The Mel Robbins Podcast

Episode: #1 Longevity Doctor: 7 Toxic Products Destroying Your Health

Host: Mel Robbins
Guest: Dr. Eric Topol
Date: September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this impactful episode, Mel Robbins sits down with renowned physician-scientist Dr. Eric Topol to discuss the urgent, under-acknowledged role of environmental toxins—especially microplastics, "forever chemicals," pollution, and ultra-processed foods—in accelerating disease and undermining longevity. Drawing on findings from Dr. Topol's newest book, Superagers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity, they connect alarming health trends—from rising cancer rates in young people to infertility epidemics—to these ever-present environmental factors. In practical, direct language, Dr. Topol walks listeners through the science, the dangers, and, crucially, accessible changes every individual can make to protect themselves and loved ones now.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Critical Shift: Lifestyle “Plus” and Overlooked Factors

• Expanding the Longevity Conversation:
  Dr. Topol explains that the old focus on exercise, nutrition, and sleep is not enough; people must add environmental toxins as a fourth, crucial pillar ("Lifestyle Plus").

  "We have to now add in environmental factors we haven't paid nearly enough attention. ...air pollution, microplastics, nanoplastics, and the forever chemicals, these things are having a big impact and we're not doing anything about it." (06:28)

• The Invisible Enemy:
  The episode highlights how most people are unaware of these dangers, or assume they’re trivial, but data is mounting to the contrary.

  "Most people are not aware of the risks and that we're not doing anything about those risks." (07:27)

Understanding Microplastics and “Forever Chemicals” (PFAS)

• What Are They?

  • Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles, too small to see, present in air, water, food, and even the objects around us. Non-biodegradable—once in the body, they accumulate in organs.
  • "Forever Chemicals" (PFAS): Synthetic chemicals (e.g., used by 3M) that never degrade in nature or the body, present in over 10,000 products.

  "Microplastics, they are toxins. They are not degradable, biodegradable. So once they come into us, we're stuck with them." (14:11)

  "The fancy term for that are perfluorocarbonated alkylating agents. PFAS...97% of us have PFAS forever chemicals in our blood." (15:08)

• How Are We Exposed?

  • Through food, water, air, and common household products like plastics, nonstick cookware, Tupperware, cosmetics, and even scented candles.
  • Top sources: plastic packaging, plastic water bottles, processed food packaging, personal care products, nonstick pans, air pollution.

  "Whether we're eating or whether we're breathing or drinking, we're constantly exposed to these." (14:51)

Shocking Health Impacts: Cancer, Heart Disease, Infertility & More

• Rising Health Crisis:

  • Microplastics and PFAS are linked to a troubling rise in early-onset cancers (colon, breast, pancreatic), neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, autism), cardiovascular issues, and sharply declining fertility rates in both men and women.
  • Dr. Topol shares: By 2050, cancer deaths could double if current trends continue.

  "We're seeing people in their 20s now with colon cancer, women in their 30s with breast cancer. ...Maybe it's related to the chemicals." (08:55)

  "We're seeing progressively lower sperm counts and sperm function in men." (12:43)

• Recent Landmark Studies:

  • Study: Over 50% of patients sampled had microplastics in their carotid arteries, and those people had a 4x higher risk of stroke and heart attack.

    "They found that more than half had plastics in their arteries and those are the people that had over fourfold risk of heart attacks and strokes." (10:10)

  • Microplastics now found in the human brain post-mortem, surrounded by inflammatory markers.

    "Wherever there was plastic, guess what? There was local, marked inflammation, just like in the artery wall." (11:34)

• The Big Problem: No Symptoms, No Obvious Source

  • Because these diseases don't have one clear trigger, industry and regulators have avoided taking responsibility, despite overwhelming evidence.

    "It's a cumulative exposure... what are we doing about it? Essentially nothing. It's amazing." (12:34)

Everyday Items: What’s Dangerous and What to Swap

Segment: Mel and Dr. Topol Test Everyday Items in the Studio
Starts at 24:46

• Plastic Tupperware:

  "That is like adding the plastic burden that we don't need at all. We should be avoiding plastic containers, which of course are everywhere." (25:22)

  • Solution: Swap plastic containers for glass, especially for microwaving or storing hot food.

    "If you heat up plastic, that's the way to get more nanoplastic into whatever you're going to consume." (25:48)

• Hairspray, Deodorant, Perfume:

  • Many common beauty products are "chock full" of forever chemicals (read labels for any fluorinated ingredients, perfluoro- chemicals).

  "You're basically spraying forever chemicals on your head. Why would you want to do that?" (27:01)

  • Solution: Opt for natural or certified organic personal care products, avoid those with fluorocarbons.

• Scented Candles:

  • Especially artificially colored or those with unidentified ingredients, frequently release PFAS and other toxins into home air.

  "You're basically inhaling these forever chemicals that you don't really want to put into your body." (27:55)

  • Solution: Choose soy or beeswax candles without added colorants, and with clear ingredient lists.

• Nonstick Cookware:

  • Nonstick pans (Teflon/“techno-resistant” coatings) leach PFAS and microplastics, especially when scratched or used with plastic utensils.

  "That Teflon or other plastics is getting right into the food." (31:58)

  • Solution: Use stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware; swap plastic utensils for wood or metal.

• Grocery Bags and Storage:

  • The longer food sits in plastic, the more it leaches into your food.

  "Anything we can do to reduce dwell time in plastic, or better yet, not plastic at all, that would be an improvement." (17:36)

  • Solution: Use paper or cloth bags; store food in glass or paper containers.

Air & Water: Hidden Hazards

• Air Quality Risks:
  Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and air pollution aren’t just respiratory hazards—they introduce microplastics and chemicals deep into organs.

  "When you get down to the 2.5 particulate matter, the tiny amounts of air pollution, the tiniest...get throughout our body inducing inflammation." (33:21)

• Home Filtration:

  • HEPA and advanced air and water filters can decrease exposure, but individual action has limits without systemic industry change.

    "It isn't like you can change that very easily. ... it's mainly paying attention." (17:36)

Why Industry and Policy Matter

• Industry’s Role:
  Manufacturers often omit chemical disclosures and resist safer alternatives due to cost and inertia.

  "We've done nothing to rein this in, which is extraordinary." (15:56)

  • Dr. Topol calls for government regulation, transparent labeling, and holding corporations accountable, especially in light of industry coverups (e.g., the 3M/forever chemical whistleblower case).

Practical, Actionable Advice

The Top 3 Actions (35:39)

1. Awareness
   Acknowledge that environmental toxins—air pollution, forever chemicals, and microplastics—are real risks to health and longevity.

   "Firstly it's to acknowledge that these environmental factors are very likely having inducing harm to our body." (35:39)

2. Individual Action
   Make small, persistent changes to reduce exposure:

   • Swap plastic for glass/metal/stainless/stainless steel.
   • Avoid microwaving food in plastic.
   • Choose natural, ingredient-transparent personal care products.
   • Use cloth or paper bags instead of plastic.
   • Upgrade home air (HEPA/MERV13) and water filtration systems.
   • Reduce use of ultra-processed foods.

   "There are many practical things that we can do that we've been reviewing and that at least is doing something active towards trying to reduce the burden." (36:00)

3. Demand Systemic Change
   Support stricter regulations, demand labeling transparency, and hold companies accountable for toxic exposures.

   "We need to start taking on the industry...that should be a strong factor in all this..." (36:29)

Notable Quote:

"Let's assume that they're bad for us and do something about it." (51:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the science and stakes:

  “If we keep going the way that we are, the number of people dying from cancer is gonna double.” (09:49, Mel referencing Dr. Topol’s book)

• On the reality of products:

  “You’re basically spraying forever chemicals on your head...why would you want to do that?” (27:01, Dr. Topol on hairspray)

• On children and the future:

  "Particularly with children here. They're exposed to lots of plastics and these chemicals and of course it's the duration of exposure throughout a person's lifetime that also plays a role." (49:25)

• On optimism:

  "I couldn't be more excited about the ability to prevent the age related diseases...But let's not forget...our environmental factors...let's make sure that we pay attention to that and take it seriously from here on in." (53:02)

Key Timestamps

• 06:28 — Dr. Topol: Environmental lifestyle “plus”
• 10:10 — Landmark study: microplastics in arteries, heart attack/stroke risk
• 14:11 — What are microplastics?
• 15:08 — What are “forever chemicals” (PFAS)?
• 24:46 — Everyday toxic products—what to keep, what to toss
• 25:48 — Microwaving in plastic: “double whammy” of toxin exposure
• 33:21 — Air pollution, PM 2.5, and body-wide inflammation
• 35:39 — The top three steps to reduce your risk right now
• 42:29 — Advice for listeners in high-exposure places
• 49:25 — Why kids are at even greater risk: cumulative, lifelong exposure
• 51:38 — The bottom line: Each action counts—don’t wait for perfect proof

Final Thoughts & Tone

• The episode is direct, personal, and at times urgent, balancing Dr. Topol’s scientific clarity with Mel’s relatable, sometimes shocked, real-world perspective.
• The tone is ultimately hopeful: small actions matter, and collective pressure can drive systemic change.

Mel’s Closing Message:

“The environmental factors aren’t your fault, but now that you see them, you can do something to protect yourself against them. ...You can be part of a solution that helps resolve these environmental factors for future generations.” (53:44)