Toxins, Mold, and Metals
Quick start tips for a Toxin-Free Life
- Only drink reverse-osmosis filtered water.
- Get your house checked for mold.
- Detox. Use a sauna, exercise, and dry-brush skin.
- Reduce exposure to EMFs by limiting electronic use and unplugging Wi-Fi whenever possible.
- Purify your air with an indoor air filter.
- Stop using toxic cleaning and beauty products.
Have you ever gone to the doctor feeling unwell, only to be told that everything checks out just fine? Perhaps you are more tired than usual. Maybe you are experiencing occasional heart palpitations, having new digestive problems, or chronic headaches. You leave the office with a clean bill of health, but your intuition tells you that something is off.
There’s a hidden danger that may not be on your doctor’s radar. It lurks in the water that we drink. It’s disguised in the food that we eat. It’s in our beds and cookware. It lives in our washing machines. It’s even in the air that we breathe.
What is this dangerous substance wreaking havoc on your body and heart? One of the key reasons people don’t feel well is that their bodies are toxic. They are filled with years of exposure to chemicals, heavy metals, and mold. Yet, most of the time, people have no idea that these toxins have secretly made their way into their bodies.
Toxins, mold, and heavy metals like to burrow themselves deep into the body, creating illness with a seemingly unknown cause. Unfortunately, what you can’t see can hurt you. The good news? Our bodies are amazing at healing when things are brought to the light. Today, we lift the veil on the invisible, toxic dangers all around us.
Nearly 13 million people die each year from diseases caused by unhealthy environments. We are exposed to countless artificial chemicals in every moment of our lives. They seep into our bodies with each meal we eat and through the water we drink. They find their way into our bloodstream through the clothes we wear, the makeup we put on, and the soap and lotions we use.
There is no place in the world that is safe from this toxic soup. We are constantly exposed to dangerous toxins, whether we’re at the workplace, in our homes, or vacationing on a beautiful beach. Even a mother’s womb is not safe. Sadly, scientists have deemed Earth a “toxic planet.”
Facts:
- 250 billion tons of chemicals are produced worldwide each year.
- On average, 700 chemicals reside in the body.
- Sperm counts have declined close to 60 percent in a 40-year-span.
- Tap water may be the cause of more than 100,000 cancer cases.
- At least 45 million buildings in the United States have unhealthy mold levels.
- 95 percent of baby foods contain toxic heavy metals.
- Nine out of every ten people worldwide breathe polluted air.
Toxic world = Toxic body
Our miraculously created bodies are driven to maintain balance. The human body has an internal detoxification system designed to clear away unwanted viruses, bacteria, chemicals, metals, molds, and other unwelcome intruders. Health depends on how well the body can remove and purge toxins.
While the lungs, kidney, intestines, and skin all play a role in removing toxins from the body, the liver is primarily responsible for detoxification. Perhaps the body’s hardest-working organ, the liver processes anything that gets into the bloodstream. It filters the blood, separating beneficial nutrients from toxins and waste. Therefore, a healthy liver is critical for the proper breakdown and elimination of unwanted toxins.
As efficient as our body’s natural detoxification system is, it’s no match for the thousands of chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Simply put, the human body is not meant to process such an enormous amount of toxic waste.
Toxins wreak havoc in the body
Among other things, toxins are hormone disruptors. Continuous exposure to certain chemicals interferes with how our body’s hormones function. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact growth, blood sugar control, metabolism, blood pressure, sleep, digestion, mood, and reproduction.
Many toxins also damage the microbiome. The gut is packed with a delicate balance of bacteria. However, pesticides, medications, heavy metals, and other foreign chemicals damage the gut, making it more permeable and increasing disease risk. Poor gut health leads to malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals, inflammation, and reduced immunity.
In addition, toxins adversely impact the power plants of the cells, preventing them from producing enough energy to keep the body healthy. Without adequately functioning mitochondria, one feels sluggish and dull instead of bright and full of life.
Is your natural detox system overwhelmed?
When the detoxification system gets overwhelmed, the toxins in our bodies begin to build. The immune system kicks into overdrive as it tries to keep up with the accumulation of unwanted invaders. As a result, symptoms develop.
At first, the clues are vague. For example, an individual with toxic overload may feel more tired than usual. However, it’s easy to disregard fatigue. Alternatively, an individual may experience headaches but excuse them as hormonal changes in their body.
Over time, however, symptoms of toxic overload become more pronounced. As the immune system begins to sense more danger, inflammation develops.
Signs of a high toxic burden
- Bad breath or body odor
- Chronic fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating (brain fog)
- Nasal congestion
- Sugar cravings
- Rashes/skin disorders
- Digestive problems
- Headaches
- Painful menstrual periods
- Hormonal imbalances
- Difficulty losing weight
- Insomnia
- Anxiety and depression
- Hair loss
- Aches and pains
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The heart beats billions of times in our life. This requires a massive amount of energy. If our mitochondria that produce the energy are gummed up with toxins, poor heart function is the result.
Are toxins impacting your heart?
Just as there is no place on earth hidden from the impacts of toxins, there is no part of the body shielded from the strain of endless chemicals surrounding us, including the heart. The heart and vascular system are just as vulnerable to the impact of environmental toxins, heavy metals, and mold as any other part of the body.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a whopping 23 percent of the global burden of heart disease is attributed to environmental chemicals. Equally concerning, cardiovascular conditions account for 40-60 percent of early deaths from air pollution. However, this number likely understates the true impact that toxins have on the heart.
Chemicals and Cardiac Burden
Exposure to chemicals can cause cardiac disturbances. For example, environmental toxins have been shown to:
- Increase blood pressure
- Contribute to arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation
- Raise cholesterol levels, including small LDL particles
- Increase the risk of heart attacks
- Increase the risk of congestive heart failure
- Increase the risk of coronary artery disease
- Contribute to strokes
- Cause cardiovascular death
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Exposure to toxins also impacts the cardiovascular system indirectly. For example, as toxins damage the gut, chemicals permeate the intestinal lining and create inflammation. Inflammation has a significant impact on heart disease.
Addressing the cause of cardiac disease instead of only treating the symptoms is where true healing begins. As toxins are removed from the body, many cardiovascular problems resolve naturally. For example, by eliminating excess mold or glyphosates in the body, blood pressure stabilizes, thus lowering multiple other cardiovascular risk factors.
Toxins in our environment:
What We Don’t See Can Kill Us
You may be eating healthy, exercising, getting quality sleep, and still not feeling well. How could this be? After all, you’re doing everything that your doctor suggests.
Unfortunately, invisible toxins lurk all around. According to the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, exposure to toxic water, air, and soil is the most significant environmental cause of premature death in the world, killing over eight million people a year.
Environmental toxins are chemicals and organisms that negatively impact health. While the majority are artificial, some are naturally occurring. Our bodies are capable of handling these toxic elements in small doses. However, the industrialization of food, manufacturing, and fossil fuels has made the toxic burden too much for humans to bear without significant health effects.
The health effects of toxin exposure are endless. While most people associate pollution with lung disorders, toxins impact all bodily functions and organs, including the heart.
Environmental toxins can be divided into three categories. Each presents its own health challenges.
1. Outdoor air toxins
You don’t have to live in a large, polluted city to feel the effects of air pollution. Air quality alerts have become commonplace from Los Angeles to rural America. From vehicles to factories and insecticides, fresh air is no longer what it used to be.
Exposure to air toxins creates many problems, exacerbating other health conditions. For example, a 2022 study found that both short and long-term exposure to air pollution increases the severity of Covid-19 symptoms, including death.
Primary air toxins include:
- Particulate matter (PM) is made of solid particles and liquid droplets that mix in the air. It derives from vehicle emissions, plant smokestacks, burning wood, and swirling dirt. PM comes in various sizes, with the larger particles from the soil and the smaller ones from burning fossil fuels. Smaller particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, also known as fine particles or PM2.5, pose a grave health risk.
- Tropospheric (ground level) ozone, the main ingredient of smog, is created by chemical reactions between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). These chemicals react when in the presence of the warm sun.
- Cigarette smoke significantly contributes to air pollution, according to multiple studies. Smoking emits large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane gas into the atmosphere.
Most people associate air pollution with lung disorders, and they wouldn’t be wrong. Unfortunately, air pollution contributes to multiple lung disorders, including emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The dangerous health effects don’t stop there. Air pollution is linked to various health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and diabetes.
The impacts of air pollution on cardiovascular disease are vast. According to studies, even a few hours of exposure to air particulates can trigger cardiac events and death. Breathing in fine particulates causes inflammation and oxidative stress that impairs blood vessel function. Air pollution can affect the heart by:
- Damaging the blood vessel walls, resulting in narrowing of the arteries
- Causing blood to be more likely to clot
- Hardening the blood vessels, resulting in increased blood pressure
- Short-circuiting the normal electrical function of the heart, leading to abnormal heart rhythms
Causing structural changes to the heart, which can lead to heart failure
2. Water toxins
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” – W.H. Auden
Water pollution has become a largely-ignored global crisis. From plastics to chemicals to human waste, a wide range of pollutants contaminate our lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and oceans.
As Americans, we have been largely shielded from the effects of tainted water that many poorer countries have. Or have we? Test any municipal water, and you will find a wide range of pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, chemicals, and other dangerous contaminants.
Clean water is not only helpful, but it quite literally keeps us alive. In fact, water pollution causes close to 2 million deaths a year, according to studies.
Primary causes of water pollution include:
- Agricultural water pollution is the number one cause of water contamination in the United States. With every rainfall or snowmelt, harmful fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms or animal feeding operations seep into our waterways. Over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the United States. Those pesticides make their way into 90 percent of US streams.
- Sewage and wastewater include any water that has been previously used. It comes from the sinks and toilets of our homes and from large industrial factories and farms. Every soap, pharmaceutical, pathogen, and chemical ends up in our wastewater.
- Oil pollution is a significant contributor to water pollution, and it’s not the giant oil tanker spills causing the problem. With approximately 280 million cars on the road in the United States and plenty of oil-using factories worldwide, oil makes its way to our water quite easily.
The earth’s water is so polluted that cities must treat it with massive amounts of chemicals to make it drinkable. So while some of the toxins are removed, they are replaced with other manufactured disinfectants. As a result, tap water is a dangerous concoction of chloride, fluoride, heavy metals, pesticides, medications, and fecal contaminants.
It’s not just the water that we drink that poses a problem. The body’s largest organ- the skin – is virtually a sponge that absorbs chemicals. Warm showers or baths exacerbate the problem, as the heat aerosolizes the dangerous substances that end up in the lungs. Contaminated lakes and chlorinated swimming pools also contribute to one’s toxic load.
Impure water causes millions of deaths each year, a number that can’t be quantified, since contaminated water adds to the body’s toxic load. A heart attack or a stroke could result from decades of toxin exposure.
3. Electrosmog
Everything has an electromagnetic field. From the tiniest molecule to the enormous sun, all things emit electricity. These electromagnetic fields were harmless or even life-supporting at one time in history.
However, with the advent of electricity and the development of the modern technological era, our natural world has evolved into a complex, dense ball of “electrosmog.” This invisible pollution comes in the form of electromagnetic fields (EMF) radiating from wireless networks, cell phones, cordless phones, cell towers, utility meters, power cords, and all things electric.
Sources of outdoor electrosmog include:
- High voltage power lines (overhead or in the ground)
- Transformers
- Cell phone towers aside roads or on buildings
- Cities that provide citywide Wi-Fi
- Power conversion centers
- Military/Security radar and infrastructure
- TV and radio broadcasting stations
- Bluetooth
Just as smog from a large city or factory contributes to health problems, studies have found that electrosmog has become a significant health threat. The most concerning aspect of EMF is that one may not immediately feel its serious adverse effects. It will likely be decades before we fully understand the detrimental effects of our technological world.
Not only has EMF been deemed a possible carcinogen, but it’s also linked to numerous other health conditions, including hormonal imbalances, neurological disorders, immune dysfunction, and kidney damage.
The cardiac effects of electrosmog are still being uncovered. However, considering that the heart has an electrical charge, it makes sense that radiation from electrical devices impacts the heart.
Due to the pervasive nature of EMF, it’s nearly impossible to detect if abnormal heart rhythms such as skipped beats or atrial fibrillation are caused by electrosmog exposure. Therefore, EMF may contribute to fatal heart arrhythmias.
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The Dangers Behind Electromagnetic Frequencies and Radiation
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Are You Electromagnetically Polluted?
Some individuals are more sensitive than others to electromagnetic frequencies. Signs that you might be experiencing the effects of EMF exposure include:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Brain Fog
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
- Skin reactions
- Heart palpitations
- Slow recovery from illness
- Nausea
- Anxiety or depression
- Difficulty regulating mood
How can I protect myself from something I can’t see?
Air pollution, water contamination, and electrosmog are all around us. As there is no safe place in this world, it can feel discouraging. While we will never be able to eliminate dangers in the air and water around us, there are actions you can take to reduce your chemical load.
First and foremost, it’s essential to consider where you spend most of your time. Highly populated areas are sure to have higher levels of air pollution and EMF exposure. In addition, city water is likely to be tainted with more contaminants than a private well, although not always.
Look out the window. Do you see a cell phone tower or large power lines? Are you living in a congested city or tightly packed apartments? Is there city-wide Wi-Fi? While moving or finding a new job may not work for everyone, evaluating your surroundings is vital. If possible, find a living situation far from cell phone towers and other electrical transmitters.
If relocation is not an option, consider regular trips to low-density areas. For example, plan a camping trip with no wireless access. Take a vacation to the mountains, where nature helps to negate the effects of pollution and EMF. While it’s impossible to avoid toxins in the environment, make a conscious decision to step away from the congested areas where you live and work.
Another excellent way to negate some of the adverse effects of EMF is through a practice called grounding or earthing. The human body is conductive, containing large numbers of electrically charged ions. Unfortunately, the technology surrounding us is foreign to our bodies and disrupts our natural frequencies, creating chaos. Thankfully, Mother Earth and the human body share similar frequencies. By intentionally connecting to the earth, preferably outdoors and barefoot, one can achieve equilibrium at the cellular level.
Toxins in our Home:
Home is the place we go to find safety and comfort. Cultivating a healthy home is a priority for most. Therefore, it may be shocking to hear that indoor air is more dangerous than outdoor air. In fact, home environments are more significant sources of toxins than large cities. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollutants are typically up to five times higher than outdoor levels.
As Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, it’s imperative to understand the dangers of indoor living. This is particularly true for older or health compromised individuals, as they often spend even more time inside.
Over the last few decades, there has been a tremendous push for energy efficiency, especially when it comes to our homes. Unfortunately, there may be some unintended consequences in the drive towards eco-friendly living. In a quest to make buildings tight, many lost their ability to “breathe.” While green homes keep in the heat, they also trap thousands of chemicals that live among us.
Indoor air pollution is linked to nearly every human disease. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they live or work in an unhealthy location until symptoms develop. The problem is so pervasive that the term “sick building syndrome” was given to individuals who become unwell due to time spent inside a particular building.
Symptoms associated with indoor air toxins include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Eye, nose, or throat irritation
- Cough or hoarseness of voice
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Brain fog
- Allergies
- Flu-like symptoms
- Frequent infections
- Depression or anxiety
Household toxins and the heart
Toxic chemicals impact the heart in a multitude of ways. While toxin exposure can cause structural damage to the organ, it more frequently contributes to systemic disorders. For example, scientists have discovered that toxins, such as chemicals in water bottles, can cause electrical disturbances in the heart. So perhaps those extra heartbeats that you feel are a result of the chemicals in your environment.
Numerous studies have linked deodorizers, laundry detergents, and even drinking water to cardiovascular disease. For example, researchers found that individuals with high levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in their blood, a chemical found in carpets, paint, cookware, and food packaging, were at higher risk for heart disease. In fact, those with the highest levels of PFOA had twice the risk of heart attack and stroke compared to those with the lowest levels.
What dangers are hiding in my home?
You might eat a clean diet and use mostly green products, but dangerous substances are still likely to permeate your home. Toxic chemicals hide in some of the most unexpected places. Unfortunately, these chemicals make their way to the bloodstream through contact with our skin or eyes, ingestion through our food, or simply through the air we breathe. Here are the most important places to look for toxins in your home and what to do about them.
1. Personal care products
The skin is our largest organ. Although it provides a layer of protection to the inside of our body, it is permeable. Chemicals from soaps, cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, and deodorants can all be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. Parabens, BHAs, and even Formaldehyde are common ingredients in everyday personal care products.
A recent study found that exposure to phthalates, a common chemical used in everything from shampoo to soap to perfume, was linked to premature death caused by heart disease. As a result, Europe banned these endocrine disruptors.
Other chemicals to avoid when choosing personal care products include oxybenzone, toluene, and methylene glycol.
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When choosing personal care products, read the labels. Always buy natural and organic, but remember that even some so-called ‘natural’ brands can be misleading.
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Healthy Alternatives To Toxic Personal Care Products
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2. Cleaning Products
Cleaning products are dangerous for many reasons. First, many cleaning products release volatile organics compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemicals that vaporize easily, making them easy to inhale. VOCs cause pulmonary and cardiac problems, among many other health issues.
The list of chemicals in cleaning products is long, and constant exposure makes them even more dangerous. For example, one study concluded that routine use of cleaning products was as harmful to the lungs as smoking multiple cigarettes a day.
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Mixing a little bit of soap with warm water is enough to get things clean in most instances. White vinegar and baking soda are also great natural cleaning alternatives. To minimize chemical exposure, be sure to open windows and ventilate the area well when cleaning.
3. Food storage containers
Most people have heard of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in rigid plastic containers such as baby bottles and sippy cups. BPA has been linked to hormone disruptions, heart problems, and even cancer. For example, a 2011 study found that even small doses of BPA are associated with an increase in heart arrhythmias. While BPA has since been banned in many plastic products, the alternatives may not be safer. Studies continue to find dangerous toxins in plastic products.
When warm food is placed in plastic, the heat leeches chemicals into the food, which is later ingested. Storing food in aluminum foil is not a good alternative either. Research has found that food absorbs heavy metals, especially when heated.
Try This:
Cook and store your food in glass, ceramic, or stainless steel, avoiding plastics at all costs. Never heat your food in plastics or aluminum foil. Also, do your best to avoid store-bought products packaged in plastic.
4. Cookware
Many people spend effort choosing healthy, organic food, yet they fail to consider the cookware they are using. Until 2013, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) coated most nonstick pans. When heated, the PFOA coating breaks down and leaches chemicals into food and the air, causing a host of health problems. While PFOA is no longer used in nonstick pans, the alternatives are just as likely to damage the body.
Try This:
Swap out your nonstick pans for ceramic, stainless steel, or cast iron pans. Cast iron might be a good alternative for those deficient in this crucial mineral. Use with caution, as iron overload is a problem for some.
5. Paint and Carpeting
Not only do carpets trap dust mites, pesticides, dirt, and toxins, but the materials used to make carpets and the padding that sits beneath them are loaded with chemicals. For example, xylene, benzene, and formaldehyde are all typically present in carpets. The off-gassing of these products leads to an array of health problems. Also, most carpets are treated with toxic stain repellents and flame retardants.
Today, most paints used in the home contain harmful chemicals such as solvents and VOCs. Studies have linked paint exposure to cancer and other health concerns.
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While the market is beginning to respond to consumer demand for safer home products, very few safe carpets or paints are available. If possible, replace carpets with natural hardwood floors. Switch to low or zero VOC paints with good ventilation.
6. Home Furnishings
From mattresses to sofas to shower curtains, many of the things we use in our homes are chemical-laden. Most mattresses contain numerous toxins, including polyurethane foam, a petroleum chemical that emits VOCs. Because they are highly flammable, furniture is often treated with high doses of fire retardant chemicals.
Try This:
Swap out your toxic mattress for one made with organic cotton, natural latex, or wool. While you are at it, change out your bedding for organic cotton as well.
7. Radon
Radon is proof that even natural elements can cause health problems in excess. According to the EPA, excessive radon levels are found in one out of every 15 homes in the United States. Furthermore, radon gas is undetectable to human senses, making it even more dangerous. Radon is the primary cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. In addition, studies have found radon to be a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Try This:
When purchasing a new home, have a comprehensive radar inspection. Free test kits are also often available from local health departments. If the test detects radon in your home, mitigation systems can significantly reduce the radon load.
8. Water
The polluted water in the environment makes its way into homes and becomes drinking water. Millions of Americans unknowingly drink contaminated water each year. Unfortunately, the American Society of Civil Engineers has given our drinking water a C- grade.
Typical drinking water contains numerous harmful substances, including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, fluoride, and chloroform. And if you think that bottled water is a better solution, think again! Most plastic water bottles contain toxic PFAS compounds and heavy metals.
Chemical pollutants in water can cause serious health problems. A person who drinks unhealthy water can be at risk of cancer, hormone disruptions, altered brain function, immune issues, and cardiovascular disease.
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Knowing what’s in your water is essential, and the best way to do that is to get it tested. Once you receive your report, it will be easy to understand why you should invest in a water filtration system.
There are so many water filtration systems on the market that shopping can be overwhelming. Choose a reverse-osmosis water filter. These filters remove even the most minuscule contaminants. The water is then remineralized and re-energized to provide the best quality drinking water possible.
9. Toxic dust particles
The dust accumulating on your nightstand might be more than an unsightly inconvenience. Unfortunately, the chemicals that enter your home through furniture, linens, carpets, and even skin, do not simply dissipate. Instead, they become dust.
A recent study found 45 toxic chemicals embedded in samples of household dust. What’s more, ten of the same toxins were found in almost all tested samples. Flame retardants, phthalates, and phenols were all found in high amounts.
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In addition to regular dusting with a damp washcloth, it’s imperative to clean the air with an air purifier. Air purifiers extract toxins in the home, thus reducing the number of chemicals that make their way into your body.
10. Indoor electrosmog
If you thought exposure to EMF outside was a health concern, it pales in comparison to the dangers inside the home. All wireless and electrical appliances emit radiation, including cell phones, computers, Wi-Fi routers, lighting sources, gaming systems, smart televisions, LED light bulbs, electrical appliances, and tablets. Sadly, the average U.S. household has 25 connected devices, a number that doubled in only two years.
EMF alters hormone production in the body, disturbing circadian rhythms and destroying the immune system. For example, studies have found that electrosmog in the bedroom causes a decrease in melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep. Additionally, exposure to EMF in the home has been linked with cardiovascular problems, including increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, and chest pain.
Try This:
The most important thing you can do to limit your exposure to toxic electrosmog is to minimize devices and electronics in the home. Additionally, when using a cell phone, use the speaker feature so that the phone remains away from your head, and never keep your cell phone stored in a pocket. Keep electronics out of the bedroom and turn off wireless features at night or when not in use.
Let’s talk mold
“Possibly every doctor in the United States is treating mold illness, and they just don’t realize it.”
- Dr. Scott McMahon
When most people think of mold, the word allergy comes to mind. After all, many people experience watery eyes, sneezing, and scratchy throats after spending time in a musty room.
However, mold is both an allergen and a toxin. When given the right conditions, certain species of mold can produce poisonous mycotoxins. These mycotoxins attach to mold spores and can make their way into the human body through the breath, skin, or food. These chemical toxins are at the root of many health conditions.
Mold toxins suppress the immune system, damage cells, and impair the nervous system.
Symptoms of mold Exposure
- Respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath
- Sneezing, runny nose, or sore throat
- Generalized fatigue and low energy
- Vague aches and pain
- Headaches
- Brain fog
- Feeling “sick” from an unknown cause
- Digestive problems such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and pain
- Poor temperature regulation
- Night sweats
- Skin itching and rashes
- Anxiety, depression, and panic attacks
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Mold and the heart
Mold triggers the immune system, which works hard to combat mold-related infections. However, when the immune system begins to weaken, heart damage can ensue. Mold toxicity can lead to myocarditis, endocarditis, and damaged heart valves.
Additionally, mycotoxins damage the gastrointestinal tract and cause leaky gut. A leaky gut allows bacteria, food particles, and other toxins into the bloodstream, where they quickly make their way through the rest of the body. Inflammation from leaky gut is linked to heart disease.
Mold toxicity has also been associated with low vitamin D levels. For example, animal studies have found that vitamin D deficiency leads to higher rates of lung problems in subjects exposed to certain molds. Additionally, mycotoxins block important liver enzymes that convert inactive vitamin D into its active form.
Mold is a common reason why vitamin D levels are low in individuals who have a regular sun and supplement routine. Since vitamin D plays an integral role in blood pressure and heart health, mold indirectly impacts the cardiovascular system.
Is mold hiding in my home?
Bathroom
Attic
Laundry Room
Kitchen
Living Room
Mold toxicity is not typically a problem outside. Instead, it hides indoors. From the laundry room to the damp basement, you can find mold anywhere that water is present. It hides in walls and under flooring, in the refrigerator, or the HVAC system. Mold can even grow on food. It’s estimated that over 50 percent of buildings in the United States have some mold growth.
The only accurate way to know if mold is hiding in your home is to test for it. Mold test kits are widely available, but not all are the same. Since mold is such a dangerous problem, suspected cases are best evaluated by a professional.
To prevent future cases of mold growth and toxicity:
- Keep the humidity in your home less than 50 percent at all times
- Ventilate humid areas such as bathrooms
- Open windows to increase ventilation in the home
- Treat water spills or leaks immediately, ensuring they dry in less than 24-48 hours
- Inspect all water barriers and caulk windows, sinks, bathrooms, etc.
Has mold got a grip on me?
Just because you can’t see or smell mold doesn’t mean it’s not there. Most mold hides behind walls, under floors, and in hard-to-see places. Even if your home is brand new, you could still be carrying mold in your body from previous homes you’ve lived in.
Quiz: Is Mold making you sick?
Do you have unexplained health symptoms? Perhaps you feel unusually tired. Maybe you get sick more often than you should or have a chronic cold that never entirely goes away. Are your joints or muscles achy? Perhaps your heart skips beats or races quickly. Do you suffer from brain fog, anxiety, or depression?
These are all common symptoms of mold toxicity. Unfortunately, for most people, these symptoms get dismissed or misdiagnosed. After a slew of lab work, many doctors tell their patients that they are fine. All the while, the mold lurking inside continues to wreak havoc.
What you don’t know can hurt you. So if you have mystery health symptoms or suspect that you’ve been exposed to mold mycotoxins, take the following quiz. It may just change your life.
Mold mycotoxins and the heart
Toxins in our Food:
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
- Hippocrates
The great father of medicine, Hippocrates, understood the importance of eating the right foods for health. What would Hippocrates say about food if he were alive today?
Nearly everyone knows the importance of eating healthy. After all, eating your vegetables is a required practice in most homes. But did you know that even your vegetables may be making you sick? Toxic chemicals contaminate much of today’s food.
Humans have been farming naturally for thousands of years. However, chemical companies needed a market for their wartime inventions following World War II and began using pesticides in the fields. As a result, for the last 75 years, America’s food has been doused in dangerous pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides. Studies have even found that most baby food is packed with pesticides and heavy metals.
Dangerous food toxins:
Volumes could be written on the problems facing our food system today. However, highlighted below are just a few of the most dangerous toxins to watch out for:
- Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the world’s most widely used herbicide, Roundup, from the Monsanto/Bayer company. Glyphosate is sprayed on close to 300 million acres of crops in the United States each year. Among other things, glyphosate kills off beneficial gut bacteria, speeds up antibiotic resistance, and causes cancer. It’s also a chelating agent, meaning it depletes the body of vital minerals. Sadly, 93 percent of people test positive for this dangerous substance.
- Pesticides are used to kill pests, so it stands to reason that they are toxic to the human body. The most recent data suggests that the U.S. uses over a billion pounds of pesticides each year.
- Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals modified by the injection of foreign DNA. Eating genetically modified food leads to various health complications, including gastrointestinal disorders, immune dysfunction, infertility, and organ damage. Since most modified crops tolerate herbicides, herbicide-resistant “superweeds” have developed, thus requiring the increased use of Roundup and other herbicide killers. The most common GM ingredients are soy, corn, and canola.
- Artificial ingredients are toxins added to food to make it more desirable and longer lasting. They include sweeteners, food dyes, preservatives, and flavor enhancers. Synthetic ingredients are nothing short of dangerous chemicals added to processed foods. Eating food-like products with artificial ingredients leads to disease.
How toxic food is damaging your heart
“If pesticides kill bugs, they will kill us. It may take a little more time, but the chemical poisons will do damage.”
- Dr. Jack Wolfson
Toxic foods contribute to many heart problems, from occasional skipped beats to cardiac failure. There is an abundance of scientific evidence pointing to food chemicals as a source of cardiac dysfunction.
For example, a recent study examined the cardiovascular effects of pesticide exposure on over 8,000 male workers. Researchers concluded that men exposed to pesticides had a roughly 45 percent higher risk of heart disease and stroke than men whose work didn’t involve pesticides.
Another study examined the effects of pyrethroids on the heart. Pyrethroids are insecticides used on crops and repellants to kill mosquitos, ticks, and other pests. The study found that individuals with more exposure to these pesticides were three times more likely to die from heart disease than those with low exposure.
Scientists have also found that after accounting for other lifestyle factors, exposure to pesticides in the workplace led to a six-fold higher chance of atrial fibrillation. The authors suggest that pesticides contribute to oxidative stress in the body.
While these studies reflect workplace exposures, they can be extrapolated to the population at large. For example, if farm workers are getting sick from the chemicals, one can assume that continuous ingestion also contributes to disease.
The cardiac dangers extend beyond pesticides. All plant foods contain natural toxins that protect the plant from insects or plant illness. When food is genetically changed, the concentrations of natural toxins are altered. It’s not known what effect these changes have on the human heart.
Studies find that glyphosate and other pesticides:
- Increase lipid peroxidation, damaging LDL
- Make blood more sticky
- Damage vascular walls
- Block mineral absorption
- Reduce production of vitamin D
- Destroy the gut, leading to inflammation
How do I know if the food I am eating is safe?
Understanding just how contaminated the world’s food is might leave you wondering: Is anything that I eat safe? The answer is simple. The essential thing you can do to reduce your toxic load is to consume only organic and non-GMO foods.
While nearly everyone has toxins in their body, science has found that switching to an organic diet can eliminate many toxins quickly. For example, in a promising peer-reviewed study, researchers found that by consuming only organic food, subjects could reduce glyphosate levels by 70 percent in just six days.
The key to health is to consume only whole, organic foods. Steer clear of processed foods, which are typically genetically engineered. Unless you purchase from a local farm, most organic food will be labeled as such. To help you further, unique price-lookup (PLU) codes on produce indicate if it’s organic, conventional, or genetically modified:
- Conventionally grown food will have a four-digit code beginning with a 3 or a 4, such as 4031
- Genetically modified food will have a five-digit code beginning with an 8, such as 84031
- Organic food will have a five-digit code beginning with a 9, such as 94301
Unpacking heavy metals
Found in food, water, our homes, and the environment, heavy metals earn a category all their own. Heavy metals occur naturally in the earth’s crust. However, our modern industrialized world causes them to permeate our homes and bodies.
The human body uses small amounts of certain metals, such as copper, zinc, iron, chromium, and manganese. However, excess levels are toxic. Other heavy metals, such as mercury, aluminum, and lead, serve no role in the human body and should not be found there.
Heavy metals enter the body through:
- Air or water pollution
- Food
- Contaminated water
- Medicines
- Industrial exposure
- Dental fillings
- Vaccinations
- Cookware
- Insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides
- Body care products
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Heavy metals become poisonous to the body when they are not metabolized or excreted. If the body cannot remove heavy metals, they accumulate in the soft tissues and organs. As a result, they sabotage health by damaging mitochondria, disrupting enzyme function, and leading to inflammation and oxidation. Heavy metals are also neurotoxins and thus contribute to brain dysfunction.
The effects of heavy metal poisoning on the human body are wide-ranging and depend on the level and length of exposure. Additionally, a person’s composition and current toxic load determine how well they can remove metals from the body.
Symptoms of excess metals in the body range from chronic fatigue to anxiety. Individuals with unresolved health complaints may find that their bodies are saturated with heavy metals. Common symptoms of heavy metal toxicity include:
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Numbness, tingling, and weakness
- Chronic pain in the muscles, tendons, or soft tissues
- Chronic fatigue or malaise
- Brain fog
- Chronic infections
- Food intolerances
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Depression, anxiety, or mood swings
Heavy metals and the heart
Heavy metals have long been known to impact the brain. Still, emerging evidence is drawing a distinct line between cardiac disease and heavy metal toxicity.
A large 2018 study found that exposure to lead, copper, arsenic, and cadmium is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. For example, those exposed to high lead levels were 85 percent more likely to have coronary heart disease than those with low exposure. In addition, those with lead or cadmium in the body were also at higher risk for stroke.
What’s more, scientists concluded that there is a dose-response relationship, meaning the higher the exposure, the greater the risk. Therefore, even low-level exposure over the years harms the cardiovascular system.
Chronic exposure to heavy metals damages the heart by:
- Triggering inflammation
- Contributing to oxidative stress
- Increasing blood pressure
- Contributing to obesity
- Competing with essential metals for various functions
Is my body full of heavy metals?
Heavy metals are often tricky to detect because they burrow themselves deep into organs and soft tissues. There are many ways to test for heavy metals, but not all are effective.
Blood tests are often inaccurate as they only measure recent exposures. For example, if you enjoyed sushi for dinner one evening, your blood mercury level would likely be high the next day. Many practitioners prefer to use hair samples, but metals won’t appear in the hair if a body does not excrete them.
The diagnostic test of choice for heavy metal burden is a urinalysis. This simple test does not require a trip to the doctor’s office or the lab. Instead, it can be completed in the comfort of your home through a urine sample that is then mailed to the lab.
My body is holding on to metals
Now What?
In this day and age, most people test positive for high heavy metals. Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce the heavy metal load in the body safely.
First and foremost, it’s essential to reduce future exposure. Examine your home for possible sources of heavy metals, including indoor plumbing, paints, cookware, makeup, and laundry products.
It’s also imperative to consider any sources of metals already in your body. Consider visiting a holistic dentist to have amalgam fillings removed. Examine ingredients of any potential vaccines, and work with a health practitioner to decide if there are more effective ways to boost your immune system.
Once you’ve removed possible exposures from your living and workspace, take on the following:
- Get tested by a natural doctor skilled in detecting and treating heavy metals.
- Switch to a 100 percent organic and GMO-free diet while increasing food-based antioxidants.
- Flush your system with quality water, ensuring regular urination and bowel movements.
- Consider using a sauna or exercising to expedite detoxification through sweat.
- Take chlorella daily, particularly after eating seafood.
- Work with a practitioner to decide if chelation is right for you.
Toxicity begins in the womb
Toxins begin to accumulate in our bodies from the moment of conception. In fact, researchers found close to 300 foreign chemicals in the umbilical blood of infants. Even in the womb, infants are not safe from nasty pesticides, chemicals, and toxic waste.
Once born, most babies are exposed to toxins and heavy metals from day one. For example, nearly all infants are given a heavy-metal-filled Hepatitis B vaccine in the first 24 hours of life. In addition, an investigation by the House of Representatives concluded that most top-selling brands of baby food are filled with heavy metals and toxins.
As a baby progresses through toddlerhood and childhood, they are exposed to an excessive amount of chemicals. From the dirt where they play to the contaminated water they drink, their tiny bodies accumulate toxins by the minute. Sadly, children get dozens of vaccines by the time they begin school.
The toxins don’t go away either. Most schools in America are chemical baths, especially in the current environment of over-sanitization. Outdated and poorly ventilated schools often harbor heavy metals, asbestos, and other toxic chemicals. Schools are also packed with electrosmog that kids can’t escape.
As children approach their teenage years, toxins continue to build. While parents can sometimes shelter their kids from harmful foods and drinks while young, it becomes much more challenging as they approach adolescence. Chemical-laden energy drinks, toxic fast food, and seemingly endless technology add to the toxin load.
How toxic is my body today?
By now, you are probably wondering just how many toxins have accumulated in your body. Unfortunately, the number is likely higher than you think. Even if you’ve lived a relatively healthy lifestyle, toxins are difficult to avoid in today’s world.
Every body reacts differently to chemicals. As such, how susceptible someone is to toxic overload is highly individualized. Genetics, length of chemical exposure, age of first exposure, and current health status all impact your ability to handle toxins.
A person’s toxic load heavily depends on how well their body can detoxify. One of the body’s main detoxification pathways is methylation. Methylation allows the body to detox, reducing inflammation and protecting DNA. Unfortunately, some individuals have a genetic mutation that hinders the body’s ability to detoxify effectively.
The absolute best way to know your toxic load is to test rather than guess. This interactive quiz is a great place to start, and it can help you understand your risk of a high toxic load! This quiz is by no means comprehensive but rather a guide to help you better gauge your toxicity levels.
Toxic Burden Quiz
The absolute best way to know your toxic load is to test rather than guess. This interactive quiz is a great place to start, and it can help you understand your risk of a high toxic load! This quiz is by no means comprehensive but rather a guide to help you better gauge your toxicity levels.
Detoxing from a lifetime of exposure
In all likelihood, decades of accumulated heavy metals, mold, and other toxins live inside your body. As such, it will take time to remove all of the chemicals and restore your health. The good news is, toxin damage is reversible!
While the detoxification process may initially feel overwhelming, the first step is to take a deep breath. After all, the lungs are one of the largest detox organs and breathing aids in the detoxification process. Life-giving oxygen fills your lungs and cells with every inhalation. Carbon dioxide and toxins are released each time you exhale. Detoxing must be intentional, and patience is key to success.
Healthy detoxification is a multi-pronged approach and should only be done under the supervision of an experienced health practitioner.
Some ways to help your body detoxify include:
1. Drink plenty of high-quality water
Drinking pure, high-quality water free from environmental and chemical toxins is the key to healthy detoxification. Contaminated water is a primary source of toxins, and water aids in flushing them out of the body through urine output.
2. Increase fiber intake
Fiber-rich foods such as chia seeds, psyllium husk, and organic fruits and veggies are great detoxifying foods. Increasing fiber intake helps bind and remove toxins from the body.
3. Sweat it out through infrared sauna, heat, and sunshine
Sweating is another great way to push toxins out of the body and remove harmful waste. The act of sweating is a natural detoxification mechanism of our bodies. Infrared saunas are an excellent option for therapeutic detoxification. The more you safely sweat by heating your core, the more toxins you expel.
4. Fast
Fasting has been shown to have potent detox effects. Studies have found that fasting leads to increased upregulation of several key detox enzymes. Fasting also helps limit unpleasant side effects that sometimes come with detoxifying. Depending on your unique toxin level, you can alter your fasting time. Some individuals like intermittent fasting, while others require extended fasts.
5. Purify your air
Kickstart your daily detox by purifying the air. When you are detoxing your body, it is crucial to purify indoor air, as this is a common source of toxins for most people.
6. Meditate
Chronic stress impedes the body’s natural ability to detox, and stress is an internal toxin. In addition, chronic stress inhibits the proper circulation of key nutrients and oxygen through the body. Meditation helps boost circulation, allowing for better transport and excretion of toxins. It also keeps the body in a relaxed parasympathetic state, which supports optimal detoxification.
7. Exercise
Regular movement is key to stimulating detoxification. Exercise helps boost the lymphatic system, which, unlike the circulatory system, doesn’t have a pump. Therefore, movement (or massage) is needed to flush lymph through. Exercise boosts circulation, which is critical for healthy organ functioning and the transport of toxins out of the body.
A 2012 study found that heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead are released in significant quantities from the skin. Therefore, sweating, either through exercise or sauna, is an excellent detox modality that can help prevent disease.
8. Dry brush the skin
Brushing the skin with a dry, stiff-bristled brush exfoliates dry skin, unclogging pores and allowing toxins to be released through sweat. In addition, daily dry brushing increases blood circulation and promotes lymph flow and drainage. Brush the chest and clavicular area first, then move out toward the extremities. We must move the central areas first.
9. Get adequate sleep
Many of the important detoxification processes happen while our body is sleeping. Studies have found that sleep helps to detoxify the brain through the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, aim for eight to nine quality hours of sleep for optimal detoxification benefits.
Health begins
With Identifying the Root Cause
How many times have you gone to your doctor with a health problem only to be given a prescription? Unfortunately, the likelihood that the medication fixed the problem is slim. In the best-case scenario, the medication temporarily masked the symptoms. Worst case, you developed new problems due to unwanted side effects. Here’s the thing: Without addressing the root cause of illness, the problem never truly goes away.
Unfortunately, many doctors are unaware of the dangers of toxins. Most don’t even realize the extent that environmental chemicals contribute to cardiac disease. However, the Natural Heart Doctor team has helped thousands of patients restore their health by eliminating toxins from the body. We are confident that we can help you too!
Medical Review: Dr. Jack Wolfson, 2022
