Ditching the toxins for a healthier journey

Embracing Fertility: Ditching Toxins for a Healthier Journey

The journey to conception is one of life's most significant milestones, filled with hope, excitement, and anticipation. For many, it is a time of reflection regarding lifestyle choices and habits that can influence fertility and pregnancy outcomes. In recent years, a growing awareness has developed related to how environmental toxins can impact reproductive health. From everyday household products, to dietary choices, these toxins can interfere with hormonal balance and fertility. However, by making conscious decisions to eliminate these harmful substances from our lives, we can create a healthier environment that supports fertility and overall well-being.

Understanding the Impact of Toxins on Fertility

Research has linked exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Hormones (EDCs) with a range of reproductive problems, including reduced sperm quality, ovulatory dysfunction, and implantation failure. Additionally, these toxins can accumulate in the body over time, further exacerbating their negative effects on fertility.

Unfortunately, toxins are everywhere - in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use daily. They can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones that are essential for reproductive health, leading to issues such as infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, and even pregnancy complications. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in pesticides, plastics, personal care products, and household cleaners are particularly concerning as they mimic or interfere with natural hormones in the body. They have a significant impact on our bodies ability to conceive and sustain a pregnancy.

Ditching Toxins to Support Fertility

While it may seem daunting to eliminate toxins from our lives entirely, making small but meaningful changes can have a significant impact on fertility and overall health. Remember, what we do have control over has a larger impact than what we do not have control over. Here are some practical steps that can be taken to reduce toxin exposure:

1. Choose Nourishing Foods: Opt for organic produce, pasture-raised meats and eggs, grass-fed and finished beef, and wild caught fish (remember to check with your provider regarding which types of fish to avoid while trying to conceive or during pregnancy). Avoid nonorganic and GMO grains, seeds, and lentils. Whenever possible, avoid pesticides, including highly toxic glyphosate, hormones, and antibiotics commonly found in conventionally grown food. Be very thorough in washing produce and prepare meats properly to avoid bacteria exposure and parasites. Remove all seed oils from your life. Healthy fats such as ghee, grass-fed butter, avocado, olive and coconut oils contain healthy fats that decrease inflammation and promote hormone balance and make food taste delish! Seed oils live deep in the cells and can have long term profound effects on not just fertility, but health and wellness. Look at labels carefully as these rancid oils are in most processed foods.
2. Go Natural with Personal Care Products: Swap out chemical-laden cosmetics, skincare, and hair care products with natural, organic alternatives. Look for products that avoid what I call the big bad uglies- parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic or natural fragrances. Most big chain beauty suppliers have clean label items, but it is still important to get familiar with ingredients and learn what to avoid. Companies use advertising tactics to make items appear clean by using terms such as, “natural”. Just because an item is free of the big uglies, does not mean that it doesn’t contain other harmful ingredients. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a great resource for providing insight into which products to avoid. In general, if any item on the list of ingredients is greater than three, it’s no good. Find brands you trust. More importantly, find items that work for you and your unique body and make you feel beautiful! Visit my store front to check out some of my favorite clean items. Feminine products should not be missed in this category. Choose 100% organic cotton and bleach free products, or try period underwear or period cups as alternatives! I love www.putacupinit.com.
3. Filter Your Water: Invest in a high-quality water filter to remove contaminants like chlorine, lead, fluoride, and heavy metals from your drinking water. This simple step can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful substances. Tap and bottled water should be avoided, especially when used in tandem with hot items. This can feel like an expensive task, but look at what you spend each month on bottled water and redistribute that money towards a water delivery service such as Mountain Valley Spring Water, a reusable water filtration system like Clearly Filtered, a CWR water filtration system, or a countertop filter.
4. Say No to Plastics: Minimize your use of plastic products, especially those containing BPA and phthalates. Opt for glass, or stainless steel instead! Be aware of labels that advertise a product as BPA free. BPA is a known toxin and has been shown to disrupt normal hormonal pathways through disruption of the pituitary gland (a hub that produces many hormones). Some research shows that this pituitary gland disruption happens in the fetus and infant when they are exposed to BPA. Through good advertising, BPA free products are easier to find. BPA’s counterparts, BPS and BPF, are not so easy to identify. We don’t know a lot about the effects of BPS and BPF, but some toxicologists believe them to be more harmful than BPA. There is a lot of new and emerging research that covers the risks involved with exposure to microplastics and nano plastics. Spend a weekend cleaning out your kitchen and get rid of all plastic sources. Slowly replace them with healthier, more sustainable, and earth-friendly options.
5. Clean Green: Choose eco-friendly cleaning products, or make your own using simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and essential oils. These alternatives are just as effective at cleaning, and they do not contain any harmful chemicals. The EPA states that the air in the home contains more harmful substances than some large, industrialized cities! This includes anything with “fragrance” such as candles, air fresheners, and laundry detergents. Many clean and healthier options are available. I love Branch Basics, and again, refer to my shop page for options that I love and trust.
6. Mindful Home Furnishings and Other Home Items: Be mindful of the materials used in furniture, mattresses, and household items. Look for products made from natural, non-toxic materials to reduce the off-gassing of harmful chemicals. Your mattress, and fabrics such as sheets and towels, should be made out of clean and organic materials. Some great brand options are Naturepedic and Avocado. Look for organic cotton when shopping for bedding and towels.
7. Say No to Forever Chemicals: I can’t stress this one enough. They are called forever chemicals for a reason. Often found in furniture, water repellent clothing, and many kitchen items such as nonstick cookware, these chemicals leach toxins right into the cell and directly disrupt the mitochondria and cell production. Glass, stainless steel, and titanium are great alternative options. Check out www.Ourplace.com.
8. Manage Stress: Chronic stress can impact fertility by disrupting hormone levels. Stress comes in many forms, and some stress is not only inevitable but can be good for us. Stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and get morning and evening sun to reset your cortisol levels. Incorporate stress-reducing practices such as meditation, yoga, or spending time grounding in nature to support your reproductive health.

Creating a toxin-free environment is not only beneficial for fertility, but also for overall health and well-being. By taking proactive steps to eliminate harmful substances from our lives, we can optimize our chances of conceiving naturally and enjoying a healthy pregnancy. We can also improve our longevity, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. While it may require some effort and adjustment, the long-term benefits far outweigh the convenience of sticking to conventional products laden with toxins. Let's embrace fertility by embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes health, mindfulness, and environmental sustainability.