At a Glance

• “Toxin-free living” isn’t possible, but you can significantly reduce your exposure.
• The chemicals most threatening to your health can be found in the air, water and food.
• You can work toward non-toxic living with smaller, everyday swaps like heating plastic.
• Blood tests can let you know if your health has been endangered by heavy metals or other contaminants.

When many people think of living a “non-toxic lifestyle,” they assume their goal should be eliminating all exposure to chemicals. However, this is (1) not possible and (2) not necessary, since the body is capable of eliminating most toxins on its own (at least, in small doses).

Living a low-toxin lifestyle, on the other hand, is a great health goal! You don’t need to overhaul your life to reduce toxic exposure; it’s all about taking steps to reduce your cumulative exposure to unhealthy chemicals, rather than avoiding them at all costs. There are relatively easy lifestyle changes you can make to help minimize exposure to everyday toxins.

Let’s run through five non-toxic living tips that you can start implementing today to create a healthy home, plus how to test for toxin exposure.

Environmental Toxins Panel Urine Test

1. Clear the air with proper home ventilation

Maintaining a non-toxic home starts with the home itself. You want to make sure your house is well-ventilated, which means that stale and potentially harmful indoor air can easily escape. Here’s how:

• Especially if you live in an area with low outdoor air pollution, open your windows when possible to improve air circulation.
• Air purifiers are another great way to reduce indoor air pollution. Make sure you clean or swap the filters on schedule.
• Don’t smoke indoors—better yet, don’t smoke at all! 
• Vacuum regularly to minimize dust. 
• Change your HVAC filters on time.
• Address any leaks to avoid mold growth.
• If you buy new furniture, mattresses, or carpets/rugs, allow them to ventilate outside for a few days, if possible. Upon unpackaging them, they release volatile organic compounds. 

Keep in mind that the frequency with which you do some of these things can change depending on your home and lifestyle. For instance, if you have pets that shed, you may need to vacuum and change your filters more frequently.

2. Eat a low-toxin diet

Non-toxic swaps apply to your refrigerator and pantry, too:

• Choose whole foods (as minimally processed as possible), ideally, in little to no packaging. Bonus: If you can, shop organic.
• If you do purchase packaged foods, avoid heating them in that material.
• Minimize foods that are notorious for their risk of being contaminated. Seafood is one culprit. Try to consume tuna about once a week max, and rarely eat (or eliminate) fish higher in methylmercury like swordfish.
• Eat more liver-friendly foods that support your body’s natural detoxification process, including cruciferous vegetables, fruits and fiber.
• Wash all produce before you eat it.

3. Change the way you cook

We’re not talking about recipes (per se)—it’s how you prepare your food that matters. How you cook is just as important as the food you’re cooking!

• Cook your way to better health by swapping nonstick pans for cast iron or stainless steel. Nonstick can be especially problematic when cooking at high temperatures, which may allow toxins to leach into your food.
• While pots and pans are a high priority, anything used for food prep or storage can be swapped for less toxic alternatives. Wood, stainless steel, and glass are better than plastic.
• Avoid burning and charring your food.
• Never heat foods in plastic, whether that’s a plastic dish you’re sticking in the microwave or the plastic tray that premade lasagna came in. (And while you’re at it, avoid those highly processed foods altogether.)

4. Switch to filtered water

We’ve covered air and food. Water is another key source of harmful chemicals. If you want to learn how to start living a non-toxic life, take a look at your faucets.

• If it’s within your means, consider investing in a home water filtration system. Look for NSF-certified filters that can remove microbes, microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals.
• Carbon water filtration systems are less expensive, making them a good alternative for someone on a budget.
• Opt for reusable water bottles over plastic. Stainless steel is a great option, and it can last for years. These bottles are healthier for you and better for the environment, not to mention your wallet.

5. Purge your home of harmful products

Beyond what you cook, another consideration is what you may have on hand for general household use.

• Opt for non-toxic cleaning products, and use them minimally (in a well-ventilated home!). Beware of misleading packaging and really examine the labels to ensure that cleaners are indeed safe to use.
• Minimize or avoid scented candles and room sprays. At the bare minimum, only use them in well-ventilated areas. Swap paraffin wax candles for beeswax candles that are naturally scented to better protect your health. You can even make your own after a quick trip to your local craft store.
• Stick with fragrance-free laundry detergent, soaps and other personal care products.

What ingredients and materials should you avoid?

Some common ingredients and materials to be aware of include:

• Lead-based paints.

  These are more common in homes built before 1978.

• Cigarette smoke.

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

  These are carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate into the air. They can be found in household products (paint, cleaners, and carpeting), as well as cigarette smoke.

• “Forever chemicals” (PFAs), as well as BPA, phthalates and parabens.

  These are often used to make objects flame-retardant, nonstick, and water-resistant. Labels that list “PTFE,” “fluoro-,” or “perfluoro” often indicate the presence of PFAs. Shop with brands that are transparent about their sourcing, manufacturing, and packaging processes.

• Fragrances.

  Choose unscented products when possible.

Lead-based paints.

Cigarette smoke.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

“Forever chemicals” (PFAs), as well as BPA, phthalates and parabens.

Fragrances.

As you become more mindful of living a non-toxic lifestyle, remember that it’s not possible to eliminate every single source of toxin exposure. It’s also not necessary. Most toxins aren’t harmful in small amounts, and your body can eliminate them on its own.

As Life Extension scientist Shayna Sandhaus, PhD, pointed out: “The number one rule in toxicology is this: the dose makes the poison. Minimize exposure when possible and don’t stress too much about the rest.”

Source: Life Extension