Week Three! Get the Chlorine out of your life!

This is week three of you personal clean up and get healthy program! How is it going so far?  There are so many variables in our lives and environments that we have direct control over.  When we eliminate these little things on a daily basis, our chances of staying healthy and avoiding cancer and other chronic diseases increases.  They are generally easy things to do.  This week I encourage you to get rid of as many sources of Chlorine as possible.

Why you may ask?  Because Chlorine is another Thyroid antagonist.  Being a part of the Halide family (remember your periodic table from high school?) Ok so if you weren't paying attention or don't remember, the halides are a group of chemicals with similar characteristics.  We looked at Fluoride last week, it is also in that same group. The group consists of Chloride, Fluoride, Bromide and Iodide.  

Iodide is essential in normal health and functioning of the thyroid gland and many other functions in the body. However, it is not very prevalent in our diets and can be blocked by the other halides. This can lead to low functioning of the thyroid gland and put us at a greater risk for cancer, heart disease, and weight issues. 

So, how does Chlorine show up?  That shower you take every day is a potent source of chlorine.  A simple shower filter that blocks chlorine can reduce your exposure significantly.  In addition, getting a filter for your drinking water is also highly recommended.  Use non-chlorine bleach when possible and replace your chlorine based kitchen cleaners with non-chlorine types. In the Kitchen, I like to use Citrus II which is made with Orange and grapefruit seed extracts.  It is highly antibacterial but non toxic. 

Another source of Chlorine that may sneak in is in the product Splenda.  It uses Chlorine to cleave the sugar molecule in the production process.  It has been shown to cause damage to the thymus gland in some experiments. 

All the best to you!  Good luck removing Chlorine from your world!!

Dr. J