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To decrease
the body's burden of toxins, we must first reduce exposure.
With more than 100,000 chemicals in common use in North America,
it is a constant challenge to limit our exposure to these
harmful substances in their many forms. The first step to
minimizing exposure is to raise your toxin awareness level
by asking questions and learning about the hidden sources
of toxins in food and common household products. Read labels
closely before buying any consumer goods. Here are some basic
guidelines for reducing your contact with toxins:
- Avoid
all artificial colours, flavours, preservatives and sweeteners.
- Eat
low on the food chain; the closer a food is to its natural
state, the less toxin risk.
- Eat
local, organically grown food whenever possible; select
organic food products including produce, meat, dairy, nuts
and seeds, whole grains and oils.
- Select
body care products wisely; avoid petroleum-based cosmetics;
make your own body care products from natural ingredients;
if you wouldn't eat it, don't put it on your skin or hair.
- Stop
using chemical-based household cleaners, laundry products
and air fresheners; buy toxin-free, biodegradable products
or make your own cleaners with baking soda, white vinegar,
citrus oils and other natural ingredients.
- Use
unbleached (dioxin-free) paper products.
- Use
feminine hygiene products made from unbleached cotton.
- Reduce
the amount of time you spend in polluted environments and
in traffic.
- Filter
your tap water with a filter that removes the greatest number
of toxins and heavy metals; boil filtered water for five
minutes to destroy toxic bacteria.
- Fill
your home and work environments with houseplants that absorb
toxic gases from the air; Spider plants, Boston ferns, English
ivy, and Dracaena are easy to grow and provide natural air
pollution control.
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