Deep breath. This will be short.

Somehow this week, my planned newsletter on gut health just didn’t seem to fit.

Because I know there are a lot of feelings circulating out there right now, in the days after a consequential election.

Many are joyful. Many are fearful. Many are hopeful. Many are unsettled.

The emotions couldn't be farther apart.  Just like our politics seem to be right now.

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.

When breathing through our nose, our lungs are able to extract 20% more oxygen than if we breathed through our mouth. This can make a profound difference in our life, our health - and is a clear marker for longevity.

Mouth breathing, on the other hand, is tied to chronic ailments - like asthma, allergies, and anxiety. It increases inflammation in the body. It makes us more susceptible to periodontal disease and sleep apnea.