How Radiation and Chemicals Pollute Our Internal & External Environment: Part 2
By Betty Albert, N.D.

To recap last month's article, Part 1: How Radiation and Chemicals Pollute our Internal and External Environment:

In his book "Fighting Radiation and Chemical Pollutants with Foods, Herbs and Vitamins," Steven R. Schechter, N.D., includes justifiable evidence and scientific documentation that there is no safe level of exposure to any form of radiation, including x-rays, or to many chemical pollutants because they are cumulative. Long-term effects become serious and complex in a society whose edible, absorbable, breathable, and wearable products become increasingly comprised by synthetic substances that are often harmful to human cells.

Irradiated foods are being suggested for schools throughout the country. Genetically modified organisms are injected into the foods we eat including xenoestrogens that affect the reproductive organs of all mammals. Does this correlate to the higher percentages of infertility occurring worldwide, the lack of breast milk to feed our infants, early puberty in the young, and other symptoms of evident hormone imbalances?

Cell phones, microwaves, radio waves, chemicals and metals in cookware, mercury fillings, plant food/fertilizers, perfumes, cosmetics, drinking water, and food pave the way for an urgent message to individuals to take more responsibility for their own and their family's safety.

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS...

Counteracting nutrients in the form of food, vitamins, and minerals can protect as well as help rebalance the body from the devastating effects of these pollutants. However, certain perspectives on the part of the individual are necessary prior to undertaking a "nutritional approach" to protection/healing from pollutants. The human body wants to and is capable of healing itself, given the chance. This means that nutrients, air, water, and heat necessary for the body's well being cannot be withheld indefinitely without symptoms, illness, and degeneration occurring.

Schechter aptly points out that in the absence of necessary calcium-rich foods, the body will absorb something similar (strontium-90, for example, is found in high quantities in many dairy products and other foods since plants and animals also absorb it when deficient in calcium, - the same is true for radioactive iodine-131).This "law of selective uptake" shows us that the body attempts to choose quality, but will settle for less, and is poisoned in the process.

The body needs to have pH chemistry in balance in order to effectively absorb nutrients, primarily minerals that are critical to health at a cellular level. Deprived of minerals over time, the body will suffer from malabsorption, and a chain reaction of deficiency will ensue.

Without a sincere desire to educate oneself about natural health and the pro-active measures one can take to help him or herself have better health, a good intention is often short changed by well-meaning advice givers and hearsay. Even the most serious researcher can be misguided and discouraged due to the enormity of the scope of natural health. As in doing well in any effort that is worth doing, perseverance is critical. With all of this being said, let us move on to what an individual can do to help ensure safety from toxic radiation and chemicals.

CONTROLLING FREE RADICALS… and optimizing health

As stated earlier, radiation and chemical pollutants cause unstable atoms in the body to run amok. Internal oxidizing processes can also cause these "free radicals." Here are some suggestions for minimizing those processes and guarding against external pollutants:

1. Decrease fats, fried food, cooking with oils at high temperatures, and foods stored for long periods or exposed to air or light. This would not put fast food on your list of food choices.

2. Increase consumption of foods, herbs, and supplements containing such antioxidants as vitamin A, E, C, B Complex, cysteine, zinc, selenium, aloe vera, chaparral and the SOD enzymes. Seek the assistance of a qualified health practitioner in applying a nutritional program designed to include whole foods and the proper proportions of vitamins, minerals, and herbs to support all the body systems, especially the immune system. Too many people run out and ask the closest health food store for this or that substance, little realizing that the synergistic work of the nutrients together is what makes them work best and in isolation may do the body more harm than good. Also resist the notion that if a little bit is good, a lot is better.

3. Avoid the use of antibiotics and prescription drugs. Antibiotics cause cells to mutate; the body stops everything to deal with these mold toxins; the symptoms stop, but the cause of the original problem has not been addressed. Your body's bacteria memorize the antibiotic to better survive; the cycle/symptoms return, perhaps in a different body system. There are natural antibiotics that work synergistically in the body with herbs and vitamins. Examples are colloidal silver, olive leaf extract, and combinations of adaptogenic herbs that stimulate the body's own immune system to fight viruses and heal. Others work as decongestants, antiseptics, expectorants, anti-tumorals, and so forth.

4. Remove the chemicals from your home, work, and social environments. These include all types of household cleaners that can be replaced with natural products friendlier to the environment. Whole Foods Market has dozens of alternative choices. Others are available through natural suppliers' catalogs and health food stores. Find alternative methods of cleaning using products such as vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Chemicals are absorbed into the skin and lungs as well as released into the environment.

5. Cosmetics carry thousands of chemical synthetics harmful to the body that are absorbed through the skin. Natural brands are far safer. Perfumes, commercial bath products, after shaves, and skin creams all have a long list of ingredients that if identified, would surprise most shoppers.

6. Our bodies want to and do detoxify IF given a chance. The "chance" depends on our providing whole, organic foods and avoiding processed refined products of all types such as white flour and sugar, high fructose corn syrups, additives, preservatives, fried and fatty foods, processed meats, cheeses, and dairy products. The body gets its minerals and calciums from vegetables, especially leafy greens and all other colors. Pure water is also a must, throughout the day; drink approximately half your body weight in ounces.

7. Once your nutrition is in place, the body will detoxify IF given a second chance, and that is through the elimination channels: the skin, kidneys, lungs, and colon. These body systems need to be kept in good balance to be healthy enough to bring waste products out of the body via the lymph, respiratory, digestive, and intestinal systems. If the body is not in a healthy position to detoxify and eliminate waste, it may be stored in the connective tissues, muscles, other glands, and organs bringing about conditions and symptoms usually associated with a poor diet.

8. Other nutrition helpers include the super foods, or "green" foods such as spiralina, super-green algae, barley and wheat grass, and enzyme water from wheat berries, called rejuvelac. This and other bididophilus and acidophilus products work a continuing magic orchestration in our intestines providing better digestion, absorption, and a host of other tasks including immune defense, and synthesizing and dispensing of B vitamins.

9. Tests specific to your nutritional/chemical stress can be easily planned and executed through a health professional. In fact, your entire program could and should be supervised for best results. Assessing exactly what your particular body's needs are, rather than guessing or going by the latest media or neighborhood hearsay, is the first step in optimizing a healthy lifestyle.

This information is for educational purposes only, and should not to be used as a substitute for medical advice. All references should not be considered an endorsement, either direct or implied, by author or publisher, but as information for the discernment of the reader. Send your comments, questions, concerns, and requests for more info to healthnaturally@earthlink.net or call (925) 964-1958.

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Betty Albert, N.D., is a naturopathic practitioner, workshop leader and Danville business owner of Natural Health Center . . . your resource for life balance.