No.1 Toxicologist: These Products Were Making Me Infertile And Are Harming Your Future Kids!

Dr. Ivon Burkart, a toxicologist, discusses the hidden dangers of toxins in everyday products and their links to health issues like cancer, infertility, and obesity. She highlights how many consumer goods contain harmful chemicals, often undisclosed due to lax regulations in regions like the US. Dr. Burkart shares her personal health journey, emphasizing the importance of avoiding endocrine disruptors found in items like non-stick cookware and beauty products. She advocates for increased public awareness and simple lifestyle changes, such as using essential oils and filtering water, to reduce exposure to these toxins and improve health outcomes.

• Consumers should not trust product marketing and labels without examining the ingredients due to potential exposure to harmful toxins.
• Many everyday products contain toxic chemicals that can lead to severe health issues like cancer, infertility, and obesity.
• Manufacturers in Europe and the US are not legally required to disclose all ingredients, leading to consumer exposure to untested and potentially harmful chemicals.

"Don't believe everything you see on a container, a bottle, or a product that you're buying."

• This emphasizes the misleading nature of product labels and the importance of scrutinizing ingredients to avoid toxins.

"We don't know what we're exposing ourselves to because by law in Europe and in the US manufacturers do not have to disclose certain ingredients."

• Highlights the regulatory gap that allows potentially harmful chemicals to be present in consumer products without disclosure.

• Microplastics, released from non-stick cookware and other products, are pervasive and found in various human organs.
• Continuous exposure to microplastics and other toxins may lead to humans becoming more plastic than organic over time.

"A surface scratch on a non-stick piece of cookware can release 9,000 particles into your food."

• Illustrates the significant release of microplastics from common kitchenware, contributing to human exposure.

"Scientists have found that eventually we will become more plastic than we are humans if we continue at this rate."

• Warns about the long-term consequences of unchecked microplastic exposure on human health and composition.

• Dr. Ivon Burkart expresses anger and personal impact due to the harmful effects of toxins, especially on children.
• The emotional burden stems from witnessing the widespread suffering caused by these chemicals and a personal journey of health struggles.

"I'm really angry that people have to suffer. I mean, these chemicals are causing children to have cognitive delays, they start having behavioral issues."

• Reflects the frustration and emotional toll of witnessing the detrimental effects of toxins on vulnerable populations like children.

"It's so personal for you, isn't it?"

• Acknowledges the deep personal connection and motivation behind Dr. Burkart's advocacy against environmental toxins.

• There is a growing awareness of toxins, but new chemicals emerge frequently, and many remain unaware of their potential harm.
• Dr. Burkart's mission is to empower people with scientific knowledge to make informed decisions and protect their health.

"I'm on a mission to empower people to avoid environmental toxins so they can protect their families."

• Summarizes Dr. Burkart's goal to educate and empower individuals to make safer choices regarding environmental toxins.

"People are becoming more aware, but there are new toxins that are emerging every day."

• Points out the ongoing challenge of staying informed about new and existing toxins in the environment.

• Toxins are linked to serious health issues like cancer, infertility, and declining sperm counts.
• The decline in sperm count by 50% over the last 50 years is particularly alarming and indicative of widespread toxin exposure.

"Cancer is probably one of the most clear associations as well as infertility."

• Identifies cancer and infertility as major health issues closely linked to environmental toxins.

"Sperm count has declined by 50% in the last 50 years."

• Highlights the drastic reduction in sperm count as a significant indicator of the impact of toxins on reproductive health.

• Dr. Burkart's personal health struggles led her to explore the connection between environmental toxins and fertility issues.
• Her scientific background in toxicology provided the foundation for understanding and addressing these health challenges.

"I found it by accident... I think I was meant to share this."

• Describes Dr. Burkart's serendipitous journey into toxicology and her sense of purpose in raising awareness.

"I was actually not having a cycle at that point for nine months."

• Reveals the personal health challenges that prompted Dr. Burkart to investigate the role of toxins in her fertility issues.

• Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with hormone systems and can have severe effects even at low doses.
• These disruptors, found in many everyday products, are linked to developmental and reproductive issues.

"They're called non-monotonic dose responses... any amount of excess or chemicals coming from the environment could trigger those same pathways."

• Explains the concept of non-monotonic dose responses, where low doses of endocrine disruptors can be more harmful than higher doses.

"Endocrine disruptors are coming in and they're basically disrupting... they're causing everything to go haywire in our bodies."

• Describes how endocrine disruptors interfere with hormonal balance and contribute to various health issues.

• Exposure to toxins can have multigenerational effects, impacting not only the exposed individual but also their descendants.
• This transgenerational toxicity is particularly concerning with endocrine disruptors affecting DNA and epigenetic changes.

"If a mother is exposed to toxins, her baby's babies are being exposed to those toxins."

• Illustrates the concept of multigenerational toxicity, where exposure affects multiple generations.

"Great grandchildren even if they live a perfectly clean lifestyle... could have already been genetically predisposed."

• Highlights the long-term genetic consequences of toxin exposure across generations.

• The lack of stringent regulations in the US compared to Europe allows harmful chemicals to persist in consumer products.
• Industry resistance to regulation and testing due to cost concerns exacerbates the issue.

"In Europe, the European commission has a much better system of regulating chemicals."

• Contrasts the regulatory approaches between Europe and the US, emphasizing the need for better chemical regulation.

"Our system wasn't set up like that over here... a lack of corporate responsibility."

• Critiques the regulatory and corporate environment in the US that permits insufficient oversight of chemical safety.

• Dr. Burkart's journey to health involved removing toxins from her environment and adopting integrative and functional medicine approaches.
• Her health improvements, including the return of her menstrual cycle and successful conception, underscore the effectiveness of detoxification.

"Once I started removing these triggers that were causing digestive problems, then I started to see improvement very fast."

• Describes the positive impact of eliminating dietary and environmental toxins on her health.

"I had my period back within I'd probably say three months and then six months after that... I was pregnant."

• Highlights the successful outcome of Dr. Burkart's detoxification efforts and lifestyle changes on her fertility.

• Dr. Burkart's personal experience fuels her passion for raising awareness about the dangers of toxins and advocating for change.
• She emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues to protect future generations and improve public health.

"I can't even tell you how much passion it has ignited in me."

• Reflects Dr. Burkart's deep commitment to educating others about the risks of environmental toxins.

"I'd be looking around all my friends... trying to be shout at the world to tell them to stop."

• Conveys the urgency and responsibility Dr. Burkart feels to inform others about the dangers of toxin exposure.

• Environmental factors play a significant role in the rising incidence of diseases like cancer.
• Historically, cancer was viewed as a disease predominantly affecting older age groups, but now it is increasingly seen in younger people.
• Lifestyle choices and environmental exposures, rather than just genetic predispositions, significantly influence cancer development.

"Cancer historically was a disease of age aging. It wasn't so common that you see cancer in your 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Now we're seeing a shift."

• The multigenerational effects of environmental toxins can predispose future generations to diseases, even if they have genetic predispositions.

"Depending on how your ancestors lived, how your grandmother and how your mother lived could predispose you to this."

• This highlights the shift in cancer demographics and the importance of environmental factors over solely genetic explanations.

• Studies show that removing certain chemicals from daily products can reduce cancer risk.
• Ingredients such as phthalates found in fragrances are linked to increased cancer gene expression.
• The lack of transparency in ingredient lists allows harmful chemicals to persist in consumer products.

"After 28 days of removing these ingredients, they took another sample and they saw that the breast cancer gene expression dropped."

• Many personal care products contain hidden carcinogens and endocrine disruptors under the guise of "fragrance."

"The seemingly innocuous little term on the ingredients list fragrance or parfume can contain a huge number of chemicals."

• Demonstrates the tangible health benefits of reducing chemical exposure and the need for greater transparency in product labeling.

• Fragrances are pervasive in consumer products and can significantly contribute to health issues like allergies and endocrine disruption.
• Fragrance chemicals can become airborne and bind to household dust, leading to prolonged exposure.
• Children are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals due to their proximity to the ground and tendency to ingest dust.

"Fragrances are the most pervasive source of toxins in our homes in our daily lives."

• The prevalence of fragrances in products has increased dramatically, contributing to a rise in related health issues.

"The fragrance industry has absolutely exploded in the last 10 or 15 years."

• Emphasizes the widespread use of fragrances and their potential health impacts, particularly on vulnerable populations like children.

• Consumers are encouraged to seek safer alternatives by choosing products without synthetic fragrances or opting for essential oil-based products.
• Nonstick cookware and plastic utensils can release harmful chemicals and microplastics into food.
• Alternatives like stainless steel, cast iron, and wooden utensils are recommended for safer cooking.

"The best option for deodorant is to look for something that has essential oils and is a roll on or a stick solid."

• The environmental persistence of chemicals like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) poses a long-term health risk.

"Pfas are known as forever chemicals because they don't degrade."

• Provides practical advice on reducing exposure to harmful chemicals through informed product choices and highlights the environmental impact of persistent chemicals.

• Microplastics are pervasive in the environment and have been found in human tissues, including lungs, blood, and even in newborns.
• These particles cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which can lead to various health issues.
• The accumulation of microplastics in the body is concerning due to their persistence and potential to cause cellular damage.

"Microplastics have been found in a whole number of tissues... they're in human lungs, blood, in the gut tissue, they're in heart, they're in brain."

• The presence of microplastics in newborns indicates exposure begins in utero, raising concerns about long-term health effects.

"In the meconium, microplastics have been found, so that means babies are being exposed to microplastics In Utero."

• Highlights the widespread presence and potential health risks of microplastics, emphasizing the importance of reducing exposure for health protection.

• Antioxidants are crucial for neutralizing free radicals created during cellular respiration.
• Glutathione, a key antioxidant, detoxifies environmental chemicals but is depleted by modern lifestyle factors.
• The body's priority is often to neutralize free radicals over detoxifying chemicals due to limited antioxidant availability.

"If you didn't, you would be dead because in order to live on this planet and breathe oxygen, we need antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals that happen through cellular respiration."

• Antioxidants are essential for life, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.

"Glutathione is also vital for detoxifying environmental chemicals."

• Glutathione plays a dual role in neutralizing free radicals and detoxifying chemicals, highlighting its importance in maintaining health.

• Microplastics are pervasive in the environment and accumulate in human organs, particularly the brain.
• The presence of microplastics in the brain is concerning due to their fat solubility and the brain's inability to detoxify.
• There is a hypothesis that microplastics may contribute to cognitive decline and other brain-related disorders.

"A 2024 study on microplastics in human livers, kidneys, and brains found that all of them contained microplastics, but the brain contained 10 to 20 times more than any other organ."

• Microplastics are found in significant quantities in human organs, with the brain being particularly affected.

"My hypothesis is that it's increasing the likelihood of cognitive decline."

• There is a concern that microplastics could be linked to cognitive decline, although concrete evidence is yet to be established.

• Plastic bottles can leach microplastics into water, especially under certain conditions like heat and UV exposure.
• Alternatives like stainless steel or glass containers are recommended to reduce microplastic exposure.
• While bottled water is sometimes necessary, minimizing its use is advisable.

"Bottled water is a major source of microplastics."

• Bottled water contributes significantly to microplastic exposure due to the nature of plastic degradation.

"If you have no other option, then that's what you've got."

• Sometimes bottled water is unavoidable, but efforts should be made to reduce reliance on it whenever possible.

• Using glass containers for microwaving and food storage is preferable to avoid plastic contact.
• Stainless steel or cast iron cookware is recommended over nonstick options to minimize chemical exposure.
• Keeping food from direct contact with plastic lids can reduce exposure to harmful substances.

"Instead of that plastic container, I had this glass container for the microwave and for my food is better."

• Glass is a safer alternative to plastic for food storage and heating, minimizing chemical leaching.

"Try to keep your food from touching it if you can."

• Simple practices like avoiding direct contact with plastic can help reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

• Disposable coffee cups often contain plastic linings that leach microplastics and heavy metals.
• Bringing personal, reusable containers can mitigate exposure to these harmful substances.
• Awareness of the materials in takeaway containers can help in making healthier choices.

"They're basically lined with plastic, and studies have shown that within 15 minutes of contact with the hot liquid, you're getting 25,000 microplastic particles in that cup."

• Disposable coffee cups pose a significant risk of microplastic exposure, especially with hot liquids.

"If you bring your own container, Starbucks will fill it up."

• Using personal containers for takeaway beverages is a practical solution to reduce microplastic intake.

• Filtering water is crucial, especially in areas with high contaminant levels like fluoride and heavy metals.
• Boiling water can reduce microplastic levels but does not remove all contaminants.
• Reverse osmosis and carbon filters are effective options, with varying levels of cost and efficiency.

"Absolutely, if you live in an area where water has been fluoridated."

• Filtering water is essential to remove harmful contaminants, particularly in fluoridated areas.

"Reverse osmosis removes the most contaminants but also requires the most wastewater."

• Different filtration methods have pros and cons, with reverse osmosis being highly effective but resource-intensive.

• Many personal care products contain harmful chemicals like phthalates and parabens, which can disrupt hormones.
• Antiperspirants with aluminum salts are linked to increased breast cancer risk.
• Choosing products without fragrances and harmful chemicals is advisable for long-term health.

"Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts, and those physically block sweat ducts."

• Aluminum in antiperspirants poses health risks, including potential links to breast cancer.

"Avoid the anti-perspirant if you can."

• Reducing the use of antiperspirants and opting for safer alternatives can mitigate health risks.

• Leave-on beauty products pose a higher risk due to prolonged skin contact and potential chemical absorption.
• Fragrances in beauty products can mask harmful chemicals, increasing exposure risks.
• Opting for fragrance-free and safer formulations is recommended for skin health.

"Products that sit on your skin are known as leave-on products."

• Leave-on products have a higher potential for chemical absorption, increasing health risks.

"Avoid the fragrance foundations."

• Fragrance in beauty products can indicate the presence of harmful chemicals, making fragrance-free options safer.

• Conventional menstrual products contain harmful chemicals that can directly affect reproductive health.
• Organic and chemical-free alternatives are available and recommended.
• The vaginal canal's unique environment increases chemical absorption risks from these products.

"Tampons and period pads contain some of the worst chemicals."

• Menstrual products often have harmful chemicals that can impact reproductive health negatively.

"The vaginal canal is occluded, warm, and has friction, increasing chemical absorption."

• The environment of the vaginal canal makes it particularly susceptible to chemical absorption from menstrual products.

• Synthetic fibers like polyester release microplastics and may contain harmful chemicals like BPA.
• Organic cotton is a safer alternative, reducing exposure to pesticides and synthetic chemicals.
• Awareness of fabric composition and washing agents is crucial for minimizing toxin exposure.

"Synthetic fibers like polyester release microplastics."

• Synthetic clothing contributes to microplastic pollution and potential chemical exposure.

"Organic cotton is one way of knowing if your clothes contain pesticides."

• Choosing organic cotton reduces exposure to harmful agricultural chemicals used in conventional cotton farming.

• Environmental injustice results in marginalized groups being more exposed to toxic chemicals.
• Products marketed to specific demographics often contain higher levels of harmful substances.
• Raising awareness and advocating for better regulations can help address these disparities.

"Beauty and hair products marketed to black women often contain the most toxic ingredients."

• Products targeting marginalized groups often have higher toxic chemical levels, leading to increased health risks.

"There is some level of racism and environmental injustice."

• The disproportionate exposure to harmful chemicals among certain demographics highlights systemic issues of environmental racism.

• Conventional candles, especially those made with paraffin wax, release harmful chemicals when burned, including carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde.
• Ultrafine particles from these candles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Volatile organic compounds and undisclosed fragrances in candles can contain endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and allergens.
• Many candles are unregulated, meaning labels like "soy blend" may still contain harmful paraffin wax.
• Incense, while traditional, can produce more ultrafine particles than cigarette smoke, increasing cancer risks.

"Conventional candles...liberate carcinogens like Benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde."

• Conventional candles release harmful carcinogens affecting indoor air quality.

"Ultrafine particles...are some of the most hazardous substances that you can create in your home."

• Ultrafine particles from candles can deeply penetrate the body, causing significant health risks.

"Incense creates more ultrafine particles and pollutants than cigarette smoke."

• Incense can be more harmful than cigarette smoke, increasing cancer risks.

• Indoor air quality can be five times worse than outdoor air due to poor ventilation and activities like cooking.
• Simple measures like removing shoes indoors and regular cleaning can improve air quality.
• Humidity control is crucial to prevent mold growth, which is toxic.
• Burning wood indoors releases harmful ultrafine particles; alternatives like central heating are safer.
• Regularly opening windows, even in winter, can refresh indoor air and improve health.

"Air quality indoors can be up to five times worse than air quality outside."

• Indoor air pollution can be significantly higher than outdoor pollution.

"Burning wood in your home is one of the worst things that you can do."

• Burning wood releases harmful particles that worsen indoor air quality.

"Household air pollution was responsible for 3.2 million global deaths per year."

• Poor household air quality is linked to millions of deaths globally.

• Vaping introduces untested chemicals into the lungs, posing unknown health risks.
• Hookah or shisha smoking is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes, significantly increasing health risks.

"Vaping fluid liquid is a chemical mixture that you are inhaling."

• Vaping involves inhaling potentially harmful, untested chemicals.

"Having a shisha...was the equivalent of 100 cigarettes."

• Shisha smoking poses severe health risks, equivalent to heavy cigarette use.

• Glutathione, an antioxidant, is crucial for detoxifying the body and is produced mainly in the liver and kidneys.
• Exercise, consuming sulfur-rich foods, and reducing exposure to toxins can increase glutathione levels.
• Alcohol and smoking deplete glutathione, reducing the body's ability to detoxify.

"Exercise increases glutathione."

• Physical activity boosts glutathione, enhancing detoxification.

"Alcohol absolutely depletes glutathione."

• Alcohol consumption depletes glutathione, impairing detoxification processes.

• Matcha green tea is a strong antioxidant that can help increase glutathione levels.
• It is important to choose organic matcha tested for heavy metals.
• Consuming matcha without dairy enhances its absorption and benefits.

"Matcha is amazing if you get the right type of matcha."

• High-quality matcha offers significant health benefits.

"Matcha...helps you increase glutathione."

• Matcha consumption can boost glutathione levels, aiding detoxification.

• Awareness and simple lifestyle changes can mitigate the risks of chemical exposure.
• Focus on empowerment and informed choices rather than fear of chemicals.
• Small improvements in lifestyle can have significant long-term health benefits.

"I want there to be empowerment and not fear because chemicals are all around us."

• Emphasizing informed choices over fear can lead to healthier living.

"Small improvements made today can have big impacts over the long term."

• Incremental changes can significantly improve health outcomes over time.