vectors for spreading chemicals of concern,” the authors said “This is especially concerning when plastics are reused for food packaging, or when food packaging is made with recycled plastics. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that care is taken to avoid hazardous chemicals in plastic food contact materials.”
Daily Detox Therapies Are Crucial to Stay Healthy
One thing is clear — we are exposed to dangerous toxins everywhere, every day. And this doesn’t seem likely to change. The human body simply did not evolve to handle the endless barrage of chemicals on the planet today. So, supporting your body’s detox pathways with gentle cleansing ingredients is essential.
As an integrative physician specializing in cancer and other complex conditions, I have spent years researching and prescribing natural methods to help the body eliminate heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides — health-ravaging toxins that accumulate in tissues and organs, wreaking havoc throughout the body and brain. That is why detoxification is a foundational part of all treatment plans at my clinic.
Natural Chelation with Modified Citrus Pectin + Alginates
One of my top recommendations for advanced, safe chelation and detoxification is a clinically proven blend of Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) and alginates from seaweed. This toxic metal cleanse formula is clinically proven to remove heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic from the body without affecting essential minerals. MCP is a special form of citrus pectin that has been modified to a smaller size molecule, which allows it to absorb into the circulation, bind to heavy metals and toxins, and gently remove them. Alginates from seaweed are another excellent detoxifier (see more below). In my clinical experience, MCP and alginates are a powerful yet gentle combination for removing toxic metals from the body and preventing the reabsorption of toxins — a big problem in many other detox programs.
Why Replenishing Antioxidants Is Key
Antioxidants are essential during detoxification. Many toxins generate oxidative stress, which can damage cells down to their DNA, while depleting critical antioxidants in your body. Supplementing with added antioxidant nutrients and compounds can help counteract this damage. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables offer good antioxidant support. Medicinal mushrooms, as well as aromatic spices and culinary botanicals, are also excellent sources of antioxidants. Other key antioxidants include vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, and Honokiol, an extract of the magnolia tree that offers an extensive array of other benefits.
Protecting Against Pesticides
Pesticides like the weed killer glyphosate (found in Roundup) are so prevalent and can be stored for a long time in the body. So, one of the most important strategies is gentle detoxification to help remove these pervasive toxins and prevent them from accumulating in your tissues.
In my practice, I recommend a targeted pesticide detox formula that includes the following natural binders to help kick glyphosate and other pesticides out:
- Citrus pectin that supports optimal gut health and detox, removes excess cholesterol and binds and eliminates heavy metals in the GI tract
- Alginates from kelp that work in the GI tract to help prevent pesticide accumulation while also binding and eliminating other toxins and heavy metals
- Glycine, an essential amino acid that is a precursor to master antioxidant glutathione
- Glyphosate mimics glycine, so your body stores glyphosate mistakenly — but taking extra glycine helps prevents this.
- Organic kelp, which binds to glyphosate, and has essential minerals such as iodine to prevent toxins and radioactive ions from being absorbed into the thyroid gland
Toxins are not going away any time soon; however, the pressure is mounting, as more and more countries ban the use of dangerous chemicals such as glyphosate and titanium dioxide. As we continue to make our choices and voices heard, we also need to take proactive steps — like incorporating gentle yet effective detox measures — to defend against environmental toxins and safeguard long-term health and wellness in today’s modern world.
