Is toxicity real?

Is Toxicity Real?

Understanding Your Body Burden and How to Lighten the Load

Everywhere you look, the word “toxic” gets thrown around. Toxic food. Toxic relationships. Toxic chemicals. But what does it really mean? And is toxicity a real concern when it comes to your health?

Let’s look at the science—and let you decide.

What Is a Toxin?

A toxin is any internal or external agent that interferes with or obstructs health. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or deadly to be harmful. A toxicant refers to a poison introduced to the body through human activity—think pesticides, pollutants, or heavy metals.

Toxins can also be:

  • Physical (e.g. EMFs, mold exposure)

  • Emotional (chronic stress, trauma)

  • Mental (negative thought loops, burnout)

Toxicity, simply put, is anything that causes harm and creates a burden on your body.

The EPA Reports Over 86,000 Chemicals in Use

Yes, 86,000. Most of these are unregulated and haven’t been tested for long-term safety. Many are fat-soluble, meaning they bioaccumulate in our fat cells over time. The result? A toxic burden that can slowly disrupt your health—especially if your body isn’t equipped to eliminate them efficiently.

Your exposome is the totality of exposures—chemicals, toxins, infections, stress, and diet—you encounter from birth to death. Shockingly, many people are born with a “partially full cup” already, inheriting their mother’s toxic load in utero. Over time, that cup can overflow, especially if:

  • You're genetically predisposed to slower detox (missing key enzymes or genes)

  • You experience chronic stress or nutrient deficiencies

  • You live in high-exposure environments (e.g. industrial, urban, mold-prone)

Common Sources of Toxin Exposure

  • Heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic)

  • Pesticides & herbicides (glyphosate)

  • Plastics & plasticizers (BPA, phthalates)

  • Forever chemicals (PFOAs)

  • Food dyes & preservatives

  • Mold & mycotoxins

  • EMFs (electromagnetic fields)

  • Processed or high-heat cooked foods

What Determines Toxic Load?

There’s a helpful formula in functional medicine:

Toxin Potency = Duration × Dose × Genetic Susceptibility × Environment

This equation explains why some people feel the effects of toxicity faster than others—it's not just exposure, but your body's ability to respond and detoxify.

As they say:
“We are what we cannot eliminate.”

How to Reduce Your Toxic Burden

Avoidance is key—but so is nourishment. Here's what you can do:

Avoid:

  • Plastic food storage (use glass or stainless steel)

  • Pesticides (buy organic when possible)

  • Processed foods and additives

  • Nonstick cookware with PFOAs

  • Synthetic fragrances in body care or cleaning products

Support Detox with:

  • High-antioxidant foods (berries, leafy greens, green tea, pomegranate juice)

  • Key nutrients (magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, glutathione)

  • High-fiber foods (helps bind toxins and eliminate them through the gut)

  • Sweating (exercise, sauna use)

  • Cooking at low temps with moisture (slow cooking)

  • Clean, filtered water

  • Deep breathing, meditation, and daily stress relief

What Does Toxic Load Do to Your Health?

Over time, high toxin levels can lead to:

  • Hormone imbalances (PMS, PCOS, perimenopause symptoms, low libido)

  • Endocrine disruption

  • Autoimmune issues

  • Infertility

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • Gut dysfunction

  • Cardiovascular or respiratory issues

  • Even certain cancers

Gentle Detox Support Through Lifestyle

You don’t have to do a harsh “cleanse.” Detox is a daily process your body performs—if it’s supported properly. Nutrients, movement, sleep, and stress reduction are your best detox tools.

✨ Want to start detoxing through daily movement?
Check out my hormone-friendly yoga, barre, and strength workouts designed for every phase of womanhood—from pregnancy to perimenopause:
🎥 Watch on YouTube @angiereneewellness

Want to Know More About Your Toxic Load?

If you're experiencing fatigue, hormone issues, brain fog, or just don’t feel like yourself—functional testing can help uncover the root causes.

Let’s talk about how to reduce your toxic burden and reclaim your energy.
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