Navigating the Toxic Maze
The word toxin is enough to evoke sheer alarm in some and annoyed indifference in others. Regardless of your feelings about toxins, the fact remains that they are a large part of our environment and can even be hidden in plain sight. When pursuing a healthier lifestyle and striving to reduce your risk for chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease, toxins are a valid obstacle to consider.
The research is stronger on some toxic chemicals than others, but it continues to progress and develop. It’s possible some of these chemicals are maybe not all that harmful while some are likely more harmful than we originally thought. Most knowledge on how a substance affects human health comes very slowly and with time. All the while, there are mixed feelings among healthcare providers as to the level of significance toxins have on our health, however, with the knowledge we do have and the easy swaps that are not going to harm you and could very likely help, why wouldn’t you change a few things?
Odds are that there are toxins in your environment that you haven’t even thought of – from that stain resistant sofa to even possibly the exercise clothes you are wearing. A simple relaxed evening at home with a scented candle burning a wonderful aroma into your house is even likely to be exposing you to unwanted chemical assault. Toxic chemicals are in so many products, but rather than become paranoid and stressed or overwhelmed and indifferent, let’s channel our focus on practical solutions by identifying some of the main culprits that are easy to swap out over time. Afterall, you can’t avoid them all, but you can reduce your toxic load.
If you have followed me for any time at all, you know that the toxins I love to discuss most are those found in ultra processed food, and there is honestly no debating that, just look around you to see the long-term effects of that. However, this post is more about the toxic chemicals that are in our home and work environments. Here are just a few of the big ones that are getting a lot of attention lately:
Phthalates are chemicals that are often found in household products like plastic shower curtains and many cosmetics. Research has shown that phthalates can disrupt our endocrine system, wreaking havoc on our hormonal health. Most often, they are used as ingredients in fragrance so look for the broader term “fragrance” or “parfum” in the ingredient list. If the product has “fragrance” but does not have the label “phthalate-free” or “no phthalates added”, you most likely have them in the “fragrance” of the product and should therefore avoid that product when possible.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in many of the plastic containers and cans our food comes in and has been linked to reproductive disorders, cardiovascular disease and even obesity.
PFAS, polyfluoroalkyl substances (also known as “forever chemicals”) are just that, they hang around for close to forever as they break down very slowly. PFAS is found in most non-stick cookware and food packaging. They are also found in most stain resistant products, waterproof mascaras and even some microwave popcorn bags. There are many studies that suggest that they may be linked to harmful effects in humans and animals.
These are just a few of the popular ones in the research right now, there are also parabens, BPS, BHA, and BHT, and more, each with their own potential health risks. Parabens for example are preservatives found in food, medicines, beauty products, personal care products such as shampoo and lotions, and in cleaning products. The CDC and FDA have stated that they are safe for human health, but there continues to be debate over whether they raise the risk of certain cancers. For example, just recently, one small clinical trial from May 2023 showed that a reduction of daily-use of parabens and phthalates (which are both xenoestrogens) reversed accumulation of cancer-associated phenotypes within disease-free breast tissue.
Entire books are written on the topic of toxins and the research is on-going but here are some simple changes you can start making one at a time to reduce your toxic load in an easy way:
Replace your laundry and dish detergent with ones made with cleaner ingredients and no plastic coating. Look for alternatives that are phthalate free and boast a chemical free clean. I like Branch Basics and Dropps companies and have found their products to be very effective.
Get rid of the highly toxic cleaning chemicals (if it’s not good if it gets on your skin and has a bunch of warning labels on it, it isn’t going to be good to inhale). Change to safer alternatives such as baking soda and white vinegar or companies like Branch Basics that offer cleaning products made of healthy plant and mineral based ingredients.
Scrutinize labels on personal care and beauty products and opt for phthalate and paraben-free alternatives. Usually when products that normally have phthalates or parabens are free of them, the company will proudly advertise this on the package somewhere. Google is great for researching this and Whole Foods does a good job of carrying a lot of these types of products.
Change out all BPA containing products and plastic cookware, dishes and storage containers in your kitchen. Even though many plastic food storage containers are now BPA free, it is best to throw out most of these from your kitchen anyways as they start to leach out microplastics into the food, especially when washed in the dishwasher or heated in the microwave.
Get rid of non-stick cookware and switch over slowly to stainless steel and cast iron to avoid PFAS.
Remove scented candles and air-fresheners from your home unless they use naturally derived essential oils. Honestly, these usually smell better anyway.
Get a water filter! While water is essential for good health, it can serve as a carrier for many toxins and even things like antibiotics. In fact, Chromium-6, a known carcinogen, has been found in tap water in various locations. Consider a water filtration system that handles the big stuff. Do your research to see what will eliminate the most and which might be the best fit for you. Hint, Brita isn’t doing all that much in this department. We use a Big Berkey at our home and can definitely taste a difference. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends brands like Epic Pure, Clearly Filtered and Zero.
Stop using phthalate-laden dryer sheets. They are not good for your health. Instead, purchase some wool dryer balls and if you want scent to it, just add a few drops of natural plant derived essential oils like lavender or lemon to your dryer balls. Dryer balls will also help your clothes to dry faster and come out fluffier.
Transitioning to toxin-free alternatives takes some time. Time to find products you like and in some cases that get the job done as well or better, but you may be surprised at how easy and fun it can really be. A small bit of discernment and small changes over time can go a long way to providing you with a cleaner personal environment and to some degree (whether large or small), better health.
For more ways to upgrade your health, follow me on Instagram at Thehealthandwellnessnp or subscribe for free at the bottom of any of my website pages (thehealthandwellnessnp.com) to receive weekly blog posts and exciting new updates and announcements. Together, let’s transform your health!