1. 5 Ways to Reduce Toxins in
Your Life
Photo credit: Mateusz
Stachowski
There’s more to having a healthy lifestyle than eating nutritiously and exercising.
Reducing the amount of toxins you encounter on a daily basis is an important part of
living well and preventing illness. The next few slides will demonstrate some strategies
for reducing toxins in your life.

2. INVEST IN A GLASS OR STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE
Many plastics contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which is a toxic substance that mimics
estrogen. The hormone-like chemical found in BPA can build up in the body and throw
off the natural balance of hormones, possibly resulting in such ailments as obesity,
infertility, and increased risk of cancer and tumor growth. By avoiding contact with
plastics – particularly number 7 plastics – you can greatly reduce your exposure to BPA.
It can also be found in the lining of some metal and tin cans.
Need an alternative to plastic bottles in a a pinch? Mason jars make great water hosts.
FUN FACT: In 2010, Canada
became the first country to officially
declare BPA as a toxic substance.
Canada has also banned use of
BPA in baby bottles.
Photo credit:
Hobbesyeo of
stock.xchng®

3. Photo credit: BeverlyLR of
stock.xchng®
REDUCE PESTICIDE EXPOSURE
It’s well documented that pesticides are terrible to
consume. If they can destroy pests and weeds, just
imagine the toll they can take on your body! As the
old adage goes, you are what you eat.
Health effects associated with pesticides include
cancer; reproductive difficulties; increased risk of
Parkinson's Disease; respiratory problems such as
asthma; and more.
Pesticides can be found in farmed foods, on
personal property, and even in flea collars for pets!
To limit your exposure, eat organic produce and
meat; use salt to zap weeds in the garden or
smother them with mulch; spray warm vinegar
water on your flowers to ward off mildew; and plant
companion plants such as marigolds, mint, and
petunias for natural pest control.
If buying organic food isn’t a feasible option for
you, wash your produce well and peel it. Many of
the toxins from pesticides and chemicals lie in the
skin.

4. USE ALL NATURAL, ORGANIC TOILETRIES
Never forget that your skin is one large organ that absorbs
whatever it comes into contact with. It’s extremely
important to be cognizant of what’s in the body and skin
care products you use. Many mainstream cosmetic
products on the market contain such harmful chemicals as
paraben preservatives, which are associated with
heightened risk of breast cancer; aluminum, which is
strongly linked to Alzheimer’s; propylene glycol, which can
cause kidney and liver damage; and many more.
Limit your exposure to the offensive substances by reading
the ingredient labels on your products carefully. Choose Photo credit: Parooncat of
organic and all natural items that contain ingredients you stock.xchng®
recognize. Can’t find anything like that in the drugstore?
Check out health food stores for soaps, lotions, body
washes and other items that are made from wholesome
ingredients.
Antiperspirants usually contain aluminum. As an
alternative, try organic, aluminum-free deodorants or use a
deodorant crystal made from mineral salt that kills bacteria
under the arms.
Also, who says you have to buy everything anyway? Olive
oil infused with mint or aloe leaves makes a soothing
moisturizer, avacado can be used as a rich hair
conditioner, and sugar and honey dissolved in a little bit of
hot water can be used as hair removal wax.
Photo credit: Foobean01 of
stock.xchng®

5. Photo credit: Lockstockb of stock.xchng®
AVOID HARMFUL FOOD PRESERVATIVES
Artificial food preservatives were invented to keep food fresher for longer. It’s a noble cause in theory, but
unfortunately, food preservatives can be detrimental to your health. There are many artificial preservatives
in existence, too many to name but they are known to cause such problems as respiratory difficulties, heart
damage, hyperactivity, and cancer. Preservatives can also throw off the natural balance of bacteria in the
digestive tract, leading to issues with digestion.
Dangerous preservatives can be found in most packaged and processed foods. To keep from consuming
them, eat as many home cooked meals as possible, preferably made from scratch; if you’re a pickle lover,
try preserving your own pickles with a homemade vinegar or lemon brine; buy fresh foods that are not
treated with preservatives from bakeries and delis; make sandwiches with roast meat rather than cold cuts;
eat locally as local food does not have to be conditioned to last a trip overseas; and, of course, limit your
intake of fast food!

6. Photo credit: Lusi of
rgbstock.com
MINIMIZE THE USE OF HARSH CLEANING SUPPLIES
If you get a sore nose or headache when using cleaning supplies in your home, there’s good reason for
it. Many detergents and solutions contain carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde, which are
known to cause cancer; volatile organic compounds like methane and chloroform, which can cause
respiratory issues like asthma; chlorine, which also has lung-damaging effects; and many other unnatural
compounds.
Again, it’s important to read the labels of the things you buy. Choose products that are “green,”
organic, and all natural. There is a growing number of environmentally conscious product lines available
that are safer for you and for the Earth. Also, regular household products can make excellent
alternatives to run-of-the-mill cleansers. White vinegar mixed with warm water, for example, is a highly
effective disinfectant and glass cleaner. Don’t like the smell of vinegar? Lemon juice can be a good
disinfectant too. Are lemons not in season? Mix some vodka and warm water together! Olive oil can be
a good polish for wooden surfaces, and natural white soap shavings work as laundry detergent.
A big part of limiting toxins in your life, is being a thoughtful consumer. Pay attention to what you buy
and where it comes from, read labels, and consider the alternatives.

7. SPEAKING OF MAKING YOUR LIFE MORE NATURAL AND
ORGANIC…
Check out this website and this informative article written by Dr. Mahalia Freed,
ND, who will be delivering a lecture about cancer prevention at Gilda’s Club
Greater Toronto on Wednesday, May 30th.
Mahalia Freed is a Naturopathic Doctor, BodyTalk Practitioner, Writer, Speaker,
Educator, and Kale Crusader.
Using the depth and breadth of her training in naturopathic medicine, Mahalia
can help you take your health to the next level, physically and emotionally. Her
doctor’s toolbox includes herbal medicine, nutrition & supplementation,
homeopathic medicine, counseling, as well as traditional Chinese medicine
and acupuncture - all complimented by energy modalities such as BodyTalk
and Reiki.
If you are looking for healing that includes personal growth as well as care for
body, mind and spirit, this is it!
In addition to her private practice in downtown & east Toronto, Mahalia is also
a guest lecturer at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and other
schools. As a speaker and workshop facilitator, Mahalia enjoys providing public
education in areas including complementary care for cancer prevention and
treatment, natural medicine for hormone balancing (polycystic ovarian
syndrome or PCOS, PMS, fertility); pregnancy; work/life balance; stress &
digestion; and you and the new holistic. Mahalia writes for Huffington Post, the
Women’s Healthy Environments Network and her own website.