AIC2017LA: Eight ways to decrease effects of environmental toxin exposure

By Katherine Shagoury

Toxins are everywhere, from the food we eat to the air we breathe, said Joe Pizzorno, ND, last Friday at the Institute for Functional Medicine’s 2017 Annual International Conference in Los Angeles, California.

In fact, 60 percent of toxins we are exposed to come from food, while 10 percent come from water, 10 percent come from house and yard chemicals, 10 percent come from health and beauty aids, and 5 percent comes from the air. “These are my best estimates,” said Pizzorno. “This will likely change as new research becomes available.”

While public health can decrease toxic load—banning harmful chemicals and substances in everyday use—integrative practitioners can take a proactive approach to chemical exposure. Here are eight ways you can help patients overcome environmental toxins.