Detox Your Family From Environmental Pollutants

by VRP Staff

Fact: One out of every five American children is overweight—a troubling trend that has gained widespread attention in recent years.^1-2 But emerging evidence indicates that the problem may not be as simple as too much junk food, sugary soda and time parked in front of the TV. In fact, some scientists believe that environmental pollutants are also fueling this national crisis—and that endocrine disruptors like phthalates, Bisphenol A and pesticides could be the real reason why the number of overweight children in the U.S. has tripled.^3-8

These chemical toxins are hidden in popular hygiene products, plastic packaging and otherwise healthy food—and when combined with constant air pollution from vehicle exhaust and industrial fumes, your family’s exposure to hundreds of foreign chemicals every day is practically inevitable.⁹ Research shows that weight concerns (and their accompanying health and social issues) may be just one of many negative consequences of this modern threat. Trouble with attention, learning and other crucial neurological factors could also trace back to the nation’s growing toxic burden.^10-13

Luckily, there are a number of strategies that can help protect your family from a toxic world. Buying and eating organic is the most practical way to avoid hidden toxins in conventional hygiene products and produce—while supplying your body with the nutrients it needs to detoxify naturally. It can also help combat the effects of daily exposure to environmental pollution.

One of the most prevalent environmental pollutants is a chemical called acetaldehyde, which can be found in anything from vehicle exhaust to perfumes and air freshener. A number of essential vitamins and minerals can be lost in your body’s efforts to metabolize this common toxin—including vitamin B1 (thiamin) and molybdenum. No one, especially children, can afford to lose these vital nutrients, which are necessary for emotional and cognitive health—affecting factors such as attention, energy and mood—as well as the proper function of a number of key enzymes.

Clearing acetaldehyde also requires ample amounts of niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), riboflavin (B2) and zinc—which is why Vitamin Research Products has combined all of these nutrients with thiamin and molybdenum in their daily detoxifying formula AL-Neutralizer™, which was designed to counteract the burden that daily acetaldehyde exposure can have on bodies both young and old by replenishing levels of crucial nutrients. For detoxification, children 11 and older can take 1-2 capsules per day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). Children should take AL-Neutralizer away from bedtime because of the energizing effects of B vitamins. Adults can take 1 capsule in the morning and 2 capsules in the evening.

Another critical defense against toxic environmental threats is the antioxidant glutathione.¹⁴ Research shows that your body’s cellular supply of this important nutrient can be depleted with routine exposure to factors such as air pollution, heavy metals and cigarette smoke—but luckily, daily supplementation with a stable, bioavailable form of liquid glutathione (such as VRP’s LipoCeutical™ Glutathione) can help to neutralize some of the effects of toxic environmental influences.¹⁵

For children over four, simply mix 1/2 teaspoon of LipoCeutical Glutathione in a favorite drink (adults can use 1 full teaspoon) for daily antioxidant protection that’s safe, natural and powerfully effective.

References:

1. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, Lamb MM, Flegal KM. Prevalence of high body mass index in US children and adolescents, 2007-2008. JAMA 2010;303(3):242-9.

2. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2004 with Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans [pdf 3.8M]. Hyattsville, MD; 2004.

3. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. 2008. High body mass index for age among US children and adolescents, 2003–2006. JAMA 299(20):2401-2405.

4. Strauss W LJ, Menkedick J, Ryan L, Pivetz T, McMillan N, Pierce B, et al. 2004. White Paper on Evaluation of Sampling Design Options for the National Children’s Study. Available: http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/research/analytic_reports/upload/Executive-Summary-for-the-White-Paper-on-Evaluation-of-Sampling-Design-Options-for-the-National-Children-s-Study.pdf [accessed 1 May 2007].

5. Troiano RP, Flegal KM, Kuczmarski RJ, Campbell SM, Johnson CL. 1995. Overweight prevalence and trends for children and adolescents. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1963 to 1991. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 149(10):1085-1091.

6. Grün F, Blumberg B. Endocrine disrupters as obesogens Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2009 May 25;304(1-2):19-29. Epub 2009 Mar 9. Review. PMID: 19433244.

7. Chen, JQ, Brown TR. Regulation of energy metabolism pathways by estrogens and estrogenic chemicals and potential implications in obesity associated with increased exposure to endocrine disruptors. Biochimica et biophysica acta. 2009 Jul;1793(7):1128-43.

8. Schauss M. Achieving Victory Over a Toxic World. Bloomington, IN, AuthorHouse, 2008.

9. Environmental Working Group website, www.ewg.org, accessed online September 10, 2010.

10. Freedman DS, Zuguo M, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS, Dietz WH. Cardiovascular risk factors and excess adiposity among overweight children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Journal of Pediatrics 2007;150(1):12-17.

11. Daniels SR, Arnett DK, Eckel RH, et al. Overweight in children and adolescents: pathophysiology, consequences, prevention, and treatment. Circulation. 2005;111:1999-2002.

12. U.S. Surgeon General. Overweight and Obesity: Health Consequences. Rockville: MD; 2001.

13. Kuehn BM. Increased risk of ADHD associated with early exposure to pesticides, PCBs. JAMA. 2010 Jul 7;304(1):27-8.

14. Kidd PM. Glutathione: systemic protectant against oxidative and free radical damage. Altern Med Rev 1997;1:155-176.

15. Lomaestro BM, Malone M. Glutathione in health and disease: pharmacotherapeutic issues. Ann Pharmacother 1995;29:1263-73.