RENEW

Reduce

The first step in the RENEW program involves reducing your exposure to toxins by cleaning up your air, water, food and household environment. It begins with making gradual changes such as opting for organic foods, installing air and water filters in your home, and replacing chemical-laden cleaners and personal care products with safe, natural alternatives.

AIR

Invest in a good air purifier for your home. Air purifiers are widely available today. Some are designed specifically for smog and smoke; some for chemicals, gases and fumes; and some for mold, viruses and bacteria. However, many are designed to handle it all. More than 90 percent of particulates you want to filter are small enough to be handled by a HEPA (high efficiency particle absorption) filter. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, air purifiers can help reduce your symptoms. Also change your air conditioning and heating filters in your home often, and get the ducts cleaned yearly.

Keep plenty of plants in the home. Plants are natural air filters, as they help filter toxins from your household air and add oxygen. Look for spider plants, rubber plants, azaleas, philodendrons, certain varieties of palm, aloe vera, peace lilies, ferns, ivy and even Gerbera daisies and chrysanthemums.

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WATER

Invest in a household water filter or individual faucet filters. Household and individual water filters will help remove harmful contaminants from the water you use to drink and bathe (as toxins can enter through your skin during bathing). Ask your water company for a copy of their annual water quality report to help you determine which contaminants are present, and choose the type of filter that best suits your needs.

Have your water tested for contamination. If you have young children or are pregnant or trying to conceive, it’s important to test your tap water for lead contamination. Lead is especially dangerous, and levels can vary significantly from house to house. A lead test costs about $25.

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FOOD

Eat organic whenever possible. Fresh, organically grown foods are high in nutrients and do not contain the chemicals, pesticides and herbicides generally found in produce. Organic meats and dairy are free of unnecessary hormones and antibiotics.

Look for supplements with organic ingredients, like Organic Clear Fiber and Organic Triple Fiber from ReNew Life Formulas.

Enhance digestion with enzymes. Natural plant-based enzymes will help you better digest your food and reduce the production of digestive by-products that can lead to intestinal toxicity.

Try DigestMore Ultra, a powerful plant-based enzyme formula from ReNew Life Formulas.

Shop only the perimeter of the grocery store. Here you’ll find fresh produce, meats and dairy, and try to avoid many of the heavily processed foods that are loaded with added sugars and preservatives.

Clean out your kitchen. Go through your refrigerator and pantry and eliminate processed foods (including many snack foods) that contain coloring agents, chemical additives, preservatives, etc.

Snacks with organic ingredients are a good way to curb your appetite. Try Organic Fiber Bars or Fiber35 Diet Fiber Chews from ReNew Life Formulas.

Modify your diet. Avoid high-fructose corn syrup whenever possible, as well as hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils; enriched and bleached flour; artificial sweeteners; MSG; modified cornstarch; sugar; bromate; olestra; and artificial food colorings.

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HOME/PERSONAL

Choose natural household and personal care products. Take a look at the ingredients in your household cleansing products and personal care products such as toothpaste, shampoo and lotion. Choose one or two products a week to replace with a natural alternative that does not contain the harsh toxic chemicals.

Change your sheets. Begin replacing your old sheets with organic cotton sheets. Purchase a hypo-allergenic mattress cover, and use pillows made with natural fibers. Likewise, opt for clothing made of natural fabrics.

Detoxify your home décor. Consider natural-fiber carpeting, or choose tile or wood flooring. Choose natural fabrics and upholstery made without chemical flame retardants, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Non-toxic paints are also available, and they produce fewer vapors.