We are exposed to a multitude of toxins on a daily basis. If our resistance is high, we can usually cope with them. It is when we are young and still developing that toxins can create great damage even in very small amounts. An obvious example is when alcohol is consumed during pregnancy. Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is well characterized. Children are affected for life both physically and mentally. Various recreational drugs taken by pregnant mothers also have far reaching effects. Even drugs taken to ease birth and during subsequent breast feeding can have consequences (this includes coffee!). Most medicinal drugs contain a pregnancy warning that most doctors are aware of. However, incidences fall through the cracks. The worst cases known were from Thalidamide taken by pregnant mothers for nausea that led to babies without limbs. This medication had not been thoroughly tested before being released to the public. It has since been withdrawn but has returned as a treatment for multiple myeloma and leprous lesions. it is important to be aware and read the small print! Don’t assume your chronic medication that is fine for you is necessarily fine for a small developing child.
Babies are extremely vulnerable to anything entering their bodies. Some babies are stronger at resisting toxins than others. This includes vaccines. Some babies are allergic to the carrying agents of vaccines especially if injected straight into the blood. Two of these are Thimerasol (containing mercury) and Aluminium.This is a controversial area, and one has to evaluate risk to benefit. Childhood vaccines are registered to be administered by the age of 2. At this age as a South African mum, usually 16 vaccines have been given if the protocols are followed. A number are boosters. Dedicated mothers often give many more, including influenza shots every year. Parents need to investigate from different perspectives what is best for their child, but to keep in mind that EVERYTHING entering the body can be a toxin and should be questioned, especially with babies and toddlers. It is also not good to overload the immune system with multiple viral antigens. Certain vaccines are given for illnesses that are not life threatening such as chicken pox and influenza. A dose of a real illness rather than a vaccine can strengthen the immune system a lot more. Care should always be taken when children are ill. However, prevention is oftentimes worse than the illness itself and may have long term consequences. If you are worried, vaccinate when children are older and stronger. Boosters are rarely necessary. In South Africa, vaccines are not compulsory even although schools may request it, parents have a right to refuse without children being excluded from school. Small children are not vulnerable to covid and therefore do not need a vaccine here.
Other toxins:
Parents rightfully wish to do the best for their children. The best is not always the best, but young and first-time parents are often unaware of the toxins lurking out there. Some toxins that are known to affect brain development are lead, pesticides like organophosphates, mercury, phthalates, bisphenol and other phenols and parabens.
How can these enter our environments, you may ask?
Lead is often found in water contamination or accumulating in food like fish or in industrial work places and zones. Although most of this has been limited in the modern age, rural and poor areas with lead water pipes or borehole water near mines can exhibit this. Even fishermen who handle “sinkers” made of lead are vulnerable. Fish can accumulate lead in their livers. Lead can cross the placenta and be passed through breast milk, which can cause reduced fetal growth and preterm birth. Lead can also contaminate the environment through mining, smelting, manufacturing, and even recycling.
Mercury and other heavy metals can enter water through industrial discharge. Once in the environment, mercury can accumulate in water sediments and convert into toxic methyl mercury. Methyl mercury can then enter the food chain and become more concentrated at higher levels of the food chain. This can be particularly dangerous for predators at the top of the food chain, such as predatory fish that are eaten by humans. Although Thimerasol is used in vaccines as a preservative, is an ethyl mercury, and is regarded as safe, this has not been proved beyond doubt. Not all vaccines contain mercury, but parents should always question the use of vaccines. Very little mercury is required in young children to result in toxic effects. Other sources of mercury are run off water from artisanal and small-scale gold mining, consumer product waste, and dental amalgams. Mothers with many amalgam fillings may pass mercury on via breast feeding.
Organophosphates are used on lawns and agricultural products and may even be embedded in mosquito nets and sprayed on walls in mosquito areas.
Phthalates are chemicals can be found in many everyday products, and may be linked to ADHD. Phthalates are used in many cosmetics and personal care products, such as shampoos, lotions, makeup, perfumes, deodorants, hair gels, soaps, and hair sprays. They help lubricate other substances in the formula and carry fragrances. Phthalates are also found in household products made from vinyl, such as shower curtains, toys, and tablecloths. They can also be found in PVC building materials and dust generated from these materials. Food packaging also contain Phthalates. Phthalates can be found on coatings on some medications. You should also avoid microwaving plastic vessels that store food, as heating them speeds up the migration of phthalates from the container to the food.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in resins and is found in many consumer products such as food storage containers, water bottles, and other hard plastic items. BPA is used to make epoxy resins, which are used to coat food and beverage cans and the inside of pipes that carry drinking water. BPA is also used in paints, adhesives, thermal paper, inks, textiles, electronics, building materials, toys, CDs, car body coatings, medical devices, and dental sealants. BPA can also migrate into food and drinks from the containers it’s used in. It’s also found in surface water from wastewater from households and factories.
BPA is a hormone disruptor that acts like estradiol, stimulating cell responses. It can have a number of health effects, including dementia and loss of short-term memory, metabolic diseases, including effects on the liver, adipose tissue, and pancreas and also changes in hormones that regulate body weight and adipocyte function
If you remain aware of toxic substances you can prevent problems further down the line. If you have been affected by toxins at any point, there are various methods of detoxifying. Homoeopathy offers various solutions to suspected toxification that may have affected you or your children, especially in their ability to learn. These paths are gentle but sure.
