Navigating a Healthy Lifestyle in a Toxic World

While you know I'd much prefer to write about something that will put a smile on your face, I feel like lately I just keep coming across articles, books and podcasts with news on our toxic world. 

So I figured I should address it. 

It is a critical topic that impacts us all—the complexities of the world we navigate every day.  

And while it's not the cheeriest subject, understanding it empowers us to make choices as informed, conscientious, smart and intentional consumers.  

So let's get into it.

The Big Picture: A Toxic Load

In the past century, our country has seen an explosion of new chemicals —around 100,000 to be precise — present in various products. 

Shockingly, most of these chemicals remain largely untested and unregulated, contributing to what experts call our "toxic load." This is particularly concerning given that babies born today carry an average of 200 toxins in their blood.  

Endocrine Disruption: The Silent Threat

What makes these chemicals concerning is their endocrine-disrupting nature. They interfere with our endocrine system, responsible for regulating crucial bodily functions such as growth, development, metabolism, and reproduction. 

The top five groups of chemicals causing this disruption include BPA, phthalates, atrazine, organotins, and PFOAs.

Here's a quick summary of what these are, and where they are lurking:

BPA (Bisphenal A): a polycarbonate plastic, used in food and drink packaging, medical devices, thermal paper, dental materials and printed receipts.
 
Phthalates: primarily used in scented products to extend shelf life and make plastics more soft and flexible.  They are found in products like toys, plastic bottles, food packaging, shower curtains, blow-up mattresses, carpeting, vinyl flooring, cosmetics and perfumes, candles, air fresheners and sprays. Phthalates exposure can affect the reproductive system, contribute to obesity, diabetes, and thyroid irregularities.

Astrazine: an herbicide, and one of the most heavily used across the world. It is most commonly detected in ground, surface, and drinking water. 

Organotins: Used as biocides and pesticides and widespread use in PVS (vinyl) and other plastics.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA):  A class of manmade chemicals that make consumer goods water, stain and grease resistant.  Nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging (like pizza delivery boxes), and waterproof clothing. 

Taking Control and Minimizing

While complete avoidance is impossible, minimizing exposure is key. 

I do want to emphasize that we can't make ourselves crazy; instead, we need to be thoughtful and try to make the best choices for our health and our family's well-being. 

Rather than diving deep into any single area, let's start with an overview that encourages you to think about actionable steps.

According to toxicologist Dr. Yvonne Bierkart, here are some top things to be aware of and act upon:

Air Quality: 

Did you know that air pollution might have a link to serious health issues like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's? Groundbreaking research by Dr. Ray Dorsey at the University of Rochester suggests a connection, emphasizing the critical importance of our air quality.

Check your local air quality at AirNow, especially during poor conditions like wildfires. When air quality is poor, limit your time outdoors and consider wearing a mask when needed.

Consider indoor air quality tests to ensure your home environment is healthy. Poor indoor air quality can be driven by various factors, including off-gassing from new furniture, chemicals in cleaning supplies, and even emissions from fireplaces and cooking. 

Improve indoor air quality by using air filters, opening windows, using stove fans when cooking, and removing shoes to prevent tracking in pollutants. Consider investing in a high-quality air filter with a HEPA and carbon filter,  at least for your bedroom.

Clean Water: Ensure you drink clean, filtered water. This simple step can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful toxins.

Nutrition: Opt for whole, unprocessed, ideally organic foods. Choosing the right foods is a proactive way to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals present in various processed products. 

Get in the habit of reading nutritional labels, and if there is a long list of ingredients, with long scientific names you can't pronounce, artificial colors, MSG … try to avoid. 

Toxic-Free Products: Choose oral and personal care products, as well as cosmetics, with lower toxicity levels. A conscious selection of these products contributes to reducing your overall exposure.

To help with choosing “clean/cleaner" products, go to EWG.org (Environmental Working Group) which conducts exhaustive research on the safety of our consumables.  You can look up most products to see how it is scored.

The Think Dirty app and website is also a great resource for helping you identify safer/cleaner products. 

Just start by thinking through areas that you can address or change.  

Remember, it's about taking manageable steps toward a healthier life, one step at a time.