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Aug 14, 2020 · Researchers have identified nearly 800 chemicals of concern. When you hear “environmental toxins,” visions of nuclear plants and smoke-spewing factories come to mind. To learn these toxins might be in your car or makeup is a hard pill to swallow. But, really, how toxic are these chemicals?
May 25, 2024 · Many individuals worry about the presence of chemical residues, contaminants, or microplastics in their food. Yet, it's less commonly understood that numerous foods naturally contain toxins. These are typically chemical compounds that plants produce to protect themselves from predators like insects
Environmental chemicals with neurotoxic effects can result in a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, encephalopathies to subtle memory and cognition alteration, headaches and depression.
Despite the question about the possible direct effect of plant pathogens on humans, several plant pathogens can affect humans by reducing the available food or by contaminating human food with toxic compounds.
- What Are Natural Toxins?
- Aquatic Biotoxins
- Cyanogenic Glycosides
- Furocoumarins
- Lectins
- Mycotoxins
- Solanines and Chaconine
- Poisonous Mushrooms
- Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
- How Can I Minimize The Health Risk from Natural Toxins?
Natural toxins are toxic compounds that are naturally produced by living organisms. These toxins are not harmful to the organisms themselves but they may be toxic to other creatures, including humans, when eaten. These chemical compounds have diverse structures and differ in biological function and toxicity. Some toxins are produced by plants as a ...
Toxins formed by algae in the ocean and fresh water are called algal toxins. Algal toxins are generated during blooms of particular naturally occurring algal species. Shellfish such as mussels, scallops and oysters are more likely to contain these toxins than fish. Algal toxins can cause diarrhea, vomiting, tingling, paralysis and other effects in ...
Cyanogenic glycosides are phytotoxins (toxic chemicals produced by plants) which occur in at least 2000 plant species, of which a number of species are used as food in some areas of the world. Cassava, sorghum, stone fruits, bamboo roots and almonds are especially important foods containing cyanogenic glycosides. The potential toxicity of a cyanoge...
These toxins are present in many plants such as parsnips (closely related to carrots and parsley), celery roots, citrus plants (lemon, lime, grapefruit, bergamot) and some medicinal plants. Furocoumarins are stress toxins and are released in response to stress, such as physical damage to the plant. Some of these toxins can cause gastrointestinal pr...
Many types of beans contain toxins called lectins, and kidney beans have the highest concentrations – especially red kidney beans. As few as 4 or 5 raw beans can cause severe stomachache, vomiting and diarrhoea. Lectins are destroyed when the dried beans are soaked for at least 12 hours and then boiled vigorously for at least 10 minutes in water. T...
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic compounds produced by certain types of moulds. Moulds that can produce mycotoxins grow on numerous foodstuffs such as cereals, dried fruits, nuts and spices. Mould growth can occur before harvest or after harvest, during storage, on/in the food itself often under warm, damp and humid conditions. Most mycotox...
All solanacea plants, which include tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants, contain natural toxins called solanines and chaconine (which are glycoalkaloids). While levels are generally low, higher concentrations are found in potato sprouts and bitter-tasting peel and green parts, as well as in green tomatoes. The plants produce the toxins in response to...
Wild mushrooms may contain several toxins, such as muscimol and muscarine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, visual disturbances, salivation, and hallucinations. Onset of symptoms occurs 6–24 hours or more after ingestion of mushrooms. Fatal poisoning is usually associated with delayed onset of symptoms which are very severe, with tox...
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) are toxins produced by an estimated 600 plant species. The main plant sources are the families Boraginaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Many of these are weeds that can grow in fields and contaminate food crops. PAs can cause a variety of adverse health effects; they can be acutely toxic and of main concern is the DNA-da...
When it comes to natural toxins it is important to note that they can be present in a variety of different crops and foodstuff. In a usual balanced, healthy diet, the levels of natural toxins are well below the threshold for acute and chronic toxicity. To minimize the health risk from natural toxins in food, people are advised to: 1. not assume tha...
Mar 7, 2024 · Plants must contend with not only hungry humans but also insects, bacteria, fungi, and other animals (1). Most plants can’t run away, bite, or physically fight back like a human or a lion would. To defend themselves, plants produce toxins and have developed an innate immune system to constantly monitor for threats (2, 3).
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What are natural toxins?
Interaction with environmental toxins can cause various health problems, from skin reactions to life-threatening conditions. Key statistics highlight why understanding the impact of these toxins on public health is important.
