How To Reduce Your Toxic Load
Most people don’t realize how modern toxins interfere with our hormones and promote fat accumulation. Toxins are everywhere - in your food, in your skincare products, in your home cleaning supplies, in your candles, in your plastic water bottles, etc. These are things our Bible Sisters didn’t have to deal with and one reason we need more hormonal support these days. Check out these tips on how to reduce your toxic load! 👇🏼
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals mimic or block your body's hormones. This means that they act like a hormone OR bind to the receptor, preventing your actual hormones from functioning. Endocrine disruptors are commonly found in products we put in and on our bodies every day.
Not only that, but our body socks away toxins in our fat cells in order to protect our organs as much as possible. The more toxic you are, the more your body will need to hold onto fat to protect you.
I recently talked to Gin Stephens, the author of Clean(ish), about ways we can reduce our toxic load without making ourselves crazy. Because, let’s face it, it can be overwhelming when you think about the sheer amount of toxins we’re exposed to on a daily basis. Gin is a great example - and gives great examples of - how to make small changes that add up to big wins. (You can listen to that podcast here.)
Just this week I had a client ask me if she should be worried about hair coloring. I said, frankly, I get my hair dyed every two months with the conventional stuff so I can’t help ya there. 😆 It’s one of the more “toxic” habits that I have - and I definitely have a few! - but that’s why I try to “keep things tight” where I can and when it’s easy. One no-brainer way I reduce my toxic load is using Beautycounter for most of my skincare and makeup routine. I literally do not have the bandwidth to memorize all of the coo-coo ingredients I need to avoid and I KNOW that Beautycounter bans over 1800 questionable ingredients in their products. For reference, the US only bans 30 ingredients from personal care products. The EU bans 1400. We are WAY behind.
Here’s a small sampling of things to look out for:
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE • BUTYLATEDHYDROXY ANISOLE AND BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE • COAL TAR HAIR DYES AND OTHER COAL TAR INGREDIENTS • ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID (EDTA) • ETHANOLAMINES (MEA/DEA/TEA) • FORMALDEHYDE • HYDROQUINONE • METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE AND METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE • OXYBENZONE • PARABENS (METHYL-, ISOBUTYL-, PROPYL- AND OTHERS) • PHTHALATES (DBP, DEHP, DEP AND OTHERS) • POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG COMPOUNDS) • RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE) • SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLS AND SLES) • SYNTHETIC FLAVOR OR FRAGRANCE • TOLUENE • TRICLOSAN AND TRICLOCARBAN
Do you want to memorize all that (plus some)? Me either. Beautycounter proactively bans ingredients, rigorously tests their products AND they use sustainable packaging (so much better for the 🌏). Check out Beautycounter products here.
That’s one easy way you reduce your toxic load. Take a look at this list and decide the easiest thing you can do right now to take the burden off your body.
#1. Start replacing your personal care products
As you run out of your face cream, eyeliner, lotion, etc., switch to a cleaner version. You don’t have to do it all at once! Baby steps, friend.
#2. Swap cleaning products
Switch to natural options like vinegar, essential oils or cleaner products from a company like Branch Basics. I love their stuff. They have a great starter kit and the oxygen boost got a nasty stain out of my daughter’s smocked Christmas dress!
#3. Use glass water bottles and food storage containers instead of plastic.
Especially when heating! You can also use stainless steel water bottles for on the go!
#4. Use cast-iron, stainless steel, or ceramic cookware
Pots and pans can be a major source of toxins that leach into your food when you cook in them.
#5. Use essential oils instead of candles
Most candles put off toxic chemicals into the air - especially those super smelly ones. 😬Essential oils not only emit a lovely scent, they are actually GOOD for you to breathe in! I love Young Living, Doterra and Revive Oils.
Another awesome thing you can do to help remove toxins from your body is to FAST! When we burn fat, we release those toxins that are stored there. (that’s one reason you can feel icky as you detox!) If you’ve never done Feast 2 Fast® with me - check out when our next round starts here. I’d love to show you the way to eat, fast and feast to minimize toxins, burn fat and feel amazing!
In the meantime, give some thought to how you can better clean up your toxic load. Remember, one step at a time and every little bit helps your body be less burdened. ❤️