Basic Lifestyle Recommendations to Eliminate the Toxic Load
The primary goal in the management of childhood environmental toxicity is to eliminate the toxic load from the main sources of exposure. Reducing toxicants allows the body to address stored toxins, and often restores balance innately. Thus, minimal interventions may be required, but this is determined on an individual basis.
• Food
• Water
• Air
• EMFs
• House Dust
• Shoes
• Pets
These simple recommendations are a great place to start and address the majority of toxic exposures.
1. Organic food whenever possible! If not organic, avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly. Avoid buying meat and other foods in plastic whenever possible. This includes baby formula (see our toxic metal infant formula results study here).
2. Avoid school lunches. Send your child to school with lunch from home.
3. Avoid processed foods. They are full of pesticides, emulsifiers, and preservatives.
4. Eliminate the microwave. If used, do not heat food in plastic.
5. Avoid fluoride and fluoridated water.
6. Use a water filter. Be sure to replace refrigerator filters every six months. Most filters do not remove fluoride.
7. Use an air filter. Choose a HEPA filter, if possible, particularly if you live on a busy urban street. Clean the air ducts of your home every year or biannually. Replace the heater filter quarterly (depending on whether you live in an area with a lot of particulate matter pollution). Consider house plants that help detoxify such as spider plants.
8. Reduce exposure to Wi-Fi. Shut off the router at night. Hardwire (e.g., ethernet) your home whenever possible. Check the location of any 4G or 5G cell towers near your home and avoid them.
9. Take off shoes at the door. Many toxicants are tracked into the home on shoes.
10. Use non-toxic products on pets. Eliminate toxic flea collars and other chemical pesticides used with your animal companions.
11. Prioritize environmental health. Make it fun by involving the whole family!
Please send in your child’s’ results and be part of an informal survey of the environmental health status of our children. If you provide your contact information, you will receive the results of the survey. It will be posted on gmoscience.org as well.