You Can Run…But You Can’t Hide

By Mark Vockentanz

Toxins are virtually everywhere! They are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, in our homes, in cosmetic products, and in skin and hair products. Thankfully, our body is equipped with extraordinary mechanisms to deal with this toxic exposure. However, we need be nourishing our bodies adequately so that these systems/organs (lungs, skin, digestive system, kidneys, liver, lymph) can do their job!

That is where the problem starts...so many people today are not adopting healthy diets so the cells cannot be properly fueled and therefore cannot effectively engage tissues, organs and in turn, systems.

This leaves our bodies vulnerable to the cumulative effects of these toxins. One of the biggest culprits in shutting down many of these systems is sugar. We consume too much sugar – in other words, too many carbohydrate-rich foods.

Too much sugar will impede the body’s ability to repair and regenerate. Furthermore, it will lower your defenses against disease. Low starch vegetables, like cauliflower for example, have little effect on blood sugar.

Start by considerably reducing your starchy carbohydrates (pastas, cereals, breads, potatoes, etc.) and increase your low or non-starchy vegetables. The second factor in minimizing the effect of toxins is by reducing your exposure. Another way of saying this is simply; a reduction in your toxic load. By examining your points of contact you can then begin to determine strategies to reduce and/or eliminate these repeated exposures. Here is a list of things you can do today to help.

• Use only natural, biodegradable cleaning products
• Eat fresh organic food
• Use only natural skin and hair products
• Ventilate your home
• Use of house plants, air filters, and ionizers
  

Good for NASA, Good for Us…

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is often more polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest, dirtiest cities. And the bad news gets worse: most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors.

During the 1973 Skylab III mission, NASA identified 107 volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) emitting (off gassing) from synthetic materials inside the spacecraft. They started researching various solutions and found that certain plants improved air quality by producing oxygen while removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants. They can’t cure all indoor pollution but they can offer an antidote for minor contamination and help lower the risk of asthma, allergies, and "sick building syndrome."

Lead NASA scientists, Dr. Wolverton, recommends at least one potted plant per 100 square feet, placed within 1.83 to 2.44 meters (six to eight feet) of your work, sleep, or leisure space in order to see results.

Pollutant: Benzene
Sources: inks, oils, paints, plastics, rubber, dyes, detergents, gasoline, tobacco smoke, and synthetic fibers.
Plants: Chrysanthemum, Dracaena, Massangeana, Janet Craig, Marginata, Warneckei, English Ivy, Gerbera Daisy, Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum, and Golden Pothos.

Pollutant: Formaldehyde
Sources: foam insulation, plywood, grocery bags, waxed paper, fire retardants, carpeting, cigarette smoke, and natural gas.
Plants: Azalea, Bamboo Palm, Chrysanthemum, Corn Plant, Devil's Ivy, Ficus Trees, Golden Pothos, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Philodendron, Snake Plant, Spider Plant, Boston Fern, Gerbera Daisy, and Dwarf Date Palm.

Pollutant: Trichloroethylene
Sources: printing inks, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives, typewriter correction fluids, paint strippers, spot removers, and rug-cleaning fluids.
Plants: Chrysanthemum, Dracaena, Marginata, Warneckei, Gerbera Daisy, Peace Lily.

Pollutant: Toluene/Xylene
Sources: gasoline, adhesives, ceiling tiles, computer screens, paints, inks used in photocopiers, stains and varnishes, and upholstery among other common household products and materials.
Plants: Areca Palm, Moth Orchid, and Dwarf Date Palm.

Pollutant: Carbon monoxide
Sources: Gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, gas stoves, gas powered generators, auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages.
Plants: Philodendron, Spider Plant, Golden Pothos, Gerbera Daisy, Chrysanthemum (mum), Peace Lily, English Ivy, Chinese Evergreen, Bamboo Palm, Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue), Dracaena, (marginata) Corn Plant, and Janet Craig.

If you have small children or pets, check with your local garden center to choose plants that are non toxic or contact your local poison-control center for guidance.

Mark Vockentanz, is a wellness coach and owner of V3 Life Transformations, for Vision, Vitality, and Victory. He is based out of London, Ontario and can be reached at 519.777.6811 or email v3lifetransformations@sympatico.ca For more information about his fitness and health programs, visit www.v3lifetransformations.com.

Published in Networking Today June 2008