Katherine L. Carvlin, ND

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Katherine L. Carvlin, ND

Katherine L. Carvlin is a naturopathic physician and nutritionist with a family practice specializin

Dr. Katherine Carvlin is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Seattle. She specializes in environmental medicine, fertility, autoimmune conditions, digestive diseases, asthma, and food sensitivities/allergies. To make an appointment with Dr. Carvlin, please call the Bastyr Center for Natural Health at 206-834-4100.

12/20/2024

When it comes to reproductive health, we know that lifestyle factors—what you eat, how well you sleep, where you live, and other behaviors—can have profound effects.

One of the environmental/lifestyle factors that are too often overlooked is exposure to harmful chemicals. Take bisphenol-a, or BPA, a well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical.

Research into BPA's role in the growing fertility crisis has found:
👩 For Women: BPA exposure seems to interfere with hormone levels, potentially reducing important fertility markers like egg count and ovarian reserve. This can be especially challenging for women undergoing IVF, as high BPA levels are linked to lower egg quality, fewer mature eggs, and decreased embryo implantation success. BPA is also linked to conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, both of which are leading causes of infertility.
👨 For Men: BPA exposure can lower s***m count, reduce s***m movement, and even cause DNA damage in s***m—all of which can significantly impact fertility. Disruption in testosterone levels and key cells in the te**es, which are vital for s***m production, are also connected to BPA.
🤰 Pregnancy & Development: For those already pregnant, BPA exposure may present other risks. Studies show prenatal BPA exposure is associated with lower birth weights and developmental changes in babies, particularly in boys. BPA may even affect genes involved in reproductive development, leading to potential fertility impacts later in life.
If you’re trying to conceive or just want to safeguard your health, reducing BPA exposure can be a proactive step. Opt for BPA-free plastics, use glass or stainless steel for food storage, and minimize handling of thermal paper receipts. Small changes today can mean big benefits for fertility and health tomorrow! ✨
I’m curious - if you have kids, did anyone ever talk to you about reducing exposure to harmful chemicals prior to conception or during pregnancy? Let me know in the comments!

References: PMID: 25645382, PMID: 31093279, PMID: 36498800

12/18/2024

We tend to cozy up inside more frequently as the weather gets colder. Depending on where you live, winter weather might mean keeping your windows closed, cranking up the heat, lighting up the fireplace🔥, or lighting candles 🕯️for a relaxing night in.

Indoor air quality is important all year round, but in the winter months, it becomes EXTRA important! When we seal our homes up to keep out the chill, we’re also trapping in pollutants, allergens, and moisture—all things that can contribute to poor indoor air.

Here are 5 simple tips to keep your air fresher and healthier as the days get colder! ❄️

1️⃣ Crack the Windows: Even just a few minutes of fresh air daily helps push out stale air and clear out off-gassed chemicals from furnishings or cleaners.

2️⃣ Use Your Hood Vent: We tend to cook more in winter—this is great, but it also releases pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, especially with gas stoves. Turn on the vent whenever you cook to keep your indoor air clear and clean!

3️⃣ Ditch Scented Candles: While they give off a cozy vibe, candles contain undisclosed chemicals like phthalates and fragrance compounds and release VOCs and harmful particulate matter. Instead, make a simmer pot with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel in a small electric crock-pot. 🍊🍂

4️⃣ Replace HVAC Filters: If you have HVAC, change those filters regularly! Dust, dirt, and mold can collect in old filters and circulate in your home. Start the season with a new filter and aim to replace it monthly or quarterly.

5️⃣ Invest in an Air Purifier: A quality air purifier can help remove fine particles, allergens, and even some airborne toxins. Look for ones with a real HEPA filter AND carbon for the best coverage!

Also, consider that winter is cold and flu season - improving air quality may just cut down on passing illness to other family members!

Air quality is so often overlooked when it comes to health, but it’s essential! Which of these are you already doing?

If you have a favorite simmer pot combo, drop it in the comments! 👇

12/16/2024

Fabric softener is one of the biggest sources of indoor air pollution - and yet, go to the store, and there are dozens of fabric softener options on the shelf, each one smelling stronger than the last! These products, whether they’re liquid for the washing machine or dryer sheets for the dryer, are loaded with often undisclosed chemicals like hormone-disrupting phthalates and allergenic fragrance compounds.
These chemicals can trigger asthma, allergies, headaches, and migraines— many people complain that they can’t even walk down the laundry aisle in the store because they get an immediate headache! These chemicals can also be a nightmare for those with sensitive skin, including babies.
But did you know that fabric softener doesn’t actually soften your clothes?! 👕🩲🩳🧦
That’s right! Fabric softener just coats the fibers of your fabric with a wax that gives it a “soft” feel. Not only can this wax build up on your clothes and linens, but it can also build up inside your washing machine, leaving behind a thick, goopy residue that can damage your machine. 🤢
Enter wool dryer balls! This eco-friendly and non-toxic alternative to fabric softener is not only inexpensive and effective, but it will also last for YEARS! Toss a set of wool dryer balls into your dryer, along with your clothes, to naturally soften them, reduce static, and speed up drying time. Zero waxy buildup.
Wool balls help to fluff your clothes as they bounce around inside the dryer. This also helps the warm air circulate better, which can cut down on your drying time. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (if you tolerate them) to add a hint of fragrance to your clothing.
Here’s a laundry tip: static is caused by either overdrying your clothes or drying synthetic fibers. Air dry synthetics as much as possible, and dry your clothes to about 95% dry; static will be a thing of the past!
Small changes like swapping fabric softener for wool dryer balls can significantly reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and keep you and your family as healthy as possible!

12/16/2024

🌱 Did you know that your gut bacteria play a HUGE role in how your body handles environmental toxins? 🤯

A recent study shows that the bugs that make up our gut microbiome don’t just help us digest food – they also interact with pollutants like PFAS and BPA, among other chemicals. Chemicals can have a two-way interaction in our gut, either REDUCING or INCREASING how harmful these chemicals are! 😬

Researchers looking at background exposures in a group of 264 Danish adults found:

🧪Chemical exposure & gut health: Those who were exposed to higher levels of certain chemicals had the balance of their gut bacteria altered. Some types of bacteria became more common, especially in men, and those bacteria are often linked to obesity and blood sugar issues.

🦠Changes in digestive acids: Normally, gut bacteria help produce certain acids that affect digestion and health. However, with more exposure to these toxic chemicals, certain "good" acids decrease, and other "harmful" ones increase. This imbalance can contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

👫Differences between men and women: The study found that these chemical effects aren’t the same for everyone. Men and women seem to respond differently, with men showing more of the bacteria types linked to insulin resistance and weight gain. In women, exposures likely contribute to metabolic issues differently and more indirectly.

🐁Animal studies confirm the pattern: When researchers tested these chemicals in mice, they saw similar results—changes in the types of digestive acids associated with weight gain and poor blood sugar control.

In short, exposure to everyday chemicals at background levels may affect our gut bacteria in ways that can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Swipe for suggestions on how to lower PFAS and BPA exposure!

References: PMID: 38522229

12/13/2024

Parkinson’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, memory, and cognition. According to the WHO, the incidence of PD has doubled in the past 25 years!! Global estimates show over 8.5 million individuals living with PD, and disability and death due to this disease are increasing faster than for any other neurological disorder. Not good.

While the exact cause is unknown, genetics and environmental factors are two of the primary ones known at this time.

Specifically, it turns out that PESTICIDES are likely playing a role in the increasing rates of Parkinson’s disease!

Researchers in a 2023 paper looked at over 700 pesticides used in agriculture, and the findings were concerning: they found 10 pesticides that cause damage to dopaminergic neurons, the cells responsible for producing dopamine, a key chemical in motor function.

Exposure to these pesticides could heighten the risk of Parkinson’s, especially for those living or working near farms where these chemicals are heavily applied. 🚜
In fact, the study showed that people with Parkinson’s were more likely to have lived near agricultural sites with higher pesticide use. The pesticides linked to Parkinson’s were found to be 2–3 times more likely to contaminate groundwater, which can lead to them showing up in tap water in the broader community 🌾💧
Prioritizing organic foods can help lower exposure for everyone, but this is especially important for people living in agricultural regions where pesticide use is higher. Supporting your local organic growers is the best option—farmers have the highest exposure to these chemicals!
Because levels of pesticides in tap water can also be higher in agricultural areas, making sure you have a water filter in place is a good idea.
Doing these two things can help lower exposure to chemicals linked to far more health issues than just Parkinson’s - which is good news for everyone!

References: https://www.who.int/news/item/14-06-2022-launch-of-who-s-parkinson-disease-technical-brief, PMID: 37193692

12/13/2024

IMPORTANT: Toss any black plastic utensils or food containers you may have!

Brand new research has found concerning levels of toxic flame retardants in the black plastic that’s often used in kitchen utensils, takeout containers, sushi trays, and even children’s toys.

Black plastics are often made from recycled plastic materials, including electronic waste. Electronics often contain flame retardants to prevent fire risks, especially in high-heat devices. These chemicals–-specifically brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are bad news. They have been shown to disrupt our hormones, weaken the immune system, and even harm brain development in children. Studies link them to serious health concerns, including:

🧬Cancer
🔄Thyroid & Hormonal Disruption
🧠Developmental Delays in Children
👶Reproductive Issues

These chemicals can leach from plastic, especially when heated and enter our bodies through food, dust, and even skin contact. Once in our bodies, flame retardants can linger for years, posing ongoing risks.

Some of the flame retardants found in these plastics have already been banned in the US and other countries, but because of the global e-waste recycling issue, we’re still being exposed to them. This new study found the banned chemical deca-BDE in plastic products at levels that were five-fold to 1,200-fold higher than the European Union’s limit of 10 ppm!

Are plastic utensils that aren’t black safer? Probably not, but we don’t know for sure, as the researchers in this new study only looked at black plastics.

My recommendation: Get rid of any black plastic that may have direct contact with food or that children might play with or touch. For cooking utensils, get stainless steel and wood versions, and for food storage containers, opt for glass!

Tag a friend who you know has black plastic in their kitchen!

References: PMID: 39271080

12/10/2024

Let’s talk about autoimmune disease…

There are over 100 known autoimmune diseases affecting nearly 50 million people, with women being twice as likely to develop one.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to chronic inflammation and damage. Conditions like T1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis are some of the more common types. What’s most concerning is that rates of autoimmune diseases have been rising year over year - some by 3-5%, others by more.

Research suggests that these increases are very likely related to environmental changes, including things like stress, rising obesity rates, sleep deprivation, air pollution, exposure to toxic chemicals, and infections.

Environmental toxins—such as BPA (found in some plastics and in canned foods), heavy metals, and air pollution, may be playing a significant role in both new incidences and in exacerbating symptoms of existing diseases.

Environmental chemicals can:

🧬 Disrupt Immune Function: Environmental toxins disrupt normal T-cell regulation. T-cells help to keep the immune system in check, which can lead to immune dysregulation.

⚡️ Cause Oxidative Stress: Glutathione, a critical antioxidant, is depleted by toxic chemicals, which compromises immune function and increases oxidative stress, a key feature in autoimmune diseases.

🛡 Disrupt Immune Barriers: Toxins can damage the body’s protective barriers (like the gut and blood-brain barrier), leading to chronic inflammation and triggering autoimmune responses.

🧠 Epigenetic Changes: Toxins can alter DNA methylation and gene expression, contributing to autoimmune diseases in genetically susceptible individuals.

The good news? Reducing exposure to environmental toxins may help manage or even prevent autoimmune conditions. Swipe to see my top tips on how to lower exposure!

References: PMID: 34377090, PMID: 32542149, PMID: 36446151

12/06/2024

Did you know that 8–13% of reproductive-aged women globally have PCOS? And that the WHO estimates that up to 70% of affected women are undiagnosed! 🤯

Polycystic O***y Syndrome, or PCOS, affects how a woman's ovaries function and is characterized by symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, acne, and obesity, among others.

🔍 While the exact cause of PCOS isn't fully understood, we do know that things like excess insulin, low-grade inflammation, and genetics influence it. More and more research is being done to tease out the environmental factors contributing - specifically, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

🧪 EDCs are substances in our environment, food, and consumer products that can interfere with hormone activity.

Research has focused on a few EDCs when examining links to PCOS:

➡️ Bisphenol A (BPA), which is commonly found in some plastics and food packaging.
➡️ Phthalates, which are found in fragranced items and soft plastics
➡️ Pesticides, which may contaminate food and water

The findings around PCOS aren’t conclusive yet. However, there’s still good enough evidence for us to prioritize lowering exposure to these (and other) hormone-disrupting chemicals, especially because these same chemicals are more strongly associated with other hormone-dependant conditions such as breast cancer, endometriosis, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and more!

Here are some quick tips to lower your exposure to EDCs every day:

👉ditch scented candles & air fresheners
👉use fragrance-free cleaning & laundry products
👉minimize single-use plastic
👉don’t reheat food in plastic
👉minimize canned foods
👉skip the cash register receipt
👉prioritize organic foods

References: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome, PMID: 38640992, PMID: 35395240, PMID: 33449914, PMID: 35295127, PMID: 38197648

12/03/2024

🚗💨Air pollution and obesity? Yes!

Groundbreaking new research from Brigham Young University has revealed a surprising and concerning link between air pollution—specifically diesel exhaust—and the rise in obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

Obviously, we know that diet and exercise play the biggest roles in contributing to weight & metabolic issues, but they’re absolutely not the ONLY contributing factors!

We’ve known about chemicals and their effect on weight gain, obesity, and metabolic disease for well over 20 years now, but this new study highlights how what we BREATHE can also have a profound impact on our weight and overall well-being.

Swipe to read what the researchers learned and what that might mean for our own health!

References: PMID: 38673906

11/25/2024

✨ Let’s chat about “toxic talk” during holiday gatherings… ✨

As you learn more and more about environmental chemicals and their health risks, you might feel excited to share your knowledge with your friends and family over the holidays. I get it - some of this information is pretty mind-blowing!

There are some instances where sharing information about the hormone-disrupting chemicals in scented candles or the dangers of using plastic food storage containers is not only appropriate but welcomed!

But remember that most people don’t want to be lectured at or feel judged…

Holidays are about fun, connection, and relaxation. Showing up with a “mission” (even with the best intentions) can lead to tension—or worse, hurt feelings.

Otherwise, the best move is to lead by example, and if someone asks you what you’re doing or why you’re doing it, of course - share away! 🎉

And if Aunt Linda sends you home with leftovers in a plastic container? Just say thank you and swap it out at home. 😉

Have you felt the urge to share health information unprompted at holiday gatherings (I certainly have!)

Let me know how those conversations unfolded in the comments!

11/21/2024

🍲Love the colorful look of traditional pottery or glazed ceramic dishes? 🥣
While those colorful ceramic dishes add color and style to your table, it's important to know the potential risks when it comes to lead and other heavy metals, especially if you have kids at home.
Traditional glazes often contain lead, cadmium, arsenic, or other heavy metals to create vibrant colors and a smooth, glass-like finish. If the pottery is fired improperly or at the wrong temperature, this lead may not fully bond to the glaze, allowing it to contaminate food. Even if newer “lead-free” glazes are used, old kilns previously fired with lead glazes can unintentionally contaminate newer pottery.
As you know, heavy metals are highly toxic, especially to smaller, still-growing bodies! Lead exposure in children has been linked to
❌Developmental delays
❌Learning disabilities
❌Lower IQ scores
❌Behavioral issues

To safeguard the health of your kids, avoid using these types of pottery for food storage, prep, or serving:
> Handmade or antique pottery
> Pottery that’s chipped or damaged
> Items bought from flea markets or street vendors
> Brightly colored items, especially red, orange, or yellow
When it is a doubt, toss it out! Please do not donate lead-contaminated items. While this might seem like the right thing to do, it’s just passing the risk on to someone else.
Decorative ceramics are great for wall decor, vases, or figurines - but let’s keep our food and drinks off them!
The best dinnerware and serveware is glass - brands like Corelle and Duralex make incredibly durable and safe options.
When did you first learn about the health risks of glazed pottery?

References: https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-lead-glazed-traditional-pottery

11/20/2024

🏡 Do you live a good vintage find? Especially furniture? Here are some important things to consider when buying used, vintage, or antique furniture that can help you avoid harmful exposure.

🪑 Solid Wood Vintage: If unpainted, older wood furniture is often the safest choice! These pieces typically contain fewer chemicals, but steer clear if they’re painted, as older paints may contain lead or cadmium.

♻️ Particle Board: Older particle board furniture is often a better choice than new, as the formaldehyde used in its construction has likely already been off-gassed or off-gassed significantly.

🛋️ Upholstered Furniture: Proceed with caution! Pieces made from the mid-70s to around 2015 likely contain toxic flame retardants, which only release more toxins as they age and the foam breaks down. These chemicals end up in the dust in your home, and kids and pets are exposed to them more.

Vintage shopping can be a lot of fun, and it’s certainly more sustainable than buying new, but it’s not without its risks. I hope this helps you to be a more informed vintage shopper!

What’s your most prized vintage find?? Let me know in the comments!

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1600 E Jefferson Street Suite 603
Seattle, WA
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+12067260034

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Dr. Katherine Carvlin is a family doctor specializing in environmental medicine. She is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Seattle, where she treats conditions such as digestive complaints, asthma and allergies, infertility, autoimmune conditions, and environmental illness. To make an appointment with Dr. Carvlin, call the Institute for Complementary Medicine at 206-726-0034. Visit drkatherinecarvlin.com or icmedicine.com for more information.

Katherine L. Carvlin, ND

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