The term “environmental toxins” may conjure up images of smoke proliferating out of a factory or river water filled with chemicals and garbage. But often, the environmental stressors we encounter in our daily lives can be much more mischievous and subtle.
Learning that your car, makeup, laundry detergent, and non-organic produce contain endocrine disruptors and other problematic substances can be tough to accept, but remember: knowledge is power! Fortunately, as we get more advanced, plenty of non-toxic alternatives are available so you don’t have to sacrifice the things you love.
In this article, we explore why you should and how you can find and eliminate environmental stressors in your life.
How Do Environmental Stressors Impact Our Health?
Typically, environmental stressors negatively impact us by acting as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which means they impact our hormones.
Different glands compromise our endocrine system, including the:
Pineal
Thymus
Pituitary
Adrenals
Ovaries or testes
These glands are all connected to the nervous system through the hypothalamus. This organ gives instructions to the pituitary gland, which causes a cascade of instructions to other glands.
Hormones regulate a countless array of bodily functions from body temperature to reproduction. Many artificial substances interfere with the proper functioning of these delicate and intricate systems.
While there is still a great deal of research to be done on EDCs, these substances have been shown to disrupt our bodies at the cellular level whether in the gland itself or the tissue waiting to receive the hormone. EDCs have been linked to a variety of health issues such as cancer, heart problems, and reproductive issues, so it is best to minimize them in our lives where possible.
Diseases Triggered by Environmental Toxins
Many chronic illnesses and conditions have been linked to environmental toxins, including:
Cancers
Early onset of menopause
Diabetes
Heart disease
Obesity
Don’t let these facts scare you, but rather, let them empower you! Your body holds immense power for healing. The first step to overcoming health challenges is simply becoming aware of the cause and the processes taking place within.
Our bodies are not evolved to handle the demands of modern industrialization, so we need to offer support to our systems now more than ever. Schedule your evaluation with our functional medicine doctor to discover what changes you can make to your health for vitality and longevity!
Where and When You Might Be Exposed to Environmental Toxins
The hard truth is that in our modern, artificial society, we are exposed to hundreds of environmental stressors daily. The United States does not have very strict regulations on what kinds of chemicals can or cannot be used, so looking at ingredients is important!
You may encounter toxins through:
Airbags
Cigarette smoke
Cosmetics & skincare
Processed foods
Inorganic foods
Detergents & cleaning supplies
Packaging
Plastic cups & plates
Toys
Molds
Heavy metals
Research has shown accumulating deposits of endocrine disruptors in blood, urine, and breast milk. Our bodies struggle to get rid of these substances because they were not designed to do so. While you may not immediately notice the effects of endocrine disruptors, you may stumble upon a health crisis after consistent exposure over a long period.
Tips to Avoid Environmental Toxins
To be completely transparent, it’s pretty challenging to avoid environmental toxins altogether unless you decide to live off-grid and grow all of your food and make your own beauty products.
Fortunately, as more consumers demand high-quality, natural products, more companies make the responsible and necessary changes to keep up. In the meantime, check your labels, opt for natural when possible, and stick with the following:
Paraben-free
Phthalate-free
BPA-free
Organic
Pesticide-free
Additionally, avoid eating or drinking anything that has been in plastic if possible. Keep your home clean with natural products and wear a mask and gloves if dealing with heavy-duty chemicals.
Learn More > Tips to Level Out Your Hormones
Live Without Fear
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed knowing that a lot of our modern society is not designed for us to thrive. However, at Seed and Soil Wellness, we choose to operate with the philosophy that our bodies are powerfully designed to withstand challenges. Given the right conditions, any level of healing is possible.
To start identifying the toxins in your own life and make a plan of action for how you can make changes, reach out to our team at Seed and Soil Wellness. We want to hear your unique story so that we can find the root cause of your health challenges and craft your individualized approach to healing.
Call Seed and Soil today to schedule your evaluation – 727-282-4368!