The WORST Toxins For Your Gut Health
Having a healthy gut is key for all aspects of good digestion: breaking down food, extracting and absorbing nutrients, staying “regular,” and so on.
However, the benefits don’t stop there.
Your gut is also critically connected to many more systems in your body and has a huge impact on your health as a whole.
For example, research has discovered a gut-brain axis linking the entire gut microbiome to mood, cognitive function, and mental health as well as a gut-skin axis, a direct link to the immune system, and much more.
In short, if your gut isn’t functioning well, the rest of your body probably won’t be, either.
Now, when it comes to supporting a thriving microbiome and overall gut health, protection is key.
You are exposed to anywhere from hundreds to thousands of toxins every day, some of which are particularly detrimental to your gut. Becoming aware of these toxins and avoiding or reducing your exposure to them is one of the best steps you can take for a healthier microbiome.
To that end, you’re about to learn the 15 worst – and, unfortunately, very common! – toxins for your gut and the best steps you can take to bypass them and their harmful effects.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals can generally be defined as metals that have a relatively high density or atomic weight.
A few heavy metals – iron, cobalt, zinc – are essential for human health, but others can have very toxic effects in the human body, even at low amounts. This second group is commonly what is meant when “heavy metals” are referred to and, as a whole, can significantly affect gut health.
Four specific heavy metals have especially proven to be toxic to the gut.
Arsenic – Arsenic can negatively alter the composition and diversity of gut bacteria, which may lead to other types of gut disruption. These effects can be seen with chronic low-dose exposure to arsenic, something that is not uncommon.
People are most often exposed to arsenic as a contaminant in drinking water and food, particularly rice, fish, and other types of seafood.
Cadmium – Cadmium has been shown to impair gut barrier function, leading to an increase of proinflammatory molecules and systemic inflammation. It can also alter gut microbial communities, much like arsenic.
Cigarette smoke is a common source of cadmium, but it can also accumulate in crops grown in soils with high cadmium levels.
Lead – Lead is a heavy metal that has many toxic effects, including an ability to harm the composition, diversity, and metabolic activity of gut microbiota. It may also increase permeability of the intestinal barrier.
Lead can leach into drinking water from pipes and may be present in the paint of homes built before 1978. It can also be a contaminant in cosmetics, toys, jewelry, supplements, and even imported spices.
Mercury – Like other heavy metals, mercury can disrupt the gut microbiome and may contribute to intestinal disorders. People are most commonly exposed to it via seafood because it accumulates in fish like king mackerel, shark, swordfish, and tuna.
Antibiotics / Triclosan
Antibiotics are perhaps the most well-known group of medications with gut-disrupting effects. They work by killing bacteria and/or preventing bacteria from multiplying, which helps treat infections caused by bacterial pathogens.
Unfortunately, antibiotics can affect and kill both bad and good bacteria, including the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
In fact, research has shown that just a single antibiotic treatment can cause harmful changes
to the gut microbiome, and a course of antibiotics can lead to long-term alterations. This comes about mainly due to a decrease of beneficial bacteria and an increase of harmful bacteria like Clostridium.
While antibiotics are necessary in certain cases, there is widespread agreement that they are also overused and overprescribed. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider to see if taking one in any given situation is truly essential.
You’ll also want to beware of a chemical with similar gut-harming properties known as triclosan.
Triclosan is not an antibiotic you would take by mouth when sick but rather a chemical with antibacterial properties. It was once widely used in antibacterial hand soaps in the U.S. until these products were banned due to ineffectiveness and health concerns. Rather oddly, it is still commonly added to MANY other everyday products.
Studies have indicated there may be many potential downsides of triclosan for gut health, including intestinal inflammation, colon damage, and an altered microbiome.
Though no longer in antibacterial hand soaps, triclosan is still commonly added to toothpaste and is, sadly, “readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.”
Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals widely used as plasticizers in a number of products, including cosmetics, personal care products, vinyl flooring, clothing, toys, medical equipment, and plastic packaging. They also leach easily into food and water, which are common routes of human exposure.
Over the past few decades, phthalates have come under heavy scrutiny due to their hormone- disrupting effects, but they also have a lesser-known ability to harm the gut.
Research has shown that phthalates – particularly
ones like dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) – may throw off the balance of good/bad bacteria in the gut microbiome and alter levels of gut microbial metabolites, something that could result in cholesterol imbalance.
Other studies have determined that phthalates can be particularly detrimental to the microbiome of children/infants and may interfere with the synthesis of butyrate, which is an essential metabolite for intestinal health.
BPA / BPS / BPF
Bisphenols are commonly used plastic chemicals that, like phthalates, possess documented hormone-disrupting effects. They are often present in food packaging, especially any type of plastic packaging or containers, and the lining of metal cans.
The most familiar (and well-studied) example is bisphenol A (BPA), but it’s now in the process of being replaced with alternative chemicals like bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF).
As you may have guessed, bisphenols aren’t just disruptive to hormones.
They have also shown the potential in both lab and animal studies to increase “bad” bacteria in the gut and induce oxidative stress, which often leads to inflammation. There’s also evidence that BPA may be connected to weight gain that comes about specifically due to changes in the gut microbiome.
Much less research has been focused on BPA substitutes, but the studies that have been conducted so far already show that supposedly “safer” chemicals like BPS and BPF have hormone-disrupting properties that are on par with BPA and disrupt the gut in a similar way.
Animal Protein
Protein in general is by no means bad for your gut. In fact, it’s an essential macronutrient needed for building and repairing muscles, maintaining bone health, making hormones, and much more.
However, some studies have shown that diets high in animal protein specifically can be harmful for gut health and may even raise the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
As an example of this, one study compared the gut bacteria of children (Italian) who ate a diet higher in animal protein to the gut bacteria of children (from Burkina Faso) who consumed more plant-based protein and fiber.
Researchers found that the higher animal protein group had more gut bacteria associated with inflammation and disease, while the more plant-based group had higher amounts of gut bacteria associated with lower inflammation levels.
And while this is a caution against overdoing animal protein/meat as a whole in your diet, other research does suggest that red meat may be the worst for gut health, since it appears to raise levels of a gut bacteria byproduct that’s linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Refined Sugar / Grains
Many people already know that too much sugar is bad for their health but, unfortunately, that hasn’t decreased its popularity very much. In fact, the average American consumes an estimated 15 teaspoons of sugar each day, which is well above the max recommended amount (9 teaspoons for men and 6 for women).
This is bad news because excessive amounts of sugar are linked to many chronic health issues and can significantly impact the gut.
As a prime example, some research indicates that a high-sugar diet can increase the abundance of gut bacteria with pro-inflammatory effects and decrease the number of gut bacteria with anti-inflammatory effects.
These harmful gut changes could end up leading to higher amounts of bacteria that degrade the protective mucus lining in the gut and a greater risk of gut diseases, like colitis.
There’s also evidence that refined grains – grains with the nutrient- and fiber-rich bran and germ removed – could disrupt the gut microbiome in a similar way to sugar.
Whole grains contain a rich amount of fiber that feeds the good bacteria in your intestines as it passes through. Refined grains, on the other hand, lack this fiber, provide no nutrition to beneficial microbes, and can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar because they are so quickly digested.
Overall, studies have found that when refined grains are replaced with whole grains in the diet, positive changes occur in the gut microbiome and “regularity” improves as well.
Artificial Colors and Sweeteners
Artificial colors and flavorings (including sweeteners) have become commonplace in a variety of foods, but their health effects are questionable at best.
Alarmingly, some preliminary research shows that a commonly used red food dye – known as Allura Red, FD&C Red 40, or Food Red 17 – may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Another study also found that nanoparticles commonly used in food dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 may “negatively affect intestinal functionality” and cause harmful changes to gut bacteria.
This is especially big news, since one or more of the above three dyes are present in an estimated 90% of all artificially colored products in the U.S.!
Food dyes aren’t the only problem ingredient for your gut, though.
Sucralose (brand name Splenda), an artificial sweetener, has been linked to adverse gut effects, including a decrease in beneficial gut bacteria and heightened liver enzymes – something that can interfere with the absorption of nutrients and drugs.
Aspartame has shown the potential to increase the number of “bad” bacteria in the gut, and three artificial sweeteners (including sucralose and aspartame) were found in lab studies to increase the ability of pathogenic bacteria – like E. coli – to form a biofilm and invade intestinal epithelial cells. 11,12
All in all, your gut is better off without artificial additives!
Emulsifiers
THE 15 WORST COMMON TOXINS FOR YOUR GUT & MICROBIOME HEALTH
Emulsifiers are common food additives used to stabilize processed foods and help ingredients that don’t usually mix – like oil and water – to stay combined in the product, resulting in a more appealing texture.
Unfortunately, research has revealed that emulsifiers might make food more appealing but aren’t necessarily harmless when it comes to human health.
A few have specifically been found to be disruptive to the gut microbiome in a way that promotes gut inflammation and could contribute to inflammatory bowel diseases.
Polysorbate 80 is one of the gut-disrupting emulsifiers in question and is thought to “feed” pathogenic microbes in the gut, stimulating intestinal inflammation. Carboxymethylcellulose (also known as cellulose gum or CMC) is another emulsifier that acts in a similar way to polysorbate 80 but more quickly.
Carrageenan is yet another common additive with emulsifying properties and the potential to negatively impact gut health.
Lab studies have shown that it can alter the density and composition of gut microbiota and stimulate pro- inflammatory molecules. Increasing evidence also suggests that carrageenan is especially damaging for those who already have a gastrointestinal issue (like colitis or Crohn’s), and eliminating it from the diet may help irritable bowel disease (IBD).
Pesticides
Pesticide use is incredibly common in modern agriculture to manage insects, weeds, fungi, etc. that might damage crops. But though conventional pesticides are marketed as being “safe” for humans when used correctly, research increasingly shows that this is not the case.
When it comes specifically to digestive health, a number of pesticides have been shown to affect the gut microbiome and even impair its normal function.
Glyphosate – a popular herbicide and the ‘active’ ingredient in Roundup – has been linked to a reduction in the number of “good” bacteria in the gut, an increase in pathogenic bacteria, and damage to villi, which are tiny projections in the small intestine that aid nutrient absorption.
Two other highly toxic pesticides (which are banned in certain countries) known as Paraquat and Chlorpyrifos may also cause harm to the gut microbiome, even through “low-level chronic dietary exposure.”
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), another popular herbicide, has shown gut-disruptive properties, too, as have many other pesticides, including insecticides and fungicides.
When it comes to pesticide exposure, keep in mind that residue may be present not only in conventionally grown food but also in supplements, personal care products, and anything else that includes natural ingredients.
And importantly, be sure not to spray any pesticides (particularly Roundup) yourself at home!
Fried Foods
You probably know that fried food isn’t the healthiest choice, but you might not realize just how hard it can be on your digestive health.
To start with, fried foods are simply difficult for your body to digest. They are usually high on saturated and trans fats from the cooking process, which your digestive tract has to work hard to break down. (That’s not even counting the breading fried foods are usually coated with.)
In addition, studies have found that regular fried food consumption may decrease the diversity of the gut microbiome as well as impair blood sugar balance and increase inflammation.
This is likely the case with any type of fried food, but it does appear as though fried meat is one of the worst options for your gut. Not only can it disrupt gut microbiota, one study also found that eating it four times a week increased levels of intestinal endotoxins!
Common Medications
Antibiotics aren’t the only medications that affect gut health. A wide range of other commonly used drugs can disrupt the gut microbiome and possibly increase the risk of digestive disorders.
If you are taking any medications, it’s a good idea to research each one specifically for possible gut effects, but here are several worth highlighting that have been shown to negatively alter the microbiome:
- Laxatives – Even short-term use may affect the gut microbiome.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) – Used for dyspepsia and acid reflux but can (ironically) harm gut health over time and increase the abundance of upper gastrointestinal tract bacteria.
- Metformin – May lead to higher levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a potentially harmful bacteria that can cause diarrhea.
- Oral Steroids – Linked to higher levels of methanogenic bacteria, which may contribute to obesity.
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) – A class of antidepressants that could increase the potentially harmful bacteria species Eubacterium ramulus in people with IBS.
- Hormonal Birth Control – May cause constipation or diarrhea and linked to a “minor decrease” in gut microbiota diversity.
- GLP-1 Agonists – Used for type 2 diabetes and off-label for weight loss (brand names include Wegovy, Ozempic, Trulicity) but may increase the risk of pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and stomach paralysis (gastroparesis).
Supplements
With all the emerging research on natural plant compounds, nutrients, foods, etc. that can boost multiple aspects of human health, many people turn to supplements as an attainable way to receive these benefits.
This is not a “bad” thing by any means, however, there is a HUGE problem in the supplement industry: A lack of regulations and measures that protect consumers.
The unfortunate truth is that many supplements on the market are laced with any number of the gut-harming toxins already listed in this report, including:
Heavy metals Pesticides
Plastic chemicals Other substances not listed on the label
There’s currently no standard required procedure for testing supplements for the above contaminants before they reach the consumer (you), although some companies choose to do testing voluntarily.
There are even cases where fake supplements are sold that don’t contain any of the herbs/nutrients/ active ingredients listed on the label.
All of this is bad news for your gut, but the problems don’t end there.
In addition to contaminants and “extra” ingredients, supplements are also a hiding place for a number of additives that can disrupt gut health. Some examples are:
Artificial dyes Refined sugar Artificial sweeteners Emulsifiers
Now, before you give up on supplements for good, there are ways to find truly clean and high-quality supplements without any of the above problems. The first step is to always check the label for any doubtful ingredients, and you’ll find other key tips further down in this report!
Polyethylene Glycols / Propylene Glycol
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and propylene glycol are all synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum. They are extremely common ingredients in food products, personal care products, supplements, medications, and more.
PEGs are a category of compounds containing polyethylene and glycol. You might see them on a label as simply “PEG” or listed by the specific compound, like “PEG-100” or “PEG-3350.”
There’s no question that PEG has an impact on the digestive system because one of its most common uses is as a laxative (specifically the compound PEG3350). You’ll also frequently find it in products like makeup, shampoo, and creams as well as pharmaceutical products.
As a petroleum byproduct – which commonly contain the toxic contaminants ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane – PEG has come under scrutiny for possible negative health effects, but there’s not a lot of conclusive research on it to date.
However, some early research does show that certain PEGs (including PEG3350 and PEG400) can negatively alter the composition of gut bacteria, which in some cases was long-term or permanent, and disrupt the mucus barrier and immune response.
Propylene glycol is commonly used in processed foods as an emulsifier, thickener, or stabilizer as well as in personal care products, cosmetics, supplements, and medications.
Some research has shown that it, too, can significantly alter gut microbiota and appears to do so in a “non-reversible manner.”
Cigarettes / Tobacco
Smoking isn’t just damaging to the lungs. It can also be detrimental to your gut and digestive health, even raising the risk of chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
The damage comes from the thousands of chemicals found in tobacco smoke and tobacco products – including nicotine, formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, and benzene – over 70 of which are considered carcinogenic.
This toxic combination of chemicals can harm the intestinal microbiome, causing an imbalance between “good” and “bad” bacteria, and raises the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn’s disease, as well as cancer of the digestive tract.
Smoking also increases your risk of heartburn because it weakens the sphincter muscle in your esophagus and increases the likelihood of peptic ulcers, liver disease, and gallstones.
Obviously, if you are currently a smoker, quitting would be highly beneficial for your health and may even be enough to help your gut microbiome recover its diversity. But you should also beware of secondhand smoke, which can significantly impact your health as well.
Alcohol
Overdoing it on alcohol isn’t good for your body in general and can sneakily sabotage your gut health if you aren’t careful.
When your body metabolizes alcohol, ethanol gets broken down into a carcinogenic compound known as acetaldehyde. Though eventually expelled from your body, acetaldehyde can do damage before it leaves and has the most contact with the gastrointestinal tract.
Because of this, heavy drinking greatly raises the risk of gut-related issues like pancreatitis, gastric or colorectal cancer, leaky gut, and dysbiosis (i.e., an imbalance of gut microflora) and can damage the small and large intestines.
Unfortunately, even moderate amounts of alcohol can also disrupt gut health and decrease levels of beneficial bacteria over time, especially for people who may be more sensitive to it.
Interestingly, while most types of alcohol seem to have similar negative effects on the gut, red wine – in moderation! – has shown potential for increasing the number of good gut bacteria, likely due to its polyphenol content.
10 Best Steps to AVOID Toxins and Protect Your Gut
Limit or Avoid Processed / Refined / Fried Foods
Unfortunately, as you can see from the first half of this report, many of the most popular foods in the standard western diet aren’t doing your gut any favors and will likely only continue to cause damage the more you eat them.
While it might not be possible to have a “perfect” diet, it IS critical that you limit or avoid highly processed foods as much as possible.
This single category of foods – sometimes referred to as ultra-processed foods – is often where the most toxic additives hang out (including artificial dyes and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and PEGs) as well as refined sugar and grains.
Plus, ultra-processed foods are typically short on nutrients that can help your gut (more on that later), so they really have nothing positive to offer your digestive system.
You can also take steps like using whole grains rather than refined grains when you cook or bake at home and switching out refined sugar for more nutritious honey or maple syrup (but still cut back on total sugar use).
Reduce or eliminate your intake of fried foods and also consider eating more plant-based protein and less animal protein to keep your gut healthy in the long run.
Consume Probiotic Foods (And Consider a Supplement as Needed)
Probiotics are essentially strains of beneficial bacteria that support gut health.
Whether you need to help your gut recover from previous damage or simply want to maintain a thriving microbiome, probiotics are absolutely a key piece to the puzzle. They do their work by competing with pathogenic bacteria and increasing the populations of helpful microbes to bring the microbiome back into balance.
One of the best ways to get probiotics is by consuming foods that are naturally rich in beneficial microbes. This includes a range of fermented foods like:
Sauerkraut Yogurt Kombucha Tempeh Kimchi Kefir Miso
| In certain cases – for example, if you can’t consume enough probiotic foods in your diet or after a course of antibiotics – you may also want to consider looking for and taking a quality probiotic supplement.Supplements contain higher amounts of probiotic strains than you would get from simply eating probiotic-rich foods and, when formulated correctly, ensure the probiotics survive through stomach acid to make it to the intestines.Just be sure you choose a high-quality probiotic supplement – guidelines on that to follow shortly! Eat a Range of Prebiotic Foods As a general rule, most plant-based whole foods – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. – will contain some sort of prebiotic fiber. However, there are several prebiotic foods that outshine the rest for microbe-friendly fiber content: Dandelion greens and root Chicory root Jerusalem artichokes Garlic Onions Leeks Asparagus Bananas Oats Barley ApplesAgain, the best approach is to eat a variety of prebiotic-rich foods to give your digestive system a good range of fiber.Tip: If you don’t eat a lot of fiber currently, increase your intake slowly to help prevent digestive issues. Many people are now familiar with the benefits of probiotics for gut health given the large body of research on the subject, but there’s another substance that is equally important for your gut: prebiotics.While probiotics are the different strains of microorganisms that can inhabit the gut, prebiotics are what feeds these beneficial microbes so that they can flourish.Most prebiotics are specific types of fiber that pass through your system undigested, promoting the growth and activity of gut-healthy bacteria in the intestines. It’s key to eat a variety of these prebiotic fibers to ensure that your microbiome as a whole is provided with adequate “food.” |
| Incorporate Gut-Helping Herbs & Spices Into Your Diet Probiotic and prebiotic foods are top choices for a healthier gut, but there are also a number of herbs and spices with documented benefits for digestive health. Some can help address specific gut complaints (bloating, constipation, etc.) and all support a thriving microbiome. Consider adding a few (or all) of the following herbs/spices to your diet – perhaps one at a time to see which help the most: Peppermint – A great option for general indigestion, gas, and bloating and may even aid symptoms of IBS. Ginger – Calms nausea and also “heats” up a sluggish digestion. Psyllium Husks – Rich in prebiotic fiber that bulks up stools to prevent constipation. Turmeric – Fights inflammation, stimulates digestion, and supports the liver in producing bile to aid digestion. Marshmallow Root – Makes a thick, gel-like liquid when mixed with water that coats the esophagus and may help calm heartburn, inflammation, and ulcers. Chamomile – Helps indigestion, gas, and bloating and has shown antimicrobial activity against the Helicobacter pylori bacteria that can cause stomach infections. Fennel Seed – Can be chewed after a meal to enhance digestion and relieve bloating. Triphala – A revered Ayurvedic formula containing three herbs (amla, haritake, and bibhitaki) that’s used as a digestive tonic and to support regularity. Get Enough of Key Vitamins & MineralsYour body needs an array of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients (fat, protein, carbs) to function optimally, but there are five specific nutrients you want to be sure to get enough of for optimal gut health.B vitamins as a whole are incredibly important for metabolism, which involves the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy. To give you just a few examples, vitamin B1 (thiamine) helps convert carbs to energy and supports appetite, while vitamin B3 (niacin) helps break down fats, carbs, and alcohol. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) helps your digestive system process protein, and vitamin B12 is involved in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your whole body – gut included. Vitamin C, though most associated with the immune system, helps with the absorption of iron and also appears to positively affect the gut microbiome by increasing the presence of anti-inflammatory and gut- helping bacteria. Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium and other nutrients and may even have protective effects against colon cancer. |
|
As far as minerals go, magnesium is critical for maintaining gut motility (meaning it helps keep things moving), while zinc is important for the production of digestive enzymes that help break food down.Of the above, vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiencies are fairly common, and many people don’t consume sufficient amounts of magnesium. You may want to consider your daily intake of all of these vitamins/ minerals and make dietary changes or seek out a quality supplement as needed. Acai berries |
|
Also, do NOT forget herbs and spices when it comes to boosting your daily antioxidant intake. Though used in small amounts, herbs/spices are typically sky-high in antioxidants and pack in more of them than most fruits and vegetables.Note: As a huge bonus, many of the top antioxidant herbs and spices also support your digestion in other ways. In fact, you may have recognized several from the earlier section on gut-helping herbs and spices! B) In addition to switching to organic for foods you eat often, buy the USDA Certified Organic version of the “Dirty Dozen” – i.e., the most contaminated produce Cloves The latest Dirty Dozen list is: Strawberries |
| Choose High-Quality, Truly Clean Supplements As mentioned earlier in this report, supplements are a BIG hiding place for gut toxins like emulsifiers, artificial colors or sweeteners, sugar, PEGs, and contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, plastic chemicals, etc.).This means that choosing high-quality supplements free of the “junk” you don’t want in your body is just as important as avoiding pesticide residue in food by going organic.And similarly to food, one of the easiest ways to do this is by looking for USDA Certified Organic supplements.The official organic seal (not vague “organic” claims!) ensures that a supplement does NOT contain artificial/synthetic ingredients, toxic fillers or binders, GMOs, or any ingredients grown with conventional pesticides or fertilizers.For non-organic supplements, be sure to read the label carefully to check whether toxic ingredients are hiding out in the formula. Make note of any ingredient you aren’t sure about and do some quick research on it before buying.Also, it’s incredibly important that you look for supplements that are third-party tested for quality and purity – something recommended by researchers familiar with the frequent contamination present in the supplement market. 55Finally, regarding heavy metals, the amount is key. Trace amounts of heavy metals are found in many foods and ingredients, because small amounts of minerals occur naturally in soils. However, testing for the presence of excessive heavy metals is especially key when it comes to supplements, since excessive amounts of heavy metals are such a big issue in many supplements today. Steer Clear of Toxic Personal Care & Cosmetics ProductsFood and supplements are not the only routes gut-harming toxins can take to get into your body.Your skin – your largest organ – also absorbs a good amount of what you put on it, and skincare/cosmetics products frequently contain phthalates, PEGs, propylene glycol, and a number of other toxic chemicals. Again, the best way to avoid ALL toxic chemicals, including pesticides, is to make it a point to look for USDA Certified Organic skincare, makeup, etc. The organic seal on a product means that it: Contains at least 95% true organic ingredients. Sources the remaining 5% of ingredients from a strict approved safe list. Is free of synthetic additives, including pesticides, chemical fertilizers, petrochemicals, and dyes. Was not processed using industrial solvents or irradiation. Is free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). |
| However, be aware that there are MANY “organic poser” and “greenwashed” products out there.What this means is that companies will put words like “organic,” “wild-crafted,” and the mostly meaningless “all-natural” on the label without having any certification to back up their claims. They are simply using these words as a marketing tactic to appeal to consumers seeking clean products, so always look for official certifications – and, of course, read the label!Also, when you first start switching to organic products for personal care, it’s important to again remember that you don’t have to do it all at once.One smart approach is to start with the products that you use routinely, that are applied directly to your skin, and that are in contact with your skin the longest. For example, anti-aging creams, moisturizers, deodorants, and foundation/makeup products may be a top priority because they are usually on your skin for much of the day. Cut Down on Your Use of Plastic Plastic chemicals have proven to be some of the most toxic for human health and the gut microbiome.While it might not be possible in today’s world to avoid plastic completely, cutting down on your exposure to some of the worst plastic sources can go a long way.On that note, one of the top things NEVER to do is heat your food in a plastic container. Multiple studies have shown that plastic already leaches harmful toxins into food and drinks, and adding heat to the mix only speeds up the leaching process. 56You’ll also want to watch out for phthalates in your skincare and cosmetics products (yet another reason to buy them organic), and beware of common BPA-/BPS-containing products, including plastic food containers, canned foods and drinks, and receipts.In general, try to swap out plastic containers and bottles in your home for alternative materials like stainless steel, ceramic, or glass. Cook with fresh, whole foods when possible to cut back on foods packaged in plastic, canned foods, and takeout food. |
Out With the Bad and In With the Good
Protecting and promoting the health of your digestive system and gut microbiome can essentially be summed up by the saying “out with the bad and in with the good.”
Start by examining the food you eat, the supplements you take, the products you use, and so on for any and all of the gut toxins listed above that are sabotaging your gut health. Then, find ways to reduce or eliminate them from your daily routine and replace them with gut-helping foods, herbs, and spices.
Also, don’t forget the importance of choosing clean supplements and personal care products because these can “feed” your body and gut the right or wrong ingredients – just like food does.
To make things easier on yourself, take small steps in the right direction at first. But remember, the sooner you get started, the better!
