How Toxic Waste Affects Our Natural Environment

Canada and all of the developed countries in the world produce some kind of toxic waste(s). It doesn't matter whether it's a chocolate bar wrapper or a canister of highly radioactive plutonium, they're potentially dangerous to us and/or our natural environment unless properly disposed of. Toxic waste is defined as any waste that is hazardous to human health or to our natural environment. 

According to the Institute of Chemical Waste Management, about 15% of our garbage is classified as toxic, and only 85% (approximately) of that is disposed of properly. The rest is either illegally dumped or accidentally mixed up with non-toxic garbage. That 15% may not seem like a lot, but when you consider the millions of tons of toxic waste that we produce every year, that 15% is enormous. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that we produce one ton of toxic wastes for every single person living in Canada every year. That means that the 15% represents about 4.2 million tons of toxic waste. Toxic wastes which are dumped in improper sites can seep into underground water supplies and contaminate huge areas. If the land that is intoxicated supports plant life, most of the plants and trees will die off. 

If the area is lived on by humans, it could cause serious illness or death. For example, an area by Niagara Falls (US side) was used during the 1930s by a chemical company to dump it's wastes. Most of them were hazardous, and the containers that held the chemicals later (after the company had gone out of business) began to leak. The chemicals spread for miles killing off plants and causing cancers and deadly diseases in humans. Included in these wastes was a chemical called dioxin... one ounce of it used under the right circumstances was enough to kill off everyone in living in Toronto. One of the most popular places to dump toxic wastes is in the oceans. People figured that the oceans were so huge that garbage would just "disappear", and sink to the bottom. Well, they were wrong. 

Chemicals have turned up in dead whale bodies and dead fish in high enough concentrations to kill people. Medical wastes such as used needles and vials of blood (some carrying the AIDS virus) have washed up along the Atlantic coast and in one of the Great Lakes. Mutated and disfigured fish as well as other water animals have washed up dead or been caught by fishermen. The list of stories goes on, and it's still growing. Canada and the USA have created laws and regulations to try to stop the illegal dumping of toxic wastes and the destruction of our environment. The US has created a multi-billion dollar fund called "SuperFund" to try and clean up areas that have been contaminated. Canada is also working along those lines. The government has made a prioritized list of recognised hazardous dump sites, and is forcing the company that owns the land to pay for the clean-up of the area. 

If the company no longer exists, or the exact origin of the waste is unknown, the government will pay for the clean-up. Some toxic wastes can actually been turned into something useful, or in other words 'recycled'. For example, several kinds of metals can be recycled. Lead and silver (both are heavy metals, which are classified as toxic wastes) are both recycled and used again. About 1/2 of the lead used in the country is recycled, and about 1/4 of the silver is recycled. Other toxic wastes can be chemically 'transformed' into new products. This is done by adding chemicals to the waste, which causes it to change into something new. Philadelphia and Chicago transform sewage sludge into fertilizer, which is put to use on farms. A huge pile of toxic waste looms over Canada. This waste is not the product of some Natural disaster like a tidal wave or a hurricane. It is a man-made pile of deadly garbage that threatens our very existance. Who is responsible for this pile? The answer, is 'us'. We are the people who buy the cheap food which was grown with the help of chemical pestisides. We are the people who demand the electricity created by the nuclear power plants. We are our own worst enemies.

Do You Feel Hungry on a Detox Diet?

A “detox diet” is one that is supposed to make your body cleaner and healthier by basically forcing it to release toxins by stopping the intake of harmful substances and by ingesting other substances that are supposed to help the toxins leave. The phrase usually means the food portion of the detoxing only and not intestinal cleanses or other external practices that could be considered part of detoxing as a whole. A typical pattern involves reducing what you eat and gradually adding foods back in. The restrictive nature of a detox diet may be off-putting because it implies you will lack enough to eat, but whether you feel hungry while on it really depends on the specific diet itself.

Identification

Detox diets don’t follow one official structure and range from gentle to severe. One person on a detox diet may be merely replacing processed foods with whole foods cooked from scratch, while another person may forgo all food and ingest nothing but one type of juice for a week. Whether or not detox diets do any good is controversial; institutions like Harvard Medical School and the University of Southern California claim they are unnecessary, while Whole Health MD notes that there are doctors who advocate detox diets and claims patients feel better after undergoing them, even if the effect is merely psychological.

Lack of Satisfaction

No matter what you do, if you are not giving your body enough calories to meet its energy needs, you are going to get hungry. If the detox diet doesn’t provide the calories, your body will set off growling in your stomach until it decides you’re in the middle of a famine. Keep in mind that this is physical, actual hunger, and not just wanting to eat of boredom.

Considerations

Placing yourself on a very restricted -- or basically nonexistent -- diet that is not medically required and supervised can upset your body’s ability to tell if you actually need food. This can make things worse after the detox diet is over for reasons that have nothing to do with toxins. You may feel cleaner, but the lack of food can set off a famine reaction that has you eating whatever you can once the diet is over, even if you’re not physically hungry. Most detox diets don’t last very long, but depending on your personal diet history and how your body reacts to a lack of food, even one week can set you off. If you decide to follow the diet for a long time, as USC Adjunct Professor Roger Clemens says people sometimes decide to do, you risk conditions like malnutrition.

Cautions

There’s nothing wrong with cleaning up what you eat and switching from sugary, fatty foods that have healtno real nutritive value to a much more balanced, nutritious diet. Don’t go overboard, however. All that cutting back on what you eat does -- even for a week -- is place stress on your body and organs. Always check with a registered dietitian first to get an eating plan in place that allows you to transition as smoothly as possible from your previous habits to new menus if you think your diet should be healthier. If you decide a detox diet is something you still want to try, find a doctor who can provide and monitor a diet for you.

How To Eliminate Toxins From Your Body & Why You Should

What are toxins?

Toxins are all around us and we unknowingly ingest them all the time. They are chemicals and impurities in the air, in our food and water; even in the products we use every day.

At home: Some of our clothing fabrics, carpeting and upholstered furniture are treated with chemical-laden flame retardants that are hazardous to our bodies. Air fresheners and candles can contain toxic chemicals too. Many common household cleaners and pesticides are loaded with petrochemicals. Since they were meant to kill mold, mildew and bugs, it is no surprise that these products that are extremely harmful to our bodies. And speaking of pesticides, even if we eliminate them from our homes some cities are now spraying from above to kill mosquitoes, ironically to reduce the spread of viruses.

In our food: Ingredients such as hydrogenated oils and other additives such as: MSG, aspartame, sucralose, dyes and hydrolyzed yeast extract are in the foods we purchase at the supermarket. The containers holding some of the foods we purchase and store food in contain harmful BPA. Additionally, when we cook with or eat at a restaurant which uses non-stick pans, there dangerous chemicals going right into our meals. (Lovely, isn’t it?)

On our skin: Synthetic ingredients used in fragrances can cause respiratory issues, allergic reactions and skin infections. Sodium laurel sulfates, which are commonly used to clean car engines, are also found in soaps and shampoos. Many toothpastes contain both SLS and aspartame. (Can I get an “EWW”??)

In the water: As if all that were not scary enough, our water systems contain lead and have been treated with chlorine, fluoride and over hundreds of other chemicals that can be harmful when ingested at certain high levels.

So, what is detoxification and it be helpful?

Detoxification is about cleansing and restoring the body to a natural state by eliminating toxins. While most of the body’s impurities are removed through the liver, toxins are also found in (and can be removed from) the kidneys, lungs, lymph nodes, intestines and skin. There are several ways to give your body the cleansing, nutrients and restoration it needs. Experts say that a detox can help with a variety of symptoms, such as: lack of energy, headaches, acne, brittle hair or nails, minor aches, restlessness, weight loss, hair falling out, digestive issues and some allergies. Some believe in detoxifying the body once a year, while others recommend ongoing methods of eliminating toxins. Pregnant women, nursing moms as well as people with certain conditions and diseases should consult a doctor before doing any kind of detox program.

What are the easiest ways to detoxify the body?

Read labels. You can start to eliminate toxins from your body by switching to foods and household products that do not contain harmful additives, chemicals and hormones. Personally, I would recommend eliminating any food that is not made from organic ingredients. Also consider reducing your intake of: caffeine, saturated fats, alcohol, nicotine, refined sugars and saturated fats. Watch out for other household products too, as well as personal care items, which are typically loaded with synthetic ingredients.

Drink more filtered water. Consume enough filtered water daily to flush out your system. Water is vital to our systems functioning properly.

Drink green tea, it is a natural purifier.

Eat right: In addition to eliminating foods that are harmful, you can add foods that are helpful. Foods high in fiber and those rich in vitamin C are purifying to the body. In fact, many of the natural detox supplements available in health food stores are made up of foods rich in fiber and vitamin C.

If you love garlic or cilantro in your dinners, keep on eating them! Garlic and cilantro are two of the best natural body detoxifiers available. Garlic helps your body fight the effects of toxins while cilantro has antifungal properties and the ability to remove toxins quickly. So that pesto sauce you love is healthy for you too!

Use your juicer. If you want to get in those purifying foods, juicing is a terrific option.Mix up a variety of ingredients until you find the combination that works best for you. Juicing is especially helpful for those who don’t like certain healthy foods because they can be masked by other flavors.

Consider including wheat grass or barley grass, which are both rich in vitamins and nutrients. Chlorella is a vegetable that can also be added to juices and is highly recommended for its ability to eliminate toxins quickly from the body.

Fruit pectin is also very popular for detox juices because if its ability to flush out the body. Pectins are commonly found in the pith of limes, lemons and other citrus fruit as well as in apples, bananas, grapes, carrots and cabbage.

Take care of your body. Here are some additional suggestions for easy, natural detoxification:
# Exercise! Eliminate toxins through perspiration.

# Practice Yoga or Quigong (martial-arts based exercises with tremendous health benefits). Stretch your limbs, releasing toxins stored in your muscles and tissue so they can be eliminated.

# Practice deep breathing techniques which allow oxygen to circulate.

# Take a shower of hot water followed by cold water.

# Dry brush your skin with a loofa sponge or natural bristle brush. Experts suggest brushing in a motion that moves towards the heart.

What are other ways to detoxify the body?

Take herbs. Many people prefer to take herbs as part of their daily vitamin and nutrient routine. Herbs are effective for eliminating toxins from the body, though experts recommend telling your doctor and pharmacist before taking herbs to make sure that they do not interfere with traditional medicines. Herbs that are commonly used for detoxifying the body include: Alfalfa, Aloe Leaf, Burdock Root, Dandelion Root, Cascara Sagrada Bark, Marshmallow Root, Milk Thistle, Rhubarb Root, Sarsaparilla and Slippery Elm bark. Many of these herbs can also be found in teas which you can drink on a regular basis.

Activated Charcoal is also used for removing toxins and purifying the body. For more information on how to use it, ask an expert at your local health food store.

Use essential oils. Look for pure, therapeutic grade essential oils such as the ones made by Young Living. Essential oils can also be applied to the skin, and as such, they are commonly used in detox massages in spas and salons. Essential oils can also be used as aromatherapy, and many of them can be ingested.

Head to the spa. Get a massage (told you so) or hit the sauna. Some spas now have Far Infrared Saunas, which use harmless rays to increase sweat production for releasing toxins through the skin. Try a body wrap, a technique that has been used for centuries for detoxifying the body. Get an iconic foot bath, which eliminates toxins through your feet by soaking them in a tub of water which contains currents that attract metals. After any of these spa treatments, make sure you drink lots of water to rehydrate your body.

Use a detox supplement packet. While this was not the right method for me, many people choose to cleanse using supplement packs. They can be purchased at health food stores, pharmacies and even in many supermarkets. These cleansing packets typically include a three day, seven day or fourteen day schedule. They usually contain pills made of detoxifying nutrients and ingredients. The vast majority of detoxification kits are safe to use, though they may contain herbs and you should notify your doctor before taking them.

There are other methods for detoxifying the body, but these are some of the most commonly used and simplest to follow methods. The best methods are the ones that are right for you, because those are the ones you will follow.

What you need to know about detoxing

Understand that some detox methods can have minimal side effects. For instance, when I did an ionic foot bath a few years ago, my feet were uncomfortably itchy for a day afterwards though my friend had no side effects at all. Remember that the substances being eliminated from your body are quite harsh and can include everything from metals to chemicals to dyes and radiation and side effects should be temporary until the toxins are gone. As with any treatment for any condition, consult your doctor if symptoms persist.

The Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Water is the main component of the human body. In fact, the body is composed of between 55 and 78 percent water, depending on body size. Adequate and regular water consumption has numerous health benefits. As an added plus, it has no calories, fat, carbohydrates or sugar.

The amount of water you consume everyday plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body. Experts recommend drinking eight to 10 glasses of water each day to maintain good health.Water helps keep the body well hydrated, which is essential because almost every cell in the body needs water to function properly.

Health benefits of drinking water.

1. Relieves Fatigue

If you often feel tired, there is a high chance that it could be due to inadequate consumption of water which makes the body function less efficiently. In fact, fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration.

2. Improves Mood
Research indicates that mild dehydration (even one or two percent lower hydration level of hydration than optimal) can negatively affect your mood and ability to think.

3. Treats Headaches and Migraines
If you have a headache or migraine, the first thing that you can do to get some relief is drink plenty of water. Headaches and migraines are often caused by dehydration.

5. Aids Weight Loss
In a clinical trial, scientists found that drinking two eight-ounce glasses of water prior to meals can help suppress appetite and hence support your weight loss efforts. When you drink water, it fills your stomach and reduces the tendency to eat more.

6. Flushes Out Toxins
Water is an excellent detoxifier as it helps flush out toxins from your body and get rid of waste primarily through sweat and urine.
It also promotes kidney function and reduces kidney stones by diluting the salts and minerals in urine that cause kidney stones.

7. Regulates Body Temperature

An ample amount of water in the body also helps regulate body temperature. The thermal properties of water and its ability to release heat from the body when sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin greatly helps maintain an even body temperature.

8. Promotes Healthy Skin

Water keeps the body well hydrated and improves capillary blood flow, which promotes healthier and younger-looking skin. Water helps replenish skin tissues, moisturizes skin and increases the elasticity in your skin.

9. Relieves Hangover

Drinking water works as a simple yet effective way to get rid of hangover as well. Being a diuretic, alcohol causes you to pee much more than you take in. Thus, water helps rehydrate the body and speed up recovery.

10. Beats Bad Breath

Bad breath is a clear sign that you may not be drinking sufficient water. It keeps your mouth moist and washes away food particles and bacteria. It also dilutes the smelly compounds that oral bacteria create.

So, drink sufficient water and also rinse your mouth with water, especially after having a meal or snack to control odors and remove bacteria and food debris stuck between your teeth and gum line.

To conclude, it is essential to make necessary efforts to drink adequate amount of water daily. To derive the various health benefits of water, make sure to drink filtered water. Along with water, also take more fluids and eat more fruits and vegetables that are high in water content.