Why should I care about the ingredients in the products my family uses? Simply put, everything you put in your body has an impact.
A 2005 study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that blood samples from newborns contained an average of 287 toxins. Our increased toxic load is also contributing to a dramatic increase in hormonal imbalance, endocrine disorders, thyroid conditions and many other chronic diseases. So even though we can’t control all the chemicals and toxins in our environment, we sure can be mindful about the kinds of products and foods we put in our bodies, on our skin and in our home.
Here are some ways to reduce toxic load:
- As much as possible, buy and eat organic produce and free-range foods to reduce your exposure to agricultural chemicals. Eat fresh foods, steering clear of processed foods. This way, you automatically avoid artificial food additives, including dangerous artificial sweeteners, food coloring and MSG.
- Store your food and beverages in glass rather than plastic, and avoid using plastic wrap and canned foods (which are often lined with BPA-containing liners).
- Have your tap water tested and, if contaminants are found, install an appropriate water filter on all your faucets (even those in your shower or bath). Avoid water with added fluoride, which research shows to be a neurotoxin.
- Only use natural cleaning products in your home. Download the EWG Skin Deep app and scan the bar codes of products in your house. The app will rate each product and tell you about the problematic ingredients.
- Switch over to natural brands of toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics.
- Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances. “Fragrance” is usually a chemical cocktail, often containing chemicals associated with allergic reactions and hormone disruption. Fragrance is considered the new secondhand smoke because many of the ingredients are allergens, which is why fragrance is one of the most common triggers for people with allergies. Additionally, phthalates are commonly used as solvents and are linked to reproductive and developmental disruption.
- Replace your non-stick pots and pans with ceramic, cast iron or glass cookware.
- Read ingredient labels when buying products. Avoid ingredients like sodium laureate sulfate, paragons, petrolatum, siloxanes, PEG compounds, dibutyl phthalate, triclosan, BHA/BHT and coal tar dyes.
- Do a regular detox so that your body rids the toxins that can overwhelm your body’s “built-in” detox systems (liver, kidneys and lymphatic system).
For kids, use extra caution because they are exposed to more contaminants in everyday products than adults. Their immature metabolism and organ systems are typically less capable of fending off chemical assaults. Even subtle damage to young bodies can lead to disease later in life. 
Another great way to avoid toxic products is to make it yourself. For an all purpose cleaner use baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar is a great product that can be used in and around your house in hundreds of different ways.
Coconut oil is great as a moisturizer and has anti-microbial properties. You can have a blast making “Do It Yourself” beauty products. Get creative and for a real good time invite friends for a DIY party!
