A Deep Dive into Environmental Toxins, Root Cause Health, and the Real Work of Healing, by Britt Larson, CFNMP & IFBB Pro, May 2025
Intro: Why You Feel the Way You Do (And Why It’s Not Just Stress)
If you’re tired, inflamed, overwhelmed, or just feel off, you’re not alone! And it’s not just in your head. You’re not “getting older.” I mean, we are, and that is a blessing in itself – but we tend to blame most things on age. You’re not lazy even though you might feel that way, you’re also not broken, even if you feel broken down..
You’re likely carrying a toxic load that your body was never built to handle.
Now, I know “toxins” and “detox” are overused buzzwords. Trust me, I get it. And before you come for me, hear me out.
We live in a world that has rapidly changed in the last hundred years, yet our biology hasn’t caught up. We’re surrounded by invisible threats of chemicals, plastics, pollutants, hormone disruptors, and stressors that didn’t exist a generation ago.
Our bodies are resilient and incredible, but they’re not invincible. If you’re someone dealing with fatigue, hormonal chaos, digestive issues, autoimmunity, brain fog, or unexplained symptoms? This article is for you.
This isn’t about creating fear. Far from, actually, and fear-mongering absolutely grinds my gears! No, this is about clarity, connection, and giving yourself the opportunity to make educated choices. So let’s get into what’s really happening beneath the surface and what you can do to take your power back.
Part 1: You’re Not Broken or Crazy! You’re Overloaded
Your body has built-in detox systems that run 24/7. Yes, our bodies have the ability to clear itself out via your liver, kidneys, lymph, skin, lungs, and gut, and these systems are constantly filtering out what doesn’t belong. The problem isn’t that your body can’t detox. The problem is that it’s overwhelmed by the sheer volume of toxins it’s being exposed to daily.
This includes:
- Pesticides, herbicides, and preservatives in food
- Plastics, flame retardants, and VOCs in your home
- Hormone disruptors in skincare, cleaning products, and yes, water
- Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation
- EMFs, mold, synthetic fragrances, and more
While, YES, we have the ability to detox with our organs, over time though, this burden accumulates. It gets stored in fat tissue, brain tissue, breast tissue—even bones. That buildup is called bioaccumulation, and it doesn’t always show up in labs. It shows up in symptoms:
- Exhaustion no matter how much you sleep
- Brain fog or forgetfulness
- PMS, fibroids, fibrous breast tissue, endometriosis
- Infertility or irregular cycles
- Skin issues like acne or eczema
- Autoimmune flares
- Thyroid dysfunction with “normal” labs
Sound familiar? Let’s dig into what’s behind it.
Part 2: Where the Toxins Are Coming From (And What They’re Doing to You)
Bromide: The Thyroid Saboteur
Bromide is a halogen used in flame retardants, baked goods, and some pool chemicals. The problem? It competes with iodine! Iodine is an essential mineral for your thyroid, ovaries, and breast tissue. When bromide displaces iodine, it disrupts hormone production and mitochondrial function. This leads to deep fatigue, estrogen dominance, and thyroid dysfunction, even if your labs say you’re “fine.”
Where it’s hiding:
- Flame-retardant mattresses, furniture, and car seats
- Potassium bromate in non-organic breads and bagels
- BVO (brominated vegetable oil) in citrus sodas
- Some pesticides and pool chemicals (if you’ve experienced bromide poisoning after a day in the pool, you know exactly what I’m talking about!)
What it can cause:
- Cold hands and feet
- Fatigue that doesn’t respond to rest
- Brain fog or light sensitivity
- Breast tenderness or cysts
- Thyroid symptoms with “normal” TSH
- Skin breakouts or rashes
What can you do about it?
- Avoid citrus sodas and conventional baked goods (check labels!)
- Choose a mattress without flame retardants (Avocado, Naturepedic, Birch)
- Support iodine levels with seaweed (like dulse and kelp) if tolerated, and if you have a “hot nodule” on your thyroid or in your ovary, you should seek out an educated professional before adding in iodine
- Work with a practitioner to assess iodine/selenium balance
- Use binders like activated charcoal or fulvic acid as needed
Fragrance & Plastics: The Estrogen Hijackers
Synthetic fragrances and plastics are full of chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and BPA. Now, everything has “chemicals”, but what I mean here specifically are the compounds that mimic estrogen in the body but don’t act like it. These xenoestrogens bind to hormone receptors and throw off your body’s rhythm, metabolism, and detox capacity. Over time, especially in the presence of low iodine and selenium, they promote estrogen dominance and increase the risk of hormone-driven cancers.
Where they’re hiding:
- Perfume, scented lotions, air fresheners
- Dryer sheets and conventional laundry detergent
- Receipts (thermal paper), plastic containers and wrap
- Personal care products with “fragrance” on the label
What they can cause:
- Painful, heavy, or irregular periods
- Mood swings, bloating, or PMS
- Weight gain in the lower belly, hips, and thighs
- Breast tenderness, dense tissues, or fibroids
- Fertility issues or PCOS
- Sleep issues and blood sugar swings
What can you do about it?
- Ditch all synthetic fragrances! Yes, all of them, even the Love Spell spritz that was our go-to growing up (lol)
- Switch to clean brands for skincare, makeup, and deodorant (EWG Skin Deep is your friend, use it!)
- Store food in glass or stainless steel and never microwave plastic
- Avoid receipts or wash your hands immediately after handling
- Support estrogen detox with COOKED cruciferous vegetables, fiber, DIM or calcium-d-glucarate
Glyphosate & Pesticides: The Gut Wreck Crew
Glyphosate (Roundup) is an herbicide sprayed on conventional crops. You know the joke that we are basically plants? Yeah, because we kind of are. And what can damage the plants also has effects on US by damaging the gut lining, altering our microbiome, and blocking the enzymes we need for our natural ability to detox. It also binds minerals like magnesium and zinc – making you nutrient-deficient even with a good diet. This chemical has been linked to autoimmunity, hormone imbalances, and neurological issues.
Where it’s hiding:
- Non-organic wheat, oats, corn, and soy
- Strawberries, spinach, apples, and bell peppers (Dirty Dozen list)
- Wine, coffee, and tea (conventionally grown)
What it can cause:
- Bloating, IBS, and food sensitivities
- Brain fog and/or mood swings
- Skin flare-ups or eczema
- Histamine intolerance
- Fatigue and joint pain
- Anxiety and inflammation that won’t budge
What can you do about it?
- Prioritize organic versions of the Dirty Dozen (look up the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen foods)
- Use baking soda & vinegar washes on conventional produce
- Drink organic coffee and wine (yes, it makes a difference)
- Repair gut lining with bone broth, glutamine, and probiotics
- Use binders, antioxidants, and fiber to mop up residuals
Part 3: What Real Detox Looks Like (Hint: It’s Not a Damn Juice Cleanse)
When I mention “detox”, what I am NOT referring to is guzzling cayenne-lemon-vinegar water for 5789579 days. Absolutely not. Not ever. What I am referring to with “detox” is by giving your body the support (ie nutrition and co-factors) it needs to do what it’s already trying to do – flush out what doesn’t belong with it’s own natural abilities.
Step One: Open the Drainage
If your colon, liver, kidneys, and lymph system are backed up and gunky, toxins can’t leave. They recirculate, causing more inflammation. That’s why there is more to “detox” than some freaking juice fad.
Signs your drainage is clogged:
- Constipation
- Puffy face or ankles
- Breakouts or rashes
- Waking up at 3 AM
- Brain fog after supplements or sauna
How can you support it?
- Hydrate with filtered, mineral-rich water
- Poop daily – use magnesium citrate or triphala if needed
- Use castor oil packs on your liver 3–4x/week
- Sweat regularly (sauna, hot baths, exercise)
- Dry brush to move your lymph
Step Two: Calm Your Nervous System
You can’t detox in fight-or-flight. Chronic stress constricts bile flow, slows digestion, and blocks your body’s healing response.
Signs you’re stuck in sympathetic mode:
- Shallow breathing, jaw clenching, raised shoulders
- Wired at night, exhausted in the morning
- Digestive issues even with “clean” eating
- EMF sensitivity or overwhelm in busy environments
How can you support it?
- Get outside within 30 minutes of waking (get natural sunlight in those peepers!)
- Walk barefoot on grass or dirt (grounding reduces inflammation)
- Practice 4-7-8 breathing or cold contrast showers
- Take adaptogens like ashwagandha or lemon balm
- Turn off WiFi and sleep in a dark, quiet room
Step Three: Feed Your Liver and Gut
Those co-factors I mentioned above? Your liver needs those raw materials to detox: amino acids, sulfur, antioxidants, and fiber. That juice cleanse isn’t going to replace this.
Signs you’re missing detox nutrients:
- Histamine reactions or allergies
- Worsening symptoms with new supplements
- Skin flares or hormone issues despite clean eating
- Constipation, irritability, or sleep disturbances
What to incorporate:
- Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, kale) *these should be COOKED for thyroid health
- Sulfur-rich foods (garlic, onions, eggs)
- Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado) for bile flow
- Glutathione, NAC, or milk thistle as needed
- Fermented foods (sauerkraut, coconut yogurt) and quality probiotics (not some cheap Amazon buy, please don’t.. the health space is a giant target for scammers and dupes)
Part 4: How to Live Well in a Toxic World
That sounds pretty dramatic, on purpose. And while we can’t avoid every toxin, we don’t need to. The power lies in reducing exposures that matter most and supporting our body’s capacity to handle the rest. Do what you can with what you have.
Start here:
- Swap Teflon for cast iron or stainless steel
- Replace plastic containers with glass
- Get a water filter that removes chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals (RO systems are the best for this, and check your local water source for lists of contaminants)
- Use clean, fragrance-free products on your skin and in your home
- Choose organic for the Dirty Dozen, buy the Clean Fifteen, and soak the rest
- Take breaks from tech, unplug WiFi at night, touch the grass (literally), and move your body often
You Don’t Have to Agree with Me, But Let’s Be Better Than the Noise
Let me be clear: You are free to your opinion, which is a beautiful thing.
For me? I’m tired of the fearmongering.
I’m tired of the name-calling, the labeling, and the polarization, especially in health conversations.
There’s a growing habit in both mainstream and alternative health circles to discredit anyone who doesn’t agree with you:
- If you question pharmaceutical practices, you’re labeled a quack or anti-science.
- If you work in conventional medicine, you’re accused of being paid off by Big Pharma.
- If you care about root cause healing, you’re fear-based or too crunchy.
- If you choose evidence-based medication, you’re blind to the truth.
Enough.
We don’t get anywhere by shouting from extremes. You might get more clicks and views, though. I don’t live in either camp. I live in the middle – where logic, lived experience, evidence, and curiosity coexist. That’s the space I choose to stay in. Those that are screaming from the extremes aren’t terribly credible in my eyes. It feels disingenuous.
You’re allowed to disagree with me. You don’t have to adopt every belief or practice I share. But what we can’t afford is to let fear, ego, or dogma stop us from seeing what’s actually happening in our bodies, our environment, and our world.
We need more honest conversations, less tribalism.
More critical thinking, less canceling.
More solutions, less drama and bullshit clickbait.
So no. This article isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness.
And what you choose to do with that awareness is absolutely up to you.
Ready to Take Your Power Back?
You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do something, and do it with intention.
- Clean up your most frequent exposures
- Open your body’s drainage systems
- Support your nervous system
- Eat in a way that nourishes detox, not restricts it, and put down that freaking cayenne water
- Make decisions from a place of clarity, not fear
If you want help creating a plan that actually fits your life? I’m here for it.
Healing doesn’t happen from hacks and noise.
It happens when you understand your body, protect your environment, and stop waiting for permission to do what you know you need to do.
When we know and become aware, we can do better. For ourselves, our loved ones, and the environment we all collectively live in.
For personalized coaching and more insights on optimizing your health and wellness, feel free to reach out:
- Website: [Limitless Health and Performance]
Thank you for spending some of your time with me today! If this brought value and insight to you, you can show support by liking and sharing this with your friends.
Resource Links:
- Titan Nutrition: [20% Off Link]
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Until next time, Be Well!
Britt Larson | IFBB PRO, CFNMP
@coachmusclenugget @LimitlessHealthandPerformance
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition. Always consult with your health team with questions about lifestyle changes.