Unfortunately in modern life we will be exposed to numerous chemicals in our day-to-day life, it is truly unavoidable. However, research out of USA suggests that women on average expose themselves to 168 different chemicals per day just in their beauty routines! This includes shampoo, conditioner, body wash, cleanser, moisturiser, foundation, lipstick, hairspray, and all the other bits and pieces we have grown accustomed to using daily. You might think - well I'm not ingesting those things so what's the big deal? Well unfortunately the food we eat - even though it could also do with a clean up - isn't the only problem when it comes to chemicals, it's also the things we are touching, breathing and that comes in contact with our food. Different chemicals do different things: Carcinogens - lead to cancer Neurotoxins - affect our brain function Endocrine Disruptors - alter the balance of our hormones These Endocrine Disrupting substances mimic the hormones in our body which disrupts the delicate balance we are all trying to achieve. This is especially important if you are currently dealing with menstrual cycle difficulties, fertility challenges, thyroid disease, diabetes or adrenal conditions, as your hormonal balance is already a problem for you.
Some of the Endocrine Disrupting chemicals you should try to avoid:
- BPA: plastics, lining of canned food, receipt paper
- Parabens: beauty products, medications
- Phthalates: perfume, hard plastics, cling wrap
- Atrazine: herbacide for grass plants, eg: corn
- Dioxin: fatty tissues of meat
- Lead: old paint, old plumbing
- PFC: non-stick cookware
- Mercury: fillings, large fish
What you can do:
- Choose organic and natural - don't just go off the branding, look at the ingredients, where it was made and what it's packaged in - a lot of products will now state if they are "Free From" certain chemicals.
- Make your own skincare or cleaning products - there are a lot of online recipes out there for natural alternatives to most products.
- Use metal, ceramic or glass food storage containers and drink bottles or beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap.
- Switch to essential oils instead of perfume.
- Reduce canned foods or choose BPA free lining.
- And of course, eat organic and unprocessed! Wash your fruit and vegetables before eating. Choose wild caught fish and free range animal products.
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