In this episode of Steeped In Wellness, we sit down with Dr. Aly Cohen, a triple board-certified physician in rheumatology, internal medicine, and integrative medicine, and one of the nation’s leading voices on environmental health. We explore how toxic chemical exposures in our daily lives affect our immune systems, hormones, and long-term health — and what we can actually do about it without panicking.
Dr. Cohen shares her origin story, which began not with a patient, but with her own dog’s mysterious illness. That incident sparked a deep dive into chemical exposures in water, food, and household products. She quickly discovered the shocking lack of regulation over the 350,000+ synthetic chemicals in our environment, many of which have never been tested for safety. From there, her mission evolved: educating both physicians and everyday people about how these exposures can disrupt hormones, immune systems, and contribute to chronic diseases, including autoimmune conditions and even breast cancer.
We talk about the word “toxins” and how the more accurate term is “toxic chemicals” — synthetic compounds not naturally found in the body. Dr. Cohen explains how these compounds, introduced post-WWII to improve convenience, were never required to undergo rigorous testing before ending up in our cosmetics, food packaging, cleaning supplies, and water. She breaks down how endocrine disruptors like BPA mimic hormones even at extremely low doses, and why that’s a problem for both kids and adults.
The conversation then shifts to empowerment through action. Dr. Cohen walks us through her “Four A’s of Environmental Health”: Assess, Avoid or Swap, Add, and Allow. She emphasizes the need to assess exposure without guilt, swap out harmful products with vetted alternatives, add in healthy habits like hydration, sleep, and nutrient-rich food, and allow some flexibility to avoid overwhelm.
From deodorant dilemmas to plastic bath toys, we reflect on the practical side of reducing exposure while balancing the realities of daily life and parenting. Dr. Cohen encourages us to focus on the controllable: reduce plastic, avoid synthetic fragrances, choose safer personal care products, and invest in a home water filtration system — preferably reverse osmosis. She recommends using apps like EWG’s Healthy Living, Yuka, and Clearya to make better product choices easily and quickly.
Despite the seriousness of the topic, Dr. Cohen remains optimistic. She believes in the power of education, especially among younger generations, and shares how kids — when empowered with knowledge — often outpace adults in making better health decisions. As we wrap up, we talk about perspective, self-compassion, and using our energy wisely — taking inspiration from the Serenity Prayer and the classic poem Desiderata.
More:
The Smart Human – https://thesmarthuman.com
EWG (Environmental Working Group) – https://www.ewg.org
EWG’s Healthy Living App – https://www.ewg.org/apps/
Yuka App – https://yuka.io
Clearya App – https://www.clearya.com
Dr. Aly Cohen’s Practice – https://alycohenmd.com
00:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome
01:17 – Why Toxins Matter as a Health Concern
02:15 – Dr. Cohen’s Personal Journey into Environmental Health
06:52 – What “Toxins” Really Means
09:32 – How Chemical Exposure Impacts the Body
12:26 – Hormone Disruption Explained
15:07 – It’s Not About Perfection
17:08 – The Four A’s of Environmental Health
21:30 – Top Toxins to Avoid at Home
27:16 – Using Apps to Vet Your Products
40:43 – The Drinking Water Deep Dive
46:19 – Medical System Gaps & the Rise of Misinformation
49:53 – What Gives Dr. Cohen Hope
51:17 – Life Lessons & Final Thoughts
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