What Are Environmental Toxins Really Doing to Your Body — and How Can You Detox Safely?
(Based on a recent interview with Dr. Todd Watts, co-founder of Cellcore Biosciences, discussing environmental toxins, parasites, mold, and whole-body detoxification - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOvARUaxpCE)
You may be eating well, exercising regularly, and still not feeling your best. According to Dr. Todd Watts, co-founder of Cellcore Biosciences and one of the foremost voices in functional wellness, the missing piece for many patients is the invisible burden of environmental toxins. In a recent conversation, Dr. Watts joined Dr. Robert Whitfield to discuss how chemicals like glyphosate and atrazine, mold exposure, and parasitic infections are quietly driving chronic inflammation — and what an honest, whole-body approach to detoxification actually looks like.
The Chemical Burden Most People Never Suspect
When Dr. Todd Watts began his own health journey, he was dealing with Lyme disease and co-infections. He treated them. He still did not feel well. That path led him deeper — into the world of environmental toxins, and eventually to becoming one of the most recognized educators on the subject.
At the top of his list: glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, which was introduced commercially in 1974 and has since become the most widely used chemical in our food supply. Dr. Don Huber, professor emeritus of plant pathology at Purdue University, has dedicated decades to studying its effects. His research reveals a troubling picture: glyphosate functions as an antibiotic, killing beneficial microorganisms in both soil and the human gut. It also acts as a chelator, binding minerals like manganese, zinc, and iron and pulling them from the body. The downstream effects range from compromised microbiome diversity to mineral deficiencies — which in women who menstruate can worsen anemia and immune dysfunction.
Atrazine, the second most used agricultural chemical in the United States, adds another layer of concern. Used heavily on corn crops and on golf courses for many years, atrazine is a potent hormonal disruptor. Research links it to feminization in men, disrupted hormonal balance in women, and metabolic dysregulation contributing to obesity. Notably, atrazine was banned by the European Union in 2004 — it remains in use in the United States. Dr. Whitfield shared a case of a patient whose post-surgical recovery was failing for no identifiable reason until lab testing revealed extremely elevated atrazine levels, pointing directly to years of exposure from living near a golf course.
Organophosphate pesticides represent a third major category. These chemicals are heavily prevalent throughout the southern United States and spray-treated mosquito regions like the Gulf Coast. Dr. Whitfield described a patient in her mid-thirties who was struggling to find words, process information, and complete thoughts — symptoms that were explained only when her labs revealed a significant organophosphate burden. These chemicals are direct neurological toxins, and their effects mirror precisely what the patient was experiencing.
Understanding Mold as a Toxin-Driven Problem
Mold exposure is increasingly recognized as a driver of chronic, often misunderstood illness. Dr. Watts offered an important perspective: fungi and mold proliferate in response to toxicity. In environments contaminated with radioactive or chemical toxins — much like the mushroom growth observed around Chernobyl — the body upregulates candida and other fungal organisms as a way of metabolically managing the toxic load.
This reframes how mold-related illness should be approached. Prescribing antifungal medications alone addresses the symptom, not the cause. Without reducing the underlying toxin burden that is driving the fungal overgrowth, candida and mold-related conditions will return. Dr. Watts has shifted his clinical approach to support detoxification pathways as the primary strategy, allowing the body to reduce the conditions that promote fungal proliferation in the first place.
Environmental mold exposure often originates at home, and this is a point Dr. Watts made with real urgency. Crawl spaces that are never properly dried during construction, roof leaks left unaddressed, and poorly ventilated attic spaces are all common sources. He described one patient couple — both experiencing severe anxiety and depression — whose home was later discovered to have black mold throughout the walls and attic, the result of an unventilated addition built over a water-damaged space. They ultimately tore the house down. Sixty days after leaving the home and beginning a detox protocol, the cognitive and emotional symptoms dramatically improved.
Mycotoxins from the food supply are also a routine finding. Improperly stored grains, nuts, and even coffee can carry mold-derived toxins. For patients dealing with persistent fungal symptoms, Dr. Whitfield recommends attention to food sourcing, mold-free coffee options, and air quality in the home — including the use of HEPA filtration.
Why Parasites Are Not Just a Tropical Problem
Dr. Watts is known in functional medicine circles as the parasite expert — and for good reason. His clinical observation is direct: if you have a pulse, you likely have parasites. They are part of the microbiome, acquired through food, water, pets, insect bites, and soil contact. Most people in the United States carry a parasite burden they have never been tested for because standard stool tests do not identify the majority of parasitic organisms, which are microscopic.
Approximately seventy percent of parasites cannot be seen — they are protozoan-level organisms that affect joints, organs, the nervous system, and immune function. The more visible categories — roundworms, tapeworms, liver flukes, pinworms, blood flukes — are only part of the picture. Even malaria, one of the leading causes of death globally, is a red blood cell parasite.
Critically, Dr. Watts explains that parasites absorb toxins at rates thousands of times their own body weight. This means that eliminating parasites without simultaneously supporting detoxification creates a significant toxic release that the body may not be prepared to handle. Research in animal models has demonstrated exactly this problem: when parasites were pharmacologically cleared without concurrent detox support, the animal subjects experienced toxicity reactions from the sudden release of accumulated chemicals. A thoughtful parasite cleanse addresses all stages — eggs, larvae, and adult organisms across multiple categories — while ensuring that drainage and elimination pathways are fully supported.
Bowel regularity is foundational to safe detox. If the bowel is not moving, bile and mobilized toxins recirculate through the bloodstream rather than being eliminated. Magnesium, vitamin C, or herbal bowel movers can help ensure the system is open and active during any cleanse protocol.
How the SHARP Framework Applies to This Discussion
The principles discussed by Dr. Watts align directly with the SHARP methodology Dr. Whitfield developed — Strategic Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program. SHARP is built around the concept that chronic illness and surgical recovery are both profoundly shaped by the toxic, inflammatory, and nutritional environment the body is operating in.
Preparation before surgery or intervention begins with assessing and reducing the toxic burden a patient is carrying. Patients with elevated glyphosate, atrazine, or organophosphate levels — as Dr. Whitfield routinely identifies through lab testing — face more difficult recoveries, slower healing, and greater inflammatory responses post-operatively. Lowering that load before a procedure changes the outcome.
Immune support and inflammation reduction are directly tied to what Dr. Watts describes. Parasitic infections suppress T-helper 1 immune activity — the arm of the immune system responsible for clearing viruses and bacteria — by upregulating T-helper 2 responses. Addressing that parasite burden restores immune balance in ways that have measurable effects on systemic inflammation.
Gut health optimization is central to detoxification. Glyphosate's antibiotic effect on the microbiome is not theoretical — it has been documented in research going back to the 1970s. Rebuilding and protecting gut diversity is a foundation of the SHARP protocol, and it is inseparable from reducing environmental chemical exposure.
Hormonal balance is also a SHARP pillar, and the hormonal disruption caused by atrazine and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals makes this connection clinically significant. Patients with high toxin burdens often present with hormonal irregularities that improve meaningfully once the underlying chemical exposure is addressed.
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A Note on GLP-1 Medications and Muscle Preservation
Dr. Whitfield raised an important concern that surfaced during the conversation: the growing use of GLP-1 agonist medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, without the lifestyle foundation that makes them safe. In patients who are not actively doing resistance training, maintaining adequate protein intake, and supporting hormonal balance, these medications accelerate the loss of skeletal muscle — not just fat. For women approaching or in menopause who may already be dealing with bone density concerns, this combination is particularly problematic.
The concept of "microdosing" GLP-1 medications has also entered the conversation. Dr. Whitfield is direct: as of this recording, no studies exist on microdosing these drugs. There is no published safety or efficacy data for that approach. It represents an entirely off-label, unstudied territory. Anyone using or considering these medications deserves accurate information, including the reality that appearance changes — including what has been called "Ozempic face," the hollowing and aging effect of rapid fat loss in the face — are a documented consequence of using these drugs without adequate muscle-building support.
Key Takeaways
The conversation between Dr. Whitfield and Dr. Todd Watts illuminates a set of principles that are rarely discussed in conventional medicine:
Environmental toxins like glyphosate, atrazine, and organophosphates are pervasive, measurable, and directly linked to hormonal disruption, neurological symptoms, mineral deficiency, and impaired immune function. Testing for them is the starting point. Fungal overgrowth and mold exposure are frequently symptoms of an underlying toxic burden rather than standalone diagnoses. Addressing the root toxicity changes the trajectory. Parasites are universal and frequently undiagnosed, and any cleansing protocol must simultaneously support the body's ability to eliminate what is released. Drainage, elimination, and detoxification are not optional steps — they are the foundation. Lifestyle decisions — nutrition, movement, sleep, community — remain the most durable protective factors available. Pharmaceutical interventions, including GLP-1 medications, require a supportive lifestyle framework to avoid causing new harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does glyphosate do to the human body? Glyphosate acts as an antibiotic that disrupts the gut microbiome by killing beneficial bacteria, and as a chelator that binds and depletes essential minerals including zinc, manganese, and iron. Over time, this can contribute to immune dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and increased susceptibility to chronic illness. It has been found as a residue in many common foods.
Is atrazine banned in the United States? No. Atrazine was banned in the European Union in 2004 due to its hormonal disrupting effects, but it remains in use in the United States. It is applied to corn crops, has historically been used on golf courses, and is a persistent environmental contaminant found in water supplies across agricultural regions.
How do I know if I have a parasite? Standard stool tests identify only a small fraction of parasitic organisms. Approximately seventy percent of parasites are microscopic and will not appear on routine testing. Symptoms can include joint pain, fatigue, digestive irregularities, brain fog, and skin issues. A clinical history that includes international travel, well water use, or close contact with animals can help identify risk. Functional wellness practitioners experienced in parasite assessment use more comprehensive approaches.
Why does mold keep coming back after treatment? Mold and fungal overgrowth in the body are often responses to underlying toxicity. When there is a significant chemical or heavy metal burden in the body, candida and other fungi proliferate as part of the body's attempt to manage that load. Treating only the mold without addressing the root toxic cause tends to produce temporary results. A detoxification-first approach changes the internal environment that is driving the growth.
Is it safe to use GLP-1 medications without exercising? Using GLP-1 medications without resistance training, adequate protein intake, and hormonal support significantly increases the risk of skeletal muscle loss. Muscle loss accelerates physical aging, reduces strength and stability, worsens bone density concerns, and contributes to the facial changes associated with rapid fat loss. These medications have shown better outcomes for patients who combine them with comprehensive lifestyle support.
What are organophosphate pesticides and where are they found? Organophosphates are a class of pesticides used heavily in agricultural areas and in mosquito control programs, particularly in the southern United States. They are direct neurotoxins that impair neurological function at sufficient exposure levels. Patients living in areas with regular pesticide spraying, or those with occupational agricultural exposure, may carry a significant organophosphate burden that is contributing to cognitive symptoms.
How does parasite cleansing relate to overall detoxification? Parasites accumulate toxins in their tissues at concentrations far exceeding the surrounding environment. When parasites are eliminated — whether through medication or natural protocols — those stored toxins are released into the body. Without supporting the liver, bile flow, and bowel regularity simultaneously, that toxic release can create a significant reaction. An effective protocol addresses parasite elimination and detoxification support together, not sequentially.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, supplements, or treatment plan. Results discussed are not guaranteed and individual outcomes will vary.
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