In the first part of this series, we explored why chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular illness and cancer are rising faster than ever before.
While lifestyle factors like poor nutrition and inactivity are important (here you can read more about proper nutrition), researches show that they don’t fully explain the epidemic.
Research shows environmental toxins may be the missing link—chemicals that act as “diabetogens” and “obesogens,” amplifying the risk of chronic illness beyond diet and lifestyle alone, by active as main drivers of chronic disease.
According to Functional Medicine – a patient-centered medicine that treats the root causes of a diseases – toxins have an ability to interfere with our biology in subtle but powerful ways, often long before symptoms appear.
Let’s look together how these toxins fuel chronic disease and why some individuals are more exposed than otehrs.
While lifestyle factors like poor nutrition and inactivity are important (here you can read more about proper nutrition), researches show that they don’t fully explain the epidemic.
Research shows environmental toxins may be the missing link—chemicals that act as “diabetogens” and “obesogens,” amplifying the risk of chronic illness beyond diet and lifestyle alone, by active as main drivers of chronic disease.
According to Functional Medicine – a patient-centered medicine that treats the root causes of a diseases – toxins have an ability to interfere with our biology in subtle but powerful ways, often long before symptoms appear.
Let’s look together how these toxins fuel chronic disease and why some individuals are more exposed than otehrs.
1. Obesogens and Diabetogens: Chemicals That Rewire Metabolism
Certain chemicals, such as pesticides, plasticizers, and heavy metals, act as obesogens—compounds that promote fat storage and alter metabolism. Research shows that these substances can reprogram how our bodies regulate weight by disrupting hormonal signals that control appetite, fat cell differentiation, and insulin sensitivity (Heindel et al., 2017).
Similarly, diabetogens are toxins that directly impair glucose metabolism. They contribute to insulin resistance, damage pancreatic beta cells, and create an internal environment where diabetes develops more readily, even in individuals with otherwise “normal” lifestyle habits (Lee et al., 2014).
2. Toxins as Triggers of Autoimmunity
Autoimmune diseases are often described as the body “attacking itself,” but that explanation oversimplifies the problem. Dr. Joseph Pizzorno (here Dr Pizzorno and Dr Mark Hayman talk about toxins elimination)together with other functional medicine experts highlight a different perspective: many toxins bind to tissues, altering them in ways that the immune system no longer recognizes as “self.” This misidentification can set off an inflammatory attack that manifests as autoimmunity (Pizzorno, 2018).
3. Neurological and Hormonal Disruption
The brain and endocrine system are highly sensitive to toxic exposure. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones, leading to fertility issues, mood disorders, and metabolic dysfunction (Gore et al., 2015). Neurotoxins, on the other hand, contribute to cognitive decline, memory problems, and even neurodegenerative conditions (Martyniuk & Feswick, 2020).
4. The Gut as a Detoxification Interface
The gut is not only the center of nutrient absorption but also a critical detoxification interface. A healthy microbiome helps neutralize toxins before they enter circulation. However, many environmental chemicals damage gut bacteria, weaken the intestinal barrier, and increase systemic exposure—a phenomenon often linked to inflammation, allergies, and immune dysregulation (Claus et al., 2016).
5. Why Some Individual Are More Vulnerable
Not everyone responds to toxins in the same way. Genetic differences in detoxification pathways (such as MTHFR, PEMT, GSTX, and COMT polymorphisms) mean some people have a reduced ability to process and eliminate harmful compounds. Elevated homocysteine, impaired methylation, and depleted antioxidant reserves amplify the damage, making “toxic susceptibility” an important but often overlooked factor in chronic disease risk (James et al., 2004; Tang et al., 2013).
Certain chemicals, such as pesticides, plasticizers, and heavy metals, act as obesogens—compounds that promote fat storage and alter metabolism. Research shows that these substances can reprogram how our bodies regulate weight by disrupting hormonal signals that control appetite, fat cell differentiation, and insulin sensitivity (Heindel et al., 2017).
Similarly, diabetogens are toxins that directly impair glucose metabolism. They contribute to insulin resistance, damage pancreatic beta cells, and create an internal environment where diabetes develops more readily, even in individuals with otherwise “normal” lifestyle habits (Lee et al., 2014).
2. Toxins as Triggers of Autoimmunity
Autoimmune diseases are often described as the body “attacking itself,” but that explanation oversimplifies the problem. Dr. Joseph Pizzorno (here Dr Pizzorno and Dr Mark Hayman talk about toxins elimination)together with other functional medicine experts highlight a different perspective: many toxins bind to tissues, altering them in ways that the immune system no longer recognizes as “self.” This misidentification can set off an inflammatory attack that manifests as autoimmunity (Pizzorno, 2018).
3. Neurological and Hormonal Disruption
The brain and endocrine system are highly sensitive to toxic exposure. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones, leading to fertility issues, mood disorders, and metabolic dysfunction (Gore et al., 2015). Neurotoxins, on the other hand, contribute to cognitive decline, memory problems, and even neurodegenerative conditions (Martyniuk & Feswick, 2020).
4. The Gut as a Detoxification Interface
The gut is not only the center of nutrient absorption but also a critical detoxification interface. A healthy microbiome helps neutralize toxins before they enter circulation. However, many environmental chemicals damage gut bacteria, weaken the intestinal barrier, and increase systemic exposure—a phenomenon often linked to inflammation, allergies, and immune dysregulation (Claus et al., 2016).
5. Why Some Individual Are More Vulnerable
Not everyone responds to toxins in the same way. Genetic differences in detoxification pathways (such as MTHFR, PEMT, GSTX, and COMT polymorphisms) mean some people have a reduced ability to process and eliminate harmful compounds. Elevated homocysteine, impaired methylation, and depleted antioxidant reserves amplify the damage, making “toxic susceptibility” an important but often overlooked factor in chronic disease risk (James et al., 2004; Tang et al., 2013).
Conclusion: The Case for Functional Medicine Detox
Environmental toxins undermine human health by altering metabolism, confusing immunity, disrupting hormones, damaging the brain, and weakening the gut. For some individuals, genetic variations and nutritional deficiencies make these effects even more pronounced.
Since genetics and nutrition play a major role in vulnerability, a functional medicine approach is essential—one that supports detoxification pathways, restores balance, and strengthens resilience.
👉 In Part III, we’ll cover how to detox safely and effectively—why “detox teas” aren’t enough, and what science-based strategies actually work.
🧭 Want to know how toxins might be affecting your health?
Work with me to build a personalized detox and prevention strategy.
Environmental toxins undermine human health by altering metabolism, confusing immunity, disrupting hormones, damaging the brain, and weakening the gut. For some individuals, genetic variations and nutritional deficiencies make these effects even more pronounced.
Since genetics and nutrition play a major role in vulnerability, a functional medicine approach is essential—one that supports detoxification pathways, restores balance, and strengthens resilience.
👉 In Part III, we’ll cover how to detox safely and effectively—why “detox teas” aren’t enough, and what science-based strategies actually work.
🧭 Want to know how toxins might be affecting your health?
Work with me to build a personalized detox and prevention strategy.
References
- Claus SP, Guillou H, Ellero-Simatos S. The gut microbiota: a major player in the toxicity of environmental pollutants? NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2016;2:16003.
- Gore AC, Chappell VA, Fenton SE, et al. EDC-2: The Endocrine Society’s Second Scientific Statement on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. Endocr Rev. 2015;36(6):E1-E150.
- Heindel JJ, Blumberg B, Cave M, et al. Metabolism disrupting chemicals and metabolic disorders. Reprod Toxicol. 2017;68:3-33.
- James SJ, Melnyk S, Jernigan S, et al. Metabolic endophenotype and related genotypes are associated with oxidative stress in children with autism. Am J Med Genet B. 2004;131B(1):6-8.
- Lee DH, Porta M, Jacobs DR Jr, Vandenberg LN. Chlorinated persistent organic pollutants, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Endocr Rev. 2014;35(4):557-601.
- Martyniuk CJ, Feswick A. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology. 2020;76:50-58.
- Pizzorno J. Environmental toxins and chronic disease: The need for a new paradigm. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018;17(1):8-12.
- Tang WH, Wang Z, Levison BS, et al. Genetic and dietary regulation of plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide and risk of atherosclerosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;62(9):806-814.