Toxic Load, Autoimmunity, and Everyday Swaps: Dr. Micah Yu with Dr. Aly Cohen
Board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Aly Cohen joins Dr. Micah Yu to connect environmental exposures with inflammation and autoimmunity, then turn that science into practical, low-stress habits. From plastics and bisphenols to water, air, food, and personal-care choices, Dr. Cohen shares a simple framework to cut risk without overwhelm, and how she integrates these steps into rheumatology care and patient outcomes. [01:54] Intro [03:07] What are environmental toxins? [04:14] How do these chemicals get into our system? Are there regulations? [07:57] Have they made any progress in baning BPA’s in US markets? [10:23] Were the other BP’s added after the BPAs were stopped? [13:27] Do you think there are too many lobbiests outthere to make an impact? [14:24] How do you know if cosmetic products are really clean? [17:17] The 4 A’s [19:41] Pick your battles [21:22] Why did you decide to write this new book? Is it only about the immune system? [22:19] A younger global epidemic [23:48] The book: “Detoxify” [26:06] Taking control [26:13] What kind of food can we eat to detoxify our bodies from these toxins? [30:51] Are there any other foods you recommend? [33:12] When you talk about turmeric supplementation causing liver injury, do you think that’s because of all the toxins we are accumulating and that causes patients to how they process these suppliments, or is it their genetic makeup? [37:58] Why this is controversial [38:18] Why is ther a community of doctors that are still so against this? [42:50] Speaking about Rhumatology [43:40] Do you think these deceased are because of these neurotoxins or that they are playing a role? [47:36] Rethink Meds, Delivery, Etc. [52:06] How can the listeners find you online and at your clinic? Learn what “toxic load” means in plain language and why Dr. Cohen is seeing more young patients with autoimmune issues in her rheumatology practice. Discover why BPA was removed from baby bottles, how “BPA-free” often means other bisphenols, and smart ways to cut plastic exposure at home. Learn Dr. Cohen’s “4 As” roadmap to reduce exposures step by step so people make progress without burnout. Explore high-impact upgrades for water and why simple filtration can be a game changer across a lifetime. Find out how to choose and wash produce to lower pesticide residues, and when organic makes the most sense. Explore how endocrine-disrupting chemicals show up in cosmetics and personal care, and get easy swaps that stick. Get practical, budget-friendly changes for the kitchen such as trading old plastic tools for glass or stainless to avoid microplastics. Discover how Dr. Cohen pairs lifestyle and exposure reduction with standard rheumatology treatments to improve inflammation and quality of life. Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine physician with more than two decades of clinical experience. Her work focuses on how everyday environmental exposures influence hormones, immunity, and inflammation, and on translating that science into simple habits patients can sustain. In practice and public education, she teaches practical steps for safer water, food, air, and personal-care choices, and how to layer these into rheumatology care to support symptom control and long-term health. Dr. Aly Cohen’s Website: https://thesmarthuman.com/ Dr. Cohen’s Book: “Detoxify: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them” https://www.simonandschuster.com/book... Subscribe to my newsletter through my website https://myautoimmunemd.com/subscribe-... where I send out information on news on rheumatology, autoimmune disease, and integrative medicine! Make appointments here: www.drlifestyle.org Autoimmune Website: www.myautoimmunemd.com My clinic is located in Newport Beach, California. I see patients virtually throughout USA and worldwide. Facebook: / myautoimmunemd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myautoimmun... Tiktok: / myautoimmunemd Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KUGAgi...