Ep. 466 How Toxins Impact Women’s Health at Every Age with Dr. Aly Cohen
May 17, 2025
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In this engaging conversation, Dr. Aly Cohen, a board-certified rheumatologist and expert in environmental health, reveals how environmental toxins disproportionately affect women's health at various life stages. She discusses the inadequacies of current U.S. regulations on chemicals and emphasizes the hidden dangers of contaminated tap water. Dr. Cohen highlights the importance of iodine for detoxification and how noise pollution can impact well-being. Her insights encourage proactive health strategies for women, especially during perimenopause and menopause.
Federal regulations on environmental toxins are outdated, leaving consumers at risk from the over 100,000 untested chemicals in products.
Specific life stages such as pregnancy and menopause are particularly vulnerable to toxins, highlighting the need for proactive health measures.
Iodine is crucial for detoxification, supporting liver and gut health amidst daily exposure to environmental toxins and their effects.
Deep dives
Impact of Regulatory Agencies on Toxin Exposure
Federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have a significant role in regulating the chemicals we encounter daily. However, many regulations are outdated, allowing a large number of untested chemicals to remain in consumer products. For instance, only a meager handful of the over 100,000 chemicals in the U.S. have been effectively regulated. The discussion highlights the failure of policies that were meant to ensure public safety, underscoring that many consumers are left unaware of the potential hazards in their everyday lives.
The Dangers of Tap Water
Tap water, often considered safe, poses unique risks due to the limited contaminants it filters out during treatment processes. Many treatment plants do not adequately remove harmful substances such as glyphosate, BPA, and pharmaceuticals, leaving significant amounts of these chemicals in the water supply. Furthermore, the Safe Drinking Water Act, established in 1974, only mandates testing for 91 specific chemicals, which is grossly inadequate given the plethora of industrial chemicals introduced since then. This underlines the necessity for individuals to be proactive in filtering their water for optimal health.
Vulnerable Life Stages
Certain life stages—pregnancy, childhood, adolescence, and menopause—are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of environmental toxins. For example, pregnant women and their fetuses are at significant risk as the placenta does not protect against most chemicals, leading to potential long-term health ramifications. Young children and teenagers are also highly vulnerable due to their developing bodies and unique habits, such as hand-to-mouth behavior. Addressing these risks through education and proactive measures can considerably improve health outcomes for these groups.
The Role of Detoxification and Iodine
Detoxification is a natural process the body undergoes, but the modern environment inundates us with numerous toxins that can overwhelm these systems. Supporting detox pathways, primarily those in the liver and gut, is critical in mitigating the impact of harmful exposures from everyday life. Iodine plays a pivotal role in these processes, not only supporting thyroid function but also helping to protect the body from various toxins. The discussion emphasizes the importance of adequate iodine intake through food or supplements as a preventive measure against potential health issues related to environmental toxins.
Noise Pollution and Health
Noise pollution, often overlooked, can significantly impact overall health and well-being, presenting a unique form of environmental toxin. Research indicates that it can lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems, particularly in individuals living near high-traffic areas or airports. The conversation sheds light on the need for more awareness and better strategies to mitigate noise exposure in daily life. This highlights the importance of creating quieter environments and finding ways to manage daily stresses through sound management for improved mental and physical health.
I am honored to connect with Dr. Aly Cohen today. She is a board-certified rheumatologist, an integrative medicine physician, and one of the country's leading medical and legal experts in environmental health.
We began our conversation today exploring the role of federal agencies, including the EPA and FDA, in regulating environmental toxins and their impact on public safety. Dr. Cohen discusses her rheumatology training and explains how our environments affect our immune systems, clarifying why tap water is problematic, how water treatment plants fail to filter out most contaminants, and how pregnancy, childhood, teen years, perimenopause, and menopause are critical stages for toxin exposure. She reveals how many of the laws for processed foods are outdated and ineffective, and how the concept of GRAS (generally regarded as safe) has no real value, and also dives into changes in nutritional value and soil quality, how medications impact our gut microbiome and disease susceptibility, why iodine is essential for detoxifying the lymphatic and glymphatic systems, and how noise pollution affects our health.
This conversation with Dr. Aly Cohen is invaluable, and her book, resources, and works are particularly significant for this community.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:
How the gaps in federal protections outweigh the measures currently in place
The cumulative effects of toxin exposure on the immune system, particularly for women in perimenopause and menopause
Why tap water is unsafe for drinking
Why reverse osmosis filtration is the best option
Why young people should learn about toxin exposure before becoming pregnant
How estrogen loss during menopause impacts the immune system
The poor nutritional value of processed foods and the lack of effective regulation surrounding them
How medications affect the gut microbiome and immune function
The benefits of iodine for detoxification and thyroid health
Why noise pollution is problematic for our mental health
