Toxins are now the primary cause of chronic disease. They are driving much of what we see as clinicians. We need to reckon with the fact that our population is incredibly sick, and toxins are a major driver. —Joseph Pizzorno, ND
Toxins are poisons. We live in a world where it’s impossible to escape from toxic exposure—it’s not a matter of if you’re toxic, but to what degree. Toxic exposure is cumulative, beginning in the womb and compounded throughout our lives. The term, root cause(s), refers to the underlying agents of chronic inflammation, e.g., toxic heavy metals, chemicals, environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies, sedentary lifestyles, sleep issues, hormone imbalances, chronic infections, stress, and others.
Many of today's health issues are triggered by such assaults:
You may wonder why you’re gaining weight, even though you exercise and watch what you eat. When the body is unable to adequately process toxins, it enrobes them in fat cells and stores them in your tissues, often as visceral belly fat surrounding your organs.
Statistics demonstrate we are experiencing more cancers, dementias, obesity, diabetes, and more alphabet maladies like ADHD, ADD, OCD, ALS, MS, AD, PD, and other neurological issues. During the last few decades, we’ve been relentlessly bombarded by environmental assaults from electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Digestive issues usually arise, too. The vital connection between the gut’s microbiome and overall immune health is now well-documented. When the gut isn’t working right, your immune system can go haywire, causing your body’s infection-fighting cytokines to overproduce and attack your tissues and cells. This causes more inflammation and autoimmunity.
Your hormones run amok. Your brain gets foggy, confused, or worse, and you’re very likely to experience varying degrees of depression, anxiety, or other mood changes.
We typically think of toxins originating from the foods we eat, the water we drink, or the air we breathe. But toxins are present in the lotions and potions we lather on our bodies; the flame retardant mattresses laced with PBDE; the expansive list of cleaning products and detergents; fragrances in colognes, candles, air fresheners, and dryer sheets; and the plethora of plastics containing bisphenol A (BPA). They are invisible as in our wireless networks, emitting radiation potentially damaging to our DNA.
We’ve acquired ravenous appetites for nutritionally deficient, processed, and “fake” foods manufactured with sugars, refined flours, artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, salts, and more chemicals. Even our once-pure whole foods are laced with more pesticides, herbicides, hormones, antibiotics, and fungicides, and are increasingly genetically modified.
Toxins of any kind ultimately poison the mitochondria, the energy powerhouse of our cells, causing a myriad of problems. According to Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, author of The Toxin Solution: How Hidden Poisons in the Air, Water, Food, and Products We Use Are Destroying Our Health--AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO FIX IT, toxins can:
Poison the enzymes needed to manufacture molecules, cells and produce energy. This inhibits the production of hemoglobin in the blood and lowers the body's capacity to prevent free radical damage, which accelerates aging.
Damage organs and systems if your digestive tract, liver, and kidneys are unable to detox effectively.
Displace structural minerals, resulting in weaker bones.
Damage DNA, increasing the rate of aging and degeneration.
Interfere with hormones and cause imbalances, e.g., arsenic disrupts thyroid hormone receptors on the cells so cells cannot properly communicate with thyroid hormones.
Modify genetic expression. Toxins can activate or suppress our genes in undesirable ways. This is a major reason why certain health issues span generations.
Damage cell membranes, e.g., insulin is unable to signal the cells to absorb more sugar.[i]
These hidden triggers can lead to chronic health conditions unless they are identified and properly treated. Unfortunately, mainstream medicine doesn't thoroughly screen for most of these root causes. In fact, it was through the journey taken with my late husband, Rick, that I learned how these root causes are not often part of an evaluation. Without treating the root causes of these symptoms, continuing inflammation fires up even more problems, causing the body to go even more haywire with more imbalances fueling even more symptoms.
Recognizing that millions today are suffering with dementias, autoimmune issues, and other chronic illnesses, I was compelled to share our story along with more about these root causes in my forthcoming book, A Toxic Brain--Revelations from a Health Journey (available January 2022). Answers do exist when patients are properly evaluated along with therapies that can both prevent and transform health destinies. I'll be sharing more in future posts.