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Environmental Health

"We are all in this chemical soup together. Chemicals in our environment don't discriminate."

—Alexandra Rome, environmentalist 

Nearly 100,000 harmful toxins assault our bodies on a daily basis.

Whether at home or in the larger world around us, we are exposed to an ever-increasing variety of dangerous substances—asbestos, carbon monoxide, chlorine, electromagnetic pollution, fire retardants, formaldehyde, hormone-disrupters, industrial chemicals, insecticides, heavy metals, perchlorate (from rocket fuel), petrochemicals, phthaltes and other plasticizers, radiation, radio frequencies, and radon—in our air, food, and water.

Given the proliferation of environmental toxins today, it's no wonder we suffer indigestion, fatigue, high cholesterol, mood swings, lupus, arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions. And that doesn't include birth defects, cancers, fertility, hormone, and neurological problems (like Parkinson's disease) linked to environment poisons.

Almost like characters in a sci-fi novel, Americans and people in other developed countries have left our bodies behind as we move forward into a technological future. Our digestive systems, our bodies' absorption of nutrients, and our metabolisms are all adapted to the natural foods of pre-industrial times.

Many harmful toxins—including plastics and pesticides—play a role in obesity by disrupting the metabolism and making us fat. Yet losing excess weight can actually weaken our defenses against these deadly toxins.

As body fat melts away, it releases the toxins that have been stored there, putting us at risk for new health problems, even as losing weight solves some of the old ones. In the weight-loss battle, it's critical to support the liver and colon.

Zapped, the Newest Environmental Hazard

While research is only beginning to identify the real danger of electropollution, it has been linked to brain tumors, other cancers, chronic fatigue, depression, hyperactivity, insomnia, leukemia, memory loss, skin problems, and dozens of other unwanted symptoms. Humans have as little protection from electromagnetic pollution as we do from chemical pollutants.

Even low levels of electromagnetic energy from the growing number of electronic devices can depress the body's production of melatonin. This hormone not only affects sleep cycles but also stimulates the thyroid to control your metabolism. Melatonin enhances immunity, too, helping to suppress cancer growth, and reduces damage to blood vessels in Alzheimer's and heart disease.

Quick Facts

• We're more likely to get sick from the indoor air in our homes and offices than from outdoor air pollution.

• Most Americans have between 400 and 800 unwanted toxins in their bodies.

• One in five Americans unknowingly drink tap water polluted with feces, heavy metals, parasites, pesticides, pharmaceutical drug residues, radiation, and other contaminants.

• Israeli research reports that people living near a cell phone tower have a four-times greater risk for breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and other cancers than the general population.

Quote 

" Unlike polluted water and air, electromagnetic pollution is odorless and tasteless. Because we can't see it (and scientists are only beginning to recognize its dangers), we keep buying more electronic stuff—cell phones, flat-screen TVs, iPods, microwaves, PDAs and other wireless devices—only adding to the problem. The good news is you don't have to give up all your electronics and electrical appliances to protect yourself and your family. "
—Dr. Ann Louise   

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Visionary, health guru, diet/detox expert, author, spokesperson, role model, and natural foods icon, Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a trendsetter. Read more!