What is Toxic Load?

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What is Toxic Load?
{And Why Should You Care?}

Sometimes living this life just seems like too much.

Too many things you can't do, too many things you should do, and maintaining this body and health can feel like too much.

WORK OUT, BUT NOT TOO MUCH

EAT HEALTHY, BUT DON'T FIXATE ON IT

SLEEP, BUT DON'T BE LAZY

GET AFTER YOUR GOALS, BUT DON'T FORGET TO LIVE YOUR LIFE

PROCESSED FOODS ARE BAD, BUT OK IN MODERATION

So if you're not overwhelmed, are you even living?

I know I want what's best for my family but doing the research, deciding on products, learning to use them, and then getting the family to use them is a full-time job.

Which is why I'm here to tell you something someone very wise told me:

“The perfect is the enemy of good.” {Voltaire}

In other words, take baby steps in this process.  Don't feel like you have to do everything all at once.

Most importantly, know that living a low tox life will never be perfect.

So take a breath and just take it one step at time.

So, What Is Toxic Load?

“Toxic load refers to the harmful chemicals (xenobiotics) that accumulate in the body through exposures to things such as air and water pollutants, numerous categories of food additives, chemicals in personal products and household cleaners, medications, plastics and other environment exposures, such as herbicides and pesticides.” (source)

In the past 50 years, more than 75,000 chemicals have been introduced into the market,
300 different synthetic chemicals are found in the human body,
And even newborn babies have synthetic chemicals passed on from their mothers.

Our toxic load is increasing rapidly – and our bodies can't keep up.

Which explains why we just keep getting sicker and sicker.

And even those 0f us who aren't obviously sick just don't feel GOOD.

What Does Toxic Load Cause?

Toxic load is linked to many healthy problems, but here are a few:

• Increased risk for cancer
• Endometriosis
• Behavior Problems
• Cognitive Decline
• Fertility Problems
• Compromised Immune System
• Heart Problems
• Kidney Issues
• Respiritory Issues
• Digestive Function
• Metabolic Disorders

What Increases Our Toxic Load?

This list is NOT comprehensive, but here are some of the most common:

• Pesticides
• Heavy Metals
• Forever Chemicals
• Endocrine Disruptors
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Organophosphates
• and more

What products Increase Toxic Load?

• Processed Foods
• Plastics
• Cleaning Products
• Hair, Skin, and Nails products
• Non-Stick Cookware
• Fragrances
• Metal Dental Fillings

YIKES. So What To Do About Toxic Load?

I have an ongoing series of low-tox swaps going on my Facebook page.  Every monday I publish a short post with quick suggestions to lower your toxic load and feel better.  Follow along HERE.

See all my low-tox product picks (that have been HEAVILY vetted) in my Storefront.

Here are 5 quick suggestions for right now.

1. Opt for electronic receipts: Thermal paper (used in receipts) is coated in BPA and transfers to hands with just a touch. And that hand sanitizer you just used? It greatly increases BPA uptake.  So opt for a digital receipt.
2. Choose products free of toxins: a good first step is to skip the parabens and phalates.  Some great options are Attitude, Primally Pure, and 100% Pure.
3. Follow the Dirty Dozen & Clean 15: This list of produce that tends to be higher in pesticides is a great way to decrease your toxic load almost immediately.  Having a hard time finding fresh produce?  Frozen is always a great, nutrient dense option.
4. Slowly Ditch Plastics: I know we all have a lot of plastic in our homes, so take a breath and take it slow.  Switch out one plastic item at a time.  Start with your water bottle, then food storage container, followed by plastic bags.  The full list of swaps can be found here (including LOTS of budget-friendly picks)
5. Say NO to fragrance: candles, lotions, air fresheners, detergents etc all contain massive amounts of toxic chemicals in them – and they are quickly absorbed into your body when you breathe them in. Because fragrance is considered a trade secret, companies do no have to disclose what is in them.  Want you and your home to smell nice.  Swap out one item at a time for these.

It's easy to become overwhelmed at how much our health is being harmed by literally EVERYTHING in our environments.  

But luckily there are some really great companies and products coming on the market, filling a demand for healthy, low-tox products that fit every budget.

Just remember, swapping out one product at a time can have a HUGE impact.

The full list of low-tox swaps can be found here.

xoxo,
Gretchen