Our toxic environment

In North America we are inundated with toxins every moment of every day. Pollution in our air, water and food challenges our ability to detoxify and adapt. Worse still, the place we think of as a haven from stress – our home – is likely the most toxic environment we face in our daily routines. Toxins released from household chemicals, fabric, carpet, fragrances and pesticides seep into our body in tiny amounts even as we sleep.

The toxins in our body build up much like a runner trying to run a marathon with lead shoes…it simply weighers you down, affecting your ability to run effectively. Toxic waste in the body slows the efficiency of our mitochondria (the energy-producing engines inside our cells). Noxious chemicals create fatigue, headaches, digestive disturbances and moodiness. Eventually, toxins become the focus for inflammation.

So what is Inflammation?

Your body uses acute inflammation to try to neutralize toxicity. Think of your reaction to a bee sting: redness, swelling, heat and pain. This is not caused by the toxins in the bee venom. It is the reaction of your body as it tries to eliminate the toxicity: Redness is the increase in blood supply to bring in immune system antibodies and remove the neutralized venom. Swelling is the lymphatic fluid that dilutes the concentrated poison while providing proteins for repair of the tissue damaged by the toxins. Heat comes from immune system activity as it battles the invading contaminant. Pain causes us to guard that area from further damage. Chronic inflammation occurs when the toxins are not completely removed from an area.

What can you do to reduce this deadly killer called "Inflammation?"

Begin at the source, your home. Take toxic cleaning products out of your living area, especially if you have young children as they are more at risk. Take a proactive approach to protecting yourself with two superheroes:

Essential fatty acids – Many of the toxins we face are fat-soluble. We need “clean” fats in abundance to displace toxic fats in our brain, liver and other regions of our body.

Antioxidants – Antioxidants neutralize toxins and Betalain antioxidants found in Nopal figs have two added benefits over standard antioxidants:

Betalains drain away the toxin from an affected area Betalains shore up the cell membrane to help promote healing.
Betalains turn out to be our best tool in combating the causes of inflammation: toxins, stress, injury and nutrient deficiency. Use this excellent tool liberally to help you resist the increasing onslaught of toxins both inside and outside of our home sweet home!

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources: Dr. Brazos Menshew, TriVita’s Chief Science Officer