fmCategoriesFunctional Medicine Hormones Weight Loss
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3 Keys to Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally

Most people are shocked when they’ve been diagnosed with Hypertension or High Blood Pressure because they have virtually no symptoms.  For others, headaches, confusion, irregular heartbeat, chest pains, fatigue or vision changes land them in the doctor’s office to discover blood pressure at dangerous levels.

An alarming number of Americans suffer from high blood pressure. In 2017, nearly half the adults in the United States (45%) were diagnosed and prescribed medication to control its effects.(1) But there’s good news.  Immediate lifestyle, diet and exercise modifications can not only get your blood pressure under control, but also reduce and sometimes eliminate the symptoms associated with it. 

What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is simply the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It’s when that pressure becomes elevated that we call it high blood pressure, or hypertension. Aside from the commonly known dangers of high blood pressure like heart attack and stroke, other damaging issues like aneurysms, dementia, kidney failure, and fluid buildup under the retina may present themselves. (2)

The Problem with Pills

Pharmaceutical companies have yet to deem beta-blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors 100% safe.  The Journal of the American Medical Association openly admitted in their eighth Joint National Committee (JN-8) that, “Like other antihypertensives, ACEIs and ARBs are not 100% effective nor are they 100% safe.” (3) While these medications offer a quick fix to those struggling with the symptoms associated with hypertension – could they be covering an underlying issue? Besides the fact that the medication itself may not be effective, the use of ACE inhibitors has been linked to renal failure, (4) adding undue stress to possibly already affected kidneys.

The Three Keys to Lowering Blood Pressure

Making changes to our current lifestyle is never easy, especially if we are accustomed to doing things a certain way for years. I always tell my patients that “small changes make a big impact down the road,” so if you are someone who becomes easily overwhelmed with several steps in a process — focus on one step for an entire week and the following week, add another step. Long-lasting sustainable change can only happen with consistency and time (so patience helps!)

Weight Loss

Sure, easier said than done. But we aren’t talking about big numbers here. According to the Mayo Clinic, “losing even a small amount of weight if you’re overweight or obese can help reduce your blood pressure. In general, you may reduce your blood pressure by about 1 millimeter of mercury (mm Hg) with every 2.2 pounds you lose.” (5) Did you know losing 2-3 pounds (and keeping it off) is truly as easy as staying hydrated? So much of the foods and drinks we like contain sugar and/or artificial sugar which seriously dehydrate our bodies. Drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily will not only keep you hydrated but assist your body in the flushing out of toxins, necessary to sustainable weight-loss. My patients who see sustainable results cut out sugar, soda, alcohol and eating after 7pm.

Regular exercise

Again, a little goes a long way and the key is to be consistent! So make sure you have a type of exercise in mind that you genuinely enjoy and will like doing several times/week. If its walking around your neighborhood, doing an exercise video, riding your stationary bike, etc., whatever you choose — commit to fifteen-twenty minutes/day. Studies show that in 15-20 minutes a day of light to moderate exercise, done five times a week, you can lower your blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mm Hg. For some, this may be the difference they need to avoid medication. Always remember to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program and make sure it’s something you love doing–like running, cycling, swimming, or dancing.

Eat a Healthy Diet

It is important to be mindful of what you put into your body on a daily basis. In my article “5 Foods to Start Eating Now if You Have Metabolic Disease”, I outline in detail five foods that are important to eat regularly if you are serious about healing from metabolic disease. But if you are trying to sustainably lower your blood pressure naturally, be sure to keep you diet rich in flavanoids. (6) Be sure to incorporate blueberries, apples, kale, almonds, dark chocolate (and even the occassional red wine!) to keep lower your blood pressure. However, without making any major adjustments, limiting caffeine, alcohol and sugar intake (and if a smoker, quit) will improve your blood pressure, if you do nothing else at all.

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Getting Serious (and Smart!) About Lowering Cholesterol

No chemical compound in your body gets demonised as much as cholesterol. It always seems to be in the news, making the headlines of every medical journal, and being the topic of discussion at doctor visits. All of the fuss is for a good reason.

Defining and Understanding Cholesterol

Cholesterol is essential for all animal life. Did you know that hormones and Vitamin D are synthesised in the liver from cholesterol? Cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream but cannot travel by itself. As with oil and water, cholesterol (which is fatty) and blood (which is watery) do not mix. So cholesterol travels in packages called lipoproteins, which have fat (lipid) inside and protein outside. (1)

Most folks are aware that there are two types of cholesterol, one “good” and one “bad,” but often still don’t have a really good handle on the difference between the two because they quite frankly were never given an adequate explanation from a healthcare provider.

High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is called the “good” cholesterol because it takes cholesterol from tissues to the liver, which packages it for removal by the body. A low level of HDL cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease.

Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is called the “bad” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol to tissues, including the arteries. Most of the cholesterol in the blood is the LDL form. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood, the greater your risk for heart disease and/or a cardiovascular event (heart attack, stroke, etc).

High Cholesterol and its Relationship to Viruses

Aside from avoiding a cardiovascular event, lowering cholesterol can also reduce your risk of developing respiratory viruses. A new study published in May 2020 suggests that the strikingly increased mortality in COVID-19 patients who are either old or also have high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease is due to high tissue cholesterol levels. (2) This is due, in part, to cholesterol being known as a “lipid raft.” Lipids are nothing more than insoluble fatty acids with cholesterol falling into that category. Lipid rafts are subdomains of the plasma membrane enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids, which have been shown to play an essential role in viral entry into host cells. The abundance of cholesterol in lipid rafts is thought to play a significant role in promoting viral infectivity. (3) So, the more cholesterol you have, the more susceptible you are to viruses. This is such important information since we are in the middle of the largest global viral epidemic we have ever experienced: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Is a Low-fat Diet the Answer?

There have always been proponents for the low fat diet. I have no problem with this if it means you are significantly reducing or eliminating foods which raise LDL due to trans fat content. For example, if your diet avoids the following foods, you are on the right track:

  1. Processed Vegetable and Canola Oils
  2. Processed/Packaged Food Snacks
  3. Cookies and Pastries
  4. Factory-farmed Bacon and Conventional Processed Meat
  5. Conventional Milk and Factory-farmed Dairy Products

Too often, we are fooled by the packaging which states “low-fat” or “fat-free” which are highly processed foods that are loaded with GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and sugar.

A diet high in sugar has also been shown to increase total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL, as well as the total cholesterol/HDL ratio. A diet high in added sugar has also been found to cause a 3-fold increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. In addition to lipid derangements, consuming a diet high in sugar for just a few weeks has been found to cause numerous changes seen in coronary heart disease and other vascular diseases. Studies have shown there are various metabolic risks for CHD with high sugar diets (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, elevated uric acid level, and altered platelet function). All of these abnormalities can be reversed when reverting to a diet low in sugar. (4)

My Final Thoughts on Lowering Cholesterol

We now know that a cholesterol-friendly diet includes plenty of “good-for-you” fats — and limits the unhealthy ones. (5) These good fats are mentioned in my previous article 5 Foods to Start Eating Now if You Have Metabolic Disease, where I highlight the importance of supplementing your diet with wild, cold-water caught fish, avocados, and nuts. These fats promote heart health because they lower LDL (bad-cholesterol) levels.

If you find yourself on the wrong side of the HDL/LDL scale, there is hope. And there are ways to reverse your cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes, without the use of statins. These drugs’ side effects, including muscle pain and damage, liver damage, type 2 diabetes, and neurological effects such as memory loss, are not considered. Just like any pill prescribed for metabolic disease, it is merely a bandaid covering a deeper issue. If you want to correct the problem, you need to address lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes are the primary factor in determining your success. If you have weight to lose, find someone that can help keep you on track. Keep a food diary and find a walking buddy. If you are a smoker, quit. Limit your alcohol intake to ensure you aren’t consuming excess sugar. And if you need someone to hold you accountable, contact us here and one of our health coaches will gladly give you more information.

genCategoriesEndocrine Disruptors Functional Medicine Nutrition Weight Loss
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Are Your Genetics to Blame for Why You Can’t Lose Weight?

You wake up. You exercise. You eat a healthy breakfast. You take the stairs at work. You get the salad instead of the burger. You skip the candy bar from the vending machine at 2 p.m. You drink the protein drink. You go to the gym after work. You have a sensible dinner with the correct portion size. You go to bed early so your body can recover. 

You had finally decided to do something about those extra pounds you had been carrying around. You were motivated and excited to make a change. You do the same routine over and over again. You feel better and more robust, but every time you get on a scale, the weight is still there. You have no improvement, and discouragement starts to set in. You may not realize that there is something deeper happening in your body that is contributing to your weight.

The terms “overweight” and “obese” are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, and in 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these, over 650 million were obese. (1) In the fast-paced world we live in, it is easy to see how picking up “take-out” for dinner can make the after-work routine a little less hectic. These extra calories, combined with sugary drinks and lack of exercise, add up over time. 

Your Genetics Play a Role

To complicate matters further, recent research suggests that your genes play a significant role in your predisposition to being overweight or obese. In fact, genetics contribute to 40-70% of those with obesity. Out of the roughly 25,000 genes that make up who you are, researchers have discovered more than 50 genes that are strongly associated with obesity.(2)

Genes give your body instructions on responding to the environment around it. What is now considered a disease could well have been an advantage in more primitive times when food was less available. High energy expenditure through physical activity was a way of life.(3) Our bodies’ instinct to hoard and store up calories for more challenging times was essential centuries ago but now serves as a disadvantage to modern life. This is just one of the ways the genes in our bodies can affect the propensity of obesity. Researchers have identified three different genetic causes of obesity:

  1. Monogenic causes: those caused by a single gene mutation, primarily located in the leptin-melanocortin pathway
  2. Syndromic obesity: severe obesity associated with other phenotypes, such as neurodevelopmental abnormalities and other organ/system malformations
  3. Polygenic obesity: caused by the cumulative contribution of a large number of genes whose effect is amplified in a ‘weight gain promoting’ environment (4)

Polygenic obesity is particularly interesting because it states that obesity inducing genes are amplified in a “weight gain promoting” environment.” That may not mean living across the street from a bakery. It may mean the type of nail polish your mother uses or the soap she bathes with for even those inside of the womb.

How Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) Keep You Fat

One of the many chemicals that has been linked to triggering the activation of obesity genes is bisphenol A; BPA, an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s.  A total of 13 studies were conducted before September 2017 to investigate BPA’s effects and its risk of obesity in children. Two meta-analyses were performed to investigate the association between BPA exposure and childhood obesity. The results showed that the relatively high-exposed group had a significantly higher risk of childhood obesity than the relatively low-exposed group. The study proved causality between BPA exposure and childhood obesity using data from epidemiological studies and showed that BPA exposure increased the risk of obesity in children. (5)

These endocrine-disrupting chemicals, termed “obesogens,” can promote adipogenesis and cause weight gain, and they may be around you more than you realize. Some common obesogens include High Fructose Corn Syrup, nicotine, arsenic (used in the production of insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, and electronic devices), pesticides, organotins (tributyltin and triphenyltin – found in contaminated seafood and shellfish, fungicides on crops, and as antifungal agents used in wood treatments, industrial water systems, and textiles. Organotins are also being used in the manufacture of PVC plastics and have been identified in drinking water and food supplies, and perfluorooctanoic acid which is used in non-stick cookware.

Find the Right Form of Exercise for You

The last thing anyone who finds themselves overweight or obese should do is give up hope, though. Even if factors bring on your condition outside of your control, you do have the power to take steps in lowering and regulating your weight and BMI. A study by Wan-Yu Lin of National Taiwan University and colleagues, identified the types of exercise that are especially effective at combating genetic effects that contribute to obesity.

The study of 18,000 Han Chinese adults, aged 30-70 years old, examined the interactions between the individuals’ genetics and their exercise routines. Researchers found that regular jogging was the best type of exercise for managing obesity. In addition to jogging, mountain climbing, moderate walking, power walking, certain types of dancing, and long yoga practices also reduce BMI in individuals predisposed to obesity. (6) The study concluded that when it comes to obesity, your genetics are not your destiny. As with any disease, a balanced diet and exercise mix seems to be the best solution.

My Final Thoughts

For those who have had a decades-long struggle with weight-loss, isn’t it reassuring to know that genetics play a role? As with any diet, exercise or weight-loss program, it is always best to be on the same page with your primary healthcare practitioner and if you are curious as to the functional medicine approach to weight-loss is different, contact me here to learn more.

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Why Intermittent Fasting Is Not The Solution

What is Intermittent Fasting? 

I’ve seen and heard many buzzwords over the years. Intermittent Fasting (IF) is one of them. IF has been taking over the fitness and wellness industry, but I have to say – I don’t agree with it. And my reasons have nothing to do with weight loss or body transformation. Instead, I’m looking at the impact that IF has on our hormones, specifically for women. Keep reading for my secret on how to let your body relax and repair instead of being in a constant state of deprivation and stress.

How does IF Worsen Hormone Imbalances? 

Intermittent Fasting (IF) worsens hormone imbalances because the body senses fasting as stress. Intermittent Fasting may sound like a quick fix, but the truth is, it can have dangerous effects on the body in the long run. If your cycle is off (or currently absent) or your adrenal glands are fatigued (cortisol is on its way to becoming depleted – more on that below) or you have a thyroid issue (your hair is falling out), IF just isn’t going to work. I’ve seen a lot of men get great results with IF but not many women, just for the sheer absence of key nutrients and calories. For this reason IF is definitely not a great idea if you are trying to become pregnant. For women in my practice focusing on balancing their hormones “restrictive diets” don’t yield results.  IF can increase cortisol levels and insulin resistance, which leads to weight gain, mood swings, and more hormonal imbalances. In women, it can also create a severe imbalance in sex hormones, leading to reproductive disorders and even infertility (again, not good if you’re trying to conceive). IF disrupts the body’s biological clock, which can interfere with sleep, digestion, and other important bodily functions.

Adrenal Fatigue and Intermittent Fasting 

Dealing with Adrenal Fatigue? IF requires a healthy stress response (strong adrenal function) and healthy blood sugar levels. While extending the gap between meals is great for improving your metabolism and digestion, it also causes blood sugar levels to plummet and can exacerbate HPA-Axis dysfunction (thereby provoking your symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue).  Yes I’m a fan of intermittent fasting to “wake-up” my metabolism and break “plateaus” BUT only if your hormones are balanced. 

Try a Digital Detox Instead (Seriously!)

Nowadays, we consume more technology than ever before. We are on our computers at work and then our phones at home! I bet you spend more than eight hours a day staring at a screen. This digital dependency has increased our stress levels, disrupted our sleep patterns, and created a constant state of tension and anxiety. These factors alone can contribute to hormonal imbalances. In a 2021 study, when intentionally taking a break “from being connected” a.k.a. a Digital Detox, subjects reported positive changes in mood, better sleep, less anxiety and more productivity. 

Try a Holistic Approach

As we know, women are more susceptible to hormonal imbalances than men. This is why I encourage a holistic approach to wellness. Instead of depriving your body of food, why not give it what it needs? Eat a well-balanced diet of whole foods, while you reduce sugar and processed foods, to maintain hormonal balance. Couple that with a digital detox and you just might rejuvenate the body! 

Quick-fix Solutions are Not the Answer

While intermittent fasting can work for some people, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, by slowing down, taking breaks from tech, and learning to eat mindfully, you can lower stress levels, improve digestion, and restore hormonal balance. Mindful eating means eating when you’re hungry, focusing on the food, and noticing how it affects your body. This is a much healthier and sustainable approach. Remember, Intermittent Fasting has become a buzzword! The risks associated with it cannot be ignored. It’s time to stop focusing on quick-fix solutions that affect our hormones and bodies in the long run. Instead, it’s time to start small and prioritize your body. Your hormones deserve better than to be affected by the trends of the day. Don’t forget to explore more of my blog posts and reach out if you have any questions.

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Can’t lose weight? Why you might be overtraining 

If you are exercising to reduce stress and lose weight, listen up! Most of us believe exercising is a panacea for all our health woes. That’s indeed true but to some extent. Did you know certain forms of exercise do more harm than good to your body when you have a hormonal imbalance? This is especially true if you are experiencing chronic stress due to work (or life!). It’s okay if you didn’t know this. I didn’t know until about five years ago, either! Twenty years ago, I was taking 5 a.m. spin classes before I commuted an hour into NYC. Then a decade ago, I was doing Crossfit five-six to six nights/week, and I had belly fat that wouldn’t budge. I had zero clue that I was overtraining. When done improperly, high-intensity exercises, and prolonged workouts can trigger hormonal imbalances. Let’s dive into why.

What is overtraining?

One of the most common issues that people face when trying to lose weight is overtraining. It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s true. Working out too much can actually hinder your weight loss progress (it happened to me!). Overtraining occurs when the body goes beyond its limits with excessive exercise. This usually happens alongside not enough rest and recovery time. This can lead to negative effects such as:

  • Muscle fatigue
  • Decreased performance
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Even injury

Hormone imbalance #1 – stress

Both chronic work/life stress and strenuous forms of exercise cause a cortisol spike. Cortisol is a hormone the adrenal gland produces that helps our body cope with stress. Are you always stressed? This can lead to overproduction of this hormone. That can then lead to weight gain and other health issues. Strenuous exercises can also trigger that same cortisol spike. This can lead to insulin resistance. This is when the muscles, fat, and liver cells become desensitized towards insulin. As a result, the body absorbs glucose ineffectively from the bloodstream. This leads to increased hunger and belly fat. Additionally, when cortisol finally drops, it may lead to depleted adrenals. Depleted adrenals AKA Adrenal Fatigue.

Hormone imbalance #2 – no rest days

No stress management or significant rest days in place? This leads to insulin resistance, too! Remember that the body requires ample time to rest and recover so make sure you give it that. Proper stress management techniques are key. Try meditation or deep breathing and get enough sleep! So how do you know if you are overtraining? Some signs include:

  • Persistent muscle soreness
  • Increased fatigue
  • Decreased performance
  • Increased hunger

It’s important to listen to your body. Give it adequate rest and recovery time between workouts.

How to avoid overtraining? 

Have a well-rounded workout routine that includes both strength training and cardio can help you avoid overtraining. Additionally, try incorporating rest days into your workout schedule! Try short and frequent sessions of burst training, power yoga, Pilates, or walking on a treadmill for about 10 to 15 minutes. These exercises are practical as they burn fat and increase metabolism. This signals the body to improve insulin sensitivity and lower cortisol.

Is exercise important to lose weight?

It’s less crucial than your diet to heal those hormonal imbalances I mentioned. Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein help regulate hormones and promote weight loss. Limit processed sugar and carbohydrates. Make sure to:

  • Stay well-hydrated
  • Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption
  • Add antioxidants
  • Avoid trans fats

It’s best to be cautious when it comes to exercise and hormonal balance and seek the opinion of a healthcare professional if you have any doubts (shameless plug!). Often, overtraining is a simple fix!  Don’t forget to explore more of my blog posts and reach out if you have any questions.

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Cutting Calories May Not Always Result in Weight Loss

In my functional diagnostic medicine practice we get a ton of patients expressing their desire to lose weight. But the truth of it is when you regain your HEALTH – weight loss is the bonus. It’s never too late to reset. Let’s set the intention to elevate the quality of your overall health by analyzing your challenges NOW including your hormones. And who knows – you might even lose a little weight in the process. Did you know three hormones, when dysregulated, may prevent weight loss?? Keep reading, sis…

Cortisol

This hormone is commonly known as the stress hormone. I’m sure you’ve heard of it! It is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. When cortisol levels are high (due to chronic stress), it can lead to an increase in appetite and belly fat. Moreover, cutting calories may be perceived as a severe stressor to the body. This can lead to even more cortisol production. This increased cortisol production can, in turn, undermine weight loss efforts. To regulate cortisol levels, try stress-relieving techniques like meditation, exercise, or therapy. 

Insulin

Insulin is another hormone that comes into play when it comes to weight loss. When cortisol is released, it signals the release of glucose. This triggers the release of insulin into the bloodstream. High insulin levels and insulin resistance can lead to excess sugar being stored as fat. Even if you are cutting back on calories, it’s still essential to regulate your insulin levels. Intermittent fasting, low-carb diets, and increasing your consumption of fiber-rich foods can help.

Estrogen

The female sex hormone estrogen plays a vital role in weight regulation. High estrogen levels or a high ratio of estrogen to progesterone can lead to excessive fat storage. A woman needs a certain amount of body fat to be fertile. However, this cycle can extend beyond diet changes. Fat-producing estrogen signals fat storage mechanisms. Balancing your estrogen levels through lifestyle changes can be a long-term solution. 

There’s more to weight loss than cutting calories

Remember, hormonal imbalances can undermine even the most stringent diet and exercise routines!! Understanding the role of these hormones is essential. It’s also important to know the steps needed to bring them back into balance. So, if you are struggling with weight loss, don’t give up hope!

But P.S. Here’s a secret to try

All that being said, if I had to share one thing that I do daily and recommend to patients it is to turn on your internal fat burner while you sleep. Leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells that regulates fat storage. If you want to burn fat instead if store it, you have to increase your “Leptin Sensitivity” and you have to increase your protein intake. Personally, I end the day with about 24 grams of low-calorie protein. Not only does this improve the quality of my sleep, but gets me (and a lot of my patients) results. Consuming slow-burning carbs earlier in the day and protein at night supports healthy blood sugar levels and has a dramatic effect on cravings. Don’t forget to explore more of my blog posts, follow me on Instagram and reach out if you have any questions.

bdb5de4 b31e 4441 decb cfe6c681f507 Is your laundry detergent making you fat 768x402 1CategoriesEndocrine Disruptors Hormones Weight Loss
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Is detergent making you fat? Learn about Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Three words: Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS). Struggling with unexplained weight gain during perimenopause? It might be time to take a closer look at what’s in your laundry room. Specifically, those innocent-looking bottles of laundry detergent could be sneaking harmful chemicals into your home, impacting hormone balance and contributing to weight gain.

This isn’t just about changing your detergent, though. It’s about reducing your overall toxic load and supporting your body’s natural systems during a time of hormonal shifts.

The Hidden Culprit in Your Laundry Detergent: Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Chances are, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is in your laundry detergent right now. Go grab the bottle (you might need your reading glasses too!) and look for it on the label. If it’s there, it’s time to learn why eliminating this ingredient could make a big difference in your overall health and well-being, especially as you approach menopause.

What is SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)?

SLS is a cheap, widely used surfactant, meaning it’s responsible for creating many of the suds and foaming action in detergents, shampoos, and soaps. While it sounds benign enough, research has shown that SLS can have a far-reaching impact on the body.

The Endocrine System and Hormonal Imbalance

Your endocrine system regulates hormones throughout your body. But studies have found that Sodium Laureth Sulfate can disrupt this delicate system, as it mimics estrogen in your body, leading to an imbalance in hormone levels. For women in perimenopause, this effect can be particularly harmful, potentially exacerbating estrogen dominance. The result? A frustrating struggle with weight gain, mood swings, and other symptoms tied to hormone imbalance.

The Bigger Problem Behind Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Here’s where it gets even more concerning. While SLS on its own hasn’t been directly linked to cancer, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. When combined with 1,4-dioxane, a by-product that’s often found in detergents, it becomes even more harmful.

  • Toxic Load – Your liver, the organ responsible for detoxifying your body, struggles to metabolize 1,4-dioxane effectively. This leads to longer retention of toxins in your body, increasing the overall toxic burden on your system.
  • Absorption Risks – SLS is a penetration enhancer, meaning it can make its way into your bloodstream via your skin. Research from the University of Georgia Medicine found that SLS can permeate vital organs including the liver, brain, and heart.
  • Environmental Impact – It doesn’t stop at harming your health. SLS is also used as a pesticide and herbicide in organic farming and is a known water pollutant. Once it’s washed down the drain along with your laundry, it contributes to environmental damage, harming marine ecosystems.

Calling Out the Usual Suspects

You’ve likely heard of arguably one of the most popular laundry detergent brands (rhymes with ride). Its iconic scent may transport you back to your childhood, but those strong memories come with a hidden cost. Here’s why mainstream detergents are problematic:

  • SLS and Fragrance – “Fragrance” is an umbrella term for a cocktail of potentially thousands of synthetic chemicals, none of which need to be disclosed on labels.
  • Undisclosed Ingredients – Common household detergents have been found to contain 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. Testing has shown that exposure can damage the liver and kidneys and has even caused tumors in animals. Shockingly, 1,4-dioxane isn’t listed in ingredient labels on most because it’s classified as a by-product. This legal loophole leaves consumers in the dark, unaware of the risks.

Back in 2012, independent testing revealed the presence of 1,4-dioxane in popular household products. Despite public outcry, harmful ingredients like these remain present in many conventional brands today.

What Can You Do?

Empowering yourself starts with reducing your exposure to hazardous chemicals. Start small by swapping out your current detergent for safer, more natural options.

Safer Laundry Solutions

Here are a few alternative options to try:

  • DIY Detergent – I’ve been using my Enagic K8, a water ionizer, to make my own detergent with strong alkaline water and essential oils. It’s simple, effective, and chemical-free!
  • Cleaner Brands
    • Branch Basics – a plant- and mineral-based solution that’s tough on stains but gentle on your body and the planet.
    • BioKleen – A no-nonsense detergent free of phosphates, chlorine, and other nasties.
    • Molly’s Suds – Safe for sensitive skin and formulated with just a handful of non-toxic ingredients.

Why Small Changes Matter

Switching your laundry detergent may seem like a minor adjustment, but it’s a significant step toward lowering your overall toxic load. Every small improvement adds up, especially during perimenopause when your body is working harder than ever to maintain balance.

Protect Your Wellness, One Load at a Time

The habits we don’t think twice about often have the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives. By being mindful of what’s in your laundry detergent, you’re taking control over a critical aspect of your health and setting yourself up for a smoother transition into menopause. Start small, dream big. And if switching to a new laundry detergent could make a difference in how you feel and function, why not give it a try?

Yours in health and harmony,

Dr. LeB

The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Dr. Francesca LeBlanc. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician. Do not use the information provided in this post for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Please, do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read on this website.