Unseen Toxins: What’s Harming Us in Air, Water, and Everyday Products - with Dr. Aly Cohen | EP202

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In our modern world, we are surrounded by a staggering number of invisible threats. These chemicals and pollutants can silently undermine our immune systems, increase our risk for chronic illness, and sabotage our health at the cellular level. That’s why I’m especially excited to welcome Dr. Aly Cohen to this episode of The Empowering Neurologist. This conversation is not only eye-opening, it’s empowering and filled with practical, actionable steps that each of us can take starting today.

In our conversation Dr. Cohen takes us through the science and the soul of her mission. We explore what inspired her to write Detoxify, a journey that began at the intersection of clinical frustration and personal awakening. Over the years, she began noticing that many of her patients with autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and neurological complaints shared a common thread: consistent exposure to environmental toxins. This wasn't just about vague “bad stuff.”Dr. Cohen has zeroed in on a specific category of chemicals she terms “Immune-disrupting chemicals (IDCs).” These are substances that directly interfere with the immune system's ability to regulate and repair.

Dr. Cohen doesn’t stop at theory… she gets specific - with personal care products to avoid, water purification tips every household should know, and simple DIY recipes for safer cleaning and skincare. Her “Detoxify Food Pyramid” reimagines what a clean, immune-supportive diet looks like in a world of processed foods and contaminated agriculture.

We also touch on how environmental toxins can act as potent triggers for autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis - diseases Dr. Cohen treats in her clinical practice almost every day.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer scale of modern toxicity, this episode offers a clear and hopeful path forward. Dr. Cohen emphasizes that detoxifying your life doesn’t mean doing everything at once. It’s about starting small. Things like switching to a glass water bottle, choosing fragrance-free detergents, and reading ingredient labels can lead to profound health benefits.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

02:15 Welcoming Dr. Amy Cohen & Her Inspiration for Her Book

05:45 Water & How Contamination Dysregulates Our Immune System

10:44 Recommendations for Filtration and Purification

13:13 Quality of Bottled Water Is Sub Par & Likely Tap Water

18:03 Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Contaminants Found In Our Water

21:47 Sparking Change with The Four A's: Assess, Avoid Or Swap, Add, Allow

27:39 How Did These Chemicals Enter Our Food & Water Supply?

34:10 How Do Genetics Determine Your Ability To Detoxify?

37:50 Air Quality, Pollution, and The Impact On Our Bodies

43:49 Navigating How To Improve The Air You Breath

47:41 Detoxifying The Body From Air Pollution

51:18 Hidden Threats In Your Personal Care Products & How To Avoid Them

1:04:19 Conclusion

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Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified physician practicing in rheumatology and integrative medicine, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. Her new book, DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them, available now for preorder, connects the dots between everyday chemicals and the epidemic rise in immune disorders and autoimmune disease...and what we CAN all do about it! You can follow her health and wellness tips and recommendations on Facebook at The Smart Human, Twitter, and Instagram: @thesmarthuman, and TikTok. 

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