A new study marks the first time that the number of chemicals to which pregnant women are exposed has been counted. Virtually all pregnant women in the U.S. carry multiple chemicals in their bodies. This chemical load includes some banned since the 1970’s, as well as others used in common products such as non-stick cookware, processed foods, and personal care products.
Researchers analyzed data for more than 160 chemicals and detected the following chemicals in 99 to 100 percent of pregnant women.1
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Organochlorine pesticides
- Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)
- Phenols
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
- Phthalates
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Perchlorate
Chronic Childhood Diseases Linked to Toxic Exposure Is Increasing
Chronic childhood diseases linked to exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment have been surging upward, costing the U.S. almost $55 billion a year. There are 3000 high-volume chemicals used today; for roughly half, there is no basic toxicity information publicly available.
For the past six to eight years, national surveys have found these chemicals present in the blood and urine of practically everyone in the U.S.2 If a baby is exposed to numerous toxic compounds in utero, changes may occur that either directly cause cancer, or lengthen the period of sensitivity to carcinogens, therefore making the child more susceptible to cancer, and other diseases, later in life.
Toxic Load Causes Risks for Babies
Babies today are born at considerable risk due to the toxic load of their mothers. One study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that blood samples from newborns contained an average of 287 toxins, including mercury, fire retardants, pesticides, and Teflon chemicals.
- 180 of those toxins cause cancer in humans or animals.
- 217 are toxic to your brain and nervous system
- 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.3
About 75,000 chemicals are regularly manufactured and imported by U.S. industries, 3,000 of which are high-volume chemicals, meaning over one million pounds per year are produced. In short, chemicals are virtually everywhere, and we’re all exposed, pregnant women being no exception. It’s disturbing to know that humans are being bombarded with toxins at all, but it’s even more concerning when it’s revealed just how extensive the exposure is to those carrying our most precious cargo.
Toxicity Exposure and Autism
Toxicity reveals another piece of the autism puzzle. On January 31, 2011, researchers at the International Child Development Resource Center reported that autistic children showed a 500% increase in mitochondrial dysfunction compared to children without autism. Mitochondria, the “powerhouse” of your cells, generate the ATP necessary for cellular signaling and growth, processes that must take place for you to function properly and express health.4
What’s causing this mitochondrial damage linked with autism?
Toxins, oxidative stress, inflammation, and decreased levels of antioxidants – Dr. Daniel Rossignol, M.D., the study’s head researcher.5
How Can You Reduce Your Toxic Load in a Practical Way?
What is a practical way to reduce this toxic load?
- Use glass containers for food.
- Use natural cleaning products.
- Eat organic pesticide free produce.
- Buy natural hygiene products.
- Drink filtered or bottled water.
- Limit the use of medications and vaccines as much as possible due to the toxic ingredients.
- Get adjusted by your chiropractor.
Because these newer chemicals cannot be metabolized by your body, it’s also necessary to do something every day to boost the body’s own detoxifying pathways and processes. The body’s own natural detoxifying agent is glutathione. Glutathione is also a super antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
As all function and detoxification is ultimately under control of the central nervous system, it is essential to take care of your spine and nervous system through regular corrective care in the office to get the effects of a toxic world under control.
Do You Need to Detox?
- Are you overweight?
- Do you eat Genetically Modified Foods (GMO)?
- Do you have dental silver fillings?
- Do you sleep less than 8 hours a night?
- Do you have mold in your home/work?
- Do you have a hard time sweating when you exercise?
- Do you use conventional cleaning products at home/work?
- Do you eat sugary foods at least twice per month?
- Do you take medications?
- Do you use non-stick Teflon pans, plastic bottles or food storage containers?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you probably need to detox and this next workshop was created with you in mind. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a clear idea of exactly how toxins enter your body and what you can do about them. Sign up yourself and your friends today because this one will fill up fast.
Spring Cleaning Detox Health Workshop 4/11/23
Location: New Life Chiropractic Office
Time: 6:00 p.m.
1 Tracey J. Woodruff, Ami R. Zota, Jackie M. Schwartz. Environmental Chemicals in Pregnant Women in the US: NHANES 2003-2004
2 Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel October 1, 2009
3 Environmental Working Group, July 14, 2005
4 Brooks M. Mitochondrial Dysfunction Linked to Autism. Medscape Medical News. Jan 31, 2011.
5 Kern J and Jones A. Evidence of toxicity, oxidative stress and neuronal insult in autism. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Jul 2007.