In summer, we enjoy the outdoors to the fullest, but did you know that these warmer months are often accompanied by additional toxins? Summer toxins are harmful substances that can affect your health, and they are all around us. Let's take a closer look at what these toxins are and how they can affect your well-being.
What are toxins?
Toxins are harmful substances that can enter our bodies through various sources, including food, environment and even our thoughts. They can be divided into several categories, such as:
- Natural toxins derived from plants and animals;
- Chemical toxins produced by human activity;
- Endogenous toxins that our bodies produce themselves in response to stress and negative thoughts.
Examples of toxins include harmful substances in foods, such as pesticides in fruits and vegetables, chemicals in sunscreen products, vehicle exhaust, and even alcohol consumption during summer parties.
The effects of toxins on the body
Toxins can have several adverse effects on our bodies, including:
- Oxidative stress, meaning there is too much free radicals in the body, and too little antioxidants to break them down;
- Impaired hormone balance, because toxins affect our hormones, including sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone), but also thyroid hormones, for example;
- Neuro-inflammation, because toxins interfere with the metabolism of neurotransmitters in the synapses between nerve cells. As a result, they affect the functioning of your nervous system, put a toxic load on your brain and can even cause neuroinflammation (inflammation in the brain).
These effects can lead to various health problems, including inflammation, fatigue and even chronic diseases.
Toxins in summer
Toxins we get all year round. In summer, however, there are some culprits that we encounter more often than usual.
- Sunscreen products
Sunscreens, which we use every day to protect our skin from the sun, often contain chemical toxins that enter our bodies through our skin. Worryingly, some of these products contain a long list of toxins, including oxybenzone and octinoxate. Regular use of these products can place a significant burden on our bodies.
- Fruit and vegetables
We eat more fruits and vegetables in the summer, but many of these products contain pesticides and other toxins that can be harmful to our health. Strawberries, spinach and apples, for example, are among the "dirty boxes" of produce with the highest concentrations of pesticides. It is important to consider organic options to reduce exposure to these toxins.
- Alcohol use
During the summer months, many people consume alcoholic beverages more often than usual, which can lead to an overload on our liver. Alcohol is one of the most difficult toxins for our bodies to break down, and excessive consumption can lead to liver damage and other health problems.
- Vitamin D
Although vitamin D is essential to our health, increased exposure to sunlight during the summer months can lead to an increased need for magnesium, which is needed for vitamin D conversion. A magnesium deficiency can lead to fatigue and decreased resistance to toxins. That's why you often feel so tired after a day outdoors. So it's important to keep your magnesium supply up.
The liver and toxins
The liver has two main roles when it comes to dealing with toxins:
- Creation of antioxidant enzymes
Antioxidants are crucial for breaking down toxins in our body. The liver produces several important antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase and SOD. These enzymes need several nutrients, such as iron, copper and B vitamins, to function effectively.
- Detoxification
The liver breaks down toxins and disposes of them through the bile and kidneys. This process is essential to protect our bodies from harmful substances. When the liver becomes overloaded, toxins can accumulate in our body, especially in fatty tissues such as the liver itself, brain, breasts and prostate.
By performing these tasks, the liver not only helps break down toxins, but also plays an important role in maintaining a healthy hormone balance. If the liver becomes overloaded, it can disrupt hormone balance and cause various health problems. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the liver healthy through a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Summary
Summer brings not only sunshine and fun, but also an increase in summer toxins that can affect our health. These toxins come from various sources, including food, personal care products and environment. They can have various negative effects on our bodies, such as oxidative stress, disrupted hormone balance and neuro-inflammation, which can lead to inflammation, fatigue and chronic diseases.
In summer, we are exposed to specific toxins, such as those found in sunscreen products, fruits and vegetables containing pesticides, excessive alcohol consumption, and an increased need for magnesium from sun exposure. Our liver plays a crucial role in dealing with these toxins by producing antioxidant enzymes and detoxifying our body. So it is important to keep your liver healthy through a healthy lifestyle.