From Numbness to Nourishment: How I Unexpectedly Healed My Raynaud’s

For over a decade, my life was measured in layers. If you have Raynaud’s, you know the drill: the constant calculation of "Is it worth the cold?" Whether it was a winter morning here in Asheville requiring a tactical kit of wool socks and hand warmers, or a ten-minute grocery run at a Florida Publix in mid-July, my body had a mind of its own.

I used to watch that "line of delineation" creep across my toes and fingers—the ghostly white of blood leaving the extremities, followed by that confusing, agonizing mix of numbness and searing pain. I learned to live with it because I thought I had no choice. I had my tools, I avoided frostbite, and I simply altered my life to fit my symptoms.

Then, my journey into Nurse Coaching and women’s health changed everything.

The Gentle Art of Detoxifying

As I dove deeper into my nursing career, I realized that my environment was speaking to my cells in a language of stress. I decided to "clean house"—literally and figuratively. I didn’t do it all at once (that would be daunting!), but product by product, I began to detoxify.

• Environmental Cleansing: I swapped harsh cleaners (household, laundry, dishes) and synthetic fragrances for healthy alternatives. No more perfume. I ditched the dryer sheets. I chose personal care products free of parabens, phthalates, and endocrine disruptors. I swapped my toilet paper to a brand without "forever chemicals", chlorine, or formaldehyde. I switched my makeup, haircare, lotions, and deodorant to products that are EWG Verified. At first, the transition wasn't easy, but now I’ve come to truly love my new products! I also made a more significant investment—one that was well worth it—by switching my pots and pans to 'forever chemical' free versions.

• Breathable Spaces: I started airing out my home by cracking a window or two for 15 minutes a day, airing out my bedsheets (keeping the bed unmade for an hour) before making my bed, and filling my home with air-purifying snake plants.

• The Kitchen Shift: I moved away from processed foods, particularly ultra processed foods. I traded seed oils for olive oil, fake butters for the real thing, and leaned into organic, whole foods. I embraced anti-inflammatory powerhouses like hemp, chia, and flax seeds—nature’s plant-based Omega-3s.

• Intermittent Fasting: I fasted 14-16 hours a day (easier than you think!) 5 days a week. Giving my body that consistent break from digestion has been a game-changer for my metabolism and overall inflammation.

• Daily Mindfulness: I’ve cultivated a daily practice that keeps my mind as clear as my home. I’ve learned that mindfulness isn't about hours of silence; it’s about those few intentional minutes a day that set the tone for a resilient nervous system.

• Morning Sunlight: Getting sun on my face first thing in the morning to set my circadian rhythm.

• Grounding: The habit of walking barefoot in my yard to literally connect with the earth. This simple act helps reduce inflammation and balance the body’s natural electrical charge, promoting deeper healing from the ground up.

• Breathwork: Using specific breathing practices to stay centered and calm during stressful situations.

• Sleep: I made sleep a priority. Our bodies don't just "rest" during the night—they perform deep cellular repair. In fact, our bodies primarily heal while we are sleeping. By dedicating myself to a sleep routine, I finally gave my vascular system the time it needed to regenerate.

  
  

The Result I Never Saw Coming

I made these changes to support my overall wellness and hormonal health. And to tell you the truth I didn't feel any profound differences although I felt better knowing I was being good to my body. I never expected them to touch a chronic vascular condition like Raynaud’s.

But less than a year later, the impossible happened.

This winter, I stepped into the Asheville cold and waited for the "turn." It never came. My hands felt cold, yes—but they stayed pink. Instead of turning that deathly white, my fingertips turned a healthy, vibrant red. The Raynaud’s was gone.

Believe in the Reversible

Through my studies, I learned a staggering statistic: 80% of chronic disease is reversible. Seeing it happen in my own body transformed me from a skeptic into a firm believer. By removing the "background noise" of toxins and inflammation, I gave my body the space it needed to finally heal itself.

If you are struggling with a chronic condition that you’ve simply "learned to live with," know this: small, consistent changes add up to radical transformations. You don’t have to do it all today. Just start with one product, one meal, or one breath of fresh air.

Below is a list of toxins to avoid, but you can also visit EWG.org to find detailed hazard scores in their Skin Deep® cosmetics database and their Guide to Healthy Cleaning."

Quick Tools for Safer Shopping:

• For Makeup & Skincare: Search the EWG Skin Deep® Database.

• For Cleaning Supplies: Check the EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning.

• The Gold Standard: Look for the "EWG VERIFIED®" mark on packaging to ensure a product meets the strictest health standards.

• On the Go: Download the EWG Healthy Living App to scan barcodes while you shop.

Common PFAS in Cookware (Pots & Pans)

In cookware, these chemicals are primarily used to create "non-stick" surfaces.

• PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) — Most common; often known by the brand name Teflon.

• PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) — Historically common; largely phased out but still found in older or imported pans.

• PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate)

• GenX (HFPO-DA) — A common PFOA replacement.

• PFBS (Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid)

Common PFAS in Cosmetics (Makeup)

In makeup, these are used for "long-wear," "waterproof," or "smudge-proof" properties, as well as for texture.

• PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) — Yes, the same chemical used in pans is often in eye shadow and pressed powders.

• Perfluorononyl Dimethicone — Often in lipsticks and foundations.

• Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane — Found in long-wear foundations.

• Perfluorodecalin

• Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether

• Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2

• Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether

Other toxins in Cosmetics

• Parabens — Look for anything ending in "-paraben" (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben).

• Formaldehyde Releasers — They don't list "Formaldehyde" directly, but they release it over time. Look for:

  • DMDM hydantoin

  • Quaternium-15

  • Imidazolidinyl urea

• Triclosan — An antibacterial agent found in some toothpastes and soaps.

• Hydroquinone — Found in skin-lightening products.

• Toluene — Common in nail polishes and hair dyes.

• Carbon Black — A dark pigment used in mascaras and eyeliners.

• Ethanolamines — Emulsifiers often listed as MEA, DEA, or TEA.

PFAS in Deodorant & Antiperspirants

These chemicals are often listed under their technical names or as part of a complex mixture.

• PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) — The most common "forever chemical" found in solid sticks to help them slide easily.

• Hydrofluorocarbon 152a — Specifically found in aerosol sprays as a propellant.

• Perfluorononyl Dimethicone — Used in spray and gel formulas for a smooth skin feel.

• C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphate

• Perfluorohexylethyl Triethoxysilane

• Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether

• Perfluorodecalin

Other Toxins in Personal Care (Shampoo, Soap, Deodorant)

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) — The "foaming" agents in shampoos and body washes.

• 1,4-Dioxane — A byproduct that isn't listed on labels but is often a contaminant in "ethoxylated" ingredients (look for words ending in -eth).

• Aluminum Zirconium — The active plug in most conventional antiperspirants.

• Synthetic Musks — Used for long-lasting scents (Galaxolide, Tonalide).

Household Cleaners & Laundry Toxins

These are often the most "aggressive" chemicals used for disinfection or heavy-duty grease removal.

• Phthalates — Often hidden under the word "Fragrance."

• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) — Found in fabric softeners and "antibacterial" cleaners (look for Benzalkonium chloride).

• 2-Butoxyethanol — A common solvent in window and multipurpose cleaners.

• Sodium Hypochlorite — The technical name for Chlorine Bleach.

• Ammonia — Found in glass cleaners and floor polish.

• Sodium Borate (Borax) — Found in laundry detergents and some dishwasher soaps.

• Optical Brighteners — Chemicals that stay on clothes to make them look whiter (look for Stilbenes).

Remember: you don't have to be perfect—every small swap is a major win for your body’s natural ability to heal. Do this for you! You got this!

Bibliography & Scientific Resources:

On Environmental Toxins & Vascular Health

• Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2024). EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning & Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database. [ewg.org] (The primary resource for identifying "forever chemicals" and endocrine disruptors in household products).

• Sunderland, E. M., et al. (2019). "A review of the pathways of human exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and present understanding of health effects." Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. (Explains how "forever chemicals" accumulate in human tissue and impact systemic health).

• Lind, L., et al. (2017). "Circulating levels of perfluoroalkyl substances and vascular function in a 70-year-old population." Journal of Hypertension. (Connects PFAS exposure specifically to vascular and endothelial dysfunction, which is central to Raynaud's).

On Lifestyle Medicine & Reversibility

• Bodai, B. I., et al. (2018). "Lifestyle Medicine: A Brief Review of Its Dramatic Impact on Health and Survival." The Permanente Journal. (Supports the "80% reversible" statistic regarding chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and inflammatory conditions).

• Ornish, D., & Ornish, A. (2019). Undo It!: How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases. Ballantine Books. (A foundational text on how the body's self-healing mechanisms are activated through diet, stress management, and movement).

On Grounding, Fasting, and Circadian Rhythms

• Menigoz, W., et al. (2020). "Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations." Explore. (Provides the data on how walking barefoot reduces inflammation and improves blood flow).

• Patterson, R. E., & Sears, D. D. (2017). "Metabolic Effects of Intermittent Fasting." Annual Review of Nutrition. (Documents how fasting windows lower systemic inflammation and improve metabolic markers).

• Walker, M. (2017). Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. Scribner. (The definitive guide on cellular repair and vascular regeneration during deep sleep).