The term “body burden” is used in the health and wellness space to describe the total amount of toxins present in the human body (including the blood, tissues, fat, organs, and bones) at a given time. Every American (even if healthy) has a toxic body burden.

But how exactly does this happen? What can you do to prevent it? And why are we discussing it in a human-safe cleaning blog article?

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to address and prevent body burden buildup is to replace harsh chemical cleaning and body care products with human-safe, low-tox alternatives.

In other words, toss the toxins!

In this article, we’ll go deep into the science and my clinical experience helping people overcome body burden, including symptoms to watch for, five ways to reduce harmful exposures quickly, and additional tips and resources to support your body’s detox pathways.

Key Takeaways 

• Body burden is the accumulation of toxins in the human body
  
• Body burden can show up in various ways, including mystery symptoms 
  
• Removing products with harmful ingredients from your home is one of the best ways to start reducing body burden 
  

What Is Body Burden?   

Body burden refers to the accumulation of toxins in our bodies, and, in some cases, in our minds.[1]

To be clear, everyone is exposed to toxins daily (there’s just no getting around it). However, our bodies are not made for the chemically polluted environment we now encounter.

The constant exposure to heavy metals, industrial chemicals, and harmful chemicals in processed food, air, water, and products in our homes can exceed our capacity to detoxify and maintain balance. 

We experience a buildup of the body burden when those toxic exposures become too much and/or too frequent for our detox pathways to handle. As a protective mechanism, the body sequesters toxins in fat cells, isolating them from vital organs such as the brain and heart. 

The ramifications of this body burden rob us of our birthright and potential, distort who we are, steal from our lives, and hijack our ability to heal.

What Are Our Detox Pathways? Here’s A Quick Explainer:

Our detox pathways consist of organs and systems that help process, eliminate, and, in some cases, store toxins that would otherwise be detrimental to more delicate organs and systems, like the brain, heart, or pancreas.

Organs of detoxification include:

• Kidneys: Filter waste from the blood and excrete it through urine.
  
• Liver: Processes toxins and waste, converting them into substances that can be eliminated. The liver can also store toxins if needed, though this is not optimal.
  
• Lungs: Expel carbon dioxide and other gases through breathing.
  Intestines: Remove undigested food and waste through bowel movements.
  
• Skin: Also known as the third kidney, the skin is the body’s largest organ of detox and eliminates toxins through sweat.
  
• Lymphatic system: This system is like the body’s waste disposal department, keeping everything flowing smoothly and helping shuttle toxins out through other elimination pathways.

These organs and systems are beautifully designed to protect us from harmful chemicals. However, the unprecedented level of everyday toxin exposure can cause them to become compromised, especially if our lifestyle isn’t health-focused. 

This is not our fault. Sometimes we can’t control our circumstances, nor were most of us taught how to live a healthy lifestyle. I know I wasn’t! I only learned out of necessity to avoid a kidney transplant, then to rehabilitate my son years later.

The point is, although many medical experts claim our bodies can detoxify themselves without extra support, I strongly disagree, as our levels of exposure exceed everyone’s capacity to efficiently process them.  

The fact that we all have a body burden is proof. Science is beginning to confirm this.

What Causes Body Burden?

Some of the primary causes of body burden are persistent synthetic (man-made) chemicals. Persistent meaning, they don’t break down nor can they be easily expelled from the body, or the environment.

There are over 80,000 synthetic chemicals on-record, many of which have never been studied for safety on humans and/or the environment. 

What’s more shocking is many of them have been proven unsafe or potentially unsafe, yet they are still approved for use in household products like cleaning, laundry, personal care, baby care, skincare, and building materials.

Some examples of toxins we know contribute to body burden include:

• Pesticides like DDT, atrazine, ammonia compounds, and glyphosate. These are used on food crops, lawns, and in cleaning products and have found their way into our water and food.
  
• Antimicrobial chemicals such as Quats, chlorine bleach, triclosan, and ammonia used in cleaning products, personal care products, and hand sanitizer.
  
• Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, found in plastics, cleaning products, food packaging, outdoor gear, laundry products, and our water.
  
• Microplastics and plasticizers like BPA, BPS, and BPB leach into our food, water, and air from partially broken-down plastics and petroleum products.
  
• Heavy metals such as lead, aluminum, arsenic and mercury from pesticides, coal-burning power plants, food packaging (think aluminum cans), and some medications have become ubiquitous in our food and water supply, and are very difficult for the body to expel.
  
• Food and beverage ingredients additives found in ultra-processed foods like artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, neurotoxic exitotoxins like MSG and natural flavors, refined sugar, refined seed oils, and preservatives.
  
• Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, also known as formaldehyde donors, are carcinogenic preservatives found in cleaning and personal care products, and release small amounts of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is also common in many building materials, including particle board.
  
• 1-4 dioxane and ethoxylated chemicals are by-products of certain detergents (so they’re not listed on labels) and known carcinogens.
  
• Phthalates, powerful endocrine (hormone) disruptors used extensively in synthetic fragrances and plastics.
  
• EMFs, also known as electromagnetic fields, are invisible waves that emanate from our phones, tablets, SmartMeters, high-tension powerlines, dirty electricity, and other personal devices, and can cause a substantial burden on the body.

These are just a few of the many everyday toxins that create body burden. 

The good news is, you have immense control over your home environment! Which means, you can substantially reduce your exposure and body burden by Tossing the Toxins or even making a few simple swaps around the house.

Symptoms Of Body Burden

Although natural health practitioners have known about it for years, the symptoms of body burden are just beginning to be understood by modern science.

As a nutritionist, medicinal chef, and Bau Biologist specializing in chemical injury, I’ve witnessed the effects of body burden for decades.

First, in my own life, then in my son, who suffered what doctors said was irreversible brain and immune system damage from chemical injury, and then in my clients.

Based on that experience and emerging research, I can tell you body burden shows up in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:[1-2]

• Fatigue
  
• Brain fog and other cognitive issues
  
• Digestive and gut health issues
  
• Mental/emotional issues, like anxiety and mood swings
  
• Sleep issues
  
• Menstrual challenges
  
• Menopausal and perimenopausal challenges
  
• A heightened stress response
  
• Vision issues
• Skin issues, including chronic and acute problems
  
• Brittle hair, skin, and nails
  
• Nutrient deficiencies
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
• Weight struggles
  
• Metabolic problems
  
• Varicose and spider veins
  
• Premature aging
  
• Respiratory issues
  
• Frequent illness
  
• Body odor
  
• Dental issues
  
• Bad breath
  
• Fungal issues, including skin and candida overgrowth
  
• Lack of stamina
  
• Hormonal imbalances and hormone-related ailments
  
• Fertility and reproductive issues
  
• Neurological ailments
  
• Developmental toxicity and delays
  
• Sluggish lymphatic function
  
• Muscle aches and pains

In other words, when the body is overloaded with toxins, the detoxification organs become overwhelmed and unable to eliminate toxins efficiently.

Everything within us is connected, so if something is clogged or backed up, it can show up in various seemingly mysterious ways.

5 Ways To Reduce Body Burden

If you suspect you may have body burden, there are a few super simple things you can do to immediately reduce toxin exposure and take a lot of pressure off.

Yes, you can also do a detox cleanse and a bunch of testing, but don’t skip these foundational steps. 

They are powerful, inexpensive, easy to implement, and some are often overlooked in an age of boutique detox protocols.

This is not to downplay the effectiveness of detox programs, like our 10-Day Stay, but rather to give you a starting point for reducing body burden quickly, safely, and effectively.

1: Reduce Your Toxic Load At Home: Toss The Toxins

The first and most foundational step towards reducing body burden starts at home by identifying and removing products with harmful chemicals.

We outline this step-by-step in detail in our free Toss The Toxins Online Course (highly recommended!).

A perfect place to start is with your cleaning and laundry products.

If they’re synthetic-chemical-based, such as those containing bleach, ammonia, quats, sulfates, optimal brighteners, synthetic detergents, fragrance, dyes, or preservatives, we encourage you to remove them from your home and swap to human-safe alternatives, like Branch Basics EWG-Verified, MADE SAFE Certified, plant- and mineral-based, all-in-one cleaning and laundry system.

You can also make your own natural cleaning products using safe ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and liquid castile soap.

Unsure if your conventional or green cleaning products contain harmful chemicals (yes, “green” cleaners often contain harmful ingredients)?

For easy vetting, try EWG’s SkinDeep app and website. Simply plug in each ingredient in the product, and it will rate them on a scale of 1 (least toxic) to 10 (most toxic). 

We recommend only using products rated 1-2 (some exceptions). Easy peasy.

Explore Branch Basics Toss The Toxins Online Course here.

2: Begin Using Food As Medicine

Once you’ve taken care of upgrading your indoor air quality, it’s time to look at other inputs, like your food and water!

There are hundreds of nutritional approaches to detox and body burden, and many of them completely contradict each other.

For simplicity's sake, we recommend removing all processed foods with harmful ingredients and focusing on eating whole, real foods and buying organic as much as possible!

This means choosing:

• Organic fruits and vegetables: With a focus on lots of fiber-rich green veggies, brassicas, and antioxidant-rich berries to help promote detox, liver function, and gut health.
  
• Healthy fats: Like olive oil, coconut oil, rice bran oil, avocado oil, and grassfed butter and ghee.
• Nuts and seeds: Try soaked or sprouted for greater benefits.
  
• Whole gluten-free grains: People with body burden generally benefit from eliminating gluten, at least for a period of time. Try soaking for easier digestion.
  
• Cultured foods: Like sauerkraut, kimchi, real pickles, and kombucha.
  
• Organic grass-fed and finished meats
  
• Beans and legumes: These are amazing for your gut and kidneys and can even help grab excess hormones and toxins for easy elimination through the bowels.
  
• Wild-caught, low-mercury fish and seafood: The acronym SMASH (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and herring) will help you choose healthier options.
  
• Organic grass-fed and finished dairy products: If you tolerate them. If not, skip.
  
• Natural sweeteners: Like pure maple syrup, raw honey, coconut sugar, and whole stevia.

Learn more in our Toss The Toxins Course and in How To Use Food As Medicine To Heal.

3: Reduce Stress & Mental Clutter

Most of us don’t think of stress as a toxin, but it is one of the most pervasive and powerful ones affecting our nervous system, digestion, and ability to detoxify.

Stress is also compounded by clutter, which is why clearing your space and your mind is so important.

Some of our favorite ways to do a mental detox and destress include:

• Decluttering our homes
  
• Taking screen breaks
  
• Spending time in nature
  
• Prayer and mindfulness
  
• Spending time in community
  
• Grounding
  
• Journaling
  
• Breathwork
  
• Laughing
  
• Detox baths and body treatments

Get more tips in: 5 Powerful Ways to Toss Toxic Thoughts with a Mind Detox

4: Work With A Holistic Integrative Practitioner Trained In Detoxification Protocols

If you want to take your body-unburdening journey to the next level, it can be helpful to partner with a holistic integrative health practitioner or doctor trained in safe detox protocols.

Although the fundamentals (household products, food, water, and stress) must apply, working with a professional can help you create a custom detoxification strategy that’s safe, effective, and efficient.

Examples of practitioners who may specialize in detox protocols include:

• Naturopaths
  
• Holistic Health Practitioners
  
• Acupuncturists or Doctors of Oriental Medicine
  
• Functional Medicine Doctors and practitioners
  
• Nutritionists
  
• Chiropractors
  
• Integrative Health Coaches
  
• Bioenergetic practitioners

Every practitioner is different, but they may offer tests to assess your level of body burden or specific toxins, recommend a specific detox cleanse and dietary program, provide a custom supplement protocol to support safe detox, and other lifestyle changes.

Note: If you’re taking medications, it’s a good idea to consult a medical professional before taking supplements or doing a full detox cleanse. Integrative functional medicine doctors specializing in detoxification are an ideal partner, as they’re trained in pharmacology and integrative therapies.

Just as you would any healthcare professional, be sure to vet them ahead of time by researching their approach, studying their content, reading testimonials, and meeting with them personally to discuss your situation.

Learn more in: An Introduction To Integrative Healthcare Professionals

5: Adopt Regular Detox Practices

The world we live in is wonderfully advanced in so many ways, but it’s also extremely toxic.

For this reason I believe we all need to employ regular, gentle detoxification practices several times a week.

What does this look like? 

• Well, sweating is one of the best and cheapest ways to detox! You can do this through exercise, detox baths, saunas, and hot towel body rubs.
  
• Getting enough sleep is also critical, as this is when our body detoxifies and repairs. So aim for 8-9 hours a night.
  
• Deep breathing is also essential for the expulsion of toxins through the lungs, so take some time to breathe deeply a few times a day.
  
• Opening the windows in your home for 10 minutes in the morning and afternoon is incredible for improving indoor air quality and blowing out toxins.
  
• Dry skin brushing is also amazing for the lymphatic system (and feels heavenly), as is rebounding on a small trampoline and power walking.
  
• Finally, the simple act of drinking enough pure water is one of the best things you can do for your kidneys, lymphatic system, skin, and digestion. How much is optimal? General recommendations are 8 glasses per day, or drink until your urine is pale yellow.
  

Ready To Toss The Toxins? Branch Basics Can Help

There are many things in life we can’t control. However, we can control one of the primary causes of body burden: household toxins from cleaning, laundry, and personal care products.

Branch Basics was created for this reason: to provide a completely human-safe, environmentally-friendly, and economical all-in-one cleaning line.

Just one Concentrate plus water in our refillable bottles creates everything you need to replace harsh household cleaners, laundry products, stain removers, and even some personal care products.

It’s so simple, but a profound way to reduce your daily toxin exposure without compromising on cleanliness.

If you’re new to Branch Basics, we recommend our Premium Starter Kit.

Available in refillable plastic or glass, this kit provides everything you need to make All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Wash, and Laundry. It also comes with Oxygen Boost for extra cleaning, laundry, & stain removal power.

Interested in trying out our Plastic-free Dishwasher Tablets and Laundry Detergent powder? Then the Ultimate Starter Kit is for you. 

It comes with a bag of Dishwasher Tablets, Laundry Detergent (water-free formula), Oxygen Boost, Concentrate, and refillable plastic or glass bottles to make All-Purpose, Streak-Free, Bathroom, and Foaming Wash.

Need more info on how it all works?

See How To Use The Branch Basics Starter Kit for a full written and video tutorial.

And Don’t Forget Your Free Toss The Toxins Online Course

If you want expert support identifying, rounding up, and getting rid of common household toxins, this free course is for you.

In it,  Marilee, Allison, and Kelly (co-founders of Branch Basics) take you through the same step-by-step, room-by-room process I’ve used in my practice for decades to help clients rid their homes of harmful chemicals, foods, and other substances.

We’ve chosen to make this course free because it furthers our mission to help people create healthier homes and families—so please take advantage of it!

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/body-burden 
   
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3249606/