Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a general term for the mixture of several hundred chemicals with common properties like strong lipophilicity, resistance to biodegradation, and biomagnification in the food chain. Background exposure to POPs has recently been linked to type 2 diabetes and other components of metabolic syndrome. Possible molecular mechanisms include glutathione depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction. Although toxicological and epidemiological studies traditionally have tried to identify which specific POPs cause harm, the disease risk associated with POPs is better thought of as reflecting POP mixtures than any several specific compounds. If low dose exposure to POP mixtures is really problematic, how we can protect ourselves? Usually, the primary approach to protecting the public against chemical exposure is by avoiding them through regulation of individual chemicals, including banning, strict safety standards, and carefully controlled use. Unfortunately, however, this kind of approach may not work for POP mixtures. Importantly, glutathione status and mitochondrial function can improve at higher (but still below toxic) POP doses. This mode of dealing with xenobiotic chemicals is related to the concept of hormesis even though traditional hormesis signifies only low dose beneficial effects contrasting with high dose toxic effects, without any consideration of very low dose chronic exposure. Defined broadly, hormesis means mild stress-induced stimulation of cellular protective mechanisms, including increased glutathione synthesis and mitochondrial biogenesis. Diverse stressors can induce hormesis in experimental settings, but be classified into 3 categories depending on their possibility of application to pubic: (1) disadvantageous stressors: chemicals like POPs and radiation, but these could harm humans because of issues like chemical mixtures, endocrine disruption, and susceptible populations, (2) neutral stressors: cold, heat, and gravity which are appropriate for controlled human use, and (3) advantageous stressors: moderate exercise, phytochemical intake, and calorie restriction are active stressors that have wide human applicability.