Researchers recently studied samples consisting of over 20,000
animals from 24 populations (equally divided between males and
females) representing eight species living with or around humans
in industrialized societies. They found that in all animal
populations, there was a trend for increasing body weight over
time.
The scientists also reported that over the past several decades,
average mid-life body weights have risen among primates and
rodents living in research colonies, as well as among feral
rodents and domestic dogs and cats. The authors of the report,
which appeared in the November 24, 2010, issue of Proceedings of
the Royal Society of Biological Sciences, suggest that the cause
of increasing body weight in animals may be similar to what is
causing the increasing body weight in humans.
In industrialized societies, the human population is facing an
unprecedented obesity epidemic. Over two-thirds of adults in the
United States are either overweight or obese.
Obesity leads to a host of health problems, including diabetes
and hypertension. My experience has shown that limiting refined
foods is a healthy way to approach one’s diet and combat
obesity.
But this study points to another factor: Toxin exposure could be
causing animals as well as humans to gain weight. One of the
body’s defense mechanisms against toxin exposure is to gain
weight in order to store the toxins (in fat) safely away from
vital organs.
Every day, we are exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals
found in plastics, body lotions, and food. In order to fight
this onslaught, it’s important to ensure that your body’s
detoxification capabilities are properly maintained. This can be
done by eating a good diet, drinking plenty of water, ingesting
salt, and taking the appropriate nutrients to aid
detoxification.
One supplement that can aid any detoxification plan is vitamin
C. I suggest taking at least 3,000 mg/day of vitamin C, if your
stomach can tolerate it. It’s also important to find a
healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about detoxification.