Studies show that there is a clear link between environmental toxins and poor health so it makes sense to avoid possible sources of contamination. Toxins can be absorbed through your skin, they are also in the air you breathe and the food that you eat and drink. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to protect your health and the health of your family.

First of all pay attention to your diet. Drink lots of filtered or mineral water, avoid foods high in fat, salt, sugar, additives and preservatives and increase your intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Second, see if your home or work places exposes you to obvious toxins that you can avoid, such as cigarette smoke, and then look out for these other 10 possibilities:

• Many perfumes and scented products, like air fresheners, contain worrying chemicals (such as “artificial musks”). Check toiletries and cosmetics. Be especially wary of the aluminium in deodorants. Use natural cosmetic products and deodorants instead as scientists are currently investigating links between deodorants and breast cancer. Most firms keep their ingredients secret, writing “parfum” on the label instead. Why not cut down on one or two scented products? Treat your pets or your house with natural herbal sprays or garlic or, better still, open a window instead of spraying air-freshener.
• The same goes for make up, moisturisers and other cosmetics as chemicals can get into our skin and be absorbed into the bloodstream. Explore your local health store or reputable online health sites and see what natural alternatives are out there. Tampons, especially super absorbent ones, may dry the vagina — making the transfer of toxins into the vagina easier. Best to use towels instead and if you do use tampons make sure you change them every four hours. Some studies have found that the only type of tampons that do not produce toxins are the 100 per cent cotton ones.
• Minimise the amount of chemicals you use in your home such as polish, bleach, detergents and air fresheners. Try to buy natural products or use tried and tested cleaners like white vinegar and lemon for stain removal, chemical free liquid soaps and detergents.
• See green. At least once a day try to take a stroll in a park or green place. Trees give out energizing oxygen. It’s also a good idea to have plants in your home and workplace. NASA research has shown that the following plants can extract fumes, chemicals and smoke from the air: peace lilies, dwarf banana plants, spider plants, weeping figs, geraniums, and chrysanthemums.
• Refuse and, when possible, replace mercury containing dental filings with non toxic ones. There are also high levels of mercury in tuna fish so keep your intake down to three or four times a week.
• Devices that emit electromagnetic radiation such as computer screens, mobiles, and microwaves should be used with caution and as far away from the bedroom as possible as preliminary research suggests they could have negative effects on health. Buy battery operated clocks and radios and unplug electrical sockets before you go to bed. Limit your time spent at computer screens as some research suggests it can increase the risk of miscarriage. Take regular breaks, around five minutes every half an hour and switch the screen off rather than using the screensaver.
• Many household paints give off dangerous fumes as they dry. Water based paints are better because they contain fewer “volatile organic compounds” (or VOCs). Use water based paints where possible.
• Toys made from PVC plastic can contain softeners called phthalates which are suspected hormone disrupters. Ask for PVC-free toys in the shop. (By law, new teething toys should now be free from phthalates).
• Bottles and Beakers. Plastic baby bottles, beakers and tableware made from polycarbonate can leak potentially risky chemicals when worn or scratched. Replace battered or scratched plastic utensils with new ones.
• Check chemicals at work. Carbon disulphide used in several chemical manufacturing processes such as the production of plastics has been linked to hormonal imbalance. Many pesticides and herbicides are known reproductive toxins. People working in gardens, parks, plant nurseries and farms are at risk. Exposure to heavy metals (traffic fumes) to solvents (dry cleaning, lab stag) and to glycol ethers used by electronics manufacturing firms have also been linked to fertility problems.

Although small, mouth ulcers and sores can be extremely painful and make it hard for you to eat, smile and laugh. They can also make you feel run down and tired. Nutritional deficiencies in iron, B12 and folic acid have been linked to painful mouth ulcers. Vitamin C and zinc are also important because they can enhance immune function and aid wound healing.

Other helpful strategies include:

• Good dental hygiene; it really is essential to floss every day
• Eat plenty of salads with raw onions. Onions contain sulphur which has healing properties
• Avoid sugar, citrus fruits and refined, processed foods. Also avoid chewing gum, lozenges, sharp sweets, mouthwashes, tobacco and coffee, as these foods often trigger mouth sores and bad breath
• Stress is one of the most common triggers for mouth sores so pay attention to your stress levels. (Stress can also lead to deficiencies in the B vitamins)

Ulcers may also be allergy related and food allergies can be detected by a simple food allergy test.If your sore or ulcer does not heal within a week consult your doctor.

This month’s case study: ‘Lesley’ – who was fed up with feeling lethargic, bloated and generally not well …

Lesley’s Story:

“My gynaecologist suggested that I went to one of the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinics as I was getting irregular periods, with blood pouring out in clots but I did not want to go on the Pill. I was also generally not feeling well and thoroughly fed up with all the different symptoms I was getting.

“All of my symptoms seemed to be unconnected and it was such a long list that I just did not know what to do. I was 42 and having irregular cycles, offensive smelling urine, dry skin and hair loss, low self esteem and confidence, anxiety, massive bloating, flatulence, water retention, no energy and a slow metabolism. Not only was I struggling to lose any weight but was sweating two to three nights before my period started and waking up at night because of it which then affected my energy the next day and round and round I went in a circle.

“My doctor had previously run blood tests and they were all fine, which normally one would think is re-assuring. But to be told that nothing was wrong and still feeling awful is not very helpful. The blood tests showed that my thyroid function was absolutely fine, so I could not blame my slow metabolism on that. My iron levels which could have affected my energy and hair loss were also tested and these were normal. My doctor also re-assured me that I was not menopausal which I thought might be the case as I was getting night sweats and my glucose level was checked to rule out diabetes.

“I was asked to complete a questionnaire before coming to the consultation and this was very enlightening as it made me aware of how much I was eating and drinking of certain things. When you have a little bit of something but you have it everyday it really adds up by the end of the week.

“I also mentioned at the consultation which I had not put on the questionnaire that I get fungal infections on my toes, an irritable scalp with lumps of skin and also that I was finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate alcohol.

“Dr Glenville’s practitioner at the clinic suggested I did a stool test to check digestion, absorption, levels of good bacteria, the presence of yeasts and bacterial infections and to rule out any parasites.

“When the test results came back they showed that although my digestion and absorption were fine and I had no parasites, I had low levels of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and high levels of a yeast (candida) in the gut.

“I was actually relieved to find out that something was wrong as it now meant that I could make some changes.

“I was asked to follow an anti-candida diet, which involved eliminating foods containing yeast, sugar, fermented foods, etc. and to take a course of supplements to re-colonise the gut with good bacteria and to eliminate the yeast.

“The results were amazing, within three months I had more energy and was awake quickly in the morning. A symptom I had not mentioned at the consultation was a terrible tiredness in my eyes which had miraculously gone. I had less water retention, my breasts weren’t sore leading up to my period, the night sweats had gone and the muzziness in my head (like brain fog) had lifted completely, I could actually think and concentrate. I had a lost a stone and my periods since the first consultation were regular with normal blood flow, not heavy and no clots. The fungal infection on my toes had gone and my scalp was fine.

“The most amazing thing for me was to think that one problem in the body can cause such unconnected symptoms and that by treating that problem I feel like a new woman.”

My comments:

This is a very clear example of the importance of tracking down the cause of the problem by using a simple test, rather than just treating the symptoms.

In the gut, there are some five hundred different species of microflora and as many as nine times more bacteria than there are cells in your body and there is a delicate balance of bacteria and yeasts. The yeast candida is present in the intestinal tract and in normal healthy circumstances does not cause any problems. But if it grows out of control then it can give symptoms such as food cravings (especially for sugar and bread), fatigue, a bloated stomach with excess flatulence, hormonal problems, depression and anxiety, skin problems, a ‘spaced out’ feeling or ‘brain fog’ and becoming tipsy on a very small amount of alcohol. Factors which can cause a yeast overgrowth are antibiotics, HRT, the Pill, stress, high sugar and a refined carbohydrate diet.

In the intestines, candida can become ‘mycelial’, in that it forms root-like growths that can penetrate the intestine walls, and cause the gut to ‘leak’. Small pieces of undigested food then escape into the bloodstream. This condition is known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and results in food allergies.

The gut is very important and we tend to only think of it in terms of digestion but it does a lot more than that. It acts as an efficient barrier to invading organisms – up to 70% of your immune system is in your gut. So it is really important to have good levels of beneficial bacteria.

The test that was suggested for Lesley is called a Digestive Stool Analysis and Parasite test.