SNEAKY TOXIN DRAINING 64% OF WOMEN OVER 40

Experts are issuing a caution to the two-thirds of women who drink coffee daily: “Coffee is one of the top sources of mycotoxins, a health-sapping substance produced by mold,” says Sara Gottfried, M.D., author of Younger. When ingested, mycotoxins impair cellular energy output and trigger inflammation that leads to fatigue, fog and allergy-like symptoms, Dr. Gottfried says. Most doctors don’t know about mycotoxins in coffee, she adds, so women go undiagnosed.

Risk of toxic overload is on the rise. Experts say hot, wet weather like we had this summer encourages mold growth, so our coffee may be more contaminated with mycotoxins. Plus, the negative effects increase as mycotoxins accumulate in the body, so we may feel the effects more as we age. Adds Jill Carnahan, M.D.: “Toxic burden is the biggest cause of declining health today.”

A new blood test (GPL-MycoTox) measures mycotoxin levels. But since studies show nearly 100% of people test positive, the tips below can help you detox and minimize future exposure.

Try activated charcoal made from coconut. It absorbs impurities so they can be flushed from the body, says Dr. Gottfried, who suggests taking a 500-mg. capsule with a glass of water between meals up to three times daily.

Make a coffee swap. The benefits of coffee are proven: It cuts the risk of diabetes by 35%, liver cancer by 40% and heart disease by 20%. So rather than pouring the perks down the drain, switch to the dark-roast version of your favorite blend—roasting destroys up to 97% of toxins. Or for a mycotoxin-free pick, try Bulletproof or Purity Organic.

Also smart: Drink a mug of hibiscus tea daily—its rich stores of antioxidants neutralize mycotoxins.