How to reduce toxins in your body

Avoid toxins where you can and then detox your body and strengthen your liver…your master detoxifying organ.

I confess, when the subject of toxins in our environment came up, I used to “poo poo” it a bit and I felt people were being a bit alarmist. I have had a few classes on the subject now and I now see the value of taking toxins seriously. The studies are now clear that toxins from our environment are a contributing cause to Cancer, Atherosclerosis (plaques and hardening of our arteries), dementia, Type 2 diabetes, Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, liver damage, thyroid disease, lowered immune function, and many psychiatric disorders. And because many toxins like microplastics are endocrine disruptors, they can even cause obesity, lowered testosterone in men, and infertility in both men and women.

Toxins come to us from so many places, microplastics, BPA, benzene rings etc. I don’t think it makes sense to overly stress about these as it is impossible to fully eliminate them from our environment but there are some ways to reduce them and also combat them by strengthening the bodies detoxification pathways. So why not at least start doing what we can. It will result in a longer healthier more energetic life.

How to Reduce Exposure to Microplastics

• Drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water (bottled water has 2-3x more microplastics than tap water). Even better is water that has been carbon filtered to reduce benzene contaminants.
• Use glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic.
• Avoid heating food in plastic (especially in microwaves).
• Wear and wash natural fibers like cotton or wool instead of synthetics – small lint fibers can be inhaled or enter our waste water when washed.
• Vacuum and dust regularly to reduce airborne plastic fibers.
• Check skincare and toothpaste labels for microplastic ingredients like polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).

Reducing Bisphenol A (BPA) Exposure

• Use glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic for food and drinks.
• Avoid canned foods or choose BPA-free labeled brands.
• Do not microwave plastic containers (even BPA-free plastics can degrade).
• Wash hands after handling thermal receipts – yes, some receipts from purchases can cause absorption of BPA through your skin, crazy huh.

Reduce Benzene Ring Exposure

• Avoid cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke.
• Limit gasoline exposure (don’t inhale fumes at gas stations).
• Improve indoor air quality (ventilation, air purifiers).
• Avoid plastics, synthetic fragrances, and harsh solvents.

Other Environmental Toxins

Other toxins in our environment come from air freshener sprays and some scented candles, food additives, cleaning supplies and personal care products and pesticides. Of course, cigarette smoke, alcohol and drugs are also toxins.

Toxins in Personal Care Products to Avoid

Toxic Ingredient	Found In	Why Avoid?
Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben)	Lotions, shampoos, deodorants, makeup	Hormone disruptor (mimics estrogen)
Phthalates	Perfumes, nail polish, hair sprays	Endocrine disruptor, linked to fertility issues
Triclosan	Antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, deodorants	Disrupts thyroid hormones, linked to antibiotic resistance
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)	Shampoos, body wash, toothpaste	Skin irritant, may contain 1,4-dioxane (a carcinogen)
Formaldehyde Releasers (DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea)	Nail polish, hair products, lotions	Carcinogenic and skin irritant
Synthetic Fragrances	Perfumes, lotions, deodorants	Contains hidden phthalates and allergens
Oxybenzone & Octinoxate	Sunscreens	Hormone disruptors linked to reproductive toxicity
Toluene	Nail polish, hair dyes	Nervous system toxin, harmful for pregnancy

Instead you could use:

• Toothpaste: I use Tom’s
• Deodorant: Something aluminum-free
• Sunscreen: Use one that uses zinc oxide instead
• Air fresheners: Essential oils in a diffuser

Toxic Ingredients in Common Cleaners

Toxic Chemical	Found In	Why Avoid?
Ammonia	Glass cleaners, polishing agents	Causes respiratory irritation
Bleach (Chlorine-Based Cleaners)	Disinfectants, toilet cleaners, mold removers	Produces toxic fumes, irritates lungs
Phthalates	Air fresheners, scented cleaners	Hormone disruptor
Triclosan	Antibacterial wipes & cleaners	Linked to antibiotic resistance
Formaldehyde	Air fresheners, fabric softeners	Carcinogenic
2-Butoxyethanol	Multi-purpose & degreasing cleaners	Harms liver and kidneys

Instead consider using:

• All purpose cleaner: Vinegar + Water + essential oils
• Air fresheners: Essential oils in a diffuser or simmer citrus peels
• Disinfecting wipes: Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide-based wipes instead of bleach
• Laundry detergent: There are a few less toxic options such as Molly’s Suds (Made with only 5 natural ingredients: baking soda, washing soda, salt, organic peppermint oil)

DETOXIFYING Your Body

The above was about avoidance of toxins, now for how to detoxify as best as possible what is already in your body. There are a few methods of detoxification which disserves an entire class, but this will give you a great place to start.

There are 3 phases of detoxification the first 2 phases are performed by the master detoxifying organ – our liver. Phase 1 involves converting toxins stored in our fat (adipose tissue) to being water soluble so that the phase 2 process of neutralizing the toxins can be effective. We need many nutrients to accomplish this including many of the B vitamins, glutathione, and amino acids.

Phase 3 is elimination of the neutralized toxins through sweat, urine or stool. So drinking more water and eating foods with fiber can increase stool and urine output.

Products I use from Standard Process to support phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification:

• SP Cleanse: Includes juniper berry, milk thistle, globe artichoke, dandelion leaf, burdock root, red clover, fenugreek, fennel seed, cordyceps mushroom, broccoli, kale, beet root, collinsia root, etc.
• Livaplex: A liver support with Spanish black radish, beet root, Swiss chard, betaine, Tillansia, bovine liver protomorphagens
• Livco: Three liver support herbs: Shizandra, Rosemary, Milk thistle seed
• Livton: Four powerful liver support herbs: Globe artichoke, Dandelion root, Milk thistle seed, Bupleurum
• Chelaco: Uses milk thistle to clear drugs, garlic and Hawthorne pulls heavy metals from the body

Signs You Might Need a 21-28 Day Detoxification Program

• Energy/ activity
  • Fatigue
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
• Digestion
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Bloating
  • Belching
  • Heartburn
• Ears
  • Itchy
  • Drainage
  • Ringing
• Emotions
  • Anxiety
  • Irritable
  • Depression
• Eyes
  • Watery or itchy
  • Redden or sticky eyelids
  • Dark circles under eyes
• Head
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
• Lungs
  • Congestion
  • Shortness of breath
• Mind
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor memory
• Mouth
  • Chronic coughing
  • Need to clear throat
  • Canker sores
• Nose
  • Stuffy
  • Sinus
  • Hay fever
  • Sneezing attacks
• Skin
  • Acne
  • Hives / rashes
• Heart
  • Skipped beats
  • Rapid beats
• Joints / Muscles
  • Pain
  • Stiff
  • Weak or tired
• Weight
  • Binge eating
  • Craving
  • Water retention
• Other
  • Frequent illness
  • Frequent or urgent urination
  • Leaky bladder

Individually, the above issues could be due to many causes, but many of them combined may alert a person to the need to detoxify.

I don’t recommend just doing a detox without some education and support. If you feel you may be a candidate for a 21-28 day detoxification program, I have a toxicity questionnaire that you should fill out as well as a system survey questionnaire. These two will help me know if you are in high need for a detox program. Some will be in need to do other things first so that they can handle a detox program. The questionnaire will help guide the process to see if liver and digestion support needs to be given first for a few months before engaging in a full detox program.

If you would like more information about seeing if you are a good candidate for a detox program, please contact me at Ellis Chiropractic. (208-782-9793) Even if you live far away from Blackfoot Idaho, I can talk with you on the phone, give you the questionnaires, educate you on how to do the detox and have the products you need sent to you.