Toxins surround us all day, every day.
So far we’ve learned that everything is toxic and it is only the dose that separates the toxic from the non-toxic and a moderate amount of toxins are required for a healthy immune system.
There are however, natural toxins that could have deleterious effects even at small doses (ie. food poisoning, heavy metals), but for the most part, it is the accumulation that stresses our bodies and have them working sub-optimally.
We take in toxins in a variety of ways, including external and internal processes. My recommendation is NOT to make all these changes. And if you have already, I would question if your “healthy lifestyle” is more of an obsession. There are dangers in going too far, it’s called orthorexia. Limiting some of these toxic exposures and accumulations one step at a time will bring you closer to optimal health and vitality.
Limiting External Toxin Accumulation
We’ve already learned that everything is toxic and it is only the dose that separates the toxic from the non-toxic. There are however, natural toxins that could have deleterious effects even at small doses (ie. food poisoning, heavy metals), but for the most part, it is the accumulation that stresses our organs of elimination and have our bodies working sub-optimally. We take in toxins in a variety of ways, including external and internal processes:
External toxins or extrinsic factors are the most common factors that people think of when it comes to their health. It is anything from the things we consume, absorb, inhale, observe or hear.
This list consists of common toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis and excludes major infections such as E. coli and C. difficile, side effects of vaccinations and specific medications.
PHYSICAL ABSORPTION
Cleaning products and detergents
SOLUTION – Generic cleaning products for your kitchens, bathrooms, car, clothes and dry cleaning often contain harmful chemical that you indirectly eat and absorb through your skin.
- Avoid the Dirty Dozen ingredients found in products with Bisphenol-A, coal tar dyes, DEA, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde-releasing agents, perfume, parabens, PEG compounds, petrolatum, siloxanes, sodium laurel sulphate, triclosan (Learn more HERE)
- Stick to safer brands, such as Green Beaver, JASON, Kiss My Face,Earth Science, Burt’s Bees, Pure + Simple, Living Libation
Cosmetics
SOLUTION – Cosmetic products cover your face all day long and absorb directly into your skin.
- Check the safety level of your products, if they rate greater than 5 out of 10 on the toxicity scale, find healthy alternatives by visiting the Cosmetic Database
- Focus on healthy lipsticks and eye make-up because of their proximity to your mouth and eyes, respectively
- Avoid the Dirty Dozen ingredients(see more HERE)
- Stick to safer brands, such as Green Beaver, JASON, Kiss My Face,Earth Science, Burts Bees, Pure + Simple, Living Libation
Bathroom products such as shampoos, toothpaste, creams, deodorant, perfumes
SOLUTION – These are products you use everyday, sometimes multiple times a day and go directly onto you skin or in areas of high absorption (ie. mouth and armpit). Most contain parabens that act as weak xenoestrogens.
- Check the safety level of your products, if they rate greater than 5 out of 10 on the toxicity scale, find healthy alternatives by visiting the Cosmetic Database.
- Focus on toothpastes and deodorants without parabens
- Avoid the Dirty Dozen ingredients (Learn more HERE)
- Stick to safer brands, such as Green Beaver, JASON, Kiss My Face,Earth Science, Burts Bees, Pure + Simple, Living Libation
Sanitizers
SOLUTION – Hand sanitizers and sanitary wipes can contain parabens that act as weak xenoestrogens.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 30 seconds
- Limit your use of sanitizers with triclosan
- Try using natural baby wipes if you are in the habit of using a soft touch on your bottom or need accessible wipes while traveling
Electromagnetic fields (EMF)
SOLUTION – Some people report a high sensitivity to radiofrequency (RF) EMFs, despite inconclusive findings for negative effects of chronic low frequency EMF exposure.
- Minimizing your daily intake of cell phones, cordless phones along with their base stations, wifi devices, microwave ovens, television and radio transmitters
- Avoiding long-term close contact of your devices to your body (ie. cell phone in your pocket)
- Unplug all the electronics in your bedroom (or just keep them out of the room) before you go to bed as a healthy sleep hygiene tip
Mercury fillings
SOLUTION – If you have a mercury filling, you may have a very slow, low exposure to mercury as the amalgam leaches out. Studies have shown that the daily exposure to mercury from amalgams is well below the threshold limit value of 300 to 500 μg/day established by WHO. Research has shown varying amounts of mercury absorption ranging from 0.3-24.8μg/day. It’s important to not rush into getting it removed right away. Keep these tips in mind:
- Better leave it in. If the filling has been in for more than 30 years, majority of the mercury has probably already leached out and therefore keeping the filling in your mouth should not cause any more harm
- Re-exposure during filling removal can be more toxic than keeping it in. If you decide to get the amalgam removed, make sure you go to a properly trained dental physician with equipment to minimize mercury release when your filling is removed.
- Limit night time grinding and acidic foods which increases rate of mercury release
- Avoid having mercury amalgams put in, especially if you are a child or are pregnant
Chemicals in new clothing
SOLUTION – New clothes contain many dyes and chemicals that create the materials before being worn.
- Wash new clothes for 2 cycles at least, before wearing
- Shop at 2nd hand stores to find great deals and pre-loved clothing that have many of the new material chemicals washed out of them
SOLUTION – Some children’s toys are not made responsibly. Especially if you have infants licking, biting or sticking their teddy bears or rubber balls in their mouth, use the following resource to check the safety of their toys.
- Healthy Stuff: Researching toxic chemicals in everyday stuff
- General Consumer Products: US Consumer Product Safety Commission Unsafe Product Report
- Vehicles and Car Seats: SaferCar.gov is the NHTSA site where you can identify and report problems you might be having with your vehicle, tires, equipment or car seats
Carpeting
SOLUTION – New carpets are laden with chemicals that can slowly release when the fibers are stepped on. These potentially harmful chemicals can remain in the carpet for up to XX years. Not to mention the dirt, pet dander and spills that can be trapped beneath many layers
- Replace your carpets with hard wood, laminate, tiles or other non-fabric materials
- Use rugs that can be washed instead
- Steam clean your carpets every few months
INHALED CHEMICALS
Air pollution
SOLUTION – Dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, and dust mite feces can act as allergens, while smoke particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can pose a risk to health. It’s hard to control the amount of air pollution when we are in our cars or at work, but there are ways to increase air quality in your home and through daily practice:
- Using air purifiers such HEPA/ HVAC filter, thermodynamic sterilization, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, activated carbon, etc
- Get more fresh air by taking regular trips out of the city
- Practice deep breathing exercises to clear out the reside CO2 at the base of your lungs
- Grow more plants and trees to increase oxygen quantity
- Don’t idle your car to help limit your contribution to ground-level ozone
- Take public and non-pollutant modes of transportation
- Get a carbon monoxide detector for dangerous but odorless, tasteless and colorless gas
Cigarette smoke or other detrimental inhalants
SOLUTION – Everyone knows smoking is bad, but it’s a very difficult addiction to break even for those who desperately want to.
- Quit or limit smoking with programs such as the Allen Carr’s Easyway
- Smoke responsibly away from other patrons and especially babies and children
- Don’t start
Mold
SOLUTION – Most households have some form of mold in their bathrooms and basements. This can lead to fungal infections, yeast infections, chronic sinus infections and post-nasal drip.
- Check your bathroom caulking and ceiling for black spots and have it removed and re-caulked
- Open the windows and doors and turn on the fan after a steamy shower
- Get a dehumidifier
- Nasal lavage and steam inhalation (learn more Natural Cold and Flu Preventions)
OBSERVED AND AUDITORY TOXINS
Violence, anger, and upsetting news
SOLUTION –
- Limit amount and type of news you watch and listen to
- Focus on the positive things you can do to enhance the world and your life
- Avoid negatively stimulating entertainment, such as books, music, TV shows and movies before bed
Social media and gossip
SOLUTION – Social media is pre-selected for what you have shown interest to in the past. It is biased and it knows exactly what you like. It actually knows it before you do.
Whether it’s gossip-type info or the latest fashion trends, you are going to see more and more of that type of content and less of other information that will allow you to gather well-rounded information.
- Limit your social media use and be mindful that the content you view is biased
- Avoid gossip about people you know and don’t know (ie. celebrities)
Light and noise pollution
SOLUTION – Light and noise pollution is very apparent in a big city, especially at night. This can cause anxiety, stress and poor sleep quality.
- Avoid living in the middle of a big city if you can and choose suburbs or rural areas with accessible transportation if you work in the city
- Use room darkening techniques such as black out blinds, using an eyemask and unplugging all electronics while you sleep
- Use noise cancelling techniques such as honey-comb blinds that muffle sounds, earplugs and turn your cell phone onto airplane mode while you sleep (learn other Healthy Sleep Hygiene Habits)
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Photo: Frank Hebbert/Flickr
This essay originally appeared on Dr. Alison Chen, ND’s blog.
Read Dr. Alison Chen, ND every week here on The Good Men Project!