Colonista: One Woman's Search for the World's Best Colon Cleansing

Don't Believe Me? Water's Important!

You may not believe it, but the quality of the water you drink probably isn't anywhere near where it should be. According to the EPA, there are over eighty "regulated" contaminats found in tap water including arsenic, fluoride, chlorine, and a bunch of pesticides.

 

And just because you drink bottled water doesn't mean that you don't need to be concerned. Cows, chickens, fish, and pigs drink/live in toxic water--and this is passed on to you when you eat them. Fruits and veggies are grown with toxic water--and this, too, is passed on to you when you eat them. You wash your clothes and bedding with water, and you bathe in water. Water is a much larger part of your life than simply the water you drink.

 

Did you know that after showering for fifteen minutes, the potential is there for your body to absorb the same amount of toxins found in seven glasses of tap water?

 

And that bottled water you're drinking isn't necessarily all that safe, either. Several popular water manufacturers are actually selling you bottled tap water!

 

It's time for us all to wake up and realize that the quality of water we surround ourselves with has a huge affect on our bodies!

 

(Picture Credit: Washington County Oregon)

Water: Pretty Darned Important

I know--you're thinking, "Duh! Of course water's important!" But I feel like it's necessary to really break it all down for you. Because, unfortunately, we don't always drink the best kind of water, and we don't always drink enough of it.

 

Water helps our digestive system work efficiently by maintaining regular elimination and decreasing the potential for constipation. It also flushes toxins out of the colon, kidneys, and liver. It helps our bodies to efficiently absorb nutrients and maintain a healthy equilibrium.

 

What happens when we don't have enough water in our bodies? The colon tries to absorb water from feces, creating a constipated state.

 

And yes, it's important that we drink water--not just any beverage will do. Our bodies are made of pure water, not of coffee, sodas, or anything else. When we drink anything other than water throughout the day, we allow our bodies to reach a dehydrated state, which places a lot of stress on the digestive tract.

 

Come back tomorrow for more facts about water!

 

(Picture Credit: QwickStep)

Three More Tips to Help You Avoid Air Toxins

Alright, so it's about time to wrap up our posts about toxins in the air. In conclusion, I want to give you just a few more tips regarding how to avoid air toxins:

 

1. Invest in indoor plants! Live plants absorb toxins and help to clean the air in your home and office. Some of the best plants to enjoy include Areca palms, Chrysanthemums, Spider plants, English Ivy, Peace lilies, English ivy, and Boston ferns.
2. Only use natural air fresheners--stay away from the chemical ones! Or you can try diluting essential oils in distilled water to spray around the home or office. Some of the most fragrant oils to use are lemongrass, tea tree, lavender, citronella, and orange.
3. Open up those windows during a rainstorm! This will help increase the circulation of fresh air throughout your home or office.

(Picture Credit: Electronic Cigarette Information)

Have You Heard of Sick Building Syndrome?

I know that I hadn't heard of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) or Building Related Illness (BRI) until I read Dr. Edward F. Group III's book The Green Body Cleanse. SBS happens when people who spend a significant period of time in a specific building report similar health symptoms. And these symptoms seem to be closely linked with that particular building.

 

Some of the most common symptoms associated with SBS include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• fatigue
• dry cough
• difficulty concentrating
• headache
• eye, notse, and throat irritation

In most cases, these temporary symptoms will vanish after a person has been away from the "sick" building for a period of time. However, when prolonged symptoms such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and/or chest tightness occur, it could be related to BRI rather than SBS.

 

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Resources, as many as one in three buildings in the U.S. could be labeled as "sick."

 

The lesson to be learned? Pay attention to your body!! It could be telling you that the air you're breathing contains toxins.

 

(Picture Credit: nlite)

Dust Mites: Yup, They Cause Toxins

Thanks to Dr. Edward F. Group III for this one: Did you know that "your mattress can host anywhere from one hundred thousand to ten million [dust mites]? They can also account for ten percent of the total weight of pillows used over six years. These numbers are even more disturbing when you consider that you spend roughly one-third of your life in bed."

 

Gross.

 

Dust mites are nasty little critters that feed on dead skin scales. Dust mites only live for about 2-4 months, but in that amount of time, one dust mite can produce up to 200,000 droppings, which are the cause of dust allergies. The droppings are extremely toxic and can accumulate in your intestinal tract and sinuses, causing immune system overload.

 

Did you know that just one ounce of dust can support up to 30,000 dust mites?

 

Follow these tips to eliminate these nasty buggers:

 

• Use a dehumidifier at least twice a week to reduce moisture, as dust mites are attracted to humid areas.
• Use a home dust mite test kit to check your bedding for dust mites.
• Invest in wood shades and blinds instead of cloth curtains.
• Annually, buy new hypoallergenic pillows to prevent the accumulation of dust mite droppings.
• Wash all bedding at least once a week in very hot water with an all-natural laundry detergent. Dry your bedding on a high heat cycle.
• Replace carpeting with non-toxic hardword flooring. If this isn't possible, use all-natural carpet cleaners to kill residual dust mites.
• Vacuum often.
• Invest in an air purification system with negative ion, UV, and HEPA filter technology.

(Picture Credit: Elev8)

Pets are Great...Pet Dander is Not

I love my two chocolate labs. They're cuddly and have big, funny personalities. But I'm not so in love with what comes along with them: pet dander.

 

Pet dander is similar to dandruff from humans. Techinically, it's just dead skin cells that have come loose. It can accumulate all over the house but is usually most prevalent in the areas where your pets spend most of their time: carpet, beds, couches, and other upholstered furniture.

 

Did you know that approximately 30% of people with allergies are particularly allergic to feathered or furred animals? A lot of this is due to pet dander! Try these ways to avoid toxins from pet dander:

 

• Keep your pets in a designated room in your house (with an air purifier) or outside.
• Designate at least one room in your home as pet-free.
• After petting an animal, wash your hands.
• Give your pet a bath weekly. Use a chemical-free pet shampoo and do the bathing outdoors if at all possible.
• Brush your pet outside at least three times a week to loosen up and get rid of pet dander.
• Keep pets away from carpeted areas and off of upholstered furniture as much as possible.
• Clean/change your air conditioning filter monthly.
• Invest is a high quality air purification system that includes negative ion, UV, and HEPA filtration.
• Vaccum and wash all bedding as much as possible. Use an all-natural laundry detergent.

Follow these tips, and you'll be on your way to a pet dander-free home!

 

(Picture Credit: Doggies.com)

 

 

Follow These 8 Tips to Avoid Toxins from Mold and Mildew

Now you know that mold has been linked with several diseases...so how can you keep that from happening??

 

• Keep in mind that moisture control is the key to regulating mold indoors.
• As soon as you notice leaks, condensation, or spills, wipe them up.
• Invest in a dehumidifier (especially if you live in a high-humidity area) to help clear moisture out of your home's air.
• Run your air conditioner as it's needed, but be sure to clean or change the A/C filters often.
• While showering, ventilate the bathroom with a fan.
• Use tea tree oil in your ventilation system to help control bacteria and mold growth.
• Have your home tested for mold spores, especially if you live in a particuarly humid area.
• Invest in an air purification system that includes negative ions, UV, and HEPA filter technology.

Make sense? Go to it!

 

(Picture Credit: EcoHomeResource.com)

Mold and Mildew: Biological Contaminants in the Air

Regardless of how clean you keep your home, there are still biological contaminants in the air. According to the EPA, biological contaminants are "living organisms or their derivatives," including bacteria, mold, dust mites, mildew, viruses, and animal dander. When you regularly expose yourself to these substances, toxins build up in your body, which can lead to the development of disease.

 

First, let's talk about mold and mildew. What, exactly, are they?

 

According to Dr. Edward F. Group III, "Mold is microscopic fungi that proliferate in damp areas." Mold that grows in the bathroom/tub is referred to as mildew. Mold naturally occurs outdoors, and airborne mold spors easily make their way indoors.

 

Exposure to mold toxins has been connected with nausea, diarrhea, and many respiratory ailments.

 

Come back tomorrow to learn how to avoid exposure to these types of toxins!

 

(Picture Credit: QwickStep)

7 Ways to Avoid Tobacco Smoke Toxins

So you want to try to avoid developing a toxic body due to cigarette smoke...follow these seven tips!

 

1. Quit smoking as soon as possible!
2. Don't smoke inside your home. Go outside if you need to smoke, and stay at least 100 feet away from the house.
3. When you feel like you need to smoke, distract yourself by taking a walk or working on a hobby.
4. Ask guests to step outside if they need to smoke.
5. Never ever smoke near a child. Not even if you're outside.
6. Switch to an organic or all-natural tobacco to help you quit smoking.
7. Each morning, look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I am proud to be a non-smoker."

I know it's hard--I deal with it every day. But it's time for us to take this step to a happier, healthier life!

 

(Picture Credit: Quit Smoking Painlessly Now)

Captain Obvious Fact: Tobacco Smoke is Bad for You!

We all know it by now: smoking is bad for you. The chemicals and additives in cigarettes contribute to lung cancer. Additionally, there's a connection between tobacco smoke and colorectal cancer. The smoke delivers carcinogens to the colon, which increase polyp size. The larger a colon polyp becomes, the higher the risk of it developing into cancer. According to Cancer Causes and Control, smoking "may increase the risk of death from cancer of the colon or rectum by up to 43%."

But just quitting smoking won't take care of the problem. We also have to take secondhand smoke into consideration. Secondhand smoke (also called environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) can cause toxic accumulation in people who don't even smoke. ETS can even lead to cancer by damaging the genes of anyone who is exposed to it. In fact, the risk of getting cancer due to ETS is about one hundred times greater than the risk of getting cancer due to outdoor contaminants alone.

Now chew on this: about 60% of children under five years old live in or visit a home with at least one smoker.

Come back next week to learn how to eliminate cigarette smoke toxins from your life!

(Picture Credit: TheMedGuru)