Earth Day is next Tuesday, inspiring me to write about the chemical soup we live in.

Last week, I talked about how researchers are finding that exposure to dry cleaning fluid and pesticides is likely the root cause of Parkinson’s Disease. 

You may have heard of endocrine disruptors, man-made and natural chemicals that may interfere with your body’s hormones.

They can impact your brain, reproductive and immune systems.

The average American woman is exposed daily to 168 chemicals through personal products such as shampoo, makeup, skincare, sunscreen, and fragrance. 

Researchers are looking at the correlation between hot flashes and exposure to endocrine disruptors.  

Hot flashes are twice as common now as they were 50 years ago.  

Women who use products with phthalates are more likely to experience hot flashes.

For the boys and men in your life, these chemicals are equally harmful to them, as we are seeing a decline in sperm count and testosterone.  

It’s as important to remove these chemicals for their benefit as well.

Where are endocrine disruptors found?

• Plastic bottles and containers
• Cleaning products
• Lining of metal cans
• Paper receipts
• Detergents and cleaning products
• Nonstick pans
• Pesticides
• Perfume
• Hand Sanitizer
• Candles
• Personal Care Products
• Tap water

Endocrine disruptors can also undermine our ability to lose body fat.  

Professor Bruce Blumberg dubbed these obesity-promoting toxins obesogens.  

The body shuttles these chemicals out of the bloodstream and into the body’s stored fat.

Here are a few ideas to help clean up your environment:  

• Filter the tap water you drink and bathe in (you can check the quality of your tap water here)
• Get rid of nonstick cookware
• Swap plastic storage containers for glass
• As you use up personal care products, swap them out for less toxic choices
• Get rid of conventional cleaning products
• Invest in an air purifier

I hired a cleaning lady to deep clean my place, and she used heavy-duty, highly toxic cleaners. 

The smell alone made me feel like I was being poisoned. 

All I could think of was what it was doing to her health.

The next time she came, I asked her to use Branch Basics. 

She looked at me with such skepticism. 

She went to work in the bathroom.  

She came out in total disbelief.  

It worked so well.  

I sent her home with a bottle of the concentrate, and she gave a glowing review to my friend, who had referred her to me.

You don’t have to use heavy-duty toxic cleaners to have a clean home.

You know I believe in moderation and making small changes over time. 

As you use up products, swap them out for better options.