Environmental toxins and health: what the research says
Quick answer
Environmental toxins are chemicals we are exposed to from birth, and they are linked to a range of diseases. Experts believe many conditions result from toxin overload combined with poor nutrition, genetic susceptibility and stress. For cognitive health, pesticide use is associated with a 42% increase in Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.
New research is flooding in daily around environmental toxins and health and we should all be very concerned.
A 2005 study of cord blood of newborn babies showed that on average, babies entered this world exposed to over 287 identifiable and measurable toxins. These compounds are not benign. More than 180 of these are directly linked to cancer and over 217 are neurotoxic.
There are over 85000 chemicals registered, and only about 500 of these have been fully tested for safety. Studies show that 100% of Americans tested have glycophosphate present in their urine. There is NO safe level for mutagens (cancer causing substances).
Evidence shows that puberty is beginning on average 5 years earlier than it would have 50 years ago, there is an increase in undescended testes and an increasing feminization of the male reproductive tract. Since the 1900s, sperm counts have dropped by over 50%.
In 1974, one in 30 women was destined to get breast cancer. In 2019 the statistics have changed dramatically, now one in 8 women will have to face that same challenge at some point in their lives. There is a 19% increase in incidence of auto-immune diseases over the past 30 years.
Experts believe that many of the diseases we now see are as a result of an overload of toxins combined with poor nutrition, genetic susceptibility and stress. Often, it is a combination of factors that create a perfect storm.
Even when genetic factors create susceptibility, our environmental burden is what often breaks the camel’s back. For example, coeliac disease has risen from 1 in 100 000 (1986) to 180 in 100 000 (2015).
Our focus at CogMission is on cognitive health and we were not surprised to hear that pesticide use is associated with an increase of 42% in Alzheimer’s disease in recent years. The cost to health is beyond measure.
On average, women use 15-16 personal products before they even leave home in the mornings! The accumulation of chemicals in our bodies is growing and the burden on our systems leads to disease.
As government regulation is lagging behind on safety we all need to do whatever we can to protect ourselves from toxic exposures. Please click here to see our advice on how to reduce your body burden.
Written by Charmaine Shepherd
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Common questions
How many toxins are babies born exposed to?
A 2005 study of cord blood from newborn babies found that, on average, babies were exposed to over 287 identifiable and measurable toxins. More than 180 of these are directly linked to cancer and over 217 are neurotoxic.
Are pesticides linked to Alzheimer’s disease?
Pesticide use is associated with an increase of 42% in Alzheimer’s disease in recent years. This is an association. Disease usually involves several factors working together, not one cause alone.
What causes diseases linked to environmental toxins?
Experts believe many diseases result from an overload of toxins combined with poor nutrition, genetic susceptibility and stress. Often it is a combination of factors, a perfect storm. Even where genes create susceptibility, environmental burden often tips the balance.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice. Please speak to your GP (family doctor) or a qualified practitioner before making changes to medication or treatment.