LIVE A LOW-TOX LIFE

Educator and author ALEXX STUART explains how to cut out nasty chemicals

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, there are more than 140,000 synthetic chemicals circulating through cleaning, beauty, health and food products we use. These can contribute to things like pollution, obesity and chronic diseases. This is where lowtox living – a term coined by author Alexx Stuart – comes in, to help distance ourselves from harmful ingredients.

WHAT DOES LOW-TOX MEAN?

We’ve discussed chemicals as toxins, but living a low-tox life also means replacing anything else that’s harmful to not only yourself but the environment – including plastic, microbeads (found in toothpastes, scrubs and soaps) and even textiles like clothes and shoes – with something, well, low-tox! Alexx puts it simply: “This idea of a low-tox life [is about] making better choices for us and our planet across food, body, home and mind.”

WHY LIVE LIKE THIS?

“The ‘why’ will be different for everyone at first,” says Alexx. “Some people are most attracted to the health benefits from cleaning up their food or drastically reducing their exposure to environmental toxins in their home. For others, the environment is their biggest concern. All reasons are valid and as long as you have a ‘why’ that’s strong, you’ll stay motivated.”

WHAT PRODUCTS ARE HIGH-TOX?

“There are so many things... from foam play mats to mould, to lung irritants, BPA containing plastics and preservatives in food,” says Alexx. However, she states it’s best to focus on one thing at a time – like synthetic fragrances for example. Alexx suggests boxing air fresheners and candles and removing them from the house for a couple of weeks. After that, bring them back and observe how you feel.