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21 here. Kind of creepy, but I'm not ready to live in a box with nothing around me. I think we are exposed to more and more toxins now, but at the same time we are more aware of what are toxins than our parents generation. Look at the chemicals that used to be used with no caution. I'm all for doing what I can to avoid them, but I could be as toxin free as possible and still get hit by lightening or a tornado or a car (oops! that would be toxic) so I'm not going to let it get me to the point of panic. That isn't good for me either.
Few years ago, I had an acute decline in liver function. It was a very close thing. A transplant was discussed but I had a full and quick recovery (very unusual) . When you are toxic there is no need to guess what your problem is. The symptoms whack you on the side of the head.
Wow, David... so did I, just several months ago... even to discussions with the Transplant Clinic at UVa. My liver function is now normal, and I too had a quick recovery.
Mine was partially due to exposure for many years to chemicals before fume hoods. We practically bathed in some of them. Lovely things like benzine, MEK, toluene (and more) we actually poured all over our hands to clean them several times a day, in a small room with closed windows. It didn't help any that for the last 10 or so years I usually had a cocktail, or wine, with dinner most nights. Lethal punch to an already (although unknown) damaged liver.
darius...good gosh. You are very fortunate to have made that recovery.
Pro and prebiotics gave such relief for me from the ammonia build-up, I was emptying capsules of probiotics from the health food store , making yogurt out of the cultures and gorging on kale, cabbage, chichory, jerusalem artichokes etc. Must have had something like pica as everything which is known to help, I craved. Had a great doc who just said..."whatever you are doing, keep doing it..." Of course, as you know, there isn't a lot doctors can do when the liver fails...
I scored a 27. A little higher than expected, but some of the questions were, as zhinu said, too "black and white". For instance, some of the questions regarding eating non-organic food or drinking tap water at restaurants... well, yes I do, but probably not as much as most people. I go to restaurants about twice a year and eat a lot of organic food, but at this time can't eat exclusively organically. So someone who eats completely non-organically would score the same, but probably be more toxic. And is municipal tap water the same as well tap water? Wasn't sure how about that. :)
But like most of these quizzes, in general it gives one an idea of where one is at, and makes one think of where she can make some changes.
8. Do you live or work in an area that has wood cabinets or new furnishings. (Did anyone not check this?)
10. Do you live or work in an area that has painted walls or ceilings (same as above)
Specific:
15. Do ever drink municipal tap water at home or at restaurants (water varies a lot, well and artesian well water is not that much better then the city water, so why not say do you only drink purified water out of a non-plastic container.)
17. Do you breathe polluted city air (I breathe in pollution, but are they giving point for NY when mine is just traffic)
21. Are you often irritable (Yes, but I know why and it's biochemical not toxins)
23. Do you have difficulty breathing when anxious (I suffer from full blown anxiety attacks! Of course I have trouble breathing)
26. Do you sometimes feel dizzy (I have very low blood pressure)
36. Are you involved in one or more of the following professions or hobbies:
Agricultural Product Handlers, Asbestos Abatement Technicians, Auto Mechanics, Battery Manufacturers, Battery Recyclers, Canning Plant Worker, Carpenters, Ceramic Manufacturers, Construction Workers, Cosmetic Manufacturers, Cosmetologists, Dental Assistants, Dental Lab Workers, Dentists, Physicians, Diesel Equipment Mechanics, Dynamite Manufacturers, Dynamiters, Miners, Electronic Assembly Workers, Electronic Component Manufacturing, Electroplaters, Photographers, Engravers, Explosives Experts, Fertilizer Manufacturers, Farmers, Fiberglass Installers, Fiberglass Manufacturing Workers, Firemen, Firing Range Operators, Fishermen, Fluorescent Tube Manufacturers, Foundry Workers, Glass Manufacturing Workers. Glassblowers, Grinder Operators, Hairdressers, Hazardous Material Workers, Ink Manufacturers, Jewelers, Laboratory Workers, Landfill Workers, Landscapers, Lumber Processors, Lumber Yard Workers, Metal Recyclers, Metal Sculptors, Nail Technicians, Paint Manufacturers, Residential/Commercial Painters, Pharmaceutical Workers, Plastic Product Manufacturers, Plumbers, Plumbing Supply Manufacturers, Policemen, Potters, Preservative Manufacturers, Food Processors, Cooks, Printers, Search & Rescue Workers, Ship Dock Workers, Smelting Plant Workers, Solderers, Military Soldiers, Tanners, Tattoo Artists, Truck Mechanics, Waste Handlers, Well Diggers. (Why is cooking as a hobby on this list?)
42. Do you experience mood swings (biochemical not toxins)
43. Are you prone to depression (I'm diagnosed bi-polar not the fault of toxins, or at least if it is they should be asking about everyone's childhood.)
58. Have you had cancer, diabetes, heart disease, depression, obesity, liver disease or high blood pressure conditions treated by pharmaceuticals (same as above if not then it should be stated "do you take prescriptions?")
Other:
30. Is your menstrual cycle often erratic or interrupted (Is this a female only test? Where is the male only question?)
If I take away the yes on the specifics, not the duh! or other, my score goes from 34 to 19.
i guess i have to admit that is why i scroed 17. if the yes was from another cause, i checked no. and on many, like you stated, it was too black and white, so if i considered those, and did only half points, that would bring me down to 12...
but overall that is a good thing for peopel who are totally clueless to take the test and have their eyes opened...
That's kind of why I said I don't want to live in a box..and it would have to be plain, not painted at that. I'm sure the point was just that we are all toxic to some degree, and also to remind us of how many things we don't even think about that could be causing us trouble.
Darius and David, how scary that must have been. You are both very lucky to have recovered so well. The liver is really an amazing organ with its potential to recover, and even regrow at times. Do they have you on any strict, nontoxic regiments now or do they feel that there wasn't much residual damage? Do you have to avoid things like Acetaminophen?
Just joking, but some of the stuff (like Zhinu's 'duh' list) is just plain ridiculous. In addition - you're not supposed to drink tap water, but do it 7 times a day - or better yet, pay for poorly or unregulated bottled water. And I seriously doubt the benefits of drinking that much water a day ... (awaiting maelstrom of disagreement on that one...)
I love the stuff you post, Darius, but this one I can only raise an eyebrow at... excuse me, it's raining - I must go drink...
yeah, didn't know how to answer that one. i actually know one mdi-aged woman who just had hernia surggery, and this was her FIRST surgery her whole life! the doc didn't even bleieve her!!!
i suppose that local, etc still count as anethesia. i have never been completely knocked out. and my last one, on my wrist, i insisted on just a local. doc thought i was nuts...
Kathy, yes I have to avoid toxins, and many other things now including aspirin, ibuprophen... actually any NSAID because I hemorrhaged (lost 7 units of blood) and almost died last September. I will always have to take a beta-blocker but not much else. My docs are continually amazed that I even survived, much less healed so quickly. I consider it was MY doing, not theirs... organic foods, spring water, spirituality and a determined attitude. I had some bad dentition so they pulled all my teeth early on in preparation for a transplant (to avoid any infection). I'm still not doing well with the (cheap) temporary dentures but all the bone should be grown back in by next spring and I hope to save enough to afford good dentures. I miss eating raw and/or crunchy foods.
I have developed many allergies over my adult years, to things like dryer sheets, fragrances in soaps, synthetic fabrics (clothing and even sheets)... and looking back I can see it was my body/liver rejecting even small amounts of toxins. Even if I had a different mindset about toxins in the environment, I couldn't use Roundup or synthetic fertilizers.
"...I'm sure the point was just that we are all toxic to some degree, and also to remind us of how many things we don't even think about that could be causing us trouble..."
I'm 29 and have never had so much as stitches. I've never been to the emergency room (as a patient) or been admitted to the hospital. Now I'm not particularly healthy. I have sever allergies, I'm bipolar, I have low blood pressure, high heart rate, tendonitis in my thumb, knee problems and Gilbert’s syndrome (maybe, but some type of blood disorder in any case). I get strep and throat related bacterial infections very easily. I popped my rib off the cartilage and broke a bone in my foot, but knew that the doctor's couldn't do much more then I could. Now everyone else I can think of has had some type of surgery.
I'd like to know why they specified canola or cottonseed oil in #13? I would assume they feel there are more toxins in those two, but I corn goes through plenty of spraying, yet no mention of corn oil. I do use canola oil, thinking it's supposed to be better than corn, safflower etc., but this doesn't make it look so good.
there are lots of other sources of toxicity not mentioned in that test.
probably the most toxic is being a mean spirited person, or being around one. Living peacefully in an environment that is simple and clean is essential to health. Getting quite a lot of excercise is essential to processing the poisons out of your life. And of course a diet of fresh uncontaminated food that is high in fiber and that provides a broad spectrum of antioxidants. A life high in stresses that you can't do anything about is probably the most toxic of all.
Gloria is right on... people become toxic by holding in negative thoughts. I have just about stopped calling my best friend of 25 years... all his conversations are so full of negative energy.
Oh. Yes. I am so happy when I wake up in the morning. The first thing I see is my greyhound puppy - Emmagreyhound. Happiness is a puppy that doesn't shed!
Speaking of toxic people
anger is the same thing. I should know Sheesh spent many yrs being angry and it only hurt me not them .
ITs all connected.
I tried the test and just figured . " i should be glowing green in the dark by these answers LOL "
Canola oil is considered toxic because it is a nearly 100% GMO crop, unless you buy organic. I believe it is the same for cottonseed oil. Being GMO crops, they get the extra special doses of the Big M's Round Up treatment - so not only are they GMO, they are also heavy on pesticide load. Cotton is the worst offender for pesticide load, so cottonseed oil would be as well.
I refer to negative people as psychic vampires. I recently cut two people out of my life because I realized they never made me feel better any more, that they were just causing me to be down when I was around them, they are perfect examples of psychic vampires. It's not that they were picking on me or trying to bring me down, I think, it's just that they were toxic people.
YUCK, YUCK, YUCK!!! Thank you Hineni, I certainly understand now. Wow, it seems like they'll get you going and coming. I wish I had some thing in my house to squeeze my own oil out of something with as I don't think I've seen any organic around and it would probably be quite expensive. What's the safest to cook with then, and still keep your fats in healthy proportion to eachother? I do use a fair amount of olive oil, but I think it might add an odd flavor to cookies, breads, pancakes etc.
Zhinu, I have decided tonight that chiggers are toxic critters. I am chewed up from being out in the garden today and they make me really, really miserable. They are physical vampires and I wish I could cut them out of my life. Good for you for getting the psychic vampires out. You're right in seeing that they weren't any good for you, and enabling them to be so down on someone isn't helping them, as people, either.
I don't like the rats. Don't like having to put the bed posts in buckets of water so rats don't crawl up at night...wait...that's not me. I read that in a book. I have problems but rats are not one of them. Right now at least.
I love rats, don't want them wild in my house, but I've had pet rats. I'd still have pet rats but for two facts, one I have cats and two ironical they have a predisposition to come down with cancer. It hurts too much to have to put down a pet because of a cancer growth and I had to do it to three. But, they are smart, have very distinct personalities, fairly clean if given the space and materials to do so, will happily hang out with you all day if you let them. They do try to eat their young sometimes. My favorite pet rat was the runt who I saved from being eaten, she was missing part of her ear, and raised by hand.
I once got a registered Belgian Giant rabbit for my birthday who had been bred. When the babies were born she ate all of them, except "Dancing Rabbit" who I raised myself.
zhinu...lab rats are cute but those sewer rats...brrrr...
Knew a couple who tended lab rats to help defray the cost of school. This was when "Willard" had moved from the theaters to drive-ins. They took a dozen or so white lab rats to see the movie. Yeah...really impressed the ticket taker and people in other cars to see rats scurrying around on their dashboard.
David_Paul - That's wonderful! That is so something I'd do.
My brother made me watch Willard (the original) and Ben when I got rats for Christmas. I must have been about 11, which would have made him 18 or 19.
Also, we had rabbits when we lived in Tia wan, I was 7, and when we returned to the US we had to leave them behind, on the plane trip home he kept coming up to me and saying things like "your rabbits being served as dinner right now". I love my brother dearly, he's probably my second best friend, the first being DH, but we did torture each other when we were kids.
There is a point where rats and dogs get confused. There are dogs small enough to be rats (literally smaller then my cats) and rats big enough to be dogs. If the rat is above 2 lbs it's no longer a rat.
probably the most toxic is being a mean spirited person, or being around one
that is true, whether you are physically around that person, over the phone, or the internet! we shoul dall take more responsibility for who we give our time to!
david paul, you are too funny.
willowwind, we just got used to the tast of olive oil. its all i buy. now and then i have some grapseed oil. we use butter too. the key is your seasonings, the EVOO, as RachelRay likes to call it, picks up flavors of what you are cooking...
i found an herbal forum with plant IDs and suggestions... even about chiggers... but negative people aren't allowed there ;-)
[HYPERLINK@members.boardhost.com]
tf. I think you are right. When you notice someone is sucking up your time, its time for an evaluation. Life is so precious, why lt some one fill it with negativity.
While at the airport yesterday, I discovered a Wall Street Journal that had been left behind. Much to my delight I found an article which spoke to this exact subject. There is a small arngy minority according to the author attemptimg to push an agenda that if you are not angry, you are not paying attention. Well, this author suggests instead for the nonoutraged majority that if you're not grateful to live in America, you're not paying attention. As bad as it may seem at times which other country are you willing to move to. Personally I think that peoples angry negativity is a real downer and what they don't realized is it is very damaging to them as well.
rtl...well said...if you live in America (or in the EU or in lots of other places) in 2008, your standard of living is higher than probably 99% of the people who have ever lived. The most humble abode today has facilities a millionaire could not buy in the so-called "Robber Baron" era.
glorai, not usre of your purpose for the bear, but makes me remember, when you see one, [a bear, or an angry negative energy sucking person,] RUN THE OTHER WAY!
probably more reason to run from the obsessively angry person.
An encounter with a bear you may remember as an adventure. he was just being a bear for what ever intentions he had.
But an angry person has evil intentions - the want the world changed - they want you changed. Wheather for good or bad. would they be less angry. I doubt it.
I scored a 16. We live in the country, drink well water, and eat mostly locally and organically produced food. The "live or work" questions got me! Can't always control the work environment and the bills need paying. This is a good quiz because it brings home the fact that despite all of our efforts to take proper care of ourselves, our families, and our environment, there are many factors outside of our control. For example, I no longer use plastics in my kitchen or to serve food. But if you eat out most anywhere, be it restaurants or a friend's house, you are likely to come in contact with foods that have been stored or heated in plastic containers. Cleaning supplies are another biggie. I have respiratory issues as do my children, so I am a big vinegar/baking soda proponent. But in many cases, chemicals and bleach are used in buildings frequented by the public, often at the command of health departments.
I guess that unless you are willing to become a hermit, you just can't win these days.
