10 Things I Never Do: Health Tips From a Functional Medicine Practitioner

Young woman hide her face with hand. Focus on fingers.

There are some things in my life that I just never do and I’m sharing them with you today to infuse some healthy habits into your current daily lifestyle. You may be practicing some of these already and if so, bravo!

8 Things I Never Do: Health Tips from a Functional Medicine Practitioner

  1. Use deodorant tampons or pads: Our monthly sanitary necessities needn’t contain fragrance or scents, which are not only loaded with chemicals such as dioxins, irritants, and synthetic fibers but conventional tampons/ pads are also bleached white with chlorine, which are endocrine disruptors (affects hormones), and can create abnormal cell growth. Let’s keep these toxins out of our vajajay! Switch to this instead: http://www.natracare.com/products/. If you are masking a strong odor, get checked out by your gynecologist to make sure you don’t have a vaginal infection.
  2. Buy non-organic berries- All berries are loaded with pesticides.  Fruit or vegetables that you can peel may not be as critical to purchase as organic but every single berry out there should be bought organic and even then washed very thoroughly! 90% of all my produce is organic to begin with. Now, if I’m out at a picnic and I don’t know if the berries are organic or not, I most likely will not eat them.
  3. Use aluminum based deodorant- Research shows that aluminum (found in most deodorants), which is a toxin, can accumulate in breast tissue in women and alter DNA. One research shows levels of aluminum (along with inflammation) in nipple aspirate fluid from women with breast cancer compared to women without breast cancer. Here is what I use, http://bubbleandbee.com/organic-deodorant-creams/. Totally effective in controlling odor and wetness.
  4. Use a microwave: I get it, it’s super convenient and fast, but let’s get real here. Nuking your food essentially transforms your food into a carcinogenic substance that you are ingesting day in and day out. Not only does it expose you to radiation, if you stand too close, it also destroys the vital nutrients in your food. Let’s not forget to mention the BPA (bisphenol A), contained in the plastic that you use to warm the food in, that literally leaches carcinogens into your food. So if you must, please use a glass plate or glass container to heat up your food. How do I warm up my food, you ask? With a simple pan or pot ( non-teflon, see below), on a stove top. Yes, the good old fashioned way.
  5. Use Teflon pots/pans: This type of cookware seems to be so convenient because of it’s ability to be non-stick and easy to clean. But the truths is, the coating is made up of a carcinogenic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). It emits toxic fumes that you and your family inhale every time you cook. In about 5 minutes of cooking with your non-stick pan/pot, it emits at least six toxic gases! To make matters worse, if that non-stick pan of yours is scratched in the tiniest way, even more toxins are released right into your food. So consider ceramic pans/pots or even a cast iron pan. I would stay away from aluminum and copper as well due to their toxic metals leaching into your food. This is the one I use.
  6. Eat Eel or Toro tuna: Eel is known to contain parasites despite where you go to eat it, even at high-end restaurants. Toro tuna sushi, which is more expensive than regular tuna, also contains more parasites and more mercury. So save your money and not order this the next time you go out for sushi.
  7. Eat Non-Organic or commercial eggs: These contain growth hormones, antibiotics, and pharmaceuticals. The chickens are also not treated humanely and are not free to roam. Organic eggs contain more vitamins such as A, D, B12, B2, niacin, and folate. Not to mention choline for cell structure and function as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, which reduces the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Choose organic and free range eggs, ones found at a farmers market are optimal.
  8. Use plastic drink holders: More and more plastics today are becoming BPA free, meaning it does not contain the toxin BPA (bisphenol A), which are endocrine disruptors. This means it affects your endocrine system by disrupting your hormone levels especially during development in fetuses, babies, and children. Some animal studies have shown a possible link between BPA exposure and a later increased risk of cancer. It has also been found to increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and ADHD to name a few. Make sure all baby bottles and sippy cups are all BPA free as well as water bottles. Or switch to glass. I use this one.
  9. Drink sodas like Coke : I can’t remember the last time I drank this metabolic syndrome ( promotes obesity) producing substance. Not only does a regular coke have 35 grams of sugar (high fructose corn syrup), the diet option contains aspartame. This is comprised of aspartic acid which breaks down into formaldehyde, which is the substance that is used to preserve cadavers, yikes, along with phenylalanine, which can cause depression and emotional disorders. Stay far, far away!
  10. Use hand sanitizers: Another endocrine disruptor. Yes, this seemingly innocent anti-bacterial hand cleanser disrupts hormone levels. This highly used product is also creating antibiotic resistant bacteria. So, just wash your hands with good ol’ soap and water.

I’d love to know how many of these that you implement already or are willing to start. Good luck!