Feeling sick lately? Struggling with poor digestion, nausea, or recurring infections? These problems are often caused by exposure to certain chemicals in food, deodorants, cosmetics, cookware, and other common products. Toxic ingredients are lurking everywhere, from water bottles and moisturizing creams to non-stick pans and shampoos. Many popular foods, such as potato chips, energy bars, flatbreads, and deli meats are packed with harmful ingredients.

When ingested, these toxins weaken your immune system and cause a host of diseases. Some chemicals, such as those found in cosmetics, are absorbed into your skin. These potentially dangerous household items and foods can affect your health, leading to cancer, DNA damage, reproductive disorders, and digestive problems. To stay safe, avoid these five sources of toxins lurking in your home:

High-Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is one of the most dangerous ingredients in food. This sweetener has been linked to heart failure, obesity, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cancer. Its side effects are well-documented.

Regular consumption of high-fructose corn syrup can kill you. This sugar goes directly to your liver where it’s stored as fat. In the long run, it puts you at risk for metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dementia, and chronic inflammation. It also feeds harmful gut bacteria, which affects digestion. Additionally, many HFCS brands contain mercury and other contaminants that are not regulated by the FDA. This ingredient can be found in most processed foods, from ready-made meals and diet snacks to soda.

Citrus-Flavored Beverages

Cola and citrus-flavored beverages are made with brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a food additive that works as an emulsifier. BVO is high in bromine, the same compound used in plastic goods, flame retardants, and furniture. Studies have linked this ingredient to a high risk of behavioral disorders, weight gain, fatigue, migraines, and memory loss.

Even though the FDA limits the amount of brominated vegetable oil in sodas to 15 parts per million, this doesn’t counteract its side effects. According to researchers, BVO increases the risk for cancer of the breast, prostate, ovaries, and thyroid gland. It also causes psychiatric problems, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmia.

Food Cans

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical found in plastic bottles and food cans, has estrogen-like effects, which may disrupt the endocrine system. This compound interferes with metabolic hormones and increases the risk of heart disease, infertility, diabetes, and obesity. Studies have found that BPA is dangerous to human health even at low-level exposure. Millions of people have this toxin in their blood.

Fragrances

Fragrances, cosmetics, synthetic leather, and other products contain phthalates. These toxins affect breast development, decrease sperm production, and increase breast cancer risk. Research also shows that people who are constantly exposed to phthalates have higher rates of autism spectrum disorders, neurodevelopmental issues, type II diabetes, and ADHD.

Shampoos

The parabens used in shampoos and other personal care products cause toxicity even at low doses. In a recent study, researchers took samples of the breast tissues of 40 patients. Over 99 percent of samples contained parabens. These chemicals have a similar structure as estrogen, causing hormonal disorders, skin rash, irritation, and several types of cancer.

The best thing you can do for your health is to use natural products. Eat clean, make your own soaps and face creams, or choose organic brands. Avoid these toxic five in order to detox your body.