We are exposed to literally millions of harmful toxins in the modern world.

The number of chemicals we are exposed to as individuals is called our toxic load. Why does this matter? Our bodies do have the natural ability to detoxify, mostly through the liver, as well as other pathways. But when these systems become overloaded, health problems can occur. The greater our toxic load, the greater the chance of this impacting on our health (check out my quiz to see if you are showing signs of needing additional detox support).

And the good news is there are things we can do to reduce it.

Take a look at the list in my quiz below. Are there any toxins you are exposed to that you can easily cut out? The easy ones are the best place to start.

 

Toxic Load Quiz

Mark 1 point for each question you answer yes to.

Are you regularly exposed to in your home or workplace:
  • Artificial air fresheners?
  • Fabric fresheners like Febreze?
  • Chemical cleaning products?
  • Bleach?
  • Laundry detergent or fabric conditioner with synthetic fragrances?
  • Insect repellent?
  • Recently decorated with standard paint?
  • Carpets or upholstery with flame or stain retardant?
  • Pet litter tray?
  • Visible mold?
  • Air conditioning?
Do you consume once a week or more:
  • Tinned foods?
  • Foods wrapped in plastic?
  • Microwave foods?
  • Plastic bottled water?
  • Non-organic meat?
  • Bacon or other meats cured with nitrates?
  • Non-organic eggs?
  • Non-organic dairy?
  • Farmed fish?
  • Non-organic foods from the “dirty dozen” list?
  • Take-away fast food?
  • Ultra-processed food (foods containing ingredients not found in a common kitchen)?
  • Browned /burnt /barbequed food?
  • Artificial sweeteners?
  • Non-filtered water?
  • Alcohol?
Do your personal care products contain any of the following?

(TIP- if you aren’t sure, the answer is probably yes if you are buying regular products from a supermarket or chemist.)

  • Diethyl phthalate, hydroquinone, formaldehyde found in standard nail polishes?
  • Octamethyl – cyclotetrasiloxane, ethanolamines, triclosan – found in standard soaps and body washes?
  • Galaxolide, tonalide, parabens, ethanolamines found in most make-up?
  • Diethyl phthalate, hydroquinone – found in hair spray?
  • Flouride in toothpaste?
Do you use on a weekly basis:
  • cling film (in contact with food)
  • Tin foil (in contact with food)
  • Non-stick pans
Are your clothes:
  • Dry clean only?
  • Made from synthetic materials like polyester?
Do you live, work or exercise:
  • On a busy main road?
  • Near a farm?
  • Close to an electrical substation?
  • In a swimming pool treated with chlorine?
Thinking about technology, do you:
  • Have any WiFi-emitting devices in your bedroom at night?
  • Keep your mobile phone in your pocket or close to your body for long periods?
  • Use a laptop on your lap?
  • Use a computer / laptop / tablet with WiFi for long periods?
  • Have a Smart Meter installed?
Thinking about your medical history:
  • Have you got any mercury fillings?
  • Have you had root canal treatment?
  • Have you had any X-rays in the past 10 years?
  • Have you had chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the past 10 years?
  • Have you ever worked with aspestos?
Are you regularly exposed to on a weekly basis:
  • Cigarette smoke?
  • Garden pesticides?
  • Glue or adhesives?
  • Any other toxins not on the list?

What’s your score?

0-5: well done, you have a very low toxic load!

6-15: You’re toxic load is pretty low, is there anything on the list you could take out to make it lower still?

16-30: Your toxin exposure might be starting to impact your health. Have a look at the list and try to cut some out.

31 or more: You are exposed to a lot of toxins. It could be a good idea to work with a nutritional therapist on a supervised detoxification programme.

 

Reducing your load

Regardless of your score, it might be easier than you think to reduce your toxic load. It doesn’t matter what you cut out first- anything you manage to reduce, lowers your body’s overall load which will benefit your health, by allowing your liver and other detoxification pathways to work to their optimum. Could you make a simple switch to more natural personal care or cleaning products for example?

 

Further support

If you scored between 6-30, then you are an ideal candidate for my gentle summer detox programme, aimed at helping you to reduce your toxic load, while putting in the good stuff that supports the body’s natural detoxification ability. Read more about the programme here.

If you scored more than 31, then I would recommend some one-to-one support with me to really focus in on how we can work to improve your health. Find out more here.

If you aren’t sure which programme is best for you, contact me to discuss further.