All About Toxins: The Hidden Villains in Your Home That Are Sabotaging Your Health

Boooooooo, toxins.

They’re the invisible villains hiding about in your everyday life. From the air you breathe walking down the city street at rush hour to the food on your plate, chances are you’re exposed to them every single day.

Here’s the thing: toxins are dangerous, no doubt about it. They can wreak havoc on your mental and physical health, and if you let them, they’ll stick around, dragging you down for a long tome.

But—and it’s a big but—you’ve got the power to fight back. You don’t have to live at their mercy.

With a few smart moves, you can limit your exposure and take control.

You ready?

Let’s dive into the world of toxins and learn how to kick these sneaky bastards to the curb.

Learning Points: What You’ll Discover Today

1. What toxins, pesticides, and xenoestrogens are.

2. Where they’re hiding in plain sight.

3. The damage they can cause (hint: it’s bad).

4. How to protect yourself and limit the long-term impact.

Toxins: The Unwelcome Guests in Your Life

Let’s start with the basics. Toxins are natural and man-made chemicals that can mess with your hormones and your health.

Hang around them long enough, and you’re looking at a potential invite to a long list of nasty diseases, including cancer.

Here’s the breakdown:

Natural Toxins

These guys include:

• Lead
• Cadmium
• Mercury

While early childhood development issues caused by these natural toxins are rare these days (thankfully), the Romans used lead water pipes, but in the 21st century they’re still out there.

However, unless you’re chomping on paint chips or hanging out with a backstreet dentist still rocking mercury fillings, you’re probably okay from Lead, Cadmium and Mercury poisoning.

But stay vigilant with it mate.

Man-Made Toxins

Now we’re talking about the heavy hitters:

• BPA
• Phthalates (pronounced “thalates”—because why make it easy to say)

These are endocrine disruptors, a fancy term for chemicals that mess with your hormones.

Long-term exposure can lead to early childhood developmental issues, reproductive problems, immune deficiencies, and neurological disorders. {1}

Lovely stuff.

Here’s where they’re hiding:

• Plastic bottles and food containers
• Tin cans
• Detergents
• Makeup and skincare products
• Certain toys (sorry, kids)
• Paper receipts
• Pesticides

BPA Bombshell

BPA is a proper menace. It leaches into your food and water from plastic containers—especially when heated. If you’re microwaving last night’s lasagna in a plastic tub, stop it.

You’re inviting BPA to join your meal.

Here’s how to fight back:

• Use BPA-free containers or better yet, glass ones. They’re cheap, effective, and won’t poison your pasta.
• Opt for stainless steel bottles and shakers.
• Avoid plastics marked with #1, #3, #6, or #7 on the bottom of the bottle—they’re bad news.
• Skip the dishwasher for plastic containers. Hand wash them in cool water.

Special Mention for Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Or to you and me the chemicals used to make Teflon.

The very same Teflon in your cooking pans.

PFAS are called ‘forever chemicals’; because they don’t break down, instead they stay in the environment basically forever.

Fun fact 99% of all humans on the plant have PFAS in their bodies. {2}

The risks from PFAS include…

• Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.
• Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioural changes.
• Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
• Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.
• Interference with the body’s natural hormones.
• Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.

Although PFAs were banned from Teflon products in 2015, 99% of humans now have it in their bodies.

They have been found in the blood of over 330 different wildlife species, including polar bears, whales, pandas, horses, cats, squirrels and frogs, and are routinely detected in human blood. They can still be found in many of the household products that we use day in, day ou“PFAS can still be found in non-stick cookware and takeaway food packaging (e.g. pizza boxes, compostable food boxes, and paper food bags). PFAS are known as ‘forever chemicals’ as they can last in the environment for long periods. They are also Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) that may adversely affect human health and are possibly linked to breast cancer. We suggest avoiding ‘non-stick’ cookware and finding safe toxic-free alternatives where possible, such as stainless steel or cast-iron pans”t, such as..

• Dental Floss
• Microwave popcorn bags
• Irons and some ironing board covers
• Hair straighteners, curling wands etc.
• Baking gear, including most parchment/grease proof paper
• Carpets and sofas (and the Scotch Guard type stain repellent treatments many manufacturers offer)
• Some brands of waterproof mascaras.
• Some light bulbs
• Toasted Sandwich makers, waffle makers, rice cookers and many plug in slow cookers and woks
• Some waterproof clothes, namely raincoats
• Outdoor decking waterproofing sealants
• Some items of children’s school uniforms. (2)

“PFAS can still be found in non-stick cookware and takeaway food packaging (e.g. pizza boxes, compostable food boxes, and paper food bags). PFAS are known as ‘forever chemicals’ as they can last in the environment for long periods. They are also Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) that may adversely affect human health and are possibly linked to breast cancer. We suggest avoiding ‘non-stick’ cookware and finding safe toxic-free alternatives where possible, such as stainless steel or cast-iron pans”]

Brest Cancer UK

So, there’s some serious information to think on.

If you have a free Sunday have a look at the Film Dark Waters, It’s on Netflix, it’ll bring you up to speed quick.

Pesticides: Poison on Your Plate

Here’s a fact to make your skin crawl: farmers use 2.5 billion kilograms of pesticides worldwide every year.

Why? To protect their crops and maximise profits. Great for them, but terrible for you. These chemicals stick to your food and sneak into your body, potentially causing:

• Headaches, fatigue, and insomnia
• Increased risk of diabetes (up to 200% for the farmers spraying the stuff on their crops) {3}
• Higher chances of Parkinson’s disease (70% increase for those exposed) {4}
• Neurodevelopment issues in kids

How to Reduce Pesticide Exposure

• Go organic whenever possible.
• Wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly under cold water.
• Support local farm shops for fresher, less-tainted produce.
• Grow your own food if you’re feeling adventurous.

Xenoestrogens: The Silent Saboteurs

Xenoestrogens are the absolute worst.

These human-made chemicals mimic estrogen in your body, tricking it into thinking there’s more of the hormone than there actually is.

Here’s what they can lead to over time: {5}

• Fatigue and mood swings
• Early puberty
• Male fat storage patterns (hello, man boobs)
• Miscarriages and infertility
• Cancers (breast, prostate, testicular)
• Diabetes

Where are they hiding?

• Health and beauty products
• Plastics
• Detergents
• Cleaning products
• Flame retardants on furniture
• Pesticides and weed killers

3 Steps to Take Control

Step 1: Stop the Intake

• Say goodbye to, corn, sugar, and Rapeseed (canola) oil. These foods can lower testosterone levels and are some of the most pesticide-laden crops out there. {6,7,8}
• Wash all your produce thoroughly.
• Stick to organic whenever you can.
• Drink plenty of filtered water and herbal teas.

Step 2: Lower Your Estrogen Levels

• Pack half your plate with anti-estrogen foods like: {9}

• Broccoli
• Kale
• Cabbage (or sauerkraut)
• Flaxseeds
• Sprouts
• Bok choy

Step 3: Kick Xenoestrogens Out for Good

• Supplement with Calcium-D-Glucarate—this powerhouse will hunt down the excess estogen caused by xenoestrogens and help your liver flush the estogen out. {10}
• Add a liver support supplement to keep things running smoothly.

The Toxins in Your Lifestyle

Let’s be honest now mate: alcohol, cigarettes, and recreational drugs are part of the social scene for many people.

No judgment from me mate—I’ve been there and come out the other side with multiple years clean and sober.

But these habits come with a toxic price tag.

Alcohol: Promotes estrogen production and plays havoc on your liver, speeds up the aging process and steals years of joy from you in hangovers.

Cigarettes: Full of cancer-causing chemicals. They are the fucking worst of the worst.

Cocaine: Often cut with toxins like benzene (yep, that’s petrol).

The takeaway? If these are part of your life, know the risks and consider making some changes.

Your future self will thank you, so will your family mate.

The Bottom Line

Toxins are everywhere. From the food you eat to the products you use, they’re sneaking into your life and messing with your health. But you’ve got the tools and knowledge to fight back.

Follow the steps, reduce your exposure, and give your body the best chance to thrive.

You’re in control, mate—make it count.

Thanks for sticking around. Let’s get to work.

Yours in health,

Rick

P.S. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or needs support, check out the resources linked below. Help is out there—don’t be afraid to reach out.