Chemical sensitivity/Purity coffee, Coffee/chemicals and toxins, Autoimmune disease

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The Coffee Recommended for People with Chemical Sensitivities

by Steven M. Helschien, DC

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“The Coffee Recommended for People with Chemical Sensitivities” is one in a series of articles, written to educate the healthcare community about the science behind the healthy benefits of coffee.

Introduction

We are exposed to an astounding amount of pollution daily. About 80,000 chemicals have been introduced into the world in the last century, but only a fraction of those have been tested for safety.

Toxins are everywhere in our environment. They are in our food, water, air, home goods, cleaning agents, pest control products, and more. They all add to the total “toxic load” on our bodies. The greater the toxic load, the greater the risk of developing an autoimmune or inflammatory reaction or disease.

To help combat toxic load and chemical sensitivities, the body needs to function optimally for good health. Optimal health is defined by many health experts as eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients and free of toxins, drinking clean water, exercising, practicing stress management, having a connection to community, and continually feeling there is meaning in your life.

One way to cut the toxins in your diet is to eat organic foods and drink organic coffee. The numerous antioxidants in coffee make it a superfood that can reduce inflammation, thereby decreasing the risk of diseases related to inflammation, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disease. Many people don’t realize that many coffees have harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, as well as molds, toxins and mycotoxins. Everyone, and especially those with chemical sensitivities, can benefit from drinking coffee that is free of chemicals and toxins and rich in healthy antioxidants.

Chemical Sensitivities, Allergies, and Autoimmune Diseases on the Rise

The Centers for Disease Control’s Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, issued in 2009, found an average of 212 chemicals in participants’ bodies they tested. Seventy-five of the chemicals had never before been measured in the US population.¹

The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit environmental organization that specializes in research and advocacy to protect public health and the environment, examined the umbilical cord blood of children just as they were born. They found, on average, 287 industrial chemicals, including pesticides, phthalates, dioxins, flame-retardants, Teflon, toxic metals, and more.

Dr. Douglas Kerr, MD, PhD, professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, says this about environmental toxins and autoimmune disease: “There is no doubt that autoimmune diseases are on the rise and our increasing environmental exposure to toxins and chemicals is fueling the risk. The research is sound. The conclusions, unassailable.”

Chemical sensitivity is when the immune system becomes hyperactive and sensitive when constantly assaulted by toxins and chemicals. If not abated, the overstimulation can become an allergy and the allergy can eventually transform into an autoimmune disease.

Chemical Sensitivity

According to Johns Hopkins Environmental Medicine, it is known that chemicals cause many human diseases.² Exposure to chemicals may cause reactions similar to those experienced with allergies. Synthetic and natural substances that can produce reactions include the following:

• Molds in the environment,

• Air pollution,

• Tobacco smoke,

• Carbon monoxide poisoning,

• Lead,

• Radon,

• Asbestos,

• Kepone,

• Dibromochloropropane,

• Plants and crops treated with pesticides and herbicides,

• Processed foods treated with preservatives and other chemicals,

• Electric and magnetic fields,

• Home goods, such as carpeting and paint,

• Plastics, and

• Perfumes.

Some people have sensitivities to a wide variety of environmental triggers. These people have what’s been termed “multiple chemical sensitivities” or “idiopathic environmental intolerance.” Multiple chemical sensitivity symptoms may include headaches, asthma, rashes, muscle and joint aches, fatigue, memory loss, and confusion.

Many Coffees Have Harmful Chemicals and Toxins

Multiple studies have shown that coffee is a superfood, containing vast amounts of nutrients and antioxidants – phytochemicals and phenols.³ It contains more antioxidants than any other food, including berries, dark chocolate, and kale. The antioxidants in coffee provide many health benefits, including preventing disease and increasing cognitive function. But that’s if the coffee is high grade and produced to retain nutrients and antioxidants. If not, the coffee will usually contain unhealthy chemicals and compounds, due to poor-quality farming, handling and roasting methods. These unhealthy chemicals and compounds can be found in many leading brands of coffee. As a result, many consumers experience negative side-effects from these coffees. Those with chemical sensitivities may experience more severe reactions to the unhealthy chemicals and compounds found in many coffees.

Unfortunately, studies show that most coffee beans that have not been organically grown and properly sourced, processed, roasted, and tested – contain harmful chemicals, molds, mycotoxins (the toxic substances produced by some types of mold), pesticides, and herbicides.

Coffee is one of the foods that is most susceptible to contamination by mycotoxins, and most coffee producers do not routinely test for these contaminants at every stage. Studies have shown that most conventional coffees test positive for pesticides and herbicides and can test as high as 60% for mold. A study published in the journal Food Control indicates that mycotoxin contamination could be widespread in commercially available coffees.⁴  

Coffee Mold and Pesticide Allergy and Sensitivity Symptoms

The symptoms of coffee mold or pesticide allergy or sensitivity are similar to that of other allergies and sensitivities. The severity of symptoms depends on the individual. These symptoms can include irritated eyes, throat, mouth; runny nose; wheezing; skin rash or eczema; headache; fatigue; gastrointestinal upset; and diarrhea. Symptoms beginning after a cup of coffee, especially, are suspect to an allergy or sensitivity for mold or chemicals in the coffee.

Purity Coffee – The Purist Coffee

Most (if not all) coffee companies do not have a standard for acrylamide and other toxins, to keep levels in check. One company that does have a strict standard for acrylamide, molds, and other harmful chemicals is Purity Coffee.

Purity Coffee is an organic premium coffee. Purity intentionally grows, farms, transports, and roasts their coffee to maximize healthy antioxidants and minimize harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, micro-toxins, acrylamides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To create the healthiest brewed coffee, they test the coffee at every step with strict standards. Purity uses a proprietary roasting method that roasts the beans just enough to reduce harmful chemicals, like acrylamide, to the lowest levels and prevents over roasting, which risks the development of harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This sweet spot, which produces the healthiest beans, is around a medium roast. Light and dark roasts are unhealthy.

In three independent laboratory studies, 49 leading coffee brands were tested. In each one, Purity Coffee ranked superior to all the other brands.⁵ On average,

 Purity Coffee contained over 60% more antioxidants than the other leading organic coffee brands tested,

 and of all the brands tested for contaminants, over 60% tested positive for mold and the toxin, ochratoxin A. Purity contained two times the amount of antioxidants as the other brands and was

free of all contaminants.

How do they accomplish this? Purity Coffee produces coffee for its health benefits. No other coffee company in the world roasts deliberately for health benefits. Purity Coffee is made to be a medicinal-grade product.

Supplements Recommended for Chemical Sensitivity

Two supplements that can aid in reducing chemical sensitivity are Level 1 Therapeutics Essential Fatty Acids and SunSpectrum.

Level 1 Therapeutics Essential Fatty Acids is a patented essential fatty acid blend supplement that is organic, plant based, non-GMO, and sustainable. It contains flax oil, pumpkin oil, sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, and coconut oil. Level 1 Therapeutics Essential Fatty Acids supplement

• Readily absorbs oxygen and helps transport it to cells;

• Aids all major functions of the body, including physical development, immunity, and brain function;

• Reduces inflammation affiliated with chronic disease; and

• Has been shown to decrease wound-healing time.

Linoleic and alpha linolenic fatty acids, found in Level 1 Therapeutics Essential Fatty Acids, are the building blocks for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are considered essential fatty acids, as they must be ingested as food, since the body cannot produce them. They are the “parent” omega-3 and omega-6 oils. You can get essential oils from food, namely fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds and their oils, and also from supplements.

Fish oil has few critical “parents”; it mainly has “derivatives.” Even though fish oils are a popular omega-3 supplement option, studies have shown they do not produce the significant cardiovascular protection that plant-based oils do. Also, current research shows the omega-3s found in fish oils (EPA and DHA) are actually highly unstable molecules that tend to decompose and unleash dangerous free radicals.⁶

SunSpectrum, which contains Sunfiber guar gum, turmeric, CoQ10, and Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04, supports digestive function and repair. It contains all-natural fiber and promotes intestinal and colon health, aids in IBS/IBD, and also supports immune health and healthy aging. SunSpectrum is the only fiber source that meets the requirements for the low FODMAP diet. It is highly bioavailable, a proven prebiotic and probiotic, and promotes cellular energy.

Conclusion

People with chemical sensitivities, which include food allergies and food intolerances, are increasing throughout the world, especially among developed countries.  These sensitivities can transform into allergies and ultimately autoimmune disease. One way to reduce chemicals and toxins from your diet is to eat and drink the purest foods you can. The purest coffee you can drink is Purity Coffee. It is the only coffee that is toxin free; grown and roasted to be the healthiest coffee in the world.

References

1. National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (online). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/index.html. Accessed July 12, 2018.

2. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Johns Hopkins Medicine (online). Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/environmental_medicine/multiple_chemical_sensitivity_85,P00480. Accessed July 13, 2018.

3. Stokel K. National Institutes of Health Discovers Protective Effects of Coffee. Life Extension Magazine. September 2012

4. García-Moraleja A, et al. Simultaneous determination of mycotoxin in commercial coffee. Food Control. November 2015;30(57):282-92.

5. Purity Coffee Lab Results (online). Available at: https://puritycoffee.com/lab-results/. Accessed July 16, 2018.

6. Peskin B. Warning: Fish oil contains no true EFAs— Physicians may be unknowingly prescribing the wrong substance to patients causing great harm—PEOs solve this problem. BrianPeskin.com (online). Available at: https://brianpeskin.com/publications/. Accessed on July 22, 2018.