Environmental Toxins
Eliminating chemical toxins from your body is just as important as our diet, exercise, sleep and
stress and yet, and yet it is the one we hear about the least. Now that can be because it is
highly misunderstood AND it just might very well mean we need to UN-learn some things we
thought were true.
Toxins is one of those words that has gotten thrown around so much that it almost lost its WOW
factor. Society has become quite desensitized by many words that should actually alarm us a
bit....or at the very least, spike our interest. Now I get not everyone is an undercover nerd like
me and has the time nor desire to dig deep into everything and that is why I have done some
dirty work for you.
Toxins are known to be a risk, but what does that really mean and how the hell do they attack us?
For starters they enter our bodies in many ways: through our skin from soaps, lotions, makeup,
hygiene products, up our nose from the air & pollution and in our mouth from breathing, food &
water. They do a lot of harm internally that unfortunately we do not see. They alter hormone
levels and increase cancer risk. For example, chemicals are implicated in obesity because they
can increase fat cell growth and trigger food intake, leading to fat gain... which is where 'bad
cells' are stored. Chemicals are also a threat to human fertility, high estrogen levels in both men
& children and healthy cognition.
Unfortunately, in North America, chemical regulation is practically non-existent. Good news is
there are a number of simple ways you can limit your exposure to chemical toxins:
1: Ditch Your Plastic Water Bottles and limit plastic food storage
BPA, the chemical most closely implicated in obesity, leaches into the water from the plastic.
But it is far from the only chemical in plastic so stickers saying BPA free are extremely
misleading. Get a reusable metal or glass bottle instead, and when you have to drink from a
plastic bottle, remember that plastic is one-use only. Refilling a plastic water bottle, especially
one that has been exposed to heat, is creating chemical soup!
2: Scrub Your Produce
Pesticides are a major source of hormone-disrupting chemicals. Always scrub your produce and
go organic whenever possible.
3: Use Natural Cleaning Products ( but again, try and limit purchasing new bottles, I buy
bulk or refillable) Happy Bodies, Happy Planet!!
Chemical cleaners contain toxins and estrogen-mimicking compounds. Opt
for plant-based cleaners. Don’t trust it just because it says “green” on the label, that is a
marketing ploy and has often just been the name of a brand... but I will save that for another
post. Check ingredients. Simple is always better. Alcohol, vinegar, lemon, vodka ( Yes! cheap
vodka will make anything sparkle better then Windex)
4: Don’t Take Receipts Unless Necessary
Almost half of paper receipts contain BPA and there’s evidence that cashiers have very high
BPA levels.
5: Use Cloth Bags When Shopping
If you forget your cloth bags, opt for paper if you can. Theres always some near the
mushrooms👌🏾
6: Drink Plenty of Water (Make Sure It’s Safe)
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference. Water is essential for elimination, but it
will only be therapeutic if it’s uncontaminated. Consider getting a filter or test your water with a
home test that can be bought online or at a hardware store. Simply buying a Britta water filter
will go a long way to eliminating the most harmful toxins. Steer clear from Culligan or these
huge bottles of chemical juice... bottles water has sit stored, heated, reheated and who knows
what for a very long time.
7: Eat Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and the other cruciferous veggies provide a host of
pro-elimination nutrients that enhance the body’s ability to neutralize and remove chemicals.
8: Eat “Detox” Foods: Fiber, Protein, Fruits & Veggies
Your body has a robust capacity to detoxify chemicals, but only if you supply it with the nutrients
to do so. Most important is indigestible fiber (f