5 QUICK AND EASY WAYS TO GET RID OF HARMFUL TOXINS IN YOUR HOME

Did you know that “endocrine disruptors” are a common ingredient in many household and frequently used products? An endocrine disruptor is a chemical that disrupts your endocrine system, which is responsible for hormones that regulate your reproduction, immune system, brain, development and more. Research shows that these chemicals have been linked to obesity, infertility issues, ADHD, premature puberty in kids and more.

It’s amazing that they are so widespread, but once chemical manufacturers create and distribute products with these ingredients the “cat is out of the bag”; it’s difficult to reverse, because there are strong financial interests at play.  Many countries globally have put bans in place, but restrictions vary widely, in spite of definitive evidence of reproductive and developmental toxicity and strong evidence of metabolic and cardiovascular harm, increased cancer risks, and issues related to asthma, allergies and impaired immune functioning.

Your personal diligence is your best protection. Educate yourself and then, do your best to read labels and purge your home. I know that it can be exhausting and that you can miss things in fine print! This rings particularly true for myself as I’m coping now with severe IBS (“irritable bowel syndrome”) and my system is highly sensitized. I’m reading labels like crazy but then something will give me a blockbuster headache or I’ll gain one pound in water weight overnight and, sure enough, I’ll read the fine print and find out I’ve accidentally used a product containing toxins or consumed a toxin.

Here are 5 quick and easy tips to clean your home and eliminate your exposure as much as possible:

1. Avoid plastic.

Do your best to reduce your plastic footprint. Buy products either fresh or in glass jars—not only foods, but also cosmetics and body care products. If you need something that is packaged in plastic, do NOT reheat it while in the plastic. Remove plastic packaging, then heat. Use glass containers for food storage. Use food-grade 18/8 stainless steel water bottles and storage containers. If you must buy something in plastic, look for labels that say BPA and phthalates free. Click on links for scientific research describing known health risks from exposure to these chemicals.

2. Avoid canned foods.

Even canned foods are now lined with BPA that studies show can leach into the food contained within the cans. This is particularly worrisome for our pets and a number of pet food manufacturers now provide assurances that their packaging is BPA free.

3. Use certified organic care and cleaning products.

Environmentally friendly soaps, body wash and cleansers can get the job done without the added risk of altering hormone regulation and creating super bugs. Triclosan is an ingredient on the label that you want to avoid. It has been banned from soap, but still remains in hand sanitizers, toothpaste, mouthwash and more. Studies show exposure to triclosan can alter your microbiome (contributing to numerous health issues including the one I’m currently dealing with IBS), contribute to developmental defects, increase risk of spontaneous abortion, increase allergies and food sensitivities, and more.

Avoid if possible, a recommendation supported by the Mayo Clinic. White distilled vinegar and baking soda can be effective cleansers. The generally recommended recipe is one part water to two parts vinegar. House Beautiful offers these tips on how to work in the baking soda. And,  Architectural Digest provides this method for cleaning your dishwasher!

4. Use certified eco-friendly cosmetics.

Many cosmetics contain not only endocrine disruptors like phthalates, but also parabens. Phthalates are linked with early onset of puberty, particularly in girls, among other issues, and is even present in nail products. Parabens are used as artificial preservatives to increase the shelf life of products and prevent growth of mold and bacteria. Parabens can enter your body through your skin and disrupt hormonal functioning. Consumers must be aware of “greenwashing” by companies so look for acknowledged eco-friendly certification on product labeling.

5. Pay “contact free” and avoid paper receipts.

A more recent disturbing finding is that thermal paper commonly used for receipts, boarding passes, luggage tags and printed tickets is treated with BPA and you can absorb it through your skin when you handle the receipt. As a result of this finding, BPA-coated thermal paper is being banned in Europe, but in the USA, no regulation exists.

After reading this, I do not want you to become frustrated. All you can do is your best. The good news is that there are other ways to reduce the toxic load in your body that I explore in other blog posts. Valuable strategies include adequate hydration and sleep, sweating, consumption of dark-colored greens, deep breathing and even a positive mindset.

In the following three videos, I provide natural strategies for boosting your immune system.