Environmental Pollution Exposure
The 4 F’s – When the Hit Man Gets You
How do you know?

What do you do?
HIT #1     FATIGUE    All of a sudden, for no good reason, you’re tired.  You’re so tired you want to sleep.  You feel heavy and it’s hard to carry on….  
We live in a polluted world. Some of the many toxic chemicals, which are produced in the industrial society, make their way into our bodies through food, water or the environment generally. Once there, they put a strain on the digestive system, especially the liver and kidneys, whose function is to remove toxins from the body.  Toxins poison cellular energy production.  Fatigue results.

HIT #2    FOGGY BRAIN    Why is it so hard to concentrate?  Your focus is fuzzy, the world actually seems dimmer and you can’t think your way out of a wet paper bag.  Memory may take a brief vacation….

Brain fog may be described as feelings of mental confusion or lack of mental clarity. Brain fog is not recognized as a clinical diagnosis because it is not easy to test for it.  It is quite subjective, in other words.  The person just knows that they do not function well, and the mind often seems foggy or cloudy.  This is not the same as dementia, mental retardation, anxiety, depression or other common mental symptoms.
    Brain fog can have many causes.  However, the most common, by far, are nutritional and biochemical imbalances that affect the brain and central nervous system of the body.  In my experience, the cause is usually complex.  It can involve a combination of many factors.

HIT #3   FEELINGS      Life isn’t that great.  It isn’t worth the struggle.  Perhaps you feel depressed – either apathetic or weepy.  Worst of all, you’re irritable for no reason, except that everyone is being a jerk!  Anger or despair, which will predominate?

Environmental factors are among the most overlooked causes of depression and other emotions. The emotions are moderated through our organ systems and acupuncture meridians, what I refer to as organ circuits.  The emotion moderated by the liver is anger,  and the gall bladder emotion is resentment ,  like being galled at someone.  Grief, sadness and crying are associated with the lungs (the main way airborne pollutants are brought into our bodies).  These toxic exposures can lead to both physical and emotional issues.  Psychological problems can be caused or made worse by pollution!
Research shows pesticide exposure may lead to depression, anxiety and psychiatric disorders. The most typical source of pesticide exposure for the average American is the conventionally grown food they put on their plates daily.  Acute exposures to small but significant amounts of pesticides and other pollutants occur very frequently, with spraying of pesticides, factory emissions, auto exhaust, etc.

Heavy metals.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the three substances that have the greatest impact on human health are mercury, lead and arsenic, and exposure to these toxic metals are known to cause anxiety and/or depression. You can trace the origins of these particular toxins to industrial factories, dental amalgams, welding equipment, cigarette smoke and old galvanized water pipes. Heavy metal toxicity can disturb your brain chemistry causing depression and anxiety; it can also significantly weaken the immune system.
Prescription drugs.  Medications sometimes alter the brain chemistry, and certain medications have been shown to trigger depressive symptoms.

HIT #4   Flare-Ups of whatever symptoms you typically have:   Why do my joints hurt – again?  What did I do wrong, my eczema/asthma/allergies are back!  I think I’m getting another bladder infection!  I thought I was over this cough….

Pesticides and other toxics can cause both short and long-term (chronic) illnesses. The 4-Fs are acute, usually short-term.  Some signs of chronic illness are: weight loss or weight  gain,  infrequent or constant weakness or fatigue,  wounds that do not heal, no feeling in the hands or feet, poor balance, loss of vision, very fast or very slow heartbeat, sudden mood changes, confusion, memory loss, and trouble concentrating.



Strategies and Solutions

March-30 for acute exposure and quick symptom relief!  Glutathione (or other specific substances) on the tongue, March 30 steps, swallow!  

Detoxify and Purify!  Reduce your “Total Body Load” of toxins by reducing exposure, and increasing your body’s ability to cleanse and detoxify (Purification Program, use of non-toxic products for cleaning, pest control, personal care).  Switch to cleaner food, water and air!

Change the World!  Support organic farmers and retailers, get political!  Wapf.org.