Supplements and Non-Toxic Products Aren’t Going to Save You - Start with the Foundation
Before you buy that expensive supplement or swap everything in your house for non-toxic products, read this. Some people are jumping straight to pricey supplements, health devices, biohacking practices, and non-toxic product swaps before addressing the foundational health pillars, like sleep quality, daily movement, and nutrition.
If you are obsessing over the ingredients in your laundry detergent but not the ingredients in your food, you’ve got it all backwards.
Cold plunges, red light, and “clean” products won’t compensate for mediocre sleep quality, eating processed foods and a primarily sedentary lifestyle.
Here’s why:
Sleep
Sleep is an essential function that detoxifies our bodies, repairs our muscles, and clears waste from the brain. Sleep also aids in the regulation of hormones, blood pressure, and blood sugar. If you experience poor sleep regularly, you are at an increased risk of metabolic disorders, injuries, and other chronic diseases. Also, if you are worried about the toxins in your environment and products, try focusing on getting enough sleep. As mentioned, sleep helps our bodies detoxify. If we optimize our systems to function properly, many of the toxins we ingest will get filtered out naturally.
Nutrition
Like sleep, proper nutrition helps our bodies operate smoothly. Food is medicine, information, and energy for our systems. Eating a balanced diet ensures we are fueling our body with things that are going to support it, not harm it. What we eat and drink affect our metabolism, hormones, immune system, gut health, heart health, and so much more. Getting proper nutrients regularly is our first line of defense when it comes to keeping our bodies safe from everyday toxins.
Movement
Adults who are sedentary are at an increased risk of developing chronic disease. A sedentary lifestyle is described as not participating in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity movement at least 3x per week for 3 months. The benefits of physical activity are robust in that moving our bodies improves metabolic and heart health, mental health and cognition, sleep quality, mitochondrial health, body composition, and more. Like sleep and nutrition, exercise aids detoxification by promoting perspiration, supporting circulation and organ function, while also reducing stress.
Where to start
So, if you are feeling overwhelmed with all the trendy wellness products on the market, before you start worrying about what supplement to take, pause and review your daily habits: sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. If any of these areas is lacking, start there. You are going to see superior results by addressing these pillars first.
Once you’re satisfied with these foundational pillars, you can explore maximizing your health outcomes even further with the right supplements and quality products. It’s true that supplementation, biohacking devices, and non-toxic products can have profound impacts on your health. Just be sure to always double-check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements as some can interfere with medications or have side effects.
After the foundational pillars have been addressed, you could also look at the quality of your air and water.
Air: Investing in an indoor air purifier with a HEPA filter will remove toxins from the air you breathe. A more affordable option is simply opening your windows for a few minutes each day to improve airflow.
Water: Consider using a water filter to ensure your drinking water is free of harmful chemicals.
In conclusion
In the pursuit of better health, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest wellness trends and think that by purchasing a certain product you will see results, but true well-being starts with the basics. These essential habits have the greatest impact on your overall health and ability to naturally detoxify. Instead of throwing money at the problem with expensive supplements or non-toxic product swaps, prioritize simple, sustainable changes that support your body’s natural functions. Once these pillars are in place, you can explore additional health optimizations with confidence and intention. Remember, true wellness isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about building a strong foundation that supports long-term vitality.