In today’s world, the health and well-being of middle-aged professional women are increasingly compromised by an invisible adversary: the myriad of chemicals infiltrating our daily lives. As you embark on a journey towards reclaiming your vitality, understanding the pervasive “Toxic Top Ten” chemicals—five lurking within your home and five hiding in plain sight—is crucial. These insidious substances are undermining your body’s natural healing processes, contributing to the brain fog and fatigue that so many of you battle daily.
Since the aftermath of World War Two, our environment has been bombarded with approximately 80,000 new chemicals, with an additional 1,500 introduced each year. Alarmingly, the scrutiny these chemicals undergo is minimal, with only a handful being tested for their neurotoxic effects, and none evaluated for their combined effects on our health. The veil of trade secrets further obscures the full impact, allowing companies to include known carcinogens and neurotoxins in household cleaners without full disclosure, posing a silent threat to our health and that of future generations.
Envision your body as a pristine stream, representing your internal environment. While you strive to purify this stream with detoxification efforts, the relentless influx of chemical pollutants acts as a relentless deluge, overwhelming your body’s defenses and contributing to illness. This analogy underscores the critical need for awareness and action against the toxins that pervade our everyday existence. By understanding and addressing these hidden dangers, you can take meaningful steps towards enhancing your well-being, clearing the fog, and revitalizing your energy.
#1 – HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
Household cleaning products are often formulated with ingredients that can be neurotoxic and carcinogenic. When you use these sprays on your countertops, the emitted fumes are not only inhaled directly into your respiratory system but also ingested indirectly through food that comes into contact with the treated surfaces. This exposure pathway introduces these harmful substances into your airways and digestive system, posing significant health risks.
Solution: Natural options like Seventh Generation Spray cleaner.
Furniture polish contains many toxic chemicals (see list below) that remain on your furniture.
Solution: Purchase non-toxic polish or make your own natural furniture polish as follows:
- 1 cup olive oil
- cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- optional: a few drops of your favorite essential oil
- Simply shake in a glass jar and apply with a soft cloth to naturally clean and polish hardwood furniture
Toilet Bowl Cleaners off-gas dramatically for hours in your bathroom as your children are breathing in these unseen fumes.
Solution: Try Ecover brand cleaner
Dishwashing detergents can contain highly toxic substances. When these chemicals interact with chlorine, fluoride, and other compounds commonly found in municipal water supplies, they can create hazardous gasses. Upon opening the dishwasher, we are exposed to these noxious fumes, presenting a significant health risk. This scenario underscores the importance of being cautious and informed about the products we use in our homes.
Solution: Switch to an all-natural, safe detergent like Seventh Generation.
Fabric Softener is estimated to have 6 neurotoxins, which are considered endocrine disruptors (known for their ability to alter hormones). Also they can cause weight-loss resistance, the state wherein one cannot lose weight regardless of diet and exercise.
When patients have thrown out their commercial fabric softener, their migraines disappeared and they were finally able to drop stubborn pounds.
Solution: Use ECOSAFE wool dryer balls which are chemical free, soften fabric, and decrease drying time up to 25%. My pets love them!
Laundry detergents contain carcinogens that have easy access to your pores and bloodstream, especially the scented varieties.
Solution: Try Seventh Generation or Life Tree laundry detergents.
The following list gives you an idea of some of the toxins contained in these household cleaners:
- Formaldehyde – Found in furniture polishers, car cleaners, disinfectants, rug and upholstery cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners.
- Ethylbenzene – Found in bathroom tub and tile cleaners, floor and furniture polish, laundry starch preparations, and rug upholstery cleaners.
- Petroleum Distillates (Petrochemicals) – Found in furniture polish and cleaners, lubricating oils, pet flea and tick products and collars, petroleum products, floor and furniture polish, dishwasher cleaners, aerosol sprays, and laundry detergents.
- Chlorine – Found in dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, kitchen and all-purpose cleaners. Note: Any substances containing chlorine, when mixed with ammonia, toilet bowl cleaners, or vinegar, will produce deadly toxic fumes (chloramines or chlorine gas).
- Benzene – Used as optical brighteners (in surface cleaners, laundry and dishwashing detergents, surface polishers) and found in general performance sealants (PVAC, butyl, vinyl, etc.), laundry starch preparations, lubricating oils, scatter rugs, bath mats, and bath sets.
- Butyl Cellosolve – Found in window cleaners and other all-purpose-cleaning products.
- Phenol – Found in disinfectants, antibacterial, antiseptics, hard surface cleaners, paint and varnish removers, and synthetic resin and rubber adhesives.
#2: FURNITURE, CARPET and APPLIANCES
Furniture: The majority of furniture, ranging from budget-friendly to high-end options, is constructed using materials that have been linked to serious health issues, including respiratory conditions, breast cancer, and leukemia, after prolonged exposure. Pressed laminated wood, a common component in both inexpensive and luxury furniture, releases formaldehyde—a highly toxic substance—into the environment, contaminating the air we breathe. Additionally, caution is advised regarding furniture pads made with polyurethane and various petrochemicals, as they emit harmful gasses continuously, further compromising indoor air quality.
Solution: Solid wood furniture with non-toxic glue, natural cushions (made of down and wool), and natural fabrics (cotton, hemp, linen).
New cabinets can be extremely toxic as they off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that negatively affect indoor air quality.
Solution: Check out innovative companies such as greenbuildingsupplies.com, which sell safe sealants that contain the off-gassing and provide carbon inlays that will pull out these harmful odors.
Mattresses and Pillows: The last thing you want to do is sleep on a mattress and pillow that is off-gassing chemicals while you sleep. But sadly, the majority of mattresses today are made using petroleum based chemicals, foams, plastics and flame-retardants, linked to illness.
Note: Flame retardants are compounds added to manufactured materials, such as plastics, textiles, surface finishes and coatings that stop or delay the production of flames to prevent the spread of fire. Studies show that flame-retardants are present in the body of almost everyone in the U.S., and are known to cause hormonal and neurological damage.
Solution: Get 100% wool (antibacterial), organic cotton or real rubber pillows, and consider these natural pillows from our store.
Carpets: Some of the major chemicals released from new carpets and furniture are formaldehyde (levels still high after the 2nd year), benzene, toluene, and xylene. The carpet fibers themselves, the rubber backing, the glues, dyes, fungicides, and stain resistant treatments all off-gas these chemicals for up to three years after installation. And be careful with old carpets as they can be filled with mold spores.
Solution: solid hardwood floors (bamboo is attractive and sustainable), cork flooring, and wool carpet. Get more healthy flooring ideas here: www.greenbuildingsupply.com
Dry Cleaning chemicals are known to cause neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s disease (link brain article). Most dry-cleaning shops in the U.S. use perchloroethylene as their primary solvent, a toxic chemical with human and environmental health concerns.
Solution: There are many natural dry cleaning shops available today. Always leave your dry-cleaning unwrapped in the garage or outdoors until the smell dissipates to be safe.
Electronic devices and appliances are sprayed with brominated flame retardants (BFRs) that compete with iodine (needed to make thyroid hormones) and can cause thyroid problems.
Solution: If you buy new electronics or appliances, allow off-gas outside on a sunny day (be careful to watch for weather changes). Heat will dissipate the smell, but it might take some time so be patient.
#3: WATER
Municipal water supplies are contaminated with a myriad of substances, including fluoride, chlorine, pharmaceuticals, hormones, antibiotics, birth control, and psychotropic drugs, which can impact our serotonin levels. The presence of these hormone-disrupting chemicals is so profound that they are causing fish to undergo sex changes, transforming from female to male. This alarming phenomenon highlights the urgent need for addressing the pollution in our water systems.
Solution: My suggestion is to buy a reverse osmosis water filtration system. Save up for a whole house filtration system because the amount of chlorine absorbed and inhaled in a 10-minute shower (without a chlorine shower filter) is equivalent to drinking 10 cups of tap water. For a more affordable solution, a countertop water filtration system, like Berkey addresses over 200 typical contaminants found in tap water and other freshwater sources. They have shower head filters as well that remove chlorine from your bathing water.
#4: AIR QUALITY
Modern homes are designed to be highly energy-efficient, with tight seals that unfortunately also trap chemicals indoors due to inadequate ventilation. To mitigate this, employing high-quality air filters is essential for removing pollen and dust, while an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system can enhance indoor air quality by exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air.
Additionally, air conditioning units present their own set of challenges. When inactive, these units can accumulate condensation, fostering mold growth within the ductwork. Upon reactivation, mold spores can be dispersed throughout the home, posing health risks. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
Solution: Ventilate, off-gas, choose products with low VOCs, freshen air by diffusing natural essential oils, and run a fan all the time, especially in the summer months. Check out our superior air filtration systems here: link.
#5: MOLD
Biotoxins released by mold can interfere with the function of leptin receptors in the body. Leptin is a crucial hormone that regulates appetite and signals the body to utilize fat for energy. When these receptors are disrupted, it can lead to resistance to weight loss, hormonal imbalances, and even unexplained pain. Such disruptions are often linked to conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, and other mysterious ailments, all of which can stem from exposure to mold.
Mold, often invisible and hidden, can proliferate due to water leaks or high humidity levels within a home. Home humidity levels exceeding 50% create a conducive environment for mold growth. Some individuals struggle more than others to eliminate these biotoxins from their bodies, leading to an overflow of their “toxic bucket” that is already burdened with various toxins. These biotoxins can become lodged in deep tissues and may activate harmful genes.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), as previously mentioned, play a dual role in improving indoor air quality. They not only dilute airborne toxins but also assist in managing indoor humidity by introducing fresh air from outside. This is particularly important in modern homes, which are constructed to be airtight, inadvertently increasing both toxin levels and humidity indoors. Effective air exchange is crucial for maintaining a healthy and safe living environment.
Solution: If mold is an issue, proper and safe remediation must take place. Once toxic mold has been removed, we have a safe and effective detoxification system called the IDS system, which contains GCel (removes biotoxins like mold from the cells) and BIND (binds to chemicals and biotoxins accumulated in the bile that have been dumped in the gut). To enhance and accelerate detox, add CytoDetox drops™ which cross into the cell and grab toxins and heavy metals, bringing them into the gut where BIND can remove them from the body.
#6: FOOD
We all know how toxic foods included in the Standard American Diet can be—link to toxic 10 foods. But, we now need to talk about glyphosate. Recently, I did an interview with Dr. Stephanie Seneff, senior research scientist at MIT who has published many papers on the damaging effects of glyphosate. Glyphosate is the #1 herbicide/pesticide and is in every non-organic product, and sprayed on grains before the harvest to increase the yield and profits. According to Dr. Seneff’s studies, this herbicide pokes holes in our gut and affects the shikimate pathway, where we make a lot of brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Glyphosate also is linked to autoimmune conditions–article, food allergies and sensitivities, dementia, autism, diabetes–article, heart disease (disrupts cholesterol sulfate) and uncontrolled weight gain.
Solution: Avoid ALL conventional grains, and choose organic produce and grass-fed, pastured animal products whenever possible (since we are what we eat eats).
Note: For a health promoting diet, recall the principles of my Cellular Healing Diet no conventional grains or toxic fats and upgrade to high quality animal protein (only GRASS FED and ORGANIC).
TOXIC FATS: Vegetable oils are toxic fats that drive cellular inflammation. Canola oil is rancid oil that drives inflammation as well. Moreover, eating fats that come from healthy animals is vital because when cows eat genetically modified grains (instead of their natural diet of grass), it imbalances ratios of fat in the meat. Add in antibiotics, steroid hormones and other drugs found in conventionally raised meat and this equals a recipe for disaster.
Solution: Check out my article on healthy fats and recipe ideas and avoid turning good fats into rancid fats by taking the following precautions:
- High Heat: Use only coconut butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, and grape seed oil.
- Medium Heat: Use olive oil. It will turn rancid when heated above 120° F. If it smokes, it has already turned rancid. Butter is also a good option, but if it starts to brown then it has become rancid.
- Baking: Butter, coconut butter, expeller-pressed sunflower or safflower, and olive oil can be used in baking if the temperature is less than 325 degrees. In a hotter oven, use butter, olive oil, avocado oil or coconut butter.
- No Heat Oils: Cold-pressed oils, olive oil, flax oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, hemp seed oil, almond oil, and walnut oil. These oils all have very fragile fatty acid bonds and should be used raw in salads, other cool foods, or smoothies.
- Cookware:
- A Teflon pan heated at a regular cooking temperature has been shown to release at least six toxic gasses, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at low doses. Aluminum pans hold a similar problem. It’s no secret by now that aluminum cookware is being linked to neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances, and memory loss.
Solution: In my home kitchen we use Scan Pan cookware products that are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, check them out here: www.scanpancookware.com
#7: AMALGAM FILLINGS
Most readers over the age of 40 have potentially been poisoned by mercury from their amalgam filling. Chronic fatigue, chemical sensitivity, hormone dysregulation, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, thyroid dysfunction as well as adrenal fatigue are all symptoms. It is no wonder, because 50% of an amalgam (silver) filling is mercury, and it is proven that these fillings leach this toxic metal. The World Health Organization says amalgam fillings are not meant to be put into human beings, and most other countries, except the US, have banned them.
Before an amalgam filling goes into your mouth, it is handled as hazardous waste with guidelines from OSHA. But when it goes into your mouth, it is considered SAFE? And then the moment it comes out, it is again considered hazardous waste. Unbelievable.
Every year there is an outcry before Congress trying to ban these fillings, because they are indeed hazardous waste. But somehow, the AMA (American Dental Association) manages to push it through. Biological dentist Dr. Derek Greico notes that they are afraid of the backlash, because once they actually classify it as “hazardous waste”, it is obviously toxic to humans and there may be tons of lawsuits. We must consider amalgams are more dangerous in our mouth because of the acidic environment. Also, we are brushing our teeth, and drinking hot liquid that makes the mercury vaporize even more.
Solution: Please, don’t run to get those fillings taken out by a conventional dentist. There is a specific and safe way it needs to be done.
Here is a resource to locate a biological dentist in your area: (www.iaomt.org). I also teach our network of practitioners pre and post amalgam removal protocols (call our office for more info on working with one of my trained practitioners). Please note that prolonged cellular detox should not be performed for more than three months with amalgam fillings in your mouth.
#8: VACCINES/FLU SHOTS
Flu shots still contain 25 mcg of mercury and many folks get them every year. Leading immunologists’ note that 5 consecutive flu shots over a 10 year period can increase your chance of Parkinson’s (and Alzheimer’s from other studies) 10 FOLD!
But with vaccines, it is not just about mercury (they have removed mercury in many vaccines). They still contain aluminum, formaldehyde, aborted fetus tissue and propylene glycol. Because they need to kill off viruses and bacteria, they must drive the immune system. Now I’m not saying to avoid vaccination and flu shots. However, I am strongly encouraging everyone to get educated before getting vaccinated.
Solution: The toxic load left in the wake of vaccinations and flu shots necessitate a greater need for my cellular revitalization program.
#9: PLASTICS
Plastics have become an inescapable part of our daily lives, permeating almost every aspect of our environment. The primary concern with plastics lies in their capacity to interfere with our hormonal systems, acting as endocrine disruptors. A notable study conducted by Duke University demonstrated the profound impact of these substances, where mice exposed to BPA—a prevalent chemical in plastics—experienced activation of the agouti gene, leading to obesity and a host of other health issues. Similarly, phthalates, another common chemical found in plastics, infiltrate our bodies, contributing to significant hormonal disturbances.
Solution: It’s crucial to avoid placing hot food in plastic containers, as the elevated temperatures can cause chemicals from the plastic to leach into the food. Similarly, microwaving food in plastic containers should be strictly avoided for the same reason. Moreover, many canned foods are lined with plastic that contains harmful substances like BPA and phthalates. The acidity from certain foods can dissolve these chemicals into the food within the can. Opt for BPA-free canned goods whenever possible to minimize exposure. Additionally, steer clear of Styrofoam, which is made with styrene—a substance linked to cancer. The acidity in beverages like lemonade can easily draw styrene out of Styrofoam cups, and drinking hot beverages from such cups can result in consuming styrene. It’s essential to be mindful of these risks for your health’s sake.
Other ideas:
- Use glass for most of your storage. To minimize the big effects of plastic leaching, don’t place hot foods in plastic containers or bags. Let the food cool completely before storing. Fatty and acidic foods should never be stored in plastic containers. Also, prolonged refrigeration storage in plastic isn’t a good idea. Instead, you’re better off with leaving food on a glass plate or bowl and using plastic wrap over it to minimize contact (preferably so that the plastic isn’t touching the food at all).
- Store food in mason jars. If you don’t want to purchase these, just clean out emptied glass jars and reuse them for storage. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Drink filtered water instead of bottled water. However, bottled water would be better than tap water when away from home.
- Remember to avoid plastics with numbers 3, 6 and 7. BPA free does not mean that it is necessarily safe.
- Stainless steel and glass bottles are the best two alternatives for your water. To easily save money, you can buy a glass bottle of iced tea (or any other beverage in a glass bottle) and reuse the bottle for water once emptied.
#10: TOXIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS
One of the highest exposures of BPA are toxic beauty products. Certain red colored lipsticks contain very high amounts of lead (lead is added for a smooth texture). And it is estimated that women eat 32 tubes of lipstick per year! With foundation or eyeliner that contains BPA, those tissues around the eye are highly absorbent and, therefore, extra vulnerable.
There are approximately 518 chemicals in make-up, body products, deodorant hair care, etc. that many people use in the morning, and approximately 125 ingredients are suspected of carcinogenic activities. Out of the 125, here are fived that are in practically every personal care product used today.
- Diethanolamine (DEA) is found in over 600 home and personal care products such as soaps, lotions, cosmetics, bubble baths, laundry and dish-washing detergents, and more. DEA is used to provide a rich lather in shampoos and maintain consistency in lotions and creams.
- Propylene Glycol is a substance used in antifreeze solutions and hydraulic fluids as a powerful solvent. Ironically enough, it is also found in childhood vaccinations, cosmetics, toothpastes, shampoos, deodorants, lotions, and even processed foods (including pet foods). Propylene glycol helps products retain moisture, and when used on your skin, helps it stay soft and moist. That’s why it is found in most baby wipes and skin lotions.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is perhaps the most common of the three chemicals and by no means any less toxic. SLS is used as a surfactant to break down the surface tension of water. Therefore, it will break up grease and is used in concrete floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and car wash detergents. Unfortunately, the same degreaser is being used in practically every soap, shampoo, and toothpaste on the market today.
- Phthalates are dangerous chemicals found in plastics that cause endocrine disruption and cancer. Phthalates are also found in baby care products. A study testing the urine of 163 infants between two and twenty five months of age found 80% of the infants had at least 7 phthalate metabolites in their urine. All infants in the study had detectable levels of at least one phthalate metabolite. Almost all of the mothers had used baby wipes and over half of the mothers had used baby shampoo on their infants within 24 hours of the urine collection.
- Nanotechnology is a newer technology that involves manipulation of materials at the scale of atoms and molecules. To give you an idea of how small a nanometer is, a human hair is 80,000 nanometers in diameter. This technology is entirely unregulated and almost no testing has been done for its health effects. Nanotechnology is of a concern because it is now being used in virtually all personal care products from make-up to toothpaste and perfume. Unless you call the companies that manufacture your personal care products and ask if they use nanotechnology, there is no way of knowing if those products contain nanoparticles. Companies are not required to test nanoparticles or label them.
Solution: There are many non-toxic beauty products that can be purchased from health stores (Gabriel, Rejuva, Afterglow and many other brands). See the resources section below for recommended companies that sell safe hygiene products.
EMF’S: A CATEGORY OF ITS OWN
We must highlight an additional critical category: EMFs (electric and magnetic fields), a modern, concealed toxin in today’s world. If your “toxic bucket” is nearly full, the constant exposure to EMFs from your cell phone and other electronic devices significantly increases your vulnerability. These fields are known to promote cellular inflammation, posing serious health risks.
EMF’s are also being linked to cancer and tumors and they are everywhere: you can’t escape them. They emanate from your TV, computers, Ipads, cell phones, hair dryers, and moving fans. And because they are so pervasive in our environment, EMF’s belong in both categories: under your roof and under your nose.
Solution: Where we offer many solutions and resources to decrease the impact of EMF’s, such as putting your phone on airplane mode, getting an EMF reducing case, turning off WiFi at night, emf absorbing rocks and crystals, etc.
IN REVIEW
Let’s think back to the toxic bucket. It actually starts to get filled up in utero and as we are exposed to vaccines, toxins and chemicals over years, it gets filled. And when it overflows, that is where our symptoms begin: and that is why so many people are so sick. We want to empty our buckets with my Cellular Revitalization Program and keep those toxins out of our bucket by following these principles. You can’t expect to change all this overnight, but knowledge is power. Slowly remove these things from your life and you will start to see changes in your health. Detoxing your home and body is a huge step forward in realizing optimal cellular health.