Oaktree Wellness Center Blog

We’re all pretty familiar with the dangers of mercury exposure and what it does in the body. What may be lesser known is the specific damage it does to the heart.

The most toxic forms of mercury (mercury vapor and methylmercury) absorb deeply in the heart tissues via inhalation. Mercury exposure to the cardiovascular tissues increases risk for high blood pressure, lower hemoglobin and heart rates, impaired neurotransmitter function, pathological changes to the heart, blood clotting, fatigue, and much more.

Mercury vapors from dental fillings are more rapidly absorbed by the heart than the brain. However, vapors influence the heart from the accumulation in the brain and endocrine system. Vapors also affect the heart’s ability to contract properly.

Prenatal mercury exposure contributes to a higher incidence of damaged hearts in unborn babies from the toxic download from mother to fetus.

http://www.tuberose.com/Mercury_and_the_Heart.html

No Comments »

Taking clothes to a dry cleaner involves the use of a solvent that dissolves stains. In most dry cleaning businesses the chemical solvent is perchloroethylene (”perc”). The EPA considers this chemical an environmental hazard.

Most clothes can be cleaned at home making it unnecessary to take to the cleaners. However, for those that absolutely cannot be cleaned at home due to their bulkiness or delicate fabric, there are perc-free choices to choose from.

The use of carbon dioxide in cleaning involves the use of a nontoxic CO2 liquid in combination with a detergent. Two percent of this liquid dissipates into the air with each wash so minimal toxicity is released. This method uses minimal energy compared to heating solvents with standard dry cleaning.

Using a wet clean method with special milder detergents in water with washers and dryers followed by pressing and finishing is considered very safe as there are no hazardous wastes or chemicals.

Silicone-based solvent cleaning is generally seen as safe for the environment, but EPA studies have shown it to cause cancer in animals. It’s manufactured with chlorine which may emit dioxins.

Not every cleaning method being promoted as “organic” or “green” is environmentally safe as they actually may have Exxon-Mobil petroleum products in them which can cause irritation of the skin and eyes.

For more information: www.ucsaction.org/ct/cpeKf1412mVa/ and www.ucsaction.org/ct/c7eKf1412mVq/.

No Comments »

Bioaccumulation of chemical toxins found in our food, air and water can lead to a number of metabolic challenges and systemic dysfunction in some individuals. The body systems most often affected by these chemicals are immune, endocrine and neurological. Toxicity leads to dysfunction of the immune system, allergies, asthma, cancers, emotional and cognitive disturbances, hormonal and reproductive dysfunction, insulin resistance, and many more disruptions in the body.

http://www.headlice.org/lindane/health/toxicology/enviromed_crinnion.htm

No Comments »

The Centers for Disease Control recent reports show high amounts of cadmium in many Americans. The Environmental Protection Agency recently reported that U.S. companies dumped more than 6.6 million pounds of cadmium compounds into our environment in the last year - with Illinois having the greatest amount.

When cadmium enters the body it stays there a long time and accumulates. Cadmium is a likely carcinogen causing kidney and lung damage, changes in the blood, and low-mineral bone density.

http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=2049&xcntr=3

No Comments »

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has indicated mass recalls of toys in the last number of months due to excessive amounts of lead in the toy products. The lead in these toys can be dangerous if ingested by small children.

Jo-Ann, Fisher Price and Mattel are among a number of toy companies being hit by the recent recall.

http://www.madeinusa.org/nav.cgi?data/toys&

http://www.sierraclub.org/healthycommunities/lead/

http://www.life.ca/nl/118/toxictoys.html

No Comments »

Mercury and amalgam dental fillings aren’t the only dangerous metals in the mouth. White composite filling materials may also contain aluminum oxides and other metals as well as bisphenols. Denture and partial materials may contain cadmium, make sure that they don’t. Crowns often have nickel in them. These material metals can leach into the body and can produce undesirable symptoms in some people.

Each of us reacts in a different way to the materials placed in our mouths. Because these materials are with us 24/7 we must take every precaution to ensure the safety of it in our own body.

There are a few different ways to determine compatibility. Once the proper materials have been established and replaced, we may have to detox the old materials from the body. This requires proper diagnostic testing to identify any burdening heavy metals in the system, as well as the proper chelation protocol to safely remove them from the body.

The best way to ensure you are well informed and your health is protected during the removal process is to work with a biological dentist and a physician trained in proper metals’ removal protocols.

http://www.tuberose.com/Biocompatible_Dental_Materials.html

No Comments »

Many people have underactive thyroids. After being routinely tested by their medical doctor, an underactive thyroid is usually assumed to be due to aging and treated with a prescription.  What patients may not realize is that although an underactive thyroid can be caused by lack of iodine or other endocrine imbalance,  it might also be caused by environmental chemicals they have been exposed to.

Researchers from Canada’s University of Victoria are looking at the chemicals used in hand soaps and food and water sources to see if they may contribute to thyroid imbalances.

The researchers can’t say how often thyroid dysfunction is related to environmental chemical exposures. It can be difficult to determine since the thyroid supports so many of the body systems. It makes it even more difficult to find a chemical cause where the endocrine system is concerned because it’s such a complicated system to test and treat.

However, it might be worth some extra detective work to determine any obvious chemical exposure prior to treating otherwise if possible. It might mean that once the exposure to the offending chemical is eliminated the thyroid can balance itself out again.

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/122/thyroid

No Comments »

Children are exposed daily to chemical ingredients in their shampoos, lotions and powders. These toxins are more readily absorbed through a child’s skin, which is very thin in comparison to an adult’s skin.

The Environmental Working Group found that 77% of all ingredients in these personal care products have not been checked for safety. Because of loopholes in the law, the companies that make these products can put almost anything into them, without being assessed for its safety. They can also claim that their products are “natural” even though artificial ingredients are used, and sometimes very toxic.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/parentsguide/summary.php?nothanks=1

No Comments »

Tis the season to be merry - not sorry! No need to feel like that stuffed turkey or pig. This time of year we’re all tempted by the wonderfully scrumptuous creamy, sugary and rich foods. Don’t completely deny yourself of these wonderful goodies that are presented at every home, party and workplace. Just prepare your body before you go partying. Sample, don’t indulge heavily.

Increase your workouts, eat healthy before you hit the town, and drink lots of water. These all help reduce your chances of packing on those 5-10 holiday pounds that are so darn hard to take off after the holidays.

So hit the town, go easy on the morsels at grandma’s, and enjoy the holidays in a healthy way!

http://www.sportmedbc.com/groups/nutrition%20facts/Healthy%20Eating%20Over%20the%20Holidays_N.pdf

No Comments »

Over the last number of years there has been a growing concern of the heavy metal toxicity caused by low levels of exposure coming from the air, food we eat, and water we drink. The effects of lead and arsenic at low level exposure over a long time is raising concern over the pathological symptoms they produce.

Lead and arsenic interfere with many bodily functions including the liver and kidney, oxidative stress, and the central nervous system.

Chelating agents can be an effective way to help remove the metals from the body. These agents are especially useful when used in combination with other therapies, such as antioxidant support for the oxidative stress and nutritional support to keep minerals in balance during detoxification.

http://joh.med.uoeh-u.ac.jp/pdf/E47/E47_1_01.pdf

No Comments »