Why Environmental Toxins Need To Be On Your Radar for Optimal Health
You’re making an effort to eat healthy. You exercise regularly. You’re working on getting better sleep. You think you’ve got your healthy lifestyle covered.
But are you considering the environmental toxins that your body is exposed to on a daily basis? If not, you are missing out on a key piece of your healthy living plan.
I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure
What Are Environmental Toxins?
Environmental toxins are toxic chemicals found in our environment – from the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the products we use in our homes and lives. We call them toxins because they have the potential to cause harm to humans and other living beings. Some environmental toxins are naturally occurring, such as lead or arsenic found in soil. Most environmental toxins are man-made chemicals that are sprayed on crops or used in the manufacturing of products. These man-made chemicals are in products we use every day, from plastics and furniture, to cleaning sprays and personal care products, to food and food packaging, and everything in between.The Health Risks from Environmental Toxins*
The health impacts of environmental toxins have long been under-studied and under-reported. Part of the problem is that man-made chemicals are woefully under-regulated. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) maintains an “innocent until proven guilty” approach to chemicals and very few are even tested for safety. So companies can use any chemicals they want, without regard for human safety. Meanwhile, environmental toxins are a silent threat to your health. Many independent studies have shown that there are serious health risks to exposures to many chemicals in our home environment and daily lives. Many of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors, which means they mess with the hormones that regulate much of the functioning in your body. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are linked to developmental, reproductive, brain, immune system, and other problems. It has also been shown that a person’s body burden – the total amount of chemicals and pollutants present in the body at any given time – is linked to overall wellness. All those little exposures to chemicals can add up to a big chemical burden on your body – so there is good reason to be concerned about exposure to environmental chemicals. Without getting into all the unpleasant details, here are some of the health risks from toxic chemicals in your home and products:
[ezcol_1third]
- allergies
- asthma
- headaches
- ADHD/autism
- cardiovascular disease
- metabolism issues/obesity
- diabetes
- thyroid issues
- immune disorders
- cancer
- developmental abnormalities
- cognitive impairment
- fertility problems
- pregnancy risks
- accelerated puberty
- chronic fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
- poor sleep