Traffic pollution, pesticides, cleaning products, plastic food packaging, pharmaceutical drugs, chlorinated water, VOCs from furniture, factory pollution….
Every day we’re bombarded with toxic substances, from the water we drink to the air we breathe. It’s no surprise that regular exposure to this chemical cocktail could be one of the reasons that chronic conditions like adrenal fatigue are on the rise.
Unless you live in a vacuum, it can be pretty hard to steer clear of these pollutants, so you’ll be glad to know that there’s one easy way to instantly slash your toxic load….
Beauty and the beast
Did you know that most people unwittingly dose themselves with toxic chemicals within ten minutes of getting out of bed each morning?
It’s a little known fact that many beauty and hygiene products (deodorants, hair removal gels, make-up etc.) contain toxic ingredients that can be absorbed through your skin and end up circulating around your bloodstream.
So what? People buy these products every day without a second thought. But when you know that many of them contain synthetic chemicals which are also found in industrial cleaning fluid or pesticides, you may think twice about putting them on your body. Far from being harmless, some scientists even suggest that absorbing these substances via the skin may be more dangerous than if you ingested them!
Here’s how it works.
Do you know anyone who wears a nicotine patch to help them stop smoking? Have you ever been administered drugs through a skin patch? Absorption of chemicals via the skin stops the active component being broken down by the digestive enzymes in your stomach, and ensures that it’s delivered right to your bloodstream where it can take immediate effect.
If you’re coping with adrenal exhaustion and your liver is already overworked, applying toxic chemicals on a daily basis is not a good idea!
The solution?
If you want to drastically cut your toxic load, swap your chemically laden beauty products for organic, clean alternatives.
Which beauty products are the most toxic?
Some of the worst offenders are listed below. Do your research and look to purchase alternatives from companies that supply organic, plant based, natural products, or simply cut these items out of your routine for good.
Seek out ethical companies who have responded to consumer demand for natural products that are far better for your health (and the planet,) or even have a go at making your own products at home. The internet is full of ideas! Not only will these products give you glowing skin and a shiny head of hair, but more importantly, they’ll help take a load off your liver, improve your immunity and help you take back control over your fatigue.
Lipsticks
Do you wear lipstick? How many times a day do you re-apply?
The New York Times recently published a shocking report into the number of brands containing traces of toxic poisons like cadmium and lead. These metals are currently on the World Health Organisation’s list of top ten chemicals causing major public concern. If you simply can’t step out without your lipstick, opt for a natural beeswax or oil based product which will be far less damaging to your health.
Nail polish
Guidelines state you should always apply varnish in well-ventilated areas. There’s a very good reason for this! Many brands contain chemicals like dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde, which are known to be harmful to health. Consider buying water-based nail polish products as a viable alternative.
Hair Dye
Many popular brands of hair dye contain a chemical known as para-phenylenediamine, which can be harmful if it comes into contact with the skin. Wearing gloves may give you some protection, but remember you’re applying this chemical directly to your scalp (which is in fact very delicate skin,) meaning the chemicals can still work their way into your bloodstream. Other nasties found in hair dyes include parabens, ammonia, peroxide, resorcinol, and propylene glycol.
Toothpaste
Yup, even commercial toothpaste may present a hazard to your health. Watch out for brands that contain triclosan (classed as a pesticide in the USA) and propylene glycol (which is used as an active component in anti-freeze and is rapidly absorbed through the skin). Worst of all is diethanolamine, or DEA, which is thought to have the ability to disrupt hormones (the last thing you need when you have adrenal fatigue!) Additionally, the fluoride found in most commercial toothpastes can block iodine absorption to the thyroid (thyroid dysfunction and adrenal fatigue are closely linked). Look for non-toxic toothpaste brands like Tom’s of Maine.
Takeaway
There is still some debate over exactly how harmful these chemicals might be. But it makes sense to avoid any unnecessary burden on your liver and kidneys when you’re battling fatigue. The good news is that you can drastically cut your exposure to these toxins right now.
Go to your bathroom and take a look through all of the products you use on a regular basis and carefully read the labelling. You may be surprised to see just how many chemicals you’re exposing yourself to!
By kicking those toxic products to the curb, you’ll be directly improving your adrenal health.
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