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The following is a list of the top twenty everyday environmental toxins and means of combating them:   

1. Insecticides and pesticides: Eat WASHED organic produce as much as possible as well as organic dairy products, eggs, and meat; remember that the higher up the chain your food is, the greater it’s potential toxicity. Avoid walking barefoot (and walking your pets) on chemically-sprayed lawns.

2. Prescription drugs: Cause nutritional deficiencies and other negative side effects. Consider alternatives such as mind-body medicine, nutritional supplementation, and other diet and lifestyle changes to help lower your dosage of, or even substitute, prescription drugs; always consult your doctor before changing your dosage.

3. Alcohol: While moderate intake, i.e. a glass or two, may have therapeutic value, less truly is more with alcohol. Too much alcohol causes nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress through excess insulin release.

4. Indoor and outdoor pollution: Control the lighting and sounds around you: opt for natural or full-spectrum lighting and peaceful music. Obtain an air purifier or surround yourself with plants, and drink pure, filtered water (avoid plastic bottles – see below). Try to avoid city jogging or biking during rush hour.

5. Cigarette smoke: Quit and ask the people around you who smoke to do so too for your health, if not their own. Cigarettes contain cadmium, a toxic heavy metal and can contribute to heart disease. Still not ready? Cut down: each cigarette you don’t smoke will better everyone’s environment.

6. Formaldehyde: Make sure your home is formaldehyde-free. Formaldehyde can irritate the skin, throat, nose, and eyes; high-level exposure is linked to some cancers. Sources include smog, cigarettes, open fires, some foods (as a preservative) and household products, as well as carpets, floors, cabinetry, new upholstery and furniture.¹

7. Soft drinks: Sodas contain phosphoric acid, which can deplete calcium from bones, and an abundance of refined sugar that can spike insulin levels when consumed in excess. Chronic excess insulin release can lead to diabetes and obesity as well as heart disease and other illnesses. Drink sodas sparingly, if at all.

8. Trans-fats: Causing free-radical stress and higher LDL levels, which together create a strong cardiovascular risk, trans fats are found in most packaged and processed foods. These are polyunsaturated fats with an extra hydrogen atom added to increase shelf-life of foods. Due to national efforts to halt the rise of obesity in the U.S., food manufacturers are now required to list trans fats on nutrition food labels, giving you some added food for thought at the market.

9. Charcoal-broiled meats: Charring or blackening meats can catalyze the production of chemicals which can increase your cancer risk. Trim the fat and eat grilled meat with plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you believe chicken is healthier for you, think again; beef and lamb are lesser evils on the grill.²

10. Personal hygiene products: Because porous skin so readily absorbs toxins, choose natural perfumes, deodorants, and shampoos. Most deodorants contain aluminum to prevent perspiration; aluminum is known to cause DNA alterations and daily dermal exposure may lead to breast cancer.³ Read product labels and also look for phthalates (see Toxin #20).