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Have you considered how many chemicals are around you every day? They’re in your food, water, personal care items, closets, and other things. It’s easy to forget that many products are made with chemicals that can be harmful to your health.
How can these chemicals harm you?
- Your skin absorbs the chemicals you come into contact with – even from the air around you.
- Your lungs absorb more chemicals from the air you breathe.
- Your digestive system absorbs chemicals from your food.
Many health experts assert that these chemicals may be responsible for many of the ailments that are so prevalent today, such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, respiratory issues, ADHD, autism, cancer, and many more.
Fortunately, there are natural ways to reduce the number of chemicals in your life.
Try these tips to reduce the amount of chemicals you come into contact with that can negatively affect your health:
1. Get rid of perfumes, colognes, dryer sheets, and air fresheners.
These products may smell nice, but they’re filled with toxic chemicals.
- Perfumes and colognes can have many harmful chemicals such as acetone, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and linalool. They usually have synthetic substances made from petroleum.
- Some of the health concerns linked to perfumes and colognes include respiratory issues, asthma, and allergies. In addition, many researchers admit that most of the chemicals in these products haven’t been tested long-term, so no one knows how they’ll affect people over time.
- Instead, use natural essential oils for your fragrances. Be sure to read the ingredients in all products you purchase, even if the label says it’s a natural product. Avoid chemicals you can’t pronounce.
2. Avoid toxic makeup and other personal care products.
Makeup and other personal care products, such as soaps, shampoo, and deodorant, are filled with toxic products that can harm your health.
- Your lipstick, blush, foundation, or eyeliner may have chemicals such as lead, arsenic, formaldehyde, or aluminum.
- It’s easy for makeup to get inside your body because lipstick and lip gloss are on your lips throughout the day. You can also rub off foundation or powder and get it on your hands, which you later use to eat.
- The chemicals in makeup and other personal care products can increase the risk of cancer. They can also lead to skin issues, lesions, allergies, respiratory issues, irritation, and reproductive issues.
- Instead, look for natural brands with no chemicals. Also, try to make your own makeup from beeswax, salves, essential oils, and safe food dyes.
3. Change your cleaning supplies.
One of the biggest sources of chemicals in the home is cleaning supplies.
- Cleaning supplies are filled with toxic chemicals that can affect your brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin. They may cause allergies, irritation, skin issues, asthma and respiratory issues. They may also increase your risk of getting cancer.
- Substances such as ammonia, chlorine, or phthalates can be harmful.
- Some cleaning products can cause permanent burns on your skin even if a drop lands on you.
- Instead, use natural cleaning supplies or make your own. Vinegar, water, baking soda, baking powder, and cornstarch can be combined in many ways to make safer cleaning products at home.
4. Avoid processed foods.
Your food can be a big source of chemicals in your life. Toxic substances can lurk in many grocery products.
- Artificial sweeteners in your baked goods or candy can lead to a higher risk of diabetes or cancer.
- Trans fats can clog arteries and cause cardiovascular disease.
- Preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate are sometimes made from benzene, which has been linked to thyroid issues and cancers.
- Even food coloring can be dangerous because it’s been associated with hyperactivity, brain issues, and allergies.
- Fortunately, you can make positive changes by reading labels and avoiding products that aren’t safe. Switch to more organic and natural food. Use products as close to nature as you can get, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Chemicals surround you. They’re in your breakfast and go with you to work. They’re in your conference room at the office, cleaning closet next to your cubicle, and in all the lunch menus.
However, you can cut down on the chemicals in your life by taking positive steps and making changes toward more natural living. In return, your body will thank you with more vibrant health!
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I really wanted to talk about this topic today because your natural health and wellness is important. You can adopt healthy lifestyle practices that improve your health, your environment, and enrich your life, which can in turn improve the lives of those close to you. You have the power to break the cycle of poor health, including chronic disease, so that you can leave a legacy of health to your loved ones.
I use functional medicine and lifestyle medicine as the first line of treatment, before medications, to treat lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Lifestyle-related chronic diseases include diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and some cancers, just to name a few. Lifestyle practices, such as eating a whole-food plant-based diet and regular physical activity, can help you lose weight, reverse some chronic diseases (if you suffer from them), and can even help you with detoxification. In certain cases, these approaches may even outperform pharmaceutical therapy.
But I always tell my patients that conventional medications may be appropriate at this time to prevent catastrophic illness, but over time, you can work to make the necessary lifestyle changes to possibly reduce and/or eliminate medications. Please remember to always consult your physician for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any decisions whatsoever.
Is Dietary Supplementation Right For You?
For some people, vitamin and mineral supplements offer important health benefits. Supplements are designed to fight deficiencies found in our diet and complement the food we eat regularly. Supplements are basically “helping hands” to our daily food.
If you suspect that you aren’t getting the nutrients you need, consider shifting your focus from supplements to eating better.
But it is very important to note that we are not eating the same foods we ate years ago because the soils have been depleted of critical nutrients through current industrial farming practices. And because the soil is not as good as it used to be, the food supply (grown from the depleted soil) is not as good as it used to be. For example, you are not getting the same levels of magnesium as you would have gotten 30 or even 50 years ago.
Second, much of the food has been genetically altered, which can impact the inherent and unique nutritional composition that each food possess. For example, ancient einkorn wheat has less gluten, more protein, more Vitamin A, and more beta carotene, than modern genetically modified wheat.
Third, the toxic load in the environment today is much higher than 100 years ago. We can see this with global warming, toxic landfills, polluted oceans and waterways, etc. Toxicity levels interfere with nutrient assimilation and absorption not just into the foods, but into our bodies as well.
So… if you are unable to eat better, the supplements in my MaxHealth Essentials Bundle may provide the extra boost you need.
These are my favorite Wellness and Immune-Boosting Supplements to use! This MaxHealth Essentials Bundle will ensure you have the intake of the important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to decrease inflammation and boost your innate wellness day and night. Taken together, it’s a solid plan for increasing your body’s natural resiliency.
For best results make sure you use the supplements with dietary changes including a whole food plant-based diet, regular exercise (at least 2-3x per week), regular sleep (8 hours per night), and intermittent fasting (at least 1-3x per week).
Weight Monitoring
Since weight management is very important in combatting chronic diseases, I recommend that you be mindful of your weight and its fluctuations, and that you monitor your weight AT LEAST on a weekly basis. I recommend a scale that includes a body composition monitor (*this scale cannot be used with a pacemaker or other implanted devices).
Physical Activity
Physical activity (or exercise) can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several chronic diseases like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, just to name a few. Physical activity can improve your mood, boost your immune system, help you maintain a healthy weight, and is a great way to detox your body!
I often recommend yoga and resistance training for physical activity, but as you are aware, there are plenty of forms of “movement” that you can do! But for the basics, especially if you’re just getting started, yoga and resistance training are where I would start.
Yoga
Yoga can be a great way to improve your strength and flexibility, manage your stress, improve your heart health, and lose weight! I recommend using a grounded yoga mat to connect yourself with the earth and reduce inflammation.
Resistance Training
Resistance training is the mainstay for overall health. It not only has beneficial effects on reducing body fat, it also increases muscle size and strength. Check out some basic dumbbells/free weights that I recommend to everyone.
Another alternative for dumbbells/free weights are resistance bands. They are great for physical therapy, yoga, strength training, and excellent for traveling.
Remember, living a healthy lifestyle including eating a whole foods plant-based diet, regular physical activity, and reducing stress are the best ways to maintain a healthy weight. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.
Dr. Nicolle Martin
Dr. Nicolle is double board-certified in Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine. As one of the nation’s most acclaimed primary care and public health physicians, she is a nationally recognized author, speaker, researcher, consultant and media personality. She is the Founder and Chief Medical Advisor of DrNicolleMD.com, where she discusses actionable ideas and real-world strategies to help people take control of their health using integrative therapies and lifestyle change.
Dr. Nicolle also shares her knowledge via her popular social media accounts “Maximize Health” to help people pursue a healthier life. Her motto is simple: Minimize Medications, Maximize Health. With her credentials and warm “bedside manner,” it’s no wonder that the doctor is renowned as “America’s Favorite Family Physician.”
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Last updated on January 28th, 2022 at 10:45 am
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