Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Cathy
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system. Researchers don’t know what exactly causes MS. However, MS has many triggers, and environmental toxins in your home are one of them.
Are you living in a toxic home? By removing these household toxins your body will have a better chance of healing. Keep reading to find out how to limit your exposure.
Find Your Triggers
Every MS patient is different. What triggered my MS is going to be different than what triggered your MS. This is when a little detective work is going to come into play.
Getting MS doesn’t happen suddenly, it slowly creeps in. Think back before you were diagnosed, even 10 years back. Were you eating a poor diet? Did you go through a period of chronic stress? Were you around too many environmental toxins?
Today we live in an extremely toxic environment. It’s in the food we eat, the products we put on our skin, the air we breathe. It’s even in the water we drink. Your body and especially your liver is in toxin overload.
Triggers to MS:
- Poor Diet
- Infections (bacteria, parasites, viruses, and yeast overgrowth)
- Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, etc.)
- Chronic stress
- Hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, etc.)
Minimize Your Exposures
We live in a toxic world, it’s impossible to remove them all. Even infants are born with chemicals already in them. It seems impossible however, you can remove as many as possible. This will help your body and liver detox. Here are some steps you can start taking today.
Plastics
Plastic containers begin to break down over time. You may have noticed the plastic getting cloudy or the lids not fitting properly. This usually happens after it’s been in the microwave or dishwasher a few times. As the plastic breaks down it releases dangerous chemicals into your food.
Bisphenol (BPA) is a chemical found in plastics and resins. Resins line the inside of food products. BPA seeps into the food and beverages we consume. According to the Mayo Clinic, BPA exposure is a health risk, especially to the brain. Instead, switch to glass and look for BPA-free plastic and cans.
Body Care Products
Soaps, shampoos, deodorants, lotions, cosmetics, colognes, and anything you put on your body contain chemicals. Think about when you get up to get ready in the morning. By the time you’re done, you have just put on about ten different products. Each one contains multiple different chemicals.
Reading the ingredient labels is hard to understand. Even “natural” or “all-natural” can’t be 100% trusted. If you have a smartphone download the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Healthy Living app. (Formerly known as Skin Deep.) Scan the barcode and it rates the product depending on its toxicity.
Pesticides
Household pesticides are used to repel and kill bugs. They are also used as mildew cleaners and disinfectants. Herbicides are pesticides to kill weeds around our homes. Pesticides are toxic and they’re meant to kill.
Pesticides cause damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, and endocrine system, and increase the risk of cancer. It’s heavily sprayed on our food and the soil it’s grown in. Washing produce will remove some of the pesticides but it doesn’t completely remove it. To avoid produce with the most pesticides read EWG’s Dirty Dozen List.
Nonstick Pans
Nonstick pans, also known as Teflon pans, use a lining that causes cancer. As the lining gets scratched or chipped it begins to flake into your food. Instead, use stainless steel or cast iron cookware.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, aluminum, and lead are very toxic. They enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier. Cadmium, found in cigarettes, increases a person’s progression of MS. Remove mercury fillings. Stop using aluminum pans, and foil, even antiperspirants have aluminum in it. Avoid lead products like gas and paints.
Household Cleaners
Your home should be a place of comfort. However, it’s potentially a toxic environment from household cleaners. They disrupt hormones, infertility, thyroid functions, asthma, learning disabilities. They are also neurotoxins affecting the brain.
Instead “go green” with safe products that you buy or make yourself. Going green is not only environmentally friendly, it’s also a lot cheaper. Using products you probably already have on hand you can clean your entire home.
Dry Cleaning
Yes, it’s convenient but the chemical they use, known as PCE, is a carcinogen. Carcinogens are substances that lead to cancer. It also damages the liver, kidney, and central nervous. You should never have this in your home let alone be wearing it. Look for a dry cleaner that doesn’t use hazardous chemicals. Also look for “non-polluting” and “non-toxic.”
Air Fresheners
Your nice-smelling home may be causing serious health issues. Many air fresheners including candles have dangerous chemicals in them. You would think “unscented” and “all-natural” air fresheners would be safe. Unfortunately, they also contain unwanted chemicals causing serious health issues. Including birth defects, asthma, cancers, diabetes, and endocrine system. Instead use wax, like beeswax, and essential oils.
Water
The “safe” tap water contains many chemicals to kill harmful organisms. Here are three common additives:
- Chorine – is linked to bladder, colon, and breast cancers.
- Lead – from corroded pipes can cause learning disabilities.
- Fluoride – found in tap water, toothpaste, and dental work. We are getting an overdose of fluoride increasing the risk of bone fractures.
According to a Harvard study, it may also be toxic to brain and nerve cells. Use a water filter, like Brita or PUR.
Mold
Mold releases poison into the air that we breathe. Black mold can enter the bloodstream. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier causing serious damage. Many MS patients have suffered from flares due to mold. Mold sensitivity can also be a sign of yeast overgrowth, Candida.
You may also enjoy reading: Removing Environmental Toxins
Time To Change
We are our environment from the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. We have poisoned our homes and our bodies. Start today by removing as many toxins to help your body begin the healing process.
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