The long held belief that your genes control your destiny is erroneous. They do not. YOU DO!
This emerging field called Epigenetics is changing everything we believed about disease. For example, if you have inherited a gene for diabetes, Alzheimer’s or breast cancer, you control whether or not you will suffer from these conditions.
Your cells are responding to the stimuli from their surroundings. These “environmental signals” actually control every cell in your body and thus the genes within those cells. Our genes have no power at all unless they are switched on or off by these signals, which are controlling our well-being—and thus our spiritual, emotional and physical destiny.
So what are “environmental signals”? Two things: toxins and thoughts.
Toxins — Some of the most dangerous toxins we face today come from the air we breathe and the foods we eat. Heavy metals, radiation, chemicals and pesticides can activate a gene for a particular disease. Air, water, food, drugs and tobacco, and household and personal care products are all common sources.
Thoughts — Negative thoughts and emotions are heavy-duty toxins. Anger, stress, worry, anxiety, fear and guilt stress the body and create too much of the hormone cortisol, which can trigger unwanted genes.
Often, advances that speed up the pace of life can also upset the balance so necessary for our health… and this is often seen in the form of toxic overload. Modern life continues to provide advances that speed up the pace of everything. There are conveniences everywhere, from fast processed foods to electronics to microwaves. And yet, while everything has gotten faster, one thing hasn’t changed: Nature and our human bodies need balance.
Toxins lodge in your cells, soft tissues, and muscles, and overwhelm your entire immune system. For several years, we have seen increasing imbalance in the form of growing rates of cancer, Alzheimer’s, autism, diabetes, fatigue, obesity, heart disease, allergies, candida and infertility. Almost all of these can in some way be linked to toxic overload in our bodies.
The right diet and simple lifestyle changes can drastically improve your health. In fact, with these 12 tips, you can limit your exposure to toxins AND create a healthy eating plan that encourages natural detoxification! With a few changes in your day-to-day habits, you can live in the modern world and still take charge of your energy, health and longevity. While it’s impossible to avoid all of the toxins that come with modern life, you have the power to create balanced health!
Here are my top 12 tips to help your body avoid, or eliminate toxins:
1- Start by incorporating whole, healing foods into your diet that boost your immunity and detoxify your body. In this way, diet alone can go a long way to keeping you protected from toxins you encounter in the environment.
2 – Drink plenty of water. This helps your body eliminate toxins through your sweat, tears, and urine. Make sure that you are drinking pure, filtered water from a safe source.
3 – Eliminate sugar and artificial sweeteners from your diet. Sugar is extremely harmful to your health and feeds candida, while artificial sweeteners are downright poison. Sugar feeds pathogenic organisms, weakens your immune system, and depletes your body of the energy to fight against toxins and toxic invaders. When you must have a sweetener, use unprocessed forms like raw honey, coconut palm sugar, or stevia instead.
4 – Choose your produce wisely! Locally grown, organic and fruits and vegetables in season are the best way to ensure you’re not consuming dangerous pesticides and chemicals.
5 – Choose the right meats, poultry and fish! Look for organic, pasture-fed antibiotic and hormone free organic sources of meat and poultry.Fish should be wild, not farm raised.
6 – Eliminate processed foods. Foods that are processed and packaged in boxes, bags or cans often contain preservatives and artificial flavorings that encourage you to eat more AND have toxic effects in your body. If you choose prepared foods, read the ingredients or nutrition labels to be sure you are getting the highest quality foods.
7 – Consume fermented foods and drinks. Adding fermented foods and drinks to your diet is an excellent line of defense against toxins. 80% of your immune system is in the lymph tissues in your gut. It is imperative to keep sending in a constant supply of microscopic warriors to replace the beneficial microbiota that reside there. Try fermented foods like cultured veggies, coconut and milk kefir, yogurt, probiotic liquids, miso, tamari, and natto. These probiotic-rich foods have healthy bacteria and yeast (microflora), which are essential for strong immunity, good digestion, detoxification, and for keeping your intestines free of pathogens like candida.
Cultured veggies are often made with cabbage and kale. These two vegetables are members of the cruciferous family and are a significant source of calcium glucarate, a powerful detoxifer. Research has shown that calcium glucarate helps prevent cancer of the breast and colon. You can find raw (unpasteurized) sauerkraut at most natural foods stores. Kefir is another excellent drink to include (consider making your own for the most economical option).
8 – Assist your liver. Your liver is your body’s main cleansing organ, and could use a little help. LivAmend is a great way to support your liver and your bowels in removing toxins from your body. It works by increasing bile flow that stimulates peristaltic movement. Then your colon will eliminate its contents more efficiently. Toxins leave the liver in the bile so you want to increase bile flow to get those toxins out!
9 – Eat ocean vegetables. Ocean vegetables have a long list of health benefits, are delicious and have amazing detox properties.
10 – Cleanse your colon. You can use either a home enema, or a visit a certified colon hydrotherapist. For more information on the amazing benefits of colon cleansing, read: Powerful Tips to Improve Your Digestive System’s Health: From a Conversation with Nancy Sphar CBE and Colon Therapist.
11 – Switch to organic, natural, and environmentally friendly personal care and household products. As more people are becoming aware of the dangerous toxins that these products put into our bodies, air, and water, natural alternatives are becoming available. For more information read: The Dangers of Typical Body Soaps and What to Use Instead.
12 – Learn effective ways to cope with stress! It’s not possible to completely eliminate stress, it’s a part of life. But you can learn to manage it. Additionally, many people cope with stress and negative emotions by binging and by eating foods that are unhealthy for them. Whether you go running, do yoga, or practice deep breathing exercises, find what works for you and make it a part of your daily life. Many people find that the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), founded by Gary Craig is a fast, easy, and practical way to clear stress and negative emotions. By quickly practicing these techniques they can be free to enjoy their lives!
Adaptogenic herbs may also help your stress response. Try Maca, Reishi Mushroom, Chaga Mushroom, Eleuthero(Siberian Ginseng), Rhodiola, Holy Basil or Ashwagandha.
Tap the power of infinite love and gratitude. Flood your cells with an environment that will keep those harmful, inherited genes quiet. Raise your vibration through positive affirmations, laughter, yoga, meditation, massage, music, and moments of absolute stillness.
Most importantly, commit to your health! The tips I’ve listed can seem overwhelming at first, but if you commit to one small step at a time and stick to it, you’ll find that new healthy habits start to pay off.
It’s important to know that when you first begin to eliminate toxins from your body, it’s normal to feel tired, achy and even more emotional or grumpy. These symptoms of cleansing usually last for a short period of time so don’t give up. Cleansings are a sign that what you’re doing is working.
We are not victims of our genes but creators of our own destiny. We live in a fast-paced world and yet, with these 12 tips, you can take charge of your health so that you can live as Nature intended: in health and balance!
