In my last article I wrote about the CBC report Chasing the Cancer Answer by Wendy Mesley. It is probable that if we all could afford the $2000.00 blood test to check for chemicals in our blood we too would test positive for at least 40 of the 88 chemicals tested.

The real question is "what to do about this toxic load to which we are all exposed ?" Getting rid of chemicals in our bodies, chemical by chemical, is not the answer. The answer is aiding the general detoxification pathways in the body to assist the body in eliminating them. Biochemical individuality differentiates those who get cancer or diseases from chemicals and those who do not. What this means is that each of us have variations in the phase one and phase two detoxification pathways in the liver and if one or both pathways are hindered through nutritional deficiency then illness can result. Many laboratories in the United States are offering tests that evaluate these pathways and then determine specific nutrients required to optimize these pathways. (See Great Smokies Detoxification Profile at www.gsdl.com)

The foundation of naturopathic medicine is optimizing detox pathways and for 21 years I have been recommending simple cleansing programs that should be done for 2 weeks 2-3 times per year. These herbal programs are meant to improve the eliminations of toxins through the liver, kidney and bowel. Many nutrients and food, when taken regularly, are also very effective at binding with heavy metals and chemicals making them more soluble and easier to eliminate. These include foods high in sulphur like onions and garlic, (including MSM supplements), foods high in chlorophyll such as chlorella and cilantro (Chinese parsley which tastes great in salsa and salads) and green drinks (such as Greens First) which contain chlorella and/or spirulina.

It is impossible to completely avoid the exposure to those 14 million kg of carcinogens released into the Canadian environment yearly. What we can do is this: 

1. Limit the chemicals we ingest by reading food labels and choosing companies you know are organic and additive free. (for example I would not recommend pomegranate juice that is now on the market because of the concentration of pesticides when any fruit is juiced. Choose instead organic whole frozen cranberries.) 

2. Drink chlorine-free water and avoid pesticides. DDT, an organochlorine that is carcinogenic, has been banned from North America for 25 years, but it is still made and exported, used on foods that are then imported back into North America and end up on our dinner tables. Choose organic and locally grown food. Drink pure water and use a shower filter to remove chlorine. You absorb more chlorine from one shower than you drink in one day! 

3. Try to avoid plastics as much as possible as they mimic hormones (xenoestrogens) and confuse the immune system raising the incidence of hormone related cancers such as prostate and breast cancer. Do not microwave in plastic containers, don't store water in soft plastic and don't use saran wraps, instead store left over food in glass containers. 

4. Limit the chemicals you use in your environment for cleaning in and around your house. 

5. Avoid pesticides on your lawn and garden. Homeowners use 3-10 pounds of pesticides per acre per year compared to agriculture who use 2.7 pounds. Golf courses use 18 pounds per acre per year! (See www.Davidsuzuki.org and join The Nature Challenge.) 

6. Follow the guidelines of your naturopathic physician and learn about ways to improve your detox pathways.

Due to chemical exposure the population of Canada is experiencing the following:

1. 110% increase (1994 - 1998) in the treatment of ADHD and learning disabilities in children (chemicals are neurotoxins which alter brain development and function)

2. 121.5% increase of prostate cancer (1987-2005) 

3. 17.2 increase in lung cancer (1987-1996) 

4. 8% of couples in Canada experience infertility 

5. 6 fold increase of asthma (1978-1996)

For a more complete report see www.toxicnation.ca

Having said all this, remember that your thoughts create stress which hamper your detox pathways so Be Happy and your chances of aging gracefully and healthfully increase!