Hot Weather and Toxin Exposure: The Perfect Storm

The long, hot days of summer can offer ample opportunities for outdoor adventure and heightened physical activity. Just make sure you’re supporting your health against the potential for increased toxin exposure.

Summer is typically the time of year when more pesticides are dumped on crops, hot weather can trap environmental pollutants in populated areas, and sunlight can aid absorption of toxins through the skin. Sitting by the campfire spikes exposure to certain toxins such as aldehydes. Lead poisoning is sometimes dubbed “the summer Disease,” because symptoms appear to spike during hot weather. These are just a handful of examples.

Aside from taking steps to avoid toxin exposure, some of the best ways to protect is to support our health with nutrient-dense foods, particularly those that fight free radical damage. Staying active with regular exercise (just don’t overdo it in the mid-day heat), and ensuring adequate rest is also crucial. Lastly, research demonstrates that certain detoxifying foods and supplements can go a long way toward helping keep our toxic body burden down, and supporting long-term health.

Summer Detox Foods

There are a variety of whole foods that have been found to help the body eliminate some pretty ghastly toxins, while supporting overall health and vitality in the process.  Just make sure they’re organic to reduce pesticide exposure.

Here are some top recommendations:

• Apples contain lots of fiber and nutrients. They are particularly rich in flavonoids, such as quercetin and phlorizin, which support liver function. Apples also contain pectin, which supports digestion.
• Watermelon is a hydrating and nourishing food that promotes detoxification. It contains the nutrient citrulline, which has been found to help liver and kidneys remove ammonia. The high water content can also help flush toxins.
• Red raspberries are high in fiber to promote digestive regularity. They’re also packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidant compounds to protect cells from damage caused by toxins.
• High in fiber, beets are also rich in vitamins and key minerals, such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. They’re also good for both liver and gallbladder. Beets help the body produce glutathione, our most powerful antioxidant detoxifier.
• Flax seeds are primarily known for being high in fiber, but they’re also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are excellent at reducing inflammation, boosting circulation and supporting the detox process.
• Turmeric has been an important component in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and is often used for liver health and to support digestion and cleansing.

The Power of Broccoli Sprouts

A study conducted by researchers in China — home to some of the most polluted cities — found that consuming broccoli sprouts helped the body detoxify a number of airborne pollutants, particularly benzene. A half cup a day enhanced excretion of benzene, acrolein and other toxins. Broccoli sprouts are packed with up to 50 times more nutrition than regular broccoli, and are easy to prepare at home. Click here for tips on making your own.

Detox Supplements

Another excellent way to support total body detoxification and promote long-term health is with targeted, research-based detox supplements.

ecoNugenics new detox formula, ecoDetox™ blends traditional Asian herbs and nutrients with amino acids and antioxidants, to provide comprehensive support for the body’s detox systems including the liver, kidneys, skin, digestion and lungs. This unique formula promotes in-depth detoxification, boosts vital energy and supports antioxidant activity during the detox process.*

It also helps enhance detoxification on the cellular and genetic levels, with specific nutrients that support methylation — a biochemical process that’s critical to successful toxin removal, protection against environmental pollutants and other key defenses.*

For heavy metal elimination and protection, ecoDetox™ can be combined with PectaClear®, a modified citrus pectin/alginate formula that has been shown in published research to eliminate toxic metals from the circulation and digestive tract, without affecting essential minerals.*

With the abundance of fresh produce available, and lots of opportunities for physical activity, the summer season offers a number of unique benefits for enhancing health, as long as we can keep toxins at bay.