environmental health & nontoxic living

Here you’ll find articles related to environmental health and non-toxic living. Several different factors play a large role in determining our health and well-being. There are certain factors we can control completely — like our diet, exercise habits, sleep, and stress levels — but protecting your health from toxins in your environment can be more complicated.

Because of the nature of the industrialized world in which we live, toxins are everywhere. The air we breathe and water we drink is often polluted, and chemicals make their way into every type of consumer goods, from packaged foods to personal care products to baby toys. At WellBe, we talk a lot about your “toxic load,” or the idea that what matters most is the overall accumulation of toxins you encounter over your life. We can’t avoid toxins completely, but we can make choices that minimize our contact with harmful substances and help keep our toxic load low.

Read these articles to learn more about how the environment impacts your health, and equip yourself with knowledge and strategies to live a non-toxic life.

What to Know About Mercury Poisoning: Sources of Mercury, Signs of Mercury Poisoning, and More

What to Know About Mercury Poisoning: Sources of Mercury, Signs of Mercury Poisoning, and More

A lot of people think of tuna as a health food, and in some ways it is: it’s packed with protein, naturally sugar-free, and has a ton of important nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. But despite all these benefits, it’s not something that you should eat all that often (or if you’re pregnant or have high mercury levels in your blood, perhaps not at all). Why? Because of its mercury content. Most of us have a general idea that too much mercury is bad, but what exactly does it do to your body, and how much is too much? Read on to learn the signs of mercury poisoning, the primary sources of mercury (including what fish is high in mercury besides tuna), options for mercury poisoning treatment, and more. 
Dr. Kasey Holland on EBV Reactivation Symptoms and How EBV Triggers Autoimmune Disease

Dr. Kasey Holland on EBV Reactivation Symptoms and How EBV Triggers Autoimmune Disease

When Dr. Kasey Holland was in naturopathic medical school, she was experiencing a cluster of mysterious and sometimes debilitating symptoms, and didn’t know what they were, despite the fact that the answer was staring her right in the face (Literally! She was busy diagnosing patients with the very thing she had! ). When she eventually figured out that she had reactivated EBV, and then healed herself, she decided to make this complex virus her specialty. Read on to learn Dr. Holland’s insights on EBV reactivation symptoms, the best EBV treatment, how EBV might explain what triggers autoimmune disease, and much more.
Dr. Jess Peatross On the Challenges of Testing for Mold Toxicity

Dr. Jess Peatross On the Challenges of Testing for Mold Toxicity

Dr. Jess Peatross — aka Dr. Jess — was working at a hospital in Portland, Oregon when she began to have inklings that something wasn’t right with the conventional medical system. She saw her colleagues using a cookie-cutter approach for every problem and sending patients away with laundry lists of prescriptions, and she knew there must be a better way. She left her job in the hospital and launched her own practice, where she now focuses primarily on stealth infections and environmental toxicity, in particular mold. Read on to learn her advice on professional mold testing, why it’s so difficult to do accurate testing for mold toxicity, and more.
Valencia Porter, MD, MPH on How Exposure to Chemicals Affects Your Health, and What to Do About It

Valencia Porter, MD, MPH on How Exposure to Chemicals Affects Your Health, and What to Do About It

Growing up interested in science and medicine, Dr. Valencia Porter always knew she’d become a doctor. What she didn't know was that, after working for several years working as a conventional physician, she would pivot to a completely new approach. Today, the double-board certified doctor is also a functional medicine practitioner and an author with a masters in public health focusing on environmental health. She has spent years working as the lead physician and educator at The Chopra Center, and much of her work centers around the health impacts of exposure to chemicals. Read on to learn about the risks of environmental toxicity, the different types of toxins, how to remove toxins from the body, and more. 
Is Grilling Healthy? It depends. The WellBe Guide to Safe Grilling

Is Grilling Healthy? It depends. The WellBe Guide to Safe Grilling

Nothing says innocent summer fun like throwing some meat on the grill and eating al fresco with friends and family. The only thing is — grilling isn’t actually so innocent after all. Yep, like that mosquito that keeps landing on your fruit salad, we’re here to put damper on your next summer bbq with some news about the serious health risks of grilling. But unlike that annoying mosquito, we’re going to make it better in the end, with smart tips to help you stay safe while still enjoying all the fun and deliciousness of grilling season.