Avoiding Toxins
We unknowingly put so many toxins in and on our bodies, we don't even think about it. But we should, these toxins can accumulate inside us and lead us to disease quicker than you might think.
Food & drinks seem an obvious area to look into, but think about lotions, shampoos, laundry detergent, makeup, even the air we breathe and the chlorinated tap water we drink/shower in, how much are we damaging ourselves with these toxic ingredients? Please do some research beyond what is below to help you clean your body of things that can lead to illness.
Here are some links to articles/blogs for you to start your own research:
https://www.ewg.org/ This is a terrific website that rates products for toxicities
https://tacanow.org/family-resources/avoiding-toxins/
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/toxins-in-food
https://clemandthyme.com/2023/01/25/protect-your-thyroid-by-avoiding-these-environmental-toxins/
https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals-avoid/
https://www.resourceyourhealth.com/post/5-toxin-avoiding-strategies-for-vibrant-health
https://toxicfreefuture.org/blog/tips-to-avoid-toxic-chemicals-in-food/
https://paradisehealthdirect.tflmag.com/how-essential-oils-can-help-you
https://projectcbd.org/health/trade-in-your-ibuprofen-for-cannabis/
https://liwli.com/surprising-health-benefits-of-fresh-air/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them/
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/all-natural-moisturizers-you-can-find-in-the-kitchen
Oh my goodness ladies, what we do to try to stay young looking, I for one am sick of the idea that men age like fine wine and women age like dairy, why can't we just age gracefully too? I say, we need to go for it, do the best we can with what we have today and stop trying to look 20 when we're 50, we earned every one of those wrinkles just like they did, embrace it!
Other ways to avoid toxic chemicals:
1. Fragrance/chemical free laundry detergent - our skin is the largest organ in our body, it absorbs so many toxins, think the soap in your detergent isn't getting inside of you when you put on a freshly laundered . . . . well, anything? Also, try some of these bleach alternatives: https://kellysdrycleaners.com/blog/6-all-natural-homemade-laundry-bleach-alternatives/
2. Dryer sheets - I love a wool ball for softening
3. Clothing - again, this is rubbing against our skin all day, try to go for organic cotton garments
4. Sunscreen - instead of slathering on tons of chemicals, opt for shade, hats, and clothing to shield you from too much sun.
5. Insect repellent - one word - DEET - horrible chemicals, maybe one of these will work for you https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/11-natural-bug-repellents-worth-trying/
6. Deodorant - please stop using anti-perspirants with aluminum in them, or at least cut back on how often you use them, go for a natural deodorant instead.
7. What do you use to wash your dishes? Same deal, look for plant-based cleaners without the toxins
8. Hand soap - think that anti-bacterial soap is keeping you safer? Not so much! https://www.conehealth.com/services/urgent-care/5-reasons-to-stop-using-antibacterial-soaps/ Instead, look for soaps with natural ingredients, a good rule of thumb, if you see an ingredient that looks like a chemical, it could be toxic (look up the ingredient). I find soaps at farmer's markets and small local soap companies. If you can't get your soap there, castile soap is usually found in most grocery stores.
9. Cleaning products - I like white vinegar and water for counters and floors. Baking soda and borax are also great options. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-borax-where-to-get-608509
10. Toothpaste - We're all concerned with that sparkling smile, but try to find a flouride-free toothpaste that doesn't have all the chemicals and artificial sweeteners. Yes, I know folks think flouride is all that, but look on the tube, it clearly says too much is toxic, also too much will give you fun white spots on your teeth called fluorosis.
https://fluoridealert.org/issues/health/
https://gcholisticdentalcare.com.au/7-toothpaste-ingredients-to-avoid.html
11. Bed Linens - Again, you're lying on this fabric all night, get something natural like organic cotton or bamboo.
12. Bisphenol A (BPA) - a chemical used to make plastics, coatings in canned foods, bottles and plastic containers. Per Mayo Clinic, the research shows possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of children, increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Make sure your plastic bottles are BPA free, opt for metal bottles, and glass containers for leftovers.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331
13. Toilet paper - Yes, I am going there, there is a lot of bleach used in the creation of most commercial toilet paper. Bleach is used to make the TP nice and white, but in addition to bleach other ingredients include formaldehyde and BPA, none of which is healthy. Opt for either recycled (100%, without fragrance or dyes), bamboo (which grows back quicker than trees) or get a bidet toilet seat and maybe you can skip the TP all together.
14. Perfume/cologne - there are many harmful chemicals in fragrances to include acetone, ethanol, parabens and camphor. More info here: https://naturalnicheperfume.com/blog/toxic-chemicals-in-perfumes/
Ditch the expensive fragrance and either skip it all together (you smell fabulous after a shower anyway) or check out what you can do with essential oils.
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/podcast-episode-31-how-to-make-your-own-natural-perfume
15. Air - Is the air in your home toxic? Might be, do you use air fresheners? They also have harmful chemicals you're breathing in. Investing in a few houseplants is a great option for better air quality. Remember to change out your AC/furnace filter and if needed invest in a good air purifier. https://www.treehugger.com/ways-get-clean-air-without-chemicals-4864310
16. Water - Do you use tap water? There is a lot of evidence of toxins that are allowed that I would not want to consume or even shower in to include chlorine and fluoride. It's worth the investment to get a whole house water filtration system installed. If that's not an option, look for a small water filtration pitcher that you can at least filter your drinking water. Bottled water is also a source of chemicals, much of it isn't any better than tap, and then there's the bottle, BPAs, ugh!!! https://www.best-osmosis-systems.com/water-filter-pitcher-reviews/
If you're on well water, a reverse osmosis system will help keep your water toxin-free. But you lose some of the good trace minerals so it'd be a good idea to get some trace mineral drops.
17. Hand sanitizer - I cringe everytime I see someone using this, inside I'm yelling, just go wash your hands!! Yes, toxic ingredients like methanol, propanol and benzene (chemical known to cause leukemia per poisoncontrol.org)! https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-consumers-should-not-use#products
Disclaimer: Please use this information as a place to begin your own research, I am not a scientist or toxicity expert other than being a curious person with common sense. Do not substitute this for medical information. I'm just trying to bring awareness to what is holding us back from living our best lives!