Harvard doctor has urgent advice. Ditch these 8 everyday toxins from your life ASAP
2. Artificial Sweeteners
3. Plastic Bottles
4. Deli Meats
5. Scented Candles
6. Antibacterial Soap
7. Ultra-processed Foods
8. Fragrant detergent
If you think toxins are just lurking in factories or polluted rivers, think again. According to Harvard-trained gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi, some of the biggest culprits are hiding right inside your kitchen, bathroom, and even laundry basket. He recently dropped a reality check on Instagram, listing eight everyday items he would personally kick out of his life ASAP. From sneaky plastics to those 'fresh-scent' laundry sheets we love too much, here's what the stomach doctor wants us to rethink.Let's start with the cookware many of us swear by: nonstick pans. Once they're scratched or chipped, it's basically game over. Damaged Teflon can release toxic fumes and microplastics, especially when overheated. Instead, Dr. Sethi recommends sturdier, safer options like stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic pansNext on his blacklist: artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose. Marketed as 'healthy' sugar swaps, they actually mess with gut bacteria, blood sugar, and appetite signals. They've even been linked to glucose intolerance. His advice? Go for natural alternatives like monk fruit, pure stevia, or — brace yourself — actual fruit.Plastic water bottles, particularly when left in hot cars or exposed to sunlight, are another trap. Even the 'BPA-free' ones can leach hormone-disrupting chemicals. Stainless steel or glass bottles are a smarter and safer choice.If you're a fan of deli meats, brace yourself again. Packaged options often come loaded with sodium nitrite and nitrate preservatives that inflame the gut, disrupt the microbiome, and raise cancer risk. A simple swap? Freshly cooked meats that don't double as a chemistry experiment.Your beloved scented candles and air fresheners aren't as innocent as they smell. They release phthalates and VOCs — volatile organic compounds — which have been tied to hormone disruption and inflammation. Safer alternatives include beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers, or good old-fashioned fresh air.Then there's antibacterial soap, especially the kind with triclosan. Sure, it promises to kill germs, but it also wipes out good bacteria, harms your skin barrier, and may even affect gut health. Dr. Sethi's advice? Keep it simple with plain soap and water.Ultra-processed packaged foods also made his cut. Most are filled with seed oils, preservatives, gums, and emulsifiers that wreak havoc on metabolism and gut health. His rule of thumb is easy: if the ingredient list reads like a chemistry lab, put it back on the shelf.And finally, those fragrance-loaded laundry detergents and dryer sheets. They may leave your clothes smelling 'fresh,' but they're packed with phthalates and synthetic chemicals that cling to fabric and, ultimately, your skin. Instead, he suggests fragrance-free detergents or wool dryer balls with a few drops of essential oil.Dr. Sethi's point is simple — the fewer hidden toxins in your daily life, the better your gut, brain, and hormones will thank you.
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Harvard doctor has urgent advice. Ditch these 8 everyday toxins from your life ASAP
1. Chipped or Damaged Nonstick Pans 2. Artificial Sweeteners 3. Plastic Bottles 4. Deli Meats 5. Scented Candles 6. Antibacterial Soap 7. Ultra-processed Foods 8. Fragrant detergent If you think toxins are just lurking in factories or polluted rivers, think again. According to Harvard-trained gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi, some of the biggest culprits are hiding right inside your kitchen, bathroom, and even laundry basket. He recently dropped a reality check on Instagram, listing eight everyday items he would personally kick out of his life ASAP. From sneaky plastics to those 'fresh-scent' laundry sheets we love too much, here's what the stomach doctor wants us to start with the cookware many of us swear by: nonstick pans. Once they're scratched or chipped, it's basically game over. Damaged Teflon can release toxic fumes and microplastics, especially when overheated. Instead, Dr. Sethi recommends sturdier, safer options like stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic pansNext on his blacklist: artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose. Marketed as 'healthy' sugar swaps, they actually mess with gut bacteria, blood sugar, and appetite signals. They've even been linked to glucose intolerance. His advice? Go for natural alternatives like monk fruit, pure stevia, or — brace yourself — actual water bottles, particularly when left in hot cars or exposed to sunlight, are another trap. Even the 'BPA-free' ones can leach hormone-disrupting chemicals. Stainless steel or glass bottles are a smarter and safer you're a fan of deli meats, brace yourself again. Packaged options often come loaded with sodium nitrite and nitrate preservatives that inflame the gut, disrupt the microbiome, and raise cancer risk. A simple swap? Freshly cooked meats that don't double as a chemistry beloved scented candles and air fresheners aren't as innocent as they smell. They release phthalates and VOCs — volatile organic compounds — which have been tied to hormone disruption and inflammation. Safer alternatives include beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers, or good old-fashioned fresh there's antibacterial soap, especially the kind with triclosan. Sure, it promises to kill germs, but it also wipes out good bacteria, harms your skin barrier, and may even affect gut health. Dr. Sethi's advice? Keep it simple with plain soap and packaged foods also made his cut. Most are filled with seed oils, preservatives, gums, and emulsifiers that wreak havoc on metabolism and gut health. His rule of thumb is easy: if the ingredient list reads like a chemistry lab, put it back on the finally, those fragrance-loaded laundry detergents and dryer sheets. They may leave your clothes smelling 'fresh,' but they're packed with phthalates and synthetic chemicals that cling to fabric and, ultimately, your skin. Instead, he suggests fragrance-free detergents or wool dryer balls with a few drops of essential Sethi's point is simple — the fewer hidden toxins in your daily life, the better your gut, brain, and hormones will thank you.
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
AIIMS, Harvard gastroenterologist shares 8 toxic everyday items harming gut, overall health: Scented candles, detergent
Everyday items we use in our kitchens and homes may be quietly harming our gut and overall health, warns Dr Saurabh Sethi, MD, MPH, board-certified gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and interventional endoscopist trained at AIIMS, Harvard and Stanford. Scented candles and air fresheners contain phthalates and VOCS (volatile organic compounds) linked to hormone disruption and inflammation.(Unsplash) In an August 19 Instagram post, he listed 8 items that are found in our home, including non-stick pans, scented candles, scented washing detergents, and more items, and why he would avoid them. Supported by research, he offered simple swaps that could reduce long-term risks and improve overall well-being. 8 everyday items that are toxic and their swaps Sharing the list, Dr Sethi wrote, 'I'm a stomach doctor and these are 8 everyday toxins I'd ditch asap.' Let's find out the items he listed in his Instagram post, why they are toxic, and what you should swap them with: 1. Scratched or chipped nonstick pans (Teflon/PTFE) If it's damaged, it's done. Teflon can release microplastics and toxic fumes, especially at high heat. Swap it with: Switch to ceramic, cast iron, or stainless steel. 2. Artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame, sucralose) They mess with your gut bacteria, blood sugar, and appetite signals. Linked to glucose intolerance and microbiome shifts. Swap it with: Monk fruit (pure), stevia (pure), or real fruit. 3. Plastic water bottles (especially in heat) BPA and even BPA-free plastics can leach hormones, disrupting chemicals, especially in warm temperatures. Swap it with: Stainless steel or glass. 4. Ultra-processed packaged foods Most ultra-processed packaged foods contain seed oils, preservatives, gums, and emulsifiers, all known to disrupt gut health and metabolism. Swap it with: Whole, recognisable ingredients. If it has more than 5+ unpronounceable ingredients, pass. 5. Scented candles and air fresheners Scented candles and air fresheners contain phthalates and VOCS (volatile organic compounds) linked to hormone disruption and inflammation. Swap it with: Beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers, or just ventilation. 6. Deli meats with preservatives (nitrites/nitrates) Processed meats are often packed with sodium nitrite, nitrate, and other preservatives linked to gut inflammation, microbiome disruption, and even colorectal cancer risk. Swap it with: Freshly cooked meats. 7. Antibacterial soaps with triclosan Antibacterial soaps with triclosan kill good and bad bacteria alike. It can harm your skin barrier, and yes, your gut may feel it too. Swap it with: Plain soap and water. 8. Fragrance-loaded laundry detergents and dryer sheets Fragrance-loaded laundry detergents and dryer sheets are packed with phthalates and synthetic chemicals that cling to your clothes and your skin. It can disrupt hormones and irritate sensitive systems over time. Swap it with: Fragrance-free or wool dryer balls with essential oil. Lastly, the gastroenterologist suggested, 'You don't need to fear everything. But reducing your toxic load is one of the easiest ways to support your gut, brain, and hormones.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Time of India
5 sneaky ways toxins enter the body and damage gut health
Are you ingesting deadly toxins every day? Well, not intentionally, but without realizing it, you may be allowing harmful toxins to enter your system every single day! Yes, that's right. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These chemicals can disrupt your gut and hurt your overall health and wellness. From the cookware you use to the sweeteners in your coffee, toxins are silently entering your system, without you even noticing them. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist trained at Harvard and Stanford, has now explained how toxins sneak into our homes and bodies. 'I'm a stomach doctor, and every day I see how hidden toxins affect the gut and overall health. Some are so common that most people don't even realize the damage they can cause,' the doctor said. Take a look. Scratched or chipped nonstick pans If you think you are saving some money by continuing to use the scratched or chipped nonstick pans, you aren't. In fact, continuing to cook with scratched or chipped nonstick pans isn't saving money; it could cost far more in medical bills and your health. Dr. Sethi explains that nonstick pans coated with Teflon (PTFE) release harmful compounds when scratched or overheated. These tiny particles and toxic fumes can seep into your food and enter your body. The doctor recommends swapping these non-stick pans for ceramic, stainless steel, or cast-iron cookware, which are more durable and toxin-free alternatives. Artificial sweeteners Are you someone who relies on in hopes of cutting back on added sugar? Well, it may not be a good idea. Artificial sweetnes, especially aspartame and sucralose can mess with your gut bacteria, blood sugar, and appetite signals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dr. Sethi points out that these sweeteners are also linked to glucose intolerance and microbiome shifts. He suggests using natural alternatives like monk fruit (pure), stevia (pure), or real fruit. Plastic water bottles What if we tell you, your water is a concoction of toxins? Yes, that's right, if you are using plastic water bottles. Dr. Sethi reveals that chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) can leach from plastic bottles, especially when exposed to heat. Even BPA-free plastics may contain hormone-disrupting compounds. He suggests using stainless steel or glass water bottles instead of plastic. Ultra-processed packaged foods Your chips and fries could be giving you more than the crunch. They are loaded with seed oils, preservatives, gums, and emulsifiers, all known to disrupt gut health and metabolism. These include packaged snacks, ready meals, and processed baked goods. Instead of eating , switch to whole foods, with ingredients you can identify. If a label has more than five hard-to-pronounce additives, the gastroenterologist suggests skipping that food. Bloated tummy woes? Common remedies to get rid of gas and bloating Deli meats No matter how tempting they may appear, deli meats are not exactly gut-friendly. 'Processed meats are often packed with sodium nitrite, nitrate, and other preservatives linked to gut inflammation, microbiome disruption, and even colorectal cancer risk,' the doctor says. He suggests consuming freshly cooked meats instead of deli meats. 'You don't need to fear everything. But reducing your toxic load is one of the easiest ways to support your gut, brain, and hormones,' Dr. Sethi advises.
