New homes and furniture release formaldehyde, a recognized carcinogen, from carpeting, vinyl flooring, and particleboard. Electronics, cars, and mattresses are treated with chemical fire retardants. In many parts of the country, homes and soil must be treated for insect pests, such as termites—more chemicals that we breathe in. And if your house is well-insulated, airborne chemicals stay inside unless you keep the windows open. You’re no safer in the car or at the office, where you’re exposed to still more synthetic chemicals. The quantities may be relative, but their effects add up, and some people are the proverbial “canaries in the coal mine.”

There’s now compelling research showing that persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including pesticides and solvents, might accelerate the development of prediabetes and obesity.^{3 4} Some POPs, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are used to make water pipes and to give clothing and furniture a leather-like appearance. More than 4,000 food contact materials (FCMs) are used in processed and packaged foods—and some FCMs can legally contain formaldehyde. You get exposed even on your way out of a store—those slick paper receipts contain bisphenol-A (BPA), a hormone-disrupting chemical. People who handle a lot of those receipts have measurably higher levels of the chemical in their blood.⁵ (Note: Natural Grocers’ receipts are BPA-free.)

All too many of these individual chemicals are known hormone disrupters, carcinogens, and mutagens (chemicals that can alter DNA). Especially worrisome, few of these chemicals have ever been tested to determine their combined effects. But we do have clues to the potential dangers of these chemicals. Chronic exposure to pesticides has been linked to a myriad of health issues, including cancer; neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s; autism and attention deficit disorder; low birth weight in babies and neurodevelopment delays in children; asthma; hormonal dysregulation, which can lead to infertility and other reproductive issues; type-2 diabetes; and gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in beneficial and pathogenic bacteria which can negatively affect the central nervous system via the gut-brain axis.^{6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17}

It’s plenty scary. While there’s no way to completely escape these chemicals, we do have two options. One, we can work to reduce our exposure to them. Two, we can enhance our bodies’ innate ability to break down, or detox, many of these chemicals.

Minimize Your Toxic Exposures

Organic Foods

One of the most important ways you can minimize chemical exposure is to eat organic food whenever possible. Organically grown produce is free of pesticides, fumigants, and fungicides, whereas conventional produce can be contaminated with a number of different pesticides residues and other chemicals. Multiple studies have shown that switching to a diet of mostly organic foods quickly and drastically reduces pesticide residues in the body.^{18 19 20}

If you are just beginning to make the switch to organic, focus on fresh produce—according to the US Pesticide Monitoring Program, fruits and vegetables “have a considerably higher percentage of detectable pesticide residues… than any other foods.”²¹ Another thing to be aware of is the common use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest drying agent on oats, legumes, and wheat. Because the herbicide is applied just before harvest, foods made with these crops—including granola, oatmeal, cereal, and hummus—can have higher residues than are considered safe.²² Organic standards do not allow for the use of glyphosate at any stage of production.

Plastics

Many plastic products no longer contain BPA, but they are still major sources of scores of other chemicals. Of these is a class of compounds known as phthalates, which make plastics bendable, and are found in everything from food containers to shower curtains to toys to body care products. Especially troublesome are food containers because the chemical constituents of plastics can migrate into the food, especially when heated. Phthalates have been shown to be endocrine disrupters, chemicals that interfere with the hormonal system, potentially affecting normal development in infants and children and affecting sperm quality, and thus fertility, in men.^{23 24 25} A safe alternative is to use glass food containers and avoid plastics as much as possible.

Cosmetics

What you put on your body is as important as what you put in it, so it’s hard to believe that millions of people apply toxic chemicals to their face and hair every day. Most hair dyes use lead compounds and dyes derived from coal tar, a known carcinogen.²⁶ Conventional cosmetics aren’t much better, most of them loaded with chemically derived colors, preservatives, and fragrances. Look for mineral-based lipsticks, powders, and foundations and avoid products containing parabens, phthalates, and other synthetic ingredients.

Personal Hygiene Products

Triclosan is an antibacterial compound that appears to disrupt hormone levels and ultimately contaminate the environment. While banned in most soaps in 2017, it still can be found in some toothpastes and personal care products.²⁷ Most conventional lotions and creams contain endocrine-disrupting phthalates to help lubricate and to increase penetration. Perhaps most worrisome are the number of baby care products that contain phthalates.²⁸ Conventional antiperspirants and deodorants often contain parabens, propylene glycol, and other compounds you really don’t want applied to your body. Choose natural body care products that are free of these chemical ingredients; this is especially important when choosing body care products for babies and small children.

Sunscreens

The array of sunscreens in pharmacies can boggle the mind. Most of them contain an alphabet soup of synthetic chemicals, many of which are known endocrine disruptors and others that cause oxidative damage, but there are safer options. Look for a mineral-based product that provides protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are tried and true sunscreens—they literally block the sun’s rays from the skin. Bonus points if the sunscreen contains antioxidants such as vitamin E, green tea, or sea buckthorn for added skin protection. And there’s usually no need to get the highest SPF—SPF 15 blocks about 94 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of UVB rays.

Cleaning Products

Many conventional household cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause respiratory problems and headaches, according to the American Lung Association.²⁹ Natural products clean toilets, showers and tubs, and countertops just as well and are much gentler on our bodies—and the environment.

Pesticides

You may have a can of bug spray or a bottle of Roundup® (glyphosate) in the garage, but regular use of pesticides in and around the home leads to prolonged exposure to everyone living in the house. One study found that frequent use of any household pesticide increased the odds of developing Parkinson’s Disease by 47 percent; frequent use of products specifically containing organophosphorus-based insecticides lead to a 71 percent increased risk.³⁰ A meta-analysis published in 2019 investigated the association between cumulative exposure to glyphosate and increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and found the risk of NHL increased by 41 percent in glyphosate-exposed individuals.³¹ It's time to get rid of these common household pesticides.

Water Filters

Chlorine in water supplies does kill germs, but some people are sensitive to this volatile chemical. Consider getting some type of water filtration system for your kitchen sink that will remove chlorine and water contaminants. You can also buy a showerhead filter that removes most of the chlorine. Need convincing? Ask your water company for a list of contaminants in ground water.

Natural Fabrics

Although they may be more costly, you’re probably better off with furniture that uses natural fabrics, such as cotton or real leather, instead of synthetics. Ditto for the bedroom, where you can use an organic cotton mattress and sheets. The same goes for clothing—opt for natural fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, and wool.

Support Your Body’s Natural Detoxification Process

The liver is your body’s primary chemical-processing factory, and much of its detoxification ability relies on what biologists refer to as the P450 enzyme pathways, which are separated by function into phase 1 and phase 2 enzymes. Phase 1 enzymes break down toxins made by the body (byproducts of metabolism) and hazardous chemicals (pesticides, pollutants) that have entered the body. Think of the phase 1 enzymes as the body’s HAZMAT crew. The results of phase 1 processing are highly toxic. Phase 2 enzymes prepare these hazardous compounds for excretion—quite literally, the body’s waste stream.

It is relatively easy to boost the efficiency of both the phase 1 and phase 2 enzymes through diet and supplements. Phase 1 enzymes depend on the B vitamins, glutathione, and antioxidants, including milk thistle. Meanwhile, the phase 2 enzymes depend on amino acids, particularly L-glutamine, L-glycine, L-taurine, and L-cysteine. Garlic, cruciferous vegetables, and other sulfur-containing antioxidants are also important for the phase 2 enzymes. From a dietary standpoint, eating ample amounts of organic vegetables and quality protein are critical.

The kidneys are also involved in detoxification. They filter the bloodstream and promote the removal of toxins through urine. Some of the same nutrients that support liver function, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), also support normal kidney function.

Glutathione Precursors

Glutathione, the potent antioxidant made by the body, plays crucial roles in both the phase 1 and 2 enzyme processes. Large numbers of free radicals are generated during phase 1 activities, and glutathione is the most important antioxidant for neutralizing these free radicals.

Both alpha lipoic acid and NAC serve as its precursors. Both supplements contain sulfur, which is essential for glutathione production. NAC also contains L-cysteine, and NAC is preferred over pure L-cysteine supplements. These nutrients have many collateral benefits: alpha lipoic acid also helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels and NAC can help fight infections.^{32 33} Some drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) can deplete glutathione levels.

Try: 500-600 mg of NAC or 100-300 mg of alpha lipoic acid daily.

Antioxidants

Because large amounts of destructive free radicals (also known as oxidants) are produced during phase 1 activities, antioxidants become paramount. Although a diet rich in vegetables and fruits is important, supplementation may be advantageous. Silymarin, the antioxidant extract of the herb milk thistle may be particularly helpful, given its long track record as an aid to liver function.³⁴

Try: A multi-antioxidant supplement, perhaps with extra vitamin C (effervescent or buffered forms of vitamin C might be preferred after chemical exposures). In addition, consider 100-300 mg daily of silymarin.

B-Complex Vitamins

This family of vitamins plays important roles in detoxification. First, all of the B complex is involved in energy production, and detox is an energy-intensive biochemical process. In addition, several of the B vitamins—particularly B6, B12, and folic acid—are involved in a chemical process called methylation, which is very active during phase 2 detox activities.

Try: A high-potency B-complex supplement.

Amino Acids

Several nonessential (but important) amino acids are needed for a process called conjugation, which helps bind toxins for elimination during phase 2 processes. Eating adequate protein provides these amino acids, but supplementation can be helpful because it provides “free” (unbound) amino acids. You don’t need every one of the amino acids in the supplement because the body can make many of them. Of the amino acids, L-glycine is the most important for phase 2 detox processes.

Try: A multi-amino acid supplement.

Vitamin C

Buffered vitamin C appears to reduce some of the damage caused by toxins. In a study of 55 people who had been exposed to toxic chemicals, researchers found that buffered vitamin C restored normal immune function in the majority of them.³⁵

Try: 500-1,000 mg daily.

Sulforaphane

Especially concentrated in broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane supports phase II detoxification, and in fact, has been called “the most potent naturally occurring inducer of phase II enzymes.” It increases glutathione as well.³⁶

Try: Broccoli sprouts and/or broccoli sprout supplements.

Quercetin

A flavonoid proven to have a liver-protective effect in animal studies, reducing both inflammation and oxidative damage. One study specifically investigated quercetin’s effect on the livers of rats after exposure to a commonly used fungicide. The fungicide resulted in increased liver enzymes (a sign of liver injury) and decreased antioxidants, including glutathione and vitamin C, in liver tissues. But when the test animals were given quercetin along with the fungicide, the researchers reported a significant protective effect on the liver, with increases in antioxidant activity, vitamin C levels, and decreases in liver enzymes.³⁷

Try: 500 mg daily.

Water and Cleansing

Our bodies are comprised mostly of water. It is therefore important to stay hydrated, but even more so when if you are doing a “cleanse.” Without sufficient water—soft drinks and coffee are not substitutes—the body’s metabolic processes will begin to slow and eventually shut down. In terms of detox, fluids are necessary for removing toxins through the urine and stool.

Unfortunately, it’s virtually impossible to avoid exposure to chemical toxins in our environment. However, it is possible to reduce our exposures, particularly in our own homes. Additionally, eating a diet consisting largely of organic foods and taking certain supplements can enhance our bodies’ ability to break down these hazardous chemicals, minimizing their harmful effects.

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