What if you knew your environmental choices also impacted your health?

It was an awesome Environmental Film Festival Melbourne. I met intelligent and passionate individuals who cared for the consequences of our actions. Two films, both with a hint of sadness and emotional roller coaster explored the reasons behind buried rivers and dying bees.

As a Naturopath, my passion for herbs and giving people an alternative from pharmaceutical drugs sounded quite far from the message from the film festival. However everything began to 'click' and make sense as I linked them together.

Here I share with you 3 environmental choices that can also have a significant effect on your health.

1) Plastic use: 

Eating and drinking with plastic (takeaway containers and drinking bottles) and heating food with plastic leeches bisphenol A (BPA) into your body. BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which has been linked to oestrogen dominant diseases such as breast cancer.

Environmental impact: Plastic does not degrade over time and contributes to the growing waste in the landfills.

Eco friendly option: Stop buying bottled water. Invest in an eco friendly bottle e.g. stainless steel. Heat food with glass, such as pyrex. Reduce plastic use by eating at the restaurant/joint instead of takeaway. Also cook in bulk - you save money and bring food to work in glass containers that are microwave safe.

2) Tuna consumption: 

Tuna and swordfish are high in mercury which contribute to heavy metal toxicity in humans. High mercury levels can contribute to fertility problems.

Environmental impact: Tuna is being extensively overfished - depleting the ecology of the ocean. The bigger the fish such as tuna and swordfish, the higher in mercury. Consciously avoid consuming tuna.

Eco friendly option: Consume fish on the bottom of the food chain, they are smaller and contain minimal amounts of mercury. Examples include sardines, anchovies and mackerel. For sardines and anchovies, they are a better source for good quality fish oil (low mercury levels) and are high in calcium.

More info: Good Fish Bad Fish

3) Pesticide use: 

What if you knew that non-organic fruit and vegetables actually can contribute to various health problems? Naturopaths have a list of fruit and veg that are under the 'dirty dozen'. These are extensively avoided when you go through a detoxification due to the pesticide content. Fruit such as strawberries are sprayed about 12 times with pesticides, the humble broccoli is not spared too. Fruit and veg with high surface areas and textures are most vulnerable to retaining the pesticide count.

Environmental impact: The normal, local organic farmer is in a disadvantaged position whenever you vote with your dollar to supermarket 'fresh' fruit and veg. The organic farmer does not use any of these pesticides and thus the price of his produce are higher. He cannot compete with the big guys who use genetically modified crop and pesticides to increase the amount of yield. He is in bigger risk in going out of business.
The bees are dying all over the world - and the film More Than Honey pinpoints the cause - the extensive use of pesticides and abuse of bees that contribute to colony collapse.
Eco friendly option: Support local farmers at the farmer's markets. Order organic boxes from ethical suppliers such as CERES fair food. Support local organizations that believe in sustainable practices that put the bees welfare first, such as Rooftop Honey.

In the end of the day - even one small action can make a difference. Vote with your dollar (when possible) and spread the message that you love your environment.