Toxin: a harmful substance that can cause damage to living organisms. Toxins can be produced by various sources, including plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, and even synthetic materials. They are often characterized by their ability to disrupt normal cellular function or metabolic processes, leading to adverse effects on the organism's health or survival.

Toxins are be classified into two categories:

1. Substances that are produced within the body as a result of normal metabolic processes. For example, metabolic byproducts such as ammonia or lactic acid can be toxic if they accumulate in excessive amounts.

2. Substances that come from outside the body and can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. 

   a. Natural Toxins: Produced by living organisms, such as plant toxins, animal venoms, and bacterial toxins. Natural toxins are chemicals produced by living things like plants, fungi, bacteria, algae, and animals, like venom from a snake.

   b. Environmental Toxins: These are toxins that originate from the environment, such as heavy metals (lead, mercury), pesticides, pollutants, and toxic chemicals.

   c. Synthetic Toxins: Artificially created toxins, often as byproducts of industrial processes or chemical reactions. Examples include certain industrial chemicals and some pharmaceutical drugs that can have toxic side effects.

What you Need to Know About Toxins

The severity of toxicity varies widely among different toxins. Some toxins can be deadly even in small amounts, while others may cause milder effects or require larger doses to be harmful.

The impact of a toxin on an organism depends on factors like the toxin's concentration, duration of exposure, the organism's sensitivity, and its ability to metabolize or eliminate the toxin. Factors such as age, illness, diet, alcohol use, pregnancy and medical or nonmedical drug use can also affect a person's sensitivity to a chemical.

Young children are often more sensitive to toxins for a number of reasons. Their bodies are still developing and they cannot get rid of some toxins as well as adults. Also, children absorb greater amounts of some chemicals (such as lead) into their blood than adults.

Toxins can affect various systems in the body, such as the nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal system. Symptoms of toxicity can be varied and may include: poor circulation, swelling, headaches, migraines, stress, anxiety, depression, allergies, poor skin, yeast, arthritis, fatigue, constipation, obesity, cellulite, sinus issues, gout, digestive disorders, cold/respiratory disorders, insomnia, bloating, and gas.

We have to watch out for our exposure to toxins because all people are not equally sensitive to toxins, and are not affected by them in the same way. 

All bodies vary in their ability to break down or eliminate certain toxins due to genetic differences.

People may become allergic to a chemical after being exposed. Then they may react to very low levels of the chemical and have different or more serious health effects than nonallergic people exposed to the same amount. 

How can I reduce my exposure to toxins?

1. Use nontoxic and organic cleaning products that do not contain ammonia or chlorine.
2. Never heat up plastic in the microwave with food or drinks in them.  The plastic leaches into food.
3. Don’t cook on or with aluminum foil, use parchment paper instead.
4. Install a water filter for your drinking water. Use for drinking and cooking.
5. Install a filter on your shower head.
6. Use fluoride free toothpaste. Fluoride is a potent neuro-toxin. Natural toothpastes will do an effective job at preventing tooth decay without being poisonous.
7. Avoid antiperspirants containing aluminum. Use a natural deodorant instead.  Your body needs to sweat to rid itself of toxins.
8. Avoid cookware containing aluminum, Teflon, or any other non stick surfaces.  Use Stainless Steel and Cast Iron Pots and Pans and Glass instead of Plastic.
9. Do not use VOC paint.
10. Do not install new carpeting or padding.

What can I do if I think I'm already experiencing symtoms?

1. Avoid continued exposure to the toxin. If you are using chemical cleaners, toxic health and beauty products, antiperspirants, plastic water bottles, and unfiltered drinking water, take the steps to gradually make the swaps to cleaner products. 
2. Take steps to detox your system.  This might include:
   1. Epsom Salt Baths
   2. Bentonite Clay "Mud" Packing
   3. Herbs or Supplements that Drain out Toxins
   4. Essential Oils 
   5. Cleanses
   6. Sauna
   7. Dry Brushing
   8. Parasite Cleanse
   9. Liver/Gallbladder Flush
   10. Metal Detox