Unfortunately, we are all living in a sea of chemicals. Several thousand toxic chemicals surround us daily, and studies continue to reveal these compounds' potential toxic effects on our bodies. It's no surprise that as these adverse effects occur, the number of people diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, cancer and other serious chronic diseases is rising. Simply put, these toxins are negatively affecting our health and well-being.
It's not as doom-and-gloom as it sounds. We can all take proactive stepsstarting today—to rid our bodies and environments of toxins that may make us more susceptible to cancer and other illnesses. Many of these strategies can easily be done at home. However, when it comes to more extensive therapies and treatments, you may need the help of a qualified integrative practitioner well versed in detoxification. An excellent resource for finding a physician in your area is the American College for Advancement in Medicine (acam.org).
Cancer-causing toxins: the usual suspects
An African proverb states, "The enemy you know is better than the enemy you do not know." And several known toxins out there have been associated with cancer. Let's look at some of the most common and important toxins and discuss steps we might take to reduce or eliminate our exposure to them.
Heavy metals
Mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium are some of the most common and damaging heavy metals linked to cancer. The problem is they're everywhere.
Mercury, for instance, is found in the air, in our food and water supply, in
