Culprit foods

Toxins are everywhere. They're in our food, water, air, clothes, personal care products, furniture, cars etc.

The main categories of toxins are:

• Moulds
• Pesticides
• Plastics
• Heavy Metals

Toxins harm us by causing damage to our gut microbes and therefore the gut epithelial lining cells. They also form bonds with our DNA, called DNA adducts. When toxins become bound to our DNA they affect the function of our genes, usually in a negative way.

Toxins in our foods can also cause our white cells (the immune cells) to become hypersensitive. This is very similar to a food sensitivity or intolerance. Except it is the food in combination with the toxin that triggers a hypersensitivity reaction in the white cells. This can be measured as part of a blood test, called a lymphocyte sensitivity test.

The food-toxin combinations are quite typical, including:

• Grains and cereals including oats (and oat milk), quinoa, rice, pasta
• Milk and milk products including butter, margarine, yoghurts and cheeses
• Nuts including almonds and associated nut milk
• Fruit
• Beans and lentils
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Alcohol

This list can be confusing. The food groups themselves are good for you. However, it is the toxins that are absorbed by the foods that cause problems. You eat the food containing the toxin and it harms your gut microbes and/or your DNA. This then results in the chronic low-grade inflammation that is responsible for almost all chronic disease.