What is toxic to my body?

A toxin is something that can be harmful to your body. One way that can happen is if it causes inflammation. (Inflammation is part of the way your body heals itself. But too much inflammation can lead to disease. Refer to the Whole Health handout “The Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle” for more information.) People can come into contact with a toxin by breathing it in (like smog), eating it (like pesticides), or having it touch the skin (like mercury). Just coming into contact with a toxin does not mean that you are in danger though. Every toxin has a range of how much you need to come into contact with before you have symptoms. Some people are more resistant to certain toxins. They might be at a higher end of the range and have no symptoms. Other people are sensitive and show symptoms at the lower end of the range.

Can I protect myself from toxins?

The best way to protect yourself is by avoiding toxins. The most common way for a toxin to get into the body is by eating or drinking it. To decrease your exposure, it may help to avoid drinking from Styrofoam and plastic, and to use glass or ceramic instead. It will also help to eat organic food when possible. If meat is a key part of your meals, having plenty of fruits and vegetables will also help.

Avoiding all toxins is hard because they are so common. Don’t worry though. Your body has several natural ways to disable toxins and stop them from affecting you. This is explained in more detail in the next paragraphs.

If toxins are able to enter your body, your body has multiple ways of removing them, such as sweating, having bowel movements, and urinating. If you want to learn how to help your body get rid of toxins, then read the Whole Health handout “The Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle.”

I have breathing problems. Is it because of toxins?

There are many reasons why you might be having breathing problems. It might be a temporary problem, like a virus. In addition, you could have permanent changes in your lungs such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you think you have a breathing problem, it is important to talk with your health care provider.