Identifying and Addressing the Top Toxicities Impacting Women’s Health
As women navigate modern life, they’re exposed to more environmental and lifestyle stressors than ever before. Toxicities that accumulate in the body disrupt hormone balance, affect gut health, and overburden our immune systems. Identifying and addressing these toxins can be life-changing for those struggling with symptoms that seem to have no clear answer. Here, we’ll explore the top six toxicities affecting women’s health, along with tips on testing and actionable steps for detoxification.
Why Toxicities Matter for Women’s Health
Our bodies are equipped to handle some level of toxins through the natural detoxification process. However, today’s exposure levels to heavy metals, chemicals, and environmental pollutants can overwhelm our systems, especially if we have existing imbalances or deficiencies. By addressing these toxicities, we can restore balance, improve energy levels, and reduce hormone and gut-related symptoms.
Top 6 Toxicities Affecting Women’s Health
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic, can disrupt hormone production, impact the nervous system, and create a significant burden on our body’s detoxification pathways. These metals can accumulate over time from sources like contaminated water, seafood, dental amalgams, and industrial pollution.
Testing Recommendation: If you consume seafood frequently, drink unfiltered water, have silver dental fillings, or experience symptoms like autoimmune issues, headaches, joint pain, rashes or skin pigmentation abnormalities, consider a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. This test can reveal heavy metal levels and help guide targeted detox protocols.
Environmental Chemicals (Xenoestrogens)
Xenoestrogens are synthetic chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body, leading to hormonal imbalances and sometimes contributing to estrogen dominance. Common sources include BPA in plastics, phthalates in personal care products, and pesticides found on conventional foods. These chemicals disrupt the endocrine system and can lead to a cascade of hormone-related symptoms.
Testing & Prevention: The first line of defense is reducing exposure. Consider switching to non-toxic, hormone-safe products and using glass instead of plastic for food storage. If you’re experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as irregular cycles or PMS, consider hormone testing to check estrogen-to-progesterone ratios.
Pro Tip: Refer to our Non-Toxic Living Guide for simple swaps to help reduce exposure to xenoestrogens in everyday products.
Mold and Mycotoxins
Mold exposure is more common than many realize, especially in damp indoor environments. Mold produces mycotoxins, which are highly inflammatory and can impact the immune and respiratory systems. This toxicity can lead to chronic fatigue, hormone imbalances, and persistent health issues.
Testing Recommendation: If you experience symptoms like unexplained fatigue, sinus issues, or hormone imbalance, a mycotoxin test can help determine if mold exposure is a contributing factor.
Glyphosate and Other Pesticides
Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has been linked to gut dysbiosis, mitochondrial damage, and endocrine disruption. Unfortunately, it’s common in non-organic produce. When we consume these foods regularly, glyphosate can accumulate, affecting our liver’s ability to detoxify efficiently and leading to hormonal imbalances.
Prevention: The best defense is to minimize exposure by choosing organic produce. Use EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists to prioritize organic options within your budget. For lawn care, consider switching to non-toxic options like Sunday or even DIY solutions.
Testing: While specific glyphosate testing is available, minimizing exposure through dietary choices is often the most effective strategy.
Gut Pathogens
Pathogens in the gut—such as H. pylori, parasites, Candida, and bacterial overgrowth—produce toxins that disrupt digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.
Examples of Gut Pathogens:
H. pylori: Damages the stomach lining, leading to ulcers, inflammation, and an increased risk of stomach cancers.
Parasites: Steal nutrients and create gut inflammation, often leading to chronic fatigue.
Candida & Bacterial Imbalances: Can cause symptoms like bloating, brain fog, and skin issues, largely by disrupting the gut lining and increasing inflammation.
Testing Recommendation: For symptoms like bloating, IBS-like symptoms, and nutrient deficiencies, a stool test (for parasites and bacterial overgrowth) or an Organic Acids Test (for fungal overgrowth) can provide a comprehensive analysis. If you’re unsure where to start, the OAT test offers valuable insight into gut function and nutrient absorption.
Chronic Stress and Cortisol Dysregulation
Chronic stress isn’t a toxin in the traditional sense, but it creates a “toxic” internal environment. Elevated cortisol disrupts hormone balance, impacts blood sugar regulation, and suppresses immune function. Over time, high cortisol contributes to persistent inflammation and negatively affects the gut-brain axis.
Impact: High cortisol can inhibit progesterone production and interfere with thyroid function, making hormone imbalances worse. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and disrupted sleep.
Testing Recommendation: A Thyroid Adrenal Hormone Test is valuable for assessing cortisol and hormone levels. Additionally, incorporating stress management techniques and lifestyle adjustments can help balance cortisol naturally, promoting healthier hormone production.
When and How to Test for Toxins
Testing for toxins helps pinpoint specific imbalances so you can make targeted changes. Here’s a summary of tests to consider based on each toxin:
Heavy Metals: Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis for anyone exposed to heavy metals through diet or environment.
Environmental Chemicals: Sex hormone testing if experiencing estrogen dominance symptoms.
Mold/Mycotoxins: Mycotoxin testing for chronic fatigue and inflammation.
Glyphosate/Pesticides: Minimize exposure through diet; specific testing is available.
Gut Pathogens: Stool test or Organic Acids Test for persistent gut symptoms. Food sensitivity tests can be helpful for short term relief, but if you have a lot of sensitivities it’s usually just a signal that there are underlying gut issues causing immune response to food.
Chronic Stress/Cortisol: Thyroid Adrenal Hormone Test to evaluate cortisol and hormone imbalances.
Bottom Line
By identifying and addressing these top six toxicities, we can take control of our health and address the root causes of many chronic symptoms. Functional lab testing offers insight into what’s happening internally, helping us design a targeted plan for recovery. At Calibrate Health & Wellness, we combine diet, lifestyle changes, and targeted supplementation to support detoxification, helping you achieve balance and feel your best.
Reclaiming health is a journey, and by focusing on root causes, you can not only improve your current symptoms but also feel empowered with the knowledge to maintain wellness in the future.