EP 63: Toxin Burden and Your Health: Why What You’re Exposed to Matters More Than You Think – Series 1
“Oxidative stress is like rust inside the body.“
— Steve Adams
This episode of the Organic Lifestyle Podcast opens with a clear warning: some of what you’re about to hear may sound scary.
But the goal isn’t fear—it’s awareness.
Steve Adams, owner of Nassau Health Foods, shares why toxin burden has become a growing concern and why understanding it matters for long-term health, especially as we age. While he is not a physician, he emphasizes that everything discussed is research-based and shared so listeners can make more informed choices about their health.At its core, this conversation is about choice—and about recognizing that many of the things we’re exposed to every day can quietly add up inside the body over time.
What Is Toxin Burden?
Toxin burden refers to the accumulation of harmful substances in the body over time.
According to the transcript, these substances can come from multiple sources, including:
- Microplastics
- PFAS (often called “forever chemicals”)
- Mold toxins
- Heavy metals such as mercury
These toxins don’t simply pass through the body and disappear. Many are resistant to breakdown and can accumulate in tissues, organs, and systems over years or decades.
Steve explains that while there is debate in public discussions about how significant some of these exposures are, real-world testing inside a medical clinic shows that these substances are indeed being found in people’s bodies.
Microplastics: Small Particles, Big Questions
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can enter the body through everyday behaviors, such as:
- Drinking from plastic containers
- Eating food that has been heated in plastic
The transcript acknowledges that debate exists about the evidence base around microplastics. However, Steve shares that in a clinical setting, microplastics are being found in patients’ bodies—suggesting that exposure is real and widespread.
If these particles are showing up consistently in medical testing, it raises a reasonable concern: they’re coming from somewhere, and many people may already be carrying them without knowing it.
PFAS: The Problem With “Forever Chemicals”
One of the most detailed sections of the episode focuses on PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
These chemicals are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because:
- They are extremely resistant to breaking down
- They persist in the environment
- They accumulate in living organisms over time
According to the transcript, PFAS have been used since the 1940s and are found in many everyday products, including:
- Non-stick cookware
- Food packaging
- Stain-resistant carpets and clothing
- Firefighting foams
- Industrial applications such as aerospace and electronics
Because these chemicals repel water, oil, grease, and stains, they became widely used—but their durability is also what makes them problematic.
Steve explains that PFAS can accumulate in soil, water, animals, and humans, and they are increasingly a subject of concern in medical research.
Mold Toxins and Heavy Metals
Beyond plastics and PFAS, the transcript also highlights two additional sources of toxin burden:
Mold Toxins
Mold exposure can contribute to overall toxin load in the body, particularly when exposure is chronic or unresolved.
Heavy Metals
Metals such as mercury are also being found in patients through medical testing. These metals are linked, according to the transcript, to increased risks related to cancer and metabolic disease.
How Toxins Affect the Body
The episode explains several mechanisms through which toxin burden can negatively impact health.
1. Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is described as “rust inside the body.”
It damages cells and tissues and reduces the body’s ability to repair itself over time.
2. Chronic Inflammation
Persistent inflammation is identified as a core contributor to many diseases. Toxins can trigger and sustain this inflammatory response, creating an internal environment that increases disease risk.
3. DNA Damage and Cancer Risk
Toxins can cause DNA damage, leading to mutations and genomic instability. This process may initiate carcinogenesis, where normal cells begin to grow uncontrollably.
Some chemicals also act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormonal balance and potentially promoting cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.
Toxins and Metabolic Disease
The transcript draws a clear connection between toxin exposure and metabolic dysfunction.
Insulin Resistance
Exposure to certain toxins can impair insulin signaling, leading to insulin resistance. This condition is described as a precursor to:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
Altered Lipid Metabolism
Toxins can disrupt lipid metabolism, leading to abnormal lipid levels (dyslipidemia), which increases the risk of:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Fatty liver disease
Weight Gain and Obesity
Toxin burden may also contribute to weight gain by altering:
- Hormonal regulation of appetite
- Fat storage
- Metabolic function
Obesity itself is identified as a significant risk factor for diabetes, cancer, and blood pressure issues.
Nutrient Absorption and the Gut
Another important point from the transcript is how toxins can impact the gut.
High toxin burden can:
- Disrupt the gut microbiome
- Affect the digestive tract
- Impair nutrient absorption
Steve shares a personal example of discovering a vitamin C deficiency—despite living in the United States—highlighting how toxin-related gut dysfunction can contribute to nutrient deficiencies.
Health Span vs. Life Span: Why This Matters as You Age
The episode shifts toward a broader perspective on aging and quality of life.
According to the transcript:
- The average life expectancy in the U.S. is 77 years
- The average health span is 66 years
- This leaves roughly 11 years spent managing chronic disease
Steve poses a direct question: do you want to spend those years limited by conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease?
Especially in a place like Amelia Island—known for its beauty, community, and active lifestyle—the goal is not just to live longer, but to stay healthy longer.
Why Detoxing Requires Medical Guidance
One of the most important cautions in the episode is about detoxing.
Steve explains that removing toxins from the body is not something to do casually. Without proper binding, releasing toxins can make people very sick. This is why he emphasizes detox protocols should be done under the care of a physician.
He shares that he has personally gone through this process under medical supervision and describes it as transformative—but reiterates that it must be done safely.
Lifestyle Choices That Support Long-Term Health
The episode outlines several habits that are positioned as critical for aging well:
- Reorganizing your relationship with stress, including diaphragm breathing
- Prioritizing sleep, especially deep and REM sleep
- Eating less and fasting more, including a 13-hour daily fast
- Moving your body every day, such as walking for 25 minutes
- Eating clean food
Steve emphasizes that food can either be medicine or poison—and frames clean food as an investment in long-term health, even if it costs more upfront.
Stopping the Addition of New Toxins
One of the strongest takeaways from the transcript is this idea:
Detoxing isn’t just about removing toxins—it’s also about stopping new ones from coming in.
This includes:
- Products you put on your skin
- Products you put in your mouth
Steve shares his personal commitment to eliminating products that weren’t toxin-free and explains that Nassau Health Foods exists to help people make those choices more easily.
A Community-Focused Message
The episode closes with a reminder that this conversation isn’t just about promoting a store—it’s about community health.
The tools exist. The support exists. Whether through Nassau Health Foods, local staff, or medical professionals, help is available.
The message is simple: do something.
Read Series 2, Part 1 here: https://nassauhealthfood.com/ep64-how-toxins-quietly-shorten-your-health-span/
Read Series 2, Part 2 here: https://nassauhealthfood.com/ep65-reduce-toxic-exposure-what-water-skin-and-everyday-products-are-doing-to-your-body-series2-part2/
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/aSIYi-GrUeU
Shop online anytime at:
👉 https://nassauhealthfood.com/
Or visit us at:
📍 833 T.J. Courson Rd.
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Transcript Evidence
All claims, explanations, examples, and language in this blog post are derived directly from the EP 63 podcast transcript provided by the user. No external sources, studies, statistics, or interpretations were added.
