environmental health

Low-Tox Living: 7 Simple Swaps for a Healthier Home

Low-Tox Living: 7 Simple Swaps for a Healthier Home

Low-Tox Living: Why Your Everyday Environment Matters for Your Health

What if improving your health isn't just about what you're eating, how you're exercising or how much sleep you're getting?

What if some of the products you're using EVERY SINGLE DAY could also be influencing your hormones, thyroid function & overall well-being?
This is something I wish I'd understood years ago.

Because despite making significant improvements to my nutrition, exercise routine, stress management & lifestyle, there was still one piece of my health puzzle I hadn't fully addressed.

My everyday exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

This is why I'm so passionate about LOW-TOX LIVING!

And why I believe it's an important, yet often overlooked, part of supporting our health.

My Personal Journey With Low-Tox Living

For years, I struggled with numerous health challenges, including PCOS, infertility, painful periods, thyroid issues, blood sugar imbalances, headaches & more.

I worked hard to improve my health through nutrition, lifestyle changes, exercise & targeted supplementation...And I saw incredible improvements!

My PCOS symptoms improved. My menstrual health improved. My blood sugar regulation improved. My headaches became less frequent, and I began feeling so much better physically, mentally & emotionally.

However, there was still one piece of the puzzle I hadn't fully addressed.

My everyday exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

You see, I was the PERFUME QUEEN! I loved my fragrances, scented lotions & all the beautiful-smelling products that made my home and body smell amazing.
I never really stopped to consider what was IN those products or how some of those ingredients might be affecting my health.

When I began learning about endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their potential effects on our hormones, I realized this was an area I needed to address.

So I started making changes. I swapped out my personal care products, cleaning supplies, fragrances & other household items for lower-tox alternatives.

And something remarkable happened. My Hashimoto's went into remission!

Now, I can't say that reducing my chemical exposure was solely responsible for that change. I had already made significant improvements to my nutrition, exercise routine, stress management & overall lifestyle.

But for me, low-tox living felt like the missing piece of my personal health puzzle, and it's something I wish more people understood.


What Exactly Is Low-Tox Living?

Low-tox living is about becoming more intentional with the products you use and the substances you're exposed to in your everyday environment.

It's not about eliminating every chemical from your life. That's neither possible nor necessary!

After all, everything around us, including water and the foods we eat, is made up of chemicals.

The goal is to reduce unnecessary exposure to substances that may negatively affect our health, particularly with repeated or prolonged exposure.

This includes paying attention to ingredients in personal care products, household cleaners, fragrances, plastics & other everyday items.

It's about making informed choices, not living in fear.

And here's something I really want you to understand...You don't have to change EVERYTHING overnight to make meaningful progress. Small, consistent changes can make a difference.

5 Reasons Low-Tox Living Is Worth Considering

1. It May Help Reduce Exposure to Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

Our hormones are chemical messengers that influence everything from metabolism and reproductive health to mood, sleep & energy.

Certain substances, known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can interfere with normal hormonal signaling. Examples include some phthalates, bisphenols and certain pesticides.

Depending on the chemical, these substances may mimic hormones, block their actions or alter how hormones are produced, transported or broken down.

Researchers have been investigating how exposure to certain EDCs may influence estrogen, androgen, insulin and thyroid hormone pathways. This is particularly relevant when we're discussing conditions such as PCOS, insulin resistance, fertility challenges & thyroid disorders.

Now, this doesn't mean environmental chemicals are the sole cause of these conditions, or that removing them will automatically reverse them. Our health is influenced by many interconnected factors, including genetics, nutrition, lifestyle, environmental exposures & more.

However, reducing unnecessary exposure to chemicals of concern is one practical step we can take to support our overall well-being. And for someone who has personally experienced PCOS, infertility & Hashimoto's, this is an area I'm especially passionate about!

2. It Can Reduce Unnecessary Exposure to Certain Chemicals

Your liver and kidneys are constantly working to process and eliminate substances your body doesn't need.

You don't have to purchase expensive detox products or follow extreme cleansing protocols to make these organs work.

Your body already has sophisticated systems designed to do that!

However, reducing unnecessary exposure to potentially harmful substances is a sensible way to support your overall health. Think of it as being mindful about what you're bringing INTO your body rather than constantly looking for ways to get things OUT.

3. It May Help Reduce Headaches & Irritation

Have you ever walked into a room filled with strong fragrances and immediately developed a headache? Or used a cleaning product that irritated your eyes, throat or skin?
Certain fragrances, cleaning agents & airborne irritants can trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals.

Choosing fragrance-free products, improving ventilation & being mindful of what you're spraying into the air may help reduce these reactions. Not everyone experiences these symptoms, but for those who do, changing everyday products can make a meaningful difference.

4. It Helps You Create a Healthier Home Environment

Indoor air quality matters!

Scented candles, air fresheners, certain cleaning products & other household sources can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other substances into the air.

Some can contribute to indoor air pollution or cause irritation, depending on the substance and level of exposure.

Simple choices like improving ventilation, reducing unnecessary fragrance use & selecting appropriate cleaning products can help improve your indoor environment. Your home should be a place where you can rest, recover & feel well.

5. It Helps Protect Children & Pets

Children can be particularly vulnerable to certain environmental exposures because their bodies are still developing and they may encounter substances differently from adults.
Our pets also deserve consideration!

Some essential oils, cleaning agents and household products can be harmful to animals, even when marketed as natural. Remember, NATURAL doesn't automatically mean SAFE.

Being intentional about what comes into your home is one way to care for everyone who lives there, including your furbabies!


What Low-Tox Living Is NOT

Before we go any further, I want to clear something up. There is SO MUCH fear-based messaging in the wellness industry, and I don't want you to feel like you need to be afraid of everything around you.

Low-tox living is NOT about:
  • Being afraid of every ingredient you can't pronounce.
  • Throwing away everything you own.
  • Spending a fortune on expensive products.
  • Believing that anything labeled "natural" is automatically safe.
  • Trying to live in a completely chemical-free environment.
It's about making informed, practical choices that reduce unnecessary exposure to substances of concern. The goal is to create a healthier environment, not another source of stress! Because if you're constantly worrying about every product you touch, smell or use, that's not exactly supporting your well-being either.

I want you to feel EMPOWERED by the information you learn, not overwhelmed by it.

7 Simple Ways to Start Living Low-Tox

If you're wondering where to begin, here are some practical changes you can start making today.

1. Rethink your fragrances. Consider reducing perfumes, air fresheners, scented plug-ins & heavily fragranced products. Fragrance-free alternatives can be a great place to start.

2. Evaluate your cleaning products. Choose products with clear ingredient information and use them according to their instructions. Look for reputable third-party certifications, such as EPA Safer Choice, when appropriate.

3. Be mindful of food storage. Avoid heating food in plastic containers unless they're specifically designed for that purpose. Glass or stainless steel can be useful alternatives.

4. Review your personal care products. Take a closer look at the products you use daily, including lotions, body washes, cosmetics & hair care products. Prioritize ingredients and exposures of concern rather than assuming every unfamiliar ingredient is harmful.

5. Improve indoor air quality. Open windows when outdoor air quality permits, use exhaust fans when cooking and cleaning, and address moisture or mold problems promptly.

6. Wash produce appropriately. Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water to help remove dirt and some surface residues. You don't need expensive produce washes.

7. Make changes gradually. As products run out, consider replacing them with alternatives that better align with your goals. You don't need to throw everything away or spend hundreds of dollars replacing every product in your home. Progress over perfection!


Low-Tox Living Is Also About Stewardship

As a Christian, I believe caring for our bodies is part of stewarding what God has entrusted to us. Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we are called to honor God with our bodies.

For me, that includes being intentional about what I eat, how I move, how I rest & what I allow into my home. Not because I believe perfect health is required to fulfill God's purpose for my life, but because the body He's given me is worth caring for.

When we care for ourselves well, we can better support our capacity to love, serve & do the Kingdom work He's called us to do. That's why I see being the gatekeeper of my home as both a privilege & a responsibility. Not from a place of fear, but from a place of love. Love for yourself, your family & the people entrusted to your care.


Small Changes Today Can Make a Difference Tomorrow

If there's one thing I want you to take away from this, it's that you have more influence over your everyday environment than you might realize.

You can't control every chemical you're exposed to, and you certainly don't need to live in fear of them. But you CAN become more intentional about the products you purchase, the ingredients you bring into your home & the choices you make for yourself and your family.

Start small. Replace one product. Make one healthier choice. Learn something new. Then keep going!

Remember, your health isn't determined by any ONE thing. It's influenced by the many choices you make consistently over time. Nutrition matters. Exercise matters. Stress matters. Sleep matters. Hormones matter. Spiritual health matters.

And your environment matters too!

You don't need to be perfect. You just need to be willing to take the next step.

Because caring for your health isn't simply about living longer. It's about doing what you can to live WELL, physically, mentally & emotionally, so you can be present for the people you love and the life God has called you to live.

There is hope and there is healing.

Jen Knutson
Functional Medicine Coach, Nutritionist & Traditional Naturopath

Further Reading & Resources

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Individual responses to environmental exposures vary, and low-tox living is not a proven treatment for Hashimoto's or other medical conditions


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MEET JEN

 
Hello! Thank you popping by! I’m Jen. I'm a wife, a furmama to two gorgeous dogs, a Naturopath, Nutritionist, and an advocate for natural ways to support physical and emotional wellbeing. Oh, and I’m a CEO! 

My journey originally started in Psychology. You see, when I was 16 my father took his own life after suffering years of a debilitating gambling addiction. I did a Bachelor’s in Psych as I wanted to understand why he made the choices that he did. I also wanted to ensure that I never went down that path and also help those suffering as he did. I loved it so much I went on to do a Masters.

It was during that time I got sick. I’m talking woke up one morning and couldn’t get out of bed, sick. For many years I felt helpless and frustrated!

Let me back up for a second. Prior to this life consisted of pain and fatigue. I had digestive issues and IBS from childhood. Through my teens and early 20's I was getting 2-3 migraines a month around my cycle and headaches more than half the month. My periods we very painful – I had to miss work or school the first 1-2 days. I would literally lie on the floor or the bed curled in the foetal position and cry from the pain. I could easily talk a full packet of Ibuprofen and still not get much relief.

Then, at 26, my period stopped altogether and things went downhill fast! For the first time in my life I was feeling apathetic and overwhelmed. Over the course of the next two years I was diagnosed with a host of conditions – are you ready for the laundry list? The first diagnosis was PCOS. I was told that I was infertile, that I would never have children, and that IVF wasn’t an option for me. I was also told that I was pre-diabetic, that my liver was worse than an alcoholic’s (and I don’t drink), that I had migraine disorder, vertigo, and adrenal fatigue. The cherry on the cake was a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s at 28.

I was in complete and utter shock. I couldn’t fathom that a 28-year-old Personal Trainer, who looked fit and healthy on the outside, could be in such disarray on the inside.  

Over the two years I saw five doctors and a Naturopath and nothing improved.

And then one day a friend and I got in touch. She told me to change my diet and take specific supplements. I figured I had nothing to lose, and so I did! I went onto a low-carb diet and was taking upward of 30-40 pills a day…and guess what?! Three months later my period started!! How incredible is that?!

Over the next two years all of my health ailments rectified! Well, all except my Hashi’s – more on that in a minute. My cycles became clockwork, they were manageable, the migraines and vertigo disappeared and my liver and blood sugar levels returned to the normal range! How exciting is that?! The best part, I can now have children should I choose! Having that option is incredible!

Of course I was so excited and inspired that I had to go to school and study Nutritional Medicine and Naturopathy.

Now, let’s talk about my Hashi’s. That only went into remission when my toxic load was decreased. That was a lightbulb moment for me and the moment I got fired up to share with others the importance of leading a low-tox life. I love educating people where toxins are found, what impact they have on physical and emotional wellbeing, and what products to replace them with to support your wellbeing. 

I sincerely believe that many of my health issues would not have presented if I were living a low-tox life. My Hashi’s has been in remission since I was 31 and I am so proud to say that! Praise God!

Life is so different to what it was 10 years ago. I have the energy and the mental capacity to engage in life! I am present and am thriving. Oh, and I laugh! I actually laugh out loud, something that eluded me for many years.

I am happy and healthy and it is my mission to help YOU be the happy, healthy person you are meant to be!
I would love for you to join our exclusive community and learn how you too can find freedom from physical and emotional barriers. I look forward to seeing you there!
 

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