5 Hidden Brain Damaging Toxins Every Woman Over 50 Should Know About – and How to Detox Naturally
When I was younger, I never gave much thought to toxins and how they might be affecting my brain. But after watching my mom – and later, my partner Mark’s father – slip into dementia, I started asking hard questions.
Could everyday exposures be quietly chipping away at our memory, focus, and brain vitality? And more importantly… can we do something about it?
Science says, yes. Brain fog, memory lapses, and even increased risk for dementia can be traced back to five common environmental toxins – and once you learn where they’re hiding, you can start clearing them out. And more importantly, make changes where you’re no longer adding more in.
As a Doctor of Naturopathy and lifelong student of natural healing, I do liver and bowel cleanses a few times a year, and once annually, I add a targeted safe (meaning there is enough fiber to encapsulate any stored metals) heavy metal detox to keep my mind sharp and energy high. And to be proactive.
When I dyed my hair (for most of my life) I always did a few days of liver cleansing as well and counseled my clients to do the same. Chemicals like PPD (hormone disrupter), Resorcinol (endocrine disrupter), ammonia (irritates the respiratory system), Phthalates (interferes with thyroid function) seep into the scalp and get stored in the body. A 2019 NIH study showed a potential increased breast cancer risk in women who dye their hair regularly.
Here’s what every woman over 50 should know about these brain-draining culprits:
🧠 1. Heavy Metals (Mercury, Lead, Aluminum)
Where They Lurk
- Mercury: Tuna, swordfish, dental fillings, older vaccines
- Lead: Old pipes, pre-1978 paint, some imported makeup or ceramics
- Aluminum: Cookware, foil, deodorants, processed foods
Why It Matters
Heavy metals are neurotoxins. They interfere with neurotransmitters, promote chronic inflammation, and are linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s. Even small, repeated exposures adds up.
What to Do
Support natural chelation with foods like cilantro, chlorella, and spirulina, and consider supplements like alpha-lipoic acid. Sweating through sauna or exercise helps, too.
🧠 2. Plastics (BPA & Phthalates)
Where They Lurk
Plastic water bottles, food containers, receipts, makeup, and even some canned goods.
Why It Matters
These compounds mimic estrogen and mess with hormonal balance – essential for memory, sleep, and mental clarity. Studies link plastic exposure to cognitive decline and hormone-driven brain changes.
What to Do
Avoid plastic whenever possible, especially when heating food. Opt for glass or stainless steel, eat cruciferous veggies like broccoli, and support your liver with milk thistle and DIM.
🧠 3. Mold Toxins (Mycotoxins)
Where They Lurk
Water-damaged homes, hidden leaks, HVAC systems, coffee, nuts, and grains.
Why It Matters
Mold toxins inflame the brain and trigger symptoms like headaches, brain fog, panic attacks, and poor memory. They can also suppress the immune system.
What to Do
Bind and eliminate mold with activated charcoal, zeolite, and antifungal herbs like oregano and garlic. Remediate any mold in your home immediately.
🧠 4. Pesticides & Herbicides (Especially Glyphosate)
Where They Lurk
Conventional produce, grains, backyard weed killers – and yes, even tap water.
Why It Matters
Glyphosate disrupts the gut-brain axis, damages brain-protective microbes and contributes to depression and cognitive dysfunction.
What to Do
Choose organic when possible. Support detox with glutathione, Epsom salt baths, and seasonal liver cleansing.
🧠 5. Flame Retardants & VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Where They Lurk
Mattresses, carpets, furniture, car interiors, cleaning products, air fresheners.
Why It Matters
These toxins release chemicals that interfere with hormones and harm neurons – contributing to sleep disruption and mental fatigue.
What to Do
Air out your home daily, get plants like peace lilies or snake plants, and invest in non-toxic cleaning supplies and air purifiers.
But Can You Really Detox the Brain?
Yes, you absolutely can. Your brain is designed to heal. When we reduce incoming toxins and support natural elimination pathways – especially the liver, lymph, and gut – inflammation goes down, energy goes up, and clarity returns.
I see it all the time in my community of women over 50 Wise Women of Wellness.
Simple daily actions, done consistently, work wonders.
✨ Extra Brain Detox Tips I Live By
- Hydrate deeply (your brain is 75% water!)
- Prioritize sleep between 10PM–2AM – that’s prime brain-cleaning time
- Keep moving! Gentle movement + breathwork = lymphatic flow = detox
- Stay curious. A stimulated brain is a youthful brain.
- Consider Dandelion tea or beet powder (I add this daily into my morning drink)
Final Thought
Over 6 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s today, and two-thirds of them are women. While genetics can play a role, toxic load and lifestyle often tip the scales.
Don’t wait for symptoms. Start clearing out the invisible clutter and give your brain the vibrant, healthy future it deserves.
🧠 Free Bonus PDF Download: “30 Ways to Reduce Your Toxic Load”
Protect your brain, Balance Your Hormones and Support Whole-Body Wellness. Learn 30 ways to reduce toxins in your home, your kitchen, your beauty products and how to move your lymph system for natural cleansing.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
How do you make sure the environment you live in is free of brain-damaging toxins? Do you go organic whenever you can?
Tags Brain Health
Yes, I agree whenever we go organic and avoid what in the end are “poisons” it is good for our overall health, including brain health. I also want to recommend a fantastic book which addresses some other factors leading to dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
by Lisa Mosconi, PhD.
She recommends following her recommendations while in our 30s and 40’s, however she emphasizes it is never too late to make changes to limit and even reverse damaging changes to our brain. We as women, with two X chromosomes, face issues men do not. Very little has been done until now to understand the differences in men and women’s bodies and brains. Combine these two wise women’s advice and protect your health!
Thank you for posting this!
What do you use for a liver and/or bowel cleanse?
Hey Melinda! I’ve used the NSP Clean Start personally and for 100’s of clients for over 20 years. https://www.drshirleysays.net/?sn=22199 I can also send you a PDF What to Expect When You’re Cleansing…feel free to email me at drshirleysays@gmail.com if you’d like that😊
Excellent article! Thank you! Lots of useful information and tips on how to overcome this. Thanks again!
You are most welcome! Im
so glad you found the article valuable!
Anything that is not inorganic is organic . Sugar , aspartame and alcohol are all organic . They contain a carbon atom or two . That being said,I am careful what i breathe in , I eat low processed food and drink lots of water and dark leafy greens . The new frontier is brain science .Take good care of the one you have . As best you can .Thankyou for the thought provoking essay .
Sounds like you’ve done your homework…good for you!
Don’t you know it!