By Mary Houston-Harvey
Remember this line from the 1967 movie THE GRADUATE? – “I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Are you listening? Plastics.” Spoken by the character Mr. McGuire to Benjamin Braddock, played by young actor Dustin Hoffman, signifying a career path with a “great future” for the Graduate.
Plastics are a good place to start. Here’s some information that hopefully will lead to healthier choices. Frankly, I’m confused. We have the strongest environmental movement in the history of mankind. Many states have banned the use of paper bags for shopping. However paper is a renewable source. TREES RE-GROW. Paper dissolves and growing trees gives people jobs. Instead, the majority of states are using plastic?
Plastics don’t dissolve very quickly and at the centers of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans there are islands of plastic waste that are as large as Rhode Island. These plastics cause disease in our bodies. No humans or animals on earth are free of them.
Plastics break down into small particles called micro plastic particles or nano particles. These micro particles have filled the oceans and the fish that live in them. We eat the fish and the plastics are in our body. These nano particles fill our lungs, our livers, our arteries and our brains. They are increasingly concentrated in the Fetus’ of each generation.
Microplastics have been found in many foods, including:
- Fruits and vegetables: Apples, carrots, broccoli, potatoes, pears, lettuce, and tomatoes
- Seafood: Fish sticks, breaded shrimp, minced pollock, and white Gulf shrimp
- Protein: Chicken nuggets, top sirloin steaks, pork loin chops, and chicken breasts
- Plant-based proteins: Plant-based nuggets, plant-based fish sticks, and plant-based ground beef
- Salt: Himalayan pink salt and black salt
- Beer: About 28 microplastic particles per liter
- Other foods: Rice, sugar, tea bags, bottled water, honey, and milk
- Bread, cookies, cakes, boxed cereals, grains and flours.
DO NOT MICROWAVE IN PLASTIC. You are infusing your food with deadly chemicals. Right now there is NO KNOWN WAY TO TOTALLY ELIMINATE PLASTICS FROM OUR BODIES.
However, you can try to support your body’s natural detoxification processes and minimize your exposure to plastics.
- Eat healthy foods: Eat fresh, organic foods, and increase your fiber intake.
- Salads, nuts and seeds (organic) are your best bet.
- Organic chicken breasts and pork have the least plastic.
- Organic grass-fed beef, free range organic chicken, dairy and eggs.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water.
- Baking soda is a wonderful detoxifier for cleaning your home and detoxifying your body. Use it for cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and take 1/2 – tsp to 1 tsp in warm water with lemon before bed
- Support your liver: Your liver is your primary detox organ, so support its health by eating fibrous foods and avoiding processed foods. Use milk thistle tea or dandelion root tea.
- Take supplements: Consider taking liposomal glutathione, which is an antioxidant that neutralizes harmful substances. You can also try phospholipid supplements.
- Join a gym, exercise and use the sauna to sweat.
- Take epsom salt and baking soda baths at least once a week.
- Use binders like activated charcoal, bentonite clay, or zeolite clay, which may help bind to toxins and remove them from your body.
Minimize your exposure to plastics:
- Reduce plastic consumption: Try to reduce the amount of plastic you use in your daily life.
- Microwave in glass or ceramic: Avoid microwaving food in plastic, which can release harmful chemicals.
- Use reusable bags: Bring reusable bags to the grocery store.
- Choose fabrics wisely: Avoid wearing clothing made from synthetic fibers like polyester, acrylic, and nylon.
- Use baking soda and water, or vinegar and water to clean.
Wash and soak your fruits and vegetables in baking soda for 15 minutes or purchase vegetable cleaners that are available online. You may not be able to do it all but do as much as you can. You will benefit in more ways than you can imagine and help MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN. Become an activist and pass this information on. Join and support one of the many organizations globally that promote the limiting of plastics. These can be found with your search engine on the Web.
Available for nutritional consultations, cooking classes, and lectures, Mary Houston-Harvey resides in Oriental. She hosted the ‘Natural Gourmet’ radio show for 15 years in New York City. She is a Nutritional Consultant & Health Coach. Also served as a recommended dietary consultant by Sloane Kettering Cancer Hospital. Reach her at 646-509-1105.
