Clean Air
Some experts think that the quality of the air we breathe has more impact upon our health and longevity than any other single factor. Air pollution is certainly a major contributory cause of many diseases, especially of the respiratory tract and all forms of cancer. Common air pollutants include: carbon monoxide (automobile emissions and tobacco); sulphur dioxide (coal burning and industrial waste); nitrogen oxides (automobile emissions and burning of coal and natural gas); and hydrocarbons (automobile emissions and industrial waste).

Air also contains both positive and negative ions. An ion is an atom, or group of atoms, with an electrical charge. The presence of these ions is influenced by many things including radioactivity, thunderstorms and the active movement of water through air, such as the breaking of waves, waterfalls and rain. When the relationship of positive to negative ions becomes out of balance it affects human health adversely. Air laden with positive ions has been shown to result in increased breathing rates, elevated blood pressure and the development of cancer. In contrast, an abundance of negative ions has shown to result in superior physiological functioning.
Air that has been breathed is high in positive ions and low in negative ions. The average home has one of the worst qualities of air due to the concentrated quantity of products used that give off toxic gasses and the tendency to keep it insufficiently ventilated.

Simple steps to improve the quality of air inhaled include:
1) Sleeping with as many windows open in the bedroom as possible
2) Exchanging the air inside the home for that outside by opening all the windows for a period of time each day.
3) Avoiding all tobacco contaminated air
4) Minimizing time spent in cities
5) Minimizing time spent traveling in automobiles

Neurotoxins
A neurotoxin is a poison that damages the ability of the nervous system to function. It does this by destroying or disrupting either the neurons (nerve cells that are the basic building blocks of nervous tissues); the protective sheath around the nerve fibres (myelin sheath); or the chemical messengers that enable neurons to communicate with each other (neurotransmitters).

Neurotoxins can affect the body’s neurons by causing structural or functional damage to the neurons preventing it from being able to communicate. Mercury, for example, damages the cell body of neurons destroying their ability to fire electrical signals. Carbon disulphide (used in the manufacture of rayon and cellophane) interferes with the ability of axons to send information.

An enormous volume of prescription drugs are neurotoxins. Some neurotoxins affect the central nervous system while others damage the peripheral nervous system.

Central Nervous System
Due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier, toxins must have a specific chemical structure if they are to permeate this protective barricade. Should toxins gain access to the brain and spinal cord the potential effects can include:
_ Loss of memory
_ Changes in emotions
_ Swelling of brain tissues
_ Irritability
_ Anxiety
_ Hallucinations
_ Delirium

Peripheral Nervous System
As the peripheral nervous system does not have the protection of a barrier between itself and the circulating blood, it is especially vulnerable to damage from toxins. If neurotoxins gain access to the peripheral nervous system their effects will depend upon if it is the sympathetic or parasympathetic branch of the autonomic system that is affected. For example, a neurotoxin that primarily affects the sympathetic nerves connected to the heart might raise blood pressure while one that affects the parasympathetic nerves might cause a drop in blood pressure.

Point of Entry
Neurotoxins can enter the body via inhalation, ingestion, absorption through the skin, or absorption through the mucous membranes.
Once in the body the extent and immediacy with which it damages the nervous system depends on:
1) The type of neurotoxin. Cocaine, for example, has immediate and apparent as well as delayed effects. Lead can take months or even years before producing noticeable neurological symptoms.
2) The size of the dose
3) The frequency of exposure
4) The duration of exposure
5) Continuous exposure or intermittent

Vulnerable Individuals
Due to the fact that the blood-brain barrier is still in its formative stages The Unborn Child is especially vulnerable to neurotoxins. In addition, the developing foetus is undergoing extensive neural development and the invasion of neurotoxins can result in an extensive range of damage including motor and sensory deficits, lowered intelligence, learning disabilities and behavioural problems.

The Elderly
Older people are more susceptible to the effects of neurotoxins due to a number of structural and chemical changes that typically occur with the onset of creptitude. The ability of the body to process toxins becomes less efficient and effective with age plus neurotoxins will accelerate any neural degeneration already present.

Nutritional Implications
Air pollution and neurotoxins result in an increased toxic load for the body rendering it more challenged to maintain its blood pH within the necessary boundaries.

The greater the toxic load:
1) the greater the acidity of the body, resulting in accelerated reliance upon alkaline buffer salts (calcium) to maintain a blood pH of 7.4
2) the greater the proliferation of free radicals and consequent need for antioxidants in the diet
3) the greater the number of nutrients destroyed by toxins
4) the more enervated the nervous system resulting in compromised digestion, absorption, uptake and elimination
5) the less efficient the transportation and delivery of oxygen to the cells of the body resulting in a compromised ability to metabolize fats

Key Nutrients
The most important group of nutrients for healthy neural functioning are those of the vitamin B complex. As they are water soluble it is necessary to provide a regular supply of these vitamins in the diet. The best source of B vitamins is fresh raw fruits.
The key antioxidants needed for protection from free radicals are beta-carotene, vitamins C & E and selenium.
The best sources of all antioxidants are found in fresh raw fruits and vegetables.
All antioxidants are destroyed or deranged by exposure to heat (cooking).