How Heavy is Your Toxic Load?

Just over a week ago, on 10 January 2024, the journal Environmental Health Perspectives published a research study conducted by the Silent Spring Institute in which researchers identified almost nine hundred (900) different chemicals as either mammary (breast) carcinogens or as potential contributors to breast cancer risk.   What’s most disturbing is that 90% of these harmful chemicals are commonplace.  They’re in our cosmetics and soaps.  They’re in our food and in our household air.  They’re sprayed on furniture and items we touch repeatedly.  We are exposed to them virtually every day.

It’s true that since the first industrial revolution began some 200 years ago, our world has become noticeably dirtier.  Our lives are now inundated with environmental toxins and, very seriously, many of them do pose real health risks, just as the Silent Spring Institute study reveals.  It’s not only breast cancer that might result from the exposures, but also potentially infertility. auto immune illnesses, neurological challenge, metabolic dysfunction, allergies, and asthma.

Recognising the increasing health consequence of these toxins, the environmental health movement has now constructed the concept of Total Toxic Load (TTL) as a device with which to better understand the cumulative impact of these environmental toxins on our well-being.  Very simply, this Total Toxic Load or TTL refers to the overall burden of toxins and stressors that an individual accumulates over time.  And, certainly, all of us have some burden.  Environmental toxins are a significant contributor to our total load but there are other contributors as well.  Some of these stressors are manufactured by our own body:  cortisol and adrenaline, for example.  Others arise because of a certain biological/genetic sensitivity, e.g., to gluten or lactose, or because we’ve unfortunately realised leaky gut.  Still others might result from infections or exposure to micro-organisms like mold or parasites.  But importantly it may be the environmental toxins that we have the most control over.

If we are to reduce our exposures, we must of course understand where these toxins are hiding.  Here are some clues:

•  Our Water:  Our water contamination may stem from the municipal or national water supply or from faulty and poorly maintained plumbing in your own house or apartment.  But both may be source of harmful substances like heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Other concerning toxins in our water might include microplastics, nitrates and phosphates from agricultural run-off, or even potentially bacteria and viruses.  All of these contaminates can increase our toxic load. 
• Both Indoor & Outdoor Air: Urban environments often expose individuals to elevated levels of air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds.  Surprizingly, the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA has found that indoor air can be much more toxic than outdoor air.  Long-term exposure can contribute significantly to total toxic load. 
•  Food and Agricultural Practices: Pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals used in conventional farming can find their way into the food supply. Consuming conventionally grown produce without proper washing can impact total toxic load.  Sadly, washing doesn’t always remove everything.
•  Household Products: Common household items like cleaning agents, personal care products, and plastics may contain toxins such as phthalates, parabens, and bisphenol A (BPA).
•   Heavy Metals: Exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can occur through contaminated food, water, and air. Accumulation of these metals in the body over time can lead to adverse health effects. 

Indeed, all of these sources can add to our total toxic load.

Thankfully, the human body has a sophisticated system of detoxification to eliminate harmful substances. The liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and lymphatic system work together to process and excrete toxins. However, prolonged exposure can overwhelm these natural detox pathways, leading to the accumulation of toxins in tissues and organs.  That accumulation can be the impetus for a whole series of health consequences, including:

•  Chronic Inflammation: Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins can trigger chronic inflammation, a key factor in various health conditions, including autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular issues, and neurodegenerative disorders. 
•  Impaired Immune Function: High total toxic load may compromise the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and other health challenges.
•  Hormonal Imbalances: Some environmental toxins, known as endocrine disruptors, can interfere with the body's hormonal balance, potentially leading to reproductive issues, thyroid dysfunction, and other endocrine-related disorders.
•  Neurological Effects: Certain toxins, especially heavy metals, can have neurotoxic effects, contributing to cognitive impairments, memory loss, and neurological disorders.

Happily, we can support the body’s detox system both by working to avoid or minimise our exposures and/or to increase the body’s detox capabilities.  For example, we can consider:

•  Dietary Changes: Opting for organic and/or locally sourced foods grown without pesticides can help minimise exposure to pesticides and other contaminants. Emphasising a nutrient-rich diet can also support the body's natural detoxification processes.
•  Water Filtration: Investing in water filtration systems to remove contaminants from drinking water will certainly reduce the risk of exposure to harmful substances. 
•  Natural Household Products: Choosing household products, personal care items, and cleaning agents that are free from harmful chemicals is a must, especially if you have children. Look for alternatives that use natural ingredients.
•  Mindful Lifestyle Choices:  Lastly, we can also work to minimise lifestyle activities that contribute to total toxic load, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and prolonged exposure to air pollution.  Living clean is a wonderful thing.

Clearly, this blog offers just an introduction to what is a critical lifestyle issue.  If we are to truly understand the impact of environmental toxins on our health, we should drill down into this Total Toxic Load issue, scrutinising our home and lifestyle supports to get a more precise understanding of how significant our exposures might be.   Happily, if we believe them to be significant, we can indeed take proactive steps to reduce them.  And, Azoki can help.  Indeed, that’s what a lifestyle learning lab is all about.

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Sarah