Reducing Toxic Load
One of the strategies I use in helping my clients live healthier lives is guiding them toward a toxic-free lifestyle. While we cannot control the environment outside of our homes, the way food is prepared in restaurants, or the types of cleaning agents used in offices, schools, and other buildings, we can control the choices we make at home base. Toxins are artificial chemicals that disrupt your endocrine system which, in turn, disrupt how your hormones work. Toxins lead to oxidative stress, an imbalance of free radicals to antioxidants in your body. Your hormones are responsible for many functions and when one is not working properly, multiple systems will also be off. Toxic exposures from food, water, plastics, air quality and more may lead to health issues such as weight gain, hair shedding, skin irritations, poor sleep, migraines, and much more.
Non-Toxic Food Options
Choosing organic. One of the easiest ways to avoid toxins is by choosing foods that do not contain harmful toxins. Organic produce is extremely important. Conventional farms use herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers that kill off the nutrients in the topsoil, making the product not as nutrient-dense as it once was, and transfer those chemicals to your gut microbiome further damaging the lining and efficacy of the good and bad bugs that should be working harmoniously together.
Choosing sustainable packaging. So much of our food, whether organic or not, is packaged in toxic material that leaches into our food and then into our gut. The chemicals in plastics add another layer of toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Even if you brought your own paper bags or cloth bags to use for bulk items, they were probably stored and transported in toxic bulk packaging. However, bringing your own paper or cloth bags will help reduce your exposure to toxins.
Drink clean water. Tap water has many toxic chemicals such as heavy metals, chlorine, herbicides and pesticides, and plastics. All of this ends up in your gut causing further damage. Investing in a home water filtration system and purchasing glass bottled mineral water as great options.
Clean animal protein. Supporting farmers that use sustainable and regenerative farming methods to produce non-toxic, grass-fed, and pasture-raised animals is a key component to your health and the health of our planet. Animals raised this way produce protein and fats that are healthy for us to consume and have more nutrients that are in its bioavailable form for optimal health, such as omega-3 fatty acids.
Non-Toxic Home Life
Every day you leave your home you’re exposed to thousands of chemicals. Toxic chemicals are found in your furniture, cookware, carpet, shower curtains, electronics, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. Switching over to non-toxic cleaning and body product brands will help you, but investing in a high-quality home air filter system, especially in your bedroom, will ensure that you’re breathing in clean air.
The task of reducing toxic food, products, and materials in your life can be very overwhelming and time-consuming. As a health coach, I look at all aspects of your life and help you take the necessary steps needed to create a home environment that will support your health journey.
This blog is not to be used as medical advice or for making any lifestyle changes to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.