Energy Thieves: A Quickstart Guide To Lowering Toxic Exposures In Your Environment

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Toxins are everywhere around us! In the air, in our food, and even on our furniture, cookware, and cleaning products. It’s impossible to eliminate ALL exposure to toxins, however you can increase your awareness of what you’re potentially being exposed to, and then make choices to start eliminating the things you have control over! The following guide contains commonly found toxins in our homes and communities plus tips for eliminating them. This is not a comprehensive list of toxins, however it’s a great place to start!

1. EAT ORGANIC, GRASS-FED, FREERANGE, AND WILD:

Limiting toxicity through food is imperative. What we take into our mouths is a direct conduit to our inner body. Consider that the next time you have a meal or a drink.

ACTION STEP: Follow the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists for which foods to buy organic. Buy smaller-sized fish that are wild and not farmed. Smaller fish are younger and haven’t been around as long to accumulate high levels of toxic elements. Eating animals that are grass-fed means higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Check out online meat delivery services like ButcherBox for grass-fed, organic meat.

2. AVOID EATING, DRINKING, AND SMOKING TOXINS

This should go without saying, but say NO to soda, chewing tobacco, cigarette smoking, drugs, unnecessary medications, both prescription and over the counter, alcohol, and junk food.

ACTION STEP: Pretty much just don’t put it in your body. Avoid social situations where these habits are going to be very difficult to avoid. Plan gatherings with friends that don’t involve these “high risk” behaviors.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

3. DRINK (AND BATHE IN) FILTERED/ PURIFIED WATER

Why not TRIPLE the detox benefit:

• First: hydrating allows for more water soluble toxins to be excreted in the urine by the kidneys.

• Second: ultra-filtered water reduces the ingestion of chemical pollutants found in most municipal and bottled water supplies.

• Third: showering in filtered water reduces the absorption of harmful chemicals through the skin, thereby lowering the liver’s detox burden.

ACTION STEP: Look into these affordable options if a whole house reverse osmosis filtration system is not financially available to you. Consider shower head adaptors to detox your tub and shower water. Some examples to consider: AquaTru table top reverse osmosis filtration system, Aquasana under sink options, Berkey Countertop, and shower systems.

4. ELIMINATE CANNED FOODS

The lining in canned foods often contains BPA (Bisphenol A)- a top hormone disruptor that can produce free radicals in your body, using up all of your antioxidants

ACTION STEP: Find BPA-free canned food if you can’t avoid them entirely.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

5. AVOID PLASTIC FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AND WATER BOTTLES:

Plasticizers are chemicals found in plastic containers and bottles. They leach into the water and food. They can not only harm your body’s ability to detoxify, but also act on hormone receptors in unnatural and potentially harmful ways.

ACTION STEP: Invest in glass, ceramic, or steel (non-BPA lined) water bottles and fill with your own filtered water. Store food in glass containers and avoid microwaving food in plastic containers.

6. AVOID TOXIC COOKWARE

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) are toxic to your body. They are linked with cancer including breast, prostate, and ovarian. Avoid teflon, aluminum, copper, and ceramic coated (because usually what’s underneath is toxic). A note on ceramic: if it is 100% ceramic or mixed with titanium, it is safe. Unfortunately, some ceramic coated pans have toxic metals underneath.

ACTION STEP: Use these safe alternatives: cast iron, enameled cast iron, stainless steel, glass, ceramic/titanium coated. Try these safe nonstick choices: Scanpan from Denmark, Zwilling from Germany, GreenPan from Belgium, Beka Eco-logic, GreenLife, Ecolution.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

7. INVEST IN GREEN HYGIENE AND MAKE-UP PRODUCTS

There are many endocrine disrupting and toxic chemicals packed into our skin, body, and beauty care products. Your skin is a huge absorptive surface, so what you slather on is making its way into your blood and into your body and can impact your health and hormone balance.

ACTION STEP: Read the ingredient label. Use the Environmental Working Group’s handy app called “Think Dirty” to rate your make-up and hygiene products. Start swapping out products a little at a time, if you can’t afford to clean them out all at once.

8. INVEST IN GREEN HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS

Most cleaning products contain a combination of harmful, harsh, and environmentally unfriendly chemicals. If you need to call poison control, it’s probably not something you wish to apply on your kitchen counter (where you prepare food) or on floor surfaces (where you walk barefooted). Stop using harsh chemical cleaning products and replace them with natural cleaning ingredients: vinegar, baking soda, borax, ammonia.

ACTION STEP: Search online how to clean your home naturally or go to the EWG’s website to rate commercial cleaning products.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

9. AVOID MERCURY CONTAINING DENTAL AMALGAMS

Mercury fillings can cause autoimmune and neurological problems. If you are considering removing your existing dental amalgams made of mercury, make sure to go to a biological dentist experienced in safe removal. This is important: removing them without appropriate precautions can lead to WORSENING health rather than improved health.

ACTION STEP: www,iaomt.org/for-patients/findmercury-safe-dentist/

10. SWITCH YOUR MATTRESS

Many commercial mattresses contain toxic chemicals such as antimony, formaldehyde, and flame retardants. Mattresses labeled “natural” may still contain chemicals; even those labeled only “organic” can still contain non-organic materials and chemicals.

ACTION STEP: Check your mattress. The purest mattresses on the market contain the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and/or the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certification on their label.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

11. EAT FOODS THAT HAVE “DETOX SUPERPOWERS”

ACTION STEP: Eat more of the foods listed below. They naturally detoxify!

• Beets: Full of nutrients and liver supporting vitamins (B3, B6, C, beta- carotene, magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron). They help the liver and gallbladder break down toxins and the fiber supports elimination out of your system.

• Lemons: packed with vitamin C, needed for the liver detox process, and d- limonene, that stimulates the release of detox enzymes. Start your day with a glass of water and lemon.

• Apples: packed with fiber and nutrients to stimulate bile production needed to release toxins from the liver. The fiber in apples, called pectin, is useful in removing heavy metals and food additives from our bodies. Stick with organic apples -- conventionally grown apples are on the dirty dozen list for high pesticide content

• Leafy green veggies: Aim to get lots of green things in your diet -- leafy greens, broccoli, cucumbers, celery, and sprouts, to name a few. This is the foundation for any daily detoxification program.

• Nuts and Seeds: the combination of fiber and minerals packed into these morsels puts them on the list for detox.

• Garlic and Onions: Garlic has powerful antiviral, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties. Both help stimulate the liver production of detox enzymes that help filter toxins out of your body.

• Broccoli sprouts: with loads of important phytochemicals and antioxidants that support faster rates of detox compared to mature broccoli, these guys stimulate detoxification enzymes in the digestive tract.

• Green tea contains catechins: an antioxidant that increases liver function to not only improve detoxification, but also acts as an anti-inflammatory to give your immune system a break.

• Artichokes: increase bile production, increase urine outflow from the kidneys, to get rid of water soluble toxins produced by the liver, and may have some liver regenerative properties. They are also high in fiber to help with elimination through the intestines.

• Cilantro: a top contender for releasing heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, aluminum) this green goddess actually binds to these toxins, loosening them from the blood, tissues, and organs, and assists with elimination from the body.

• Cabbage: Bitter foods and foods that facilitate the body’s production of the master liver antioxidant, glutathione, top the list for detoxifying foods.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

13. REDUCE STRESS

The inflammation cascade that is induced by stress, unhealthy eating and drinking behaviors, and poor sleep quality associated with being stressed, is a quick path to toxic overload and liver burden.

ACTION STEP: Meditation apps, yoga, gratitude journaling, walking in nature. Work on changing your reaction to a stressful event. Whether or not you get upset or feel in control of an event will not change what happens. It only impacts the experience of that event. So take a deep breath or two and center yourself before spiraling down the stress pathway.

12. EAT QUALITY PROTEIN

The 2 phases of liver detoxification require a lot of energy. Transforming toxic substances into less toxic and easily excretable forms uses up a lot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids, the building blocks of protein.

ACTION STEP: Opt for free-range, organic, humanely raised eggs, poultry, lamb, and beef. Choose wild fish over farmed and be mindful of avoiding endangered fish species. Aim for 0.8-1.2 grams of protein per kg of body weight.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

14. AVOID EATING CHARBROILED MEATS

Free radicals (trust me these are bad) can wreak havoc on your body, creating cellular damage throughout.

ACTION STEP: If you are going to grill/barbecue, avoid super high heats and minimize the blackened appearance.

15. GET TO YOUR IDEAL WEIGHT

Hanging on to fat might be a sign of high toxicity. Your body knows that this is the safest place to store harmful toxins. Eating right, sleeping right, and following a detox program will set you on a path to safe, effective weight loss goals.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

16. EXERCISE

Moving and sweating helps to mobilize toxins from your system. Try to break a sweat and exercise to your max at least for a few minutes of your workout. High intensity interval training (bursts of 30 to 90 seconds at a time for about 7 minutes of your workout time) creates significant improvement in fitness, weight loss, and toxin removal.

ACTION STEP: Start introducing HIIT to your workout. Start with a 30 second burst of running as fast as you can during your jog, cycling as fast and hard as you can while spinning, giving it your all with whatever you are doing for 30 seconds. Try this 5 times in your workout. Build up to 7 minutes of HIIT 2 or 3 times a week. Check out the Scientific 7- minute workout and the Advance version for a quick HIIT activity set.

17. POOP EVERY DAY

One of the best ways to remove toxins from your body is via the intestines. Make sure to have a bowel movement at least once a day to avoid the recirculation of toxins back into the body.

ACTION STEP: If you are constipated -- check out these helpful tips: hydrate (64 ounces of filtered water a day), magnesium 200 to 800mg daily, vitamin C 1000 mg 3 to 5 times a day, probiotics 1 to 2 a day, a drop or two of ingestible grade peppermint essential oils, smooth move tea, ground flax into a smoothie, and increase your fruit and veggie intake.

20 TIPS TO DECREASE TOXINS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

18. QUALITY SLEEP

Did you know that sleeping 8 hours a night can assist your liver’s ability to detoxify? When you are not eating or drinking, your liver gets a break from dealing with incoming toxins and has some time to start mobilizing what may be lingering around in your body.

ACTION STEP: Start by setting a sleep routine. Figure out what time you need to wake up and go to bed 8 hours before that! Genius!!! Shut off your computers and phones a few hours before bed or use blue light blocking glasses!

19. SWEAT IT OUT IN A SAUNA

There are 5 ways to rid your body of toxins: breathing, pooping, peeing, sweating, and breastfeeding. Sad, but true. Try 15 to 30 minutes of a sauna, if tolerated. Check with your physician to make sure you are able to tolerate high body temperatures, even for brief moments. Once you start sweating, the toxins are flowing.

20. SKIN BRUSHING

Skin brushing and oil massages will help exfoliate the toxins from your skin and induce lymphatic circulation. Invest in a special skin brush and use long strokes that move away from the extremities. Try it before you shower a few times a week.

SAFE SKINCARE: a guide to choosing nontoxic personal care products

Just as important as eating healthy food to nourish the inside of your body, the products you put on your skin can make their way into your bloodstream. Science has already proven that whatever goes on your skin absorbs into your body: “What goes on, goes in!” So it makes sense not to put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t want inside your body, right?

Avoid these toxic chemicals in your body products and makeup. This includes shampoo, conditioner, soaps, cleansers, lotions, deodorants, toothpaste, hair styling, sunscreen etc. This is not a comprehensive list of toxins, however it’s a great place to start!

CHLORIDE

FOUND IN: sunscreens, moisturizers.

WHAT IS IT: A disinfectant used as a preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies.

BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE AND BUTYLATED HYDROXY-TOLUENE (BHA & BHT)

FOUND IN: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics.

WHAT IS IT: Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage.

BENZALKONIUM

SAFE SKINCARE: a guide to choosing nontoxic personal care products

COAL TAR HAIR DYES AND OTHER COAL TAR INGREDIENTS

FOUND IN: hair dye, shampoo.

WHAT IS IT: A byproduct of coal processing that is a known carcinogen. It is used as a colorant and an anti-dandruff agent.

ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID (EDTA)

FOUND IN: hair color, moisturizers.

WHAT IS IT: A chelating (binding) agent added to cosmetics to improve stability. May be toxic to organs.

ETHANOLAMINES (MEA/DEA/TEA)

FOUND IN: hair dyes, mascara, foundation, fragrances, sunscreens, dry cleaning solvents, paint, pharmaceuticals.

WHAT IS IT: Surfactant and pH adjuster linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development.organs.

FORMALDEHYDE

FOUND IN: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

WHAT IS IT: Used as a preservative in cosmetics. A known carcinogen that is also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. Present where quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), and several other preservatives are listed.

SAFE SKINCARE: a guide to choosing nontoxic personal care products

HYDROQUINONE

FOUND IN: skin-lightening creams.

WHAT IS IT: A skin-lightening chemical that inhibits the production of melanin and is linked to cancer, organ toxicity, and skin irritation.

METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE AND METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE

FOUND IN: shampoo, conditioner, body wash.

WHAT IS IT: Chemical preservatives that are among the most common irritants, sensitizers, and causes of contact skin allergies.

OXYBENZONE

FOUND IN: sunscreen, moisturizer.

WHAT IS IT: Sunscreen agent and ultraviolet light absorber linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies, and possible hormone disruption.

PARABENS (METHYL-, ISOBUTYL-, PROPYL- AND OTHERS)

FOUND IN: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.

WHAT IS IT: A class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies.

PHTHALATES (DBP, DEHP, DEP AND OTHERS)

FOUND IN: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials.

WHAT IS IT: A class of plasticizing chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects.

SAFE SKINCARE: a guide to choosing nontoxic personal care products

SYNTHETIC FLAVOR OR FRAGRANCE

FOUND IN: all types of cosmetics.

WHAT IS IT: An engineered scent or flavoring agent that may contain any combination of 3,000-plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed.

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG COMPOUNDS)

FOUND IN: creams, sunscreen, shampoo.

WHAT IS IT: PEGs are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. Depending on manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are both carcinogens.

RETINYL PALMITATE AND RETINOL (VITAMIN A)

FOUND IN: moisturizer, anti-aging skincare.

WHAT IS IT: A nutrient that may damage DNA and speed the growth of skin tumors when used topically.

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLS AND SLES)

FOUND IN: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

WHAT IS IT: Surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation, which is used to process other chemicals in order to make them less harsh.

SAFE SKINCARE: a guide to choosing nontoxic personal care products

TOLUENE

FOUND IN: nail polish.

WHAT IS IT: A volatile petrochemical solvent that is toxic to the immune system and can cause birth defects.

TRICLOSAN AND TRICLOCARBAN

FOUND IN: liquid soap, soap bars, toothpaste.

WHAT IS IT: Antimicrobial pesticides toxic to the aquatic environment; may also impact human reproductive systems.

QUICK LIST AT A GLANCE:

• Benzalkonium chloride

• BHA and BHT

• Coal tar

• Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

• Ethanolamines(MEA/DEA/TEA)

• Formaldehyde

• Hydroquinone

• Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone

• Oxybenzone Parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others)

• Phthalates

• Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds)

• Retinyl palmitate and Retinol (Vitamin A)

• Sodium lauryl sulfate and Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS and SLES)

• Synthetic flavor or fragrance

• Toluene

• Triclosan and Triclocarban