The Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Toxicity
Environmental toxins are one hidden cause of cardiovascular disease that no one wants to talk about. However, these toxins have harmful effects on human health, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In recent years, there has rightfully been growing concern over the role of environmental toxins in the development and progression of CVD. Let’s look at some common environmental toxins that are linked to CVD.
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Toxicity
Toxicity from pollutants and chemicals has been shown to have negative effects on heart health because they cause systemic chronic inflammation and cellular membrane inflammation. These toxins come from sources such as air pollution, pesticides on our produce, heavy metals, mold, plastics, and chemicals in cleaning products.1
3-Legged Stool Of Disease
As humans, we often use analogies to better understand complex concepts. One analogy that I use to describe our health is a 3-legged stool, with each leg representing a key pillar of well-being. These pillars include minimizing toxic stressors, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, and promoting favorable gene expression through epigenetics.
Toxins are so detrimental that they have a significant impact on all three aspects of our health. Whether it’s through damaging cellular function, destroying our gut health, or triggering negative gene expression patterns, toxins are like a saw that cuts all three legs of our stool.
Small amounts of toxins do not act alone in causing harm to our bodies. However, they work together in what could be described as a “perfect storm” scenario. Just like how three separate storms can combine to create a bigger, more destructive one, the combination of various toxins in our environment overwhelm our bodies and lead to physical symptoms and cardiovascular disease.
From heavy metals to processed foods and physical stress to emotional stress, there are many things that can fill up our metaphorical bucket of stressors. To effectively prevent overflow, we must not only reduce our exposure to these stressors but also work on opening up a “drain” in the bottom of the bucket. This means improving our cellular detox pathways so that toxins are eliminated from our cells and ultimately out of our bodies.
Read about my battle with toxins and stressors that made me sick in the prime of my life and how I reduced my toxic load and restored my health.
The 5Rs – A Roadmap To Restoring Cellular Function
Chronic inflammation in our cellular membranes is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. In addition to removing toxins from our life, it’s crucial that we focus on detoxing the cell and dealing with cellular membrane inflammation. This is where the 5Rs come into play.
R1 – Remove The Source
The first step towards improving cellular health is to eliminate the source of toxicity. For example, removing silver/mercury amalgam dental fillings, moving out of a house contaminated with mold, removing hidden infections like jaw cavitations, staying away from toxic cleaning products, avoiding plastics, and not eating commercially grown produce are all ways to remove the sources of toxicity.
R2 – Regenerating The Cellular Membrane
Inflammation in our cellular membranes caused by these toxins prevents proper nutrient absorption and waste removal. This leads to an intracellular buildup of harmful byproducts as well as cellular starvation.2
Moreover, an inflamed cellular membrane also impairs ATP synthesis, hindering the ability to produce energy. Without enough ATP, the essential compound glutathione cannot be produced at optimal levels, making it impossible to detoxify our cells.3
R3 – Restore Cellular Energy
When toxins overwhelm our cells, they quickly deplete our stores of ATP. To combat this issue, R3 focuses on replenishing cellular ATP production and reestablishing detoxification pathways. By doing so, we can remove accumulated toxins that have built up over the years.4
R4 – Reducing Cellular Membrane Inflammation
Even during the process of detoxifying our cells, inflammation in the cellular membrane persists. This is due to the NO/ONOO cycle that sustains the inflammation. Through specialized nutraceuticals, we are able reset cellular membrane inflammation back to baseline. This allows our cells to function normally again, allowing for proper waste removal and nutrient absorption for ATP synthesis.5
R5 – Reestablishing Methylation
Methylation is a vital process that occurs in every cell of our body and plays a significant role in various functions such as detoxification, hormone regulation, and gene expression. The cell uses up its methyl groups dealing with toxins so it doesn’t have enough left over to methylate genes. This phenomenon is known as the methylation priority principle. Without enough methyl groups, harmful genes are expressed that drive the development of cardiovascular disease.6
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Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Air Pollution
Air pollution is a major environmental toxin that has been linked to various health problems, including CVD. Pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides enter the bloodstream through inhalation and cause inflammation in blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.7
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are found in the environment due to industrial processes and pollution. These toxins accumulate in the body over time and have been linked to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and even aluminum all cause cardiac toxicity. Studies have shown that exposure to mercury causes damage to the heart muscle cells and disrupts the electrical signals responsible for regulating heart rhythm. Lead has been found to increase blood pressure and increase homocysteine levels, increasing the risk of developing heart disease.8 9
Cadmium exposure has been linked to cardiovascular disease and also leads to the weakening of the heart muscle. Arsenic has detrimental effects on the heart by causing heart rhythm abnormalities. Studies have found that people with high levels of aluminum in their blood have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.10 11 12
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Pesticides
Research has shown that exposure to pesticides increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in several ways. One mechanism is through their impact on the nervous system. The nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating heart function and any disruption leads to an increased risk of heart disease. Pesticides have been found to interfere with nerve signaling, which affects heart rate, blood pressure, and other functions related to cardiovascular health.
Another way pesticides contribute to cardiovascular disease is by triggering inflammation in the body. Pesticides have been found to promote inflammation by increasing levels of certain cytokines and activating inflammatory pathways. This causes damage to blood vessels and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Furthermore, some pesticides have been found to disrupt hormone balance in the body. Hormones play a vital role in regulating the heart. Exposure to pesticides has been linked to changes in hormone levels which affect blood pressure regulation.13
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormones and have been linked to CVD. These toxins can be found in everyday products such as plastics, cosmetics, and cleaning products. Studies have shown that exposure to endocrine disruptors leads to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other CVD-related conditions.14
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Bisphenols
Bisphenols are endocrine disruptors that have been used in the production of plastics and resins since the 1950s. They are commonly found in products such as water bottles, food containers, and even thermal paper receipts. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most well-known and studied bisphenols, but there are many others including BPS, BPF, and BPAF that are all harmful.
Studies have shown that exposure to bisphenols leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease because they cause inflammation. Another one of the main ways bisphenols affect the cardiovascular system is by disrupting hormone balance. Bisphenols have been found to mimic estrogen, a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and heart function. When this delicate balance is disrupted, it leads to hypertension and other cardiovascular issues.15
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals commonly used in the production of plastics and other consumer products. They are found in everything from food packaging to personal care products like cosmetics and fragrances.
Recent studies have linked phthalate exposure to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, a study found that individuals with higher levels of phthalates in their urine had a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease.
Phthalates disrupt hormone function and cause inflammation. Studies have shown that exposure to certain phthalates trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease.
Additionally, some research suggests that phthalates interfere with the function of mitochondria, the powerhouse of our cells. This disruption leads to decreased energy production and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.16
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Persistent Organic Pollutants
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulate in the fatty tissues of living organisms and have been linked to numerous health problems including reproductive disorders and immune system damage. Recent research has also shown a strong association between exposure to POPs and the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Studies have found that exposure to POPs increase the risk of developing CVDs by damaging blood vessels, causing inflammation, and disrupting normal heart function. This is particularly concerning as these chemicals are commonly found in our environment and everyday products such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, and even some household items.
One group of POPs that has been specifically linked to CVDs is known as dioxins. These highly toxic chemicals are released into the environment through various industrial processes and can accumulate in animal fats, including those consumed by humans. Dioxins have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by damaging blood vessel walls and promoting blood clots.
In addition to dioxins, other POPs such as PCBs and PBDEs have also been linked to CVDs. These chemicals are commonly used in electronics, plastics, and flame retardants.17
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – PFAS Chemicals
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products due to their water-repellent and non-stick properties. They are found in everyday items like cookware, food packaging, clothing, personal care products, and firefighting foam. These chemicals are incredibly persistent in the environment and accumulate in the human body over time.
Numerous studies have linked exposure to PFAS chemicals with an increased risk of developing various cardiovascular conditions. PFAS exposure has been linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. One study found that higher levels of certain types of PFAS in the blood were associated with a greater risk of heart disease. Another study showed that individuals with higher levels of PFAS had a significantly higher risk of stroke than those with lower levels.18
Toxicity Drives Inflammation That Is Behind Cardiovascular Disease
Toxic substances trigger inflammation in various ways. They directly damage cells and tissues, causing them to release molecules that signal for immune cells to come to their aid. These substances also disrupt normal physiological processes, leading to an inappropriate inflammatory response. Additionally, toxins alter the gut microbiome, which has been linked to chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease.19
Hidden Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease – Toxicity
By avoiding environmental toxins, we can avoid the most detrimental, but hidden cause of cardiovascular disease. One way to avoid environmental toxins is by making conscious choices about the products we use and the environment we live in. Choosing organic and natural options for cleaning products, personal care items, and food greatly reduces our exposure to harmful chemicals.
However, avoiding toxins and other stressors is only one leg of the 3-legged stool. For optimal cardiovascular health, we must also optimize gene expression and microbiome diversity. To accomplish this, look to the 5Rs as the roadmap to cellular detox and repair.
If you haven’t read yesterday’s blog on rancid vegetable oils or Tuesday’s blog on processed foods, as the first two main causes of cardiovascular disease, I encourage you to do so.
Read more about other common toxins and how to avoid them or join me in the free Webinar now.
References
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2 Ammendolia, D.A., Bement, W.M. & Brumell, J.H. Plasma membrane integrity: implications for health and disease. BMC Biol 19, 71 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-021-00972-y
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