With the world increasingly becoming more health-conscious andenvironmentally friendly, more people are leaning into the clean living movement. Part of this lifestyle involves eliminating toxins in environment by living organically and choosing better products and foods to consume. How does one do this? Through detoxing.
Why is detoxing important in the first place? The elimination of toxins is essential to rid your body of the harmful effect of toxins found throughout our environment, from the water we drink to the air we breathe. Many artificial and naturally occurring chemicals on earth have found their way into our everyday environments, our oceans, soil, foods, and the items in our homes at higher than acceptable levels.
Toxins found in our beauty products, household cleaners, carpets, furniture, mattresses, and food can have an adverse effect on our health. But it isn’t all doom and gloom! By educating yourself on the issue at hand, you can rid yourself of these toxins and drastically improve your health. Today, I’m sharing more about toxins and how to implement a clean living routine through detoxing
Common Toxins in Environment
The below toxins are commonly found in everyday products. The more you can eliminate or reduce these toxins, the closer you’ll be to clean living and overall better health.
- Parabens – This ingredient is often used as a preservative in various skin and cosmetic products.
- Phthalates – Many scented cosmetics, perfumes, candles, and air fresheners use this chemical to make fragrances last longer.
- Heavy Metals – Find these in the form of radon, lead, and mercury throughout drinking water, some seafood, antiperspirant, and paints.
- Triclosan – This chemical is used as an antimicrobial that’s used in body wash, antibacterial soap, toilet seats, and shower curtains.
- Bisphenol A (BPA) – Countless plastic items contain BPA along with printed receipts, meat packaging, and canned goods.
- Chlorinated Plastics (PVC) – Also referred to as vinyl, PVC is used in vinyl flooring, wallpaper, window treatments, and pipes.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – These are tricky to detect as they come from household items like carpeting that “off gasses.”
- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) – More commonly known as pesticides, they’re left behind as residue on many of our food products.
- Mold and Mycotoxins – These toxins grow in moist and humid environments like showers, behind walls, and in attics, as well as on food items.
- Flame Retardants – Find these chemicals in upholstered furniture, electronics, computers, mattresses, and insulation.
- Formaldehyde – Manufactured and composite wood products like plywood, desks, and cabinets, along with car exhaust and paint, can produce this toxin.
This list might seem overwhelming! How is it even possible to live healthily when we have all of these items or products in our homes? Rest assured that even reducing your exposure to these chemicals in a small way can make a difference in your health!
The Effect of Toxins
You probably have some questions after going over all of these. You may be wondering, about the effect of toxins, considering they seem to be in virtually everything we use or consume. Here are some of the most common effects of toxins:
- Mood issues, anxiety, or depression
- Asthma or other respiratory issues
- Unexplained pain and soreness
- Headaches and migraines
- Digestive issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation
- Brain fog or memory loss, attention disorders
- Fatigue and feeling tired often
When your body is exposed to toxins in environment, they’re naturally eliminated through your detox pathways, such as sweat, urine, and stool. Though this is all well and good, our body only has a limited detox capacity. Whatever your body can’t remove, it stores.
Where is it stored? Many of these chemicals accumulate in fat tissue, leading to health issues. Sure, you can burn fat from exercise and eating well, but your body won’t burn the toxins.
This is where detoxing and making healthier choices to avoid these toxins as much as possible in your daily life makes a significant difference!
Best Practices for the Elimination of Toxins
The more you know about toxins, the less toxic you’ll be. Be more conscious of your choices and purchases to reduce further exposure and create a clean living environment for you and your loved ones.
Put these steps into action to get started:
1. Remove non-essential toxins from your environment
2. Replace these items with safer alternatives
3. Reduce exposure where removal of toxic exposures is not possible
4. Avoid future exposure by purchasing cleaner and environmentally friendly products
5. Commence the detoxing process
What are safer alternatives? Here are some of my favorite clean living swaps:
- Replace unfiltered tap water with high-quality spring water (water has a profound impact on your daily life!)
- Replace plastic sandwich bags with paper bags
- Replace deodorant with non-toxic versions (I use both and try to use the non-toxic for all occasions that I don’t need the hard-proofed one)
- Replace regular fertilizers with organic fertilizers for your garden, terrace, and houseplants
- Replace conventional laundry and cleaning products with non-toxic alternatives (my parents use Frosch in their home, and I do too. Natural products at an affordable price – there’s nothing better!)
- Replace conventional cosmetic and beauty products with natural alternatives (German favorites like Weleda or Dr. Hauschka have great options. Natural, clean cosmetics at a fair price – there’s nothing better!)
The Way of K
For further information on how to fully detox your life, I highly recommend adding this book to your reading list:
Fast Like a Girl: A Woman’s Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones By Dr. Mindy Pelz
The book gets into the power of fasting and changing your diet to transform your life through detoxing your body. Make sure to also check out my blog about the F.X. Mayr Fasting Detox to get my take on the process, as well as my blog post about my recent Park Igls detox retreat!
For more healthy tips, wellness, and mindful travel inspiration, follow me on Instagram @kathrindilauro.
