Everyone is exposed to toxins on a daily basis. Even simple daily routines can expose you to toxins in the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat. Your lymphatic system, liver, and kidneys help you get rid of toxins, but they may have trouble dealing with the growing number of toxins you unknowingly interact with every day. Here are some of the ways toxins can enter your body and how to deal with them.
Where do toxins come from?
Toxins can come from many different places. You can breathe them in from polluted air. If you work in industrial or manufacturing industries, exposure to toxins in your work environment is possible. Toxins can enter your body through the water you drink and the food you eat. They are even found in some of the skincare and hygiene products you use.
This means that animal proteins like meat, eggs, cheese, and fish may contain heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic.
Heavy metal toxicity can occur when heavy metals accumulate in your body faster than it can process them. Concierge MD, EverlyWell, and ZRT Laboratory offer in-home heavy metal testing so you can find out if you have excessive levels of heavy metals in your body. You receive full documentation of the test results and a personalized assessment. You can then take steps to detox and prevent any long-term damage.
Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity
Heavy metal toxicity can cause a variety of symptoms. In the early stages, your body will try to expel the toxins. As toxins continue to accumulate, you may notice more serious symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of heavy metal toxicity may include the following:
- Headaches
- Changes in digestion
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Sleep impairment
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Memory difficulties
- Decreased coordination
Diagnosing heavy metal toxicity
Many other conditions can cause these symptoms, too, which means that going by symptoms alone is not enough for a diagnosis. Unless you have a lab test, you won’t know if the heavy metal buildup is causing your symptoms.
Treatment for heavy metal toxicity
When you know what’s causing your symptoms and the most likely sources of your exposure to toxins, you can make adjustments to your lifestyle. Once you stop taking in new toxins, your body is great at cleansing itself.
What to restrict in your diet
- Processed food
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Products like wheat, corn and soy
- Poultry, red meat, fish and eggs
What to add to your diet
Add plenty of green leafy vegetables, fresh herbs, ancient whole grains, red lentils and small beans to your diet. Organic plant-based foods support the digestive tract, liver and kidneys so they can function optimally. The liver is the main organ for detoxification, and cilantro, turmeric, parsley, dandelion, milk thistle and wheatgrass can all help support it.
Drinking enough water throughout the day is critical, and it helps to flush out toxins. Just make sure the water you drink is pure.
Turn off devices well before bedtime
The blue light emitted by screens of devices interferes with the production of melatonin, a critical hormone. When your body is deficient in melatonin, you often battle to sleep. Your immune system can become compromised, and your body will have more difficulty eliminating toxins. Turn off your devices well before going to bed.
Use the right skincare and hygiene products
For hygiene and skincare, natural products free of fragrances are best. Try to choose products that don’t contain potentially toxic ingredients such as parabens, sulfates or phthalates.
Conclusion
Toxins can build up in your system from many places. Your body works to eliminate them, but continuous, regular exposure can result in an overload. Testing for heavy metals can help you to establish whether your body is suffering from toxic overload or a different condition. If so, you can take measures to avoid exposure where possible and do what you can to support your body’s natural elimination systems.