By Mark Pitstick, MA, DC

Manufactured chemicals are everywhere—in the food, air, water, body care products, home furnishings, etc. Everywhere.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average American comes into contact with over 2000 chemicals per day. The U.S. allows over 14,000 chemicals in our food supply. The average American eats 150 pounds of chemical additives per year. Newborn babies have been found with hundreds of chemicals in their bloodstream. Until big businesses put health concerns before profit, chemicals will abound.

Chemicals are harmful, especially in the amounts present today. The human body can tolerate small amounts of non-naturally occurring chemicals but not in the excessive forms and amounts now. Chemicals particularly affect the brain and cause common physical and “mental” symptoms. For example, Sherry Rogers, M.D. and author of Detox or Die, states that chemicals are often a core cause of neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, Lou Gerhig’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and other afflictions involving tremors.

Those who work around chemicals are especially vulnerable to developing these type of disorders. “Linda”, a forty-five year old who had worked around chemicals for twenty years, developed tremors of the hands and an autoimmune disorder. She said several coworkers in their mid-thirties also had tremors of the face and/or hands. Her symptoms cleared up nicely when we helped her body remove the over-accumulation of chemicals.

We need to address the issue of chemicals—for ourselves, our children and our children’s children. Otherwise, more and more people will face major illness and mental imbalances. If traditional medical care is sought, the treatment will usually be . . . you guessed it—more chemicals in the form of prescription drugs.

Everyday in my practice, I see heart-wrenching examples of people whose lives are impaired or ruined by excess chemicals in their bodies. We have seen a number of teenagers who suffer with ten, fifteen or more serious symptoms: depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, insomnia, morbid fears, nightmares, etc. The answer is not ‘a pill for every ill.’

“John”, an eighteen year old, suffered so badly with all the symptoms above that he was considering suicide. His medical doctor recommended two drugs for sleep and depression but his family knew about natural health care methods. We found chemical toxicity affecting the brain and gave him several whole food supplements to assist detoxification. Within one week, he was 75% better and nearly 100% within one month. Two years later, he is working and functioning normally without taking any dangerous prescription drugs that have side-effects.

Since chemicals are inescapable and harmful, you are wise to do everything you can to minimize your exposure to them and regularly remove them from your body.

Chemical types and their most common sources include:

Acetate/Acetones: – nail polish remover, paint thinners and removers

Chlorine: – drinking water, swim pools, shower, hot tubs, baths

Dry Cleaning: – dry cleaned clothing

Food Colors: – packaged and processed foods

Formaldehyde: – new building materials/carpet/cars, artificial sweetener

Fragrances: – perfume, cleaning products, soap, shampoos

Heavy Chemicals: – Dioxins, Toluene, Styrene, Xylene

Hydrocarbons: – exhaust from gasoline/diesel engines

Medications: – many prescription drugs

Pesticides: – herbicides, fungicides, bug-killers

Petroleum Solvents: – (contain Isopropyl Alcohol) skin careproducts, laundry and house-cleaning detergents

Plastic Mix: – food packaging materials, plastic water bottles

Preservatives: – packaged and processed foods

Stay tuned for part 2 of this article shortly…..

– Mark Pitstick, B.S., M.A., D.C., has over forty years experience and training in hospitals, pastoral counseling settings, mental health centers, and holistic private practice. His training includes a premedical degree, graduate theology/pastoral counseling studies, masters in clinical psychology, and doctorate in chiropractic. His book Radiant Wellness: A Holistic Guide for Optimal Body, Mind and Spirit was endorsed by Drs. Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Bernie Siegel and others. Mark has been a frequent radio and TV guest and hosted a nationally syndicated radio show. He has presented many workshops on holistic health and spiritual awareness. He has been a review editor and regular contributor to many magazines and e-zines. Mark founded the Radiant Wellness Center and the Stressor-Nutrient Balancing healing method.

Disclaimer: Listing improvements of past patients’ problems does not imply a guarantee for those with similar conditions. I do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. I do teach people and health care professionals how to assist the body in healing itself of imbalances.