3 Hidden Toxins that Could Harm Your Health

Clean Living! I remember the feeling after taking a few days to really take care of myself. Such as having a few servings of home made vegetable juice, home made bone broths, fresh fruits and vegetables. I make sure to do yoga which brings my nervous system into the calm parasympathetic state, and maybe get a message to drain my lymphatic system. To top it off, dipping my feet into the ocean filled with negative charged ions that neutralize the electromagnetic frequencies of the positively charged ions from computers, cell phones, and our own oxidative stress is so refreshing. Can you imagine the feeling of energy, lightness, clarity and being clean that comes with a lower toxic level in your body?

Today lets talk about 3 toxins you may be exposed to on a daily basis that you may want to avoid. 

1. Xeno-estrogens. Did you know that synthetic estrogens are linked with increased cancer risk, or symptoms or hormonal inflammation such as PMS, hot flashes, endometriosis, fibroids and even headaches? Xeno-estrogens can be found in plastics such as plastic bags used to store food, plastic food containers, plastic wrap, and water bottles. Use glass instead. 

2. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors. This means they mimic and disrupt hormones causing hormonal imbalances. They are linked to birth defects and increased insulin resistance according to some studies. Unfortunately Phthalates are found in 95% of our population because of easy exposure through plastics, cosmetic products, perfumes and fragrances, hairspray etc. Avoid plastics with recycling codes 3 or 7, they are likely to contain Phthalates. 

3. Acrylamides are used in many industrial processes, but also found in foods. Acrylamides are carcinogenic and associated with increased risk of breast cancer. They are also associated with neurological damage in workers exposed to this chemical. Acrylamides are found in foods that are cooked above 250 degrees F and with charred meats from grilling (the blackened meats). Potato chips, and frech fries, foods heated at high temperatures contain higher levels of acrylamides. 

My perspective on toxins is to be educated but not fearful. There are many toxins in our world that we are exposed to that are in-evitable. If you are aware and can use substitutes that is wise. I've also seen patients who are fearful of so many foods, chemicals and everything around them, that the stress of the perception that their environment is unsafe, raises their cortisol and fight and flight response, leading to more inflammation, hormonal disruption, allergies, auto-immune diseases and illness. So balance is key. If your friend is serving you BBQ on the grill, it's once in a while with the acrylamides and won't kill you. But you may want avoid using plastic containers for your lunch everyday, and maybe the synthetically colored lipsticks. 

Emotions and the Liver

What Emotions are Related to the Liver?

According to the Chinese, one of the functions of the liver is to make sure qi moves in harmony throughout the body. Qi can be thought of as energy, vital force or substance. Qi is the essence of life. The liver helps move qi up and down the body and harmonizes it. The flow of qi is also greatly related to the emotions. When the liver works well and qi flows free and unrestrained, then one feels happy, creative, focused with a calm mind.

Liver qi Stagnation:Photo Credit aJ Gazman

Liver Qi Stagnation can result in emotions of heaviness in the chest, depression, obsessive thoughts or sensation of overwhelm. Exercise and movement of the body is always a great way to dissipate any type of stagnation.

Hyperactive Liver Qi:

Hyperactive Liver Qi can result in emotions of anger, frustration, irritability and disturbed sleep. Calming and detoxifying activities are helpful to balance a hyperactive liver qi state. Consult Dr. Emily Chan ND for more specific personalized protocols to support your liver or constitutional imbalances. 

Please See My Previous Blog Article for Herbs that Support the Liver.

The Liver and Mindset Patterns:

Here are some insights based on numerology and spiritual teachers about imbalances involving the liver. Numerology is a study that connects certain themes to numbers. Each English Alphabet is assigned a number, for example, A=1, B=2, C=3 and so forth. The numbers are added up based on alphabets that make up a word and then the numbers are reduced to a single digit. Below are certain themes for some conditions related to the liver. Use these to guide your healing because they may be areas that open up insight to your journey in life and health. 

Alcoholism (44/8 Numerology Number) Alcoholism relates to difficulty standing up for personal beliefs. There may be a tendency to either abusing power or the opposite of that which is fear of using healthy empowerment from within. High expectations can lead to overwhelm which then lead to procrastination often results in internalized or externalized anger towards self or others.

Liver Cancer (56/11/2 Numerology Number) The liver is a place that is a filter for our emotions as well as a garbage collector of emotions. Liver cancer is associated with feelings of inadequacy, lack of emotional intimacy and difficulty releasing or expressing emotions. There is also a tendency to frustration over knowing and seeing what ought to be, but being unable or having no control over making them what ought to be.

Cirrhosis: (55/1 Numerology Number) Cirrhosis is associated with the energy of resistance to change or moving forward which leads to being stuck. The stagnation results in dead liver cells hanging around and hardening. Another reason for the stagnation may be due to loss of direction and bearings of where they are in life, so that they are caught between being frozen and moving forward in life.

Liver Issues in General including Toxicity may be related to a theme of being stagnant and stuck in life, not sure a greater purpose is. There may be a deep sense of loss or depression over not fulfilling something meaningful, which stems from not valuing yourself. When one cannot value and love themselves, it is also difficult to value and truly love others which can result in people pleasing behaviors that often end in frustration and resentment. 

To remedy these patterns:

1. Start knowing your worth.
2. Value and Love Yourself
3. Tap into gifts you already have and how your uniqueness can solve a problem
4. Focus on doing good out of love and not from a place of need
5. When you focus on solving a problem or connecting to a greater purpose…and if you can get to a place where solving that problem is greater than your fear, you will move forward with momentum, freedom and joy.

If you are looking for herbs and foods that support the biochemical detoxification of the liver, please see my other blog post here. 

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