How healthy is your home? Sure, you’ve decluttered like a boss (thanks Marie Kondo!), but damaging toxins have sneaky ways of winding up where they’re not welcome. Like the houseguest that simply won’t leave, the longer toxic chemicals linger in your home the heavier their burden becomes.
Holistic nutritionist and chef, Kristin Dahl of Dahl House Nutrition, is walking us through five easy and simple solutions for detoxifying our at-home habits. From cosmetics to cleaners, to the food we eat and the packaging it comes in, here’s Kristen on five ways to reduce our toxic load at home…
In addition to your Spring Cleanse, it’s important to become conscious of the chemical burden you are exposed to on a daily basis. There are hundreds of toxins in the air we breathe and the products we use; these toxins are inflammatory and damaging to the endocrine system and the brain. They also wreak havoc on hormones and affect reproductive health.
Eliminating our exposure completely is unavoidable, but we can be mindful of a few things. When you take steps to decrease your toxic load, immunity increases and the liver restores its ability to detox the body effectively. You can reduce your risk of chronic illness by limiting exposure, especially to the water you drink (and what you’re drinking it out of), the food you eat and the personal care products you choose to use everyday.
Whenever possible, drink filtered tap water, use non-toxic cleaning supplies and choose clean cosmetics. Here are a few quick fixes you can implement right away…
5 ways to reduce your toxic load at home
Upgrade your water
Purchase a water filter for your tap and shower. Filtering your tap water is much better than drinking bottled water. I like the 10-stage water filter. You can also upgrade your drinking water by having spring water delivered to your home in glass bottles. Avoid plastic water bottles whenever possible! A shower filter also helps to prevent toxic gases from filling the air and helps to add shine to your skin and hair. Drinking plenty of clean water is one of the best ways to cleanse your system!
Avoid BPAs
Avoid plastic water bottles and plastic food packaging that contain BPAs. Store your food at home in glass Pyrex containers and carry a glass or copper water bottle. Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates (found in plastics) are linked to cancer, endocrine problems, hormone imbalance and reproductive issues.
Clean green
Household cleaners are loaded with harmful chemicals that end up in the air and on surfaces every time you use them. This unnecessary exposure puts stress on your liver and leads to an array of health issues, from allergies to asthma. It has become quite easy to find great non-toxic, household cleaning products. You could always opt for making your own as well! Just mix a few tablespoons of vinegar with water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil – and voila!
Beauty Detox
The average woman uses about 12 personal care products a day! Most products contain hundreds of endocrine disruptors, which interfere with hormones. I usually say that if you can’t pronounce it, you probably shouldn’t be putting it on your body. When in doubt, refer to Skin Deep, which rates cosmetics and offers tips on safer options. Replace your cosmetics and perfumes with chemical-free options whenever possible! The most important products are the ones you are using constantly, like your shampoo, toothpaste, face creams and foundations. Replace your perfume with essential oils!
Go organic
Choose organic whenever possible. Again, refer to Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list. Pesticide residues build up in our bodies, especially in our fat tissues and cause excess stress to the liver. Incorporate foods like chlorella, which removes heavy metals and helps to clear toxins from the system. Opt for organic restaurants as often as possible.
