The link between hormones and toxicity is an important one that is often overlooked.  Hormone imbalances are becoming more and more common, and our toxic environment is one of the leading causes of these variations. It can have a wide range of symptoms, from low sex drive, to fatigue and depression.  Dr. Peter Kozlowski uses a broad array of tools to find the source of the body's dysfunction: he takes the time to listen to his patients and plots their history on a timeline, considering what makes them unique and co-creating with them a truly individualized care plan.  Dr. Kozlowski did his residency in Family Practice but started training in Functional Medicine as an intern. He trained in the clinics with leaders in his field, including Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Deepak Chopra, and Dr. Susan Blum. To identify the cause of the imbalance, a functional medicine doctor will look at five main areas:  Food Gut health  Mental and emotional health Toxins And hormones. Toxins are often overlooked, but they can have a major impact on hormone balance.  Toxins such as heavy metals, mold, and glyphosate can be found in a variety of sources, such as fish, water, and air.  These toxins accumulate in the body and disrupt the delicate balance of hormones. Mold toxicity can also cause hormonal imbalances and is often found in water-damaged buildings.  Glyphosate, a chemical found in herbicides, is another common toxin and has been found in high levels in many people's bodies, even those who have been eating organic food for years. What is Functional Medicine? Functional Medicine is a medical practice that focuses on preventative care, looking at the root cause of illness and disease, and treating the body as a whole.  It is a holistic approach that takes into account the patient’s lifestyle, environment, and genetic predisposition. Functional medicine practitioners use advanced testing to diagnose health problems, including hormone imbalances, blood sugar issues, adrenal fatigue, and other chronic illnesses.  They use a personalized approach to health, looking at the body as a whole, rather than just treating individual symptoms. One of the main goals of Functional Medicine is to identify and address the underlying causes of a patient’s health issues. This may involve looking at the patient’s diet, lifestyle, and environment.  For example, a practitioner may examine a patient’s diet to determine if there are any nutritional deficiencies or if the patient is consuming too many toxins. How to get proper detoxification? Detoxification is a process of removing these toxins from the body, and it is something that everyone should consider doing.  Peter Kozlowski believes that heavy metal testing should be done as a routine pediatric visit at the age of 3 and that everyone should be tested for mold, glyphosate, and other toxins every 6 months or every year. He believes that these toxins are not only found in the environment but can also be passed to children through the umbilical cord during pregnancy. So, what is the best way to detoxify your body? According to Kozlowski, "the first step is to stop exposure to toxins, such as reducing the use of processed foods, lipsticks and mascaras, and other products that may contain toxins." Additionally, he recommends drinking half your body weight in water, exercising and sweating, using an infrared sauna, getting enough sleep, and managing stress in order to help the body detoxify. Kozlowski also recommends using the Environmental Working Group's website (ewg.org) to identify what toxins may be in your home and products you are using. Additionally, he recommends getting tested for heavy metals, mold, and glyphosate to get an accurate picture of what toxins are in the body. Finally, Kozlowski recommends searching for a certified functional medicine doctor on ifm.org to get a personalized detox plan. It is important to note that the amount of time it takes to d