This post was written based on an appearance by Rose Wenrich, MD, PPG — Family Medicine, on the program PBS Healthline.
When we look at the health of our nation as a whole, we are getting sicker, with more people developing chronic diseases, obesity, diabetes, mental health disorders, autoimmune disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and more. The truth is, in today’s modern world, we are exposed to many harmful chemicals and partake in lifestyle habits that are hurting our overall health and wellness. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to limit your exposure to chemicals and toxins.
- Limit plastics. You may have seen labels on your plastic containers or bottles that say “BPA free.” This is because BPA is a harmful chemical that was found in plastics and has since been banned because of the negative effects it has on kids and infants. However, BPA was replaced with other chemicals that also carry the possibility of being harmful. Your safest bet is to avoid plastics whenever you can, whether in food containers, drink bottles or toys, even if it’s labeled “BPA free.” Instead, opt for stainless steel or glass containers whenever possible.
- Buy organic. Choosing to consume whole foods (organic or not) such as healthy fruits and vegetables is always a better choice than eating foods that are highly processed. However, purchasing organic foods is the best choice of all. Often, produce, especially corn, wheat and soy products, are grown using harmful pesticides. These chemicals, when consumed, can have negative effects on our bodies. If it’s an option for you, stick with organic foods; if not, be sure to wash your produce vigorously before consuming.
- Read labels. When shopping at the grocery store, it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients that are in your foods. An easy way to do this is by reading the Nutrition Facts labels. Look out for foods that have a lot of ingredients and contain words that you can’t pronounce or understand, always look them up to see what the ingredient entails. Some things to look out for are harmful additives like Red Dye No. 3, brominated vegetable oil and potassium bromate (which were all recently banned in California) as well as food that contains “Natural Flavors.”
- Use a filter on your water. An easy way to limit the amount of chemicals you’re consuming is by filtering your water. Although water that comes from your sink has been screened for many different toxins, there are things water filtration plants aren’t required to screen for. That’s why it’s important to filter your own water to limit your exposure. There are so many easy and inexpensive options out there for water filtration, including countertop filters, pitchers, filters that hook up to your sink and even whole-house carbon filters. Find one that’s right for you, and don’t forget to change the filter often!
- Monitor your air quality. Think about the chemicals that are in your home. Things like air fresheners and candles can contain harmful toxins that are being put into the air when you spray or burn them. Always check labels for harmful ingredients and choose ones that are made using natural ingredients. Other things you can do to lessen the toxins in your home includes: leaving your shoes at the door instead of tracking them throughout your house, leaving dry cleaning in the garage to let some of the harmful fumes off before bringing your items inside, and sweeping and dusting regularly as toxins collect in dust particles.
- Be safe with your cell phone. Radiation can be found all around us…including our cell phones. Not much is known about the effects cell phone usage could have on our health in the future, so it’s not a bad idea to take some precautions now to reduce your risk. Whenever possible, limit your exposure to your cell phone. This includes not keeping your phone in your pocket or right against your body, putting it in airplane mode if you must have it with you, keeping it away from your head while you sleep and using hands-free mode when you can.
- Choose personal care products wisely. Every day, we cover our bodies in personal care products practically from head to toe—deodorants, lotions, cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners, feminine hygiene products, and the list goes on. Have you ever stopped to think what’s in those items that could be bad for you? You should always read the labels for anything you put on or in your body and educate yourself on the best choices. It’s often a good idea to avoid anything that contains “fragrance,” parabens, phthalates and other common chemicals.
- Start some healthy habits. In addition to doing your best to avoid toxins in your everyday life, it’s also beneficial to aim for a healthy lifestyle overall. Some things you can do to improve your overall health and rid your body of harmful toxins include drinking lots of water, getting good sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising/sweating regularly and having healthy bowel movements.
You aren’t going to be able to avoid every chemical or toxin you’re exposed to on a daily basis. However, by following some of these easy steps, you can limit your exposure to harmful toxins and get on the path to living healthier in a chemical world.
If you need help connecting with a Primary Care or Family Medicine provider to help you navigate your health journey, our Access Center can help. Call any time, at 877-PPG-TODAY or 877-774-8632 for assistance scheduling an appointment.
