Health

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Your Couch may cause ADHD in Your Child.

07/21/2010 in Health | No comments

There is a chemical warfare happening in American homes.  We have taken measures to eliminate all toxic cleaners, personal products and cosmetics from our home.  The result is a cheaper, healthier way of cleaning.  We also do not buy PFC coated furniture, carpet, etc and we avoid clothing made from anything but cotton or bamboo.  From ScienceDaily.com:

“A new study led by a team of Boston University School of Public Health researchers suggests a link between polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs), industrial compounds which are widely used in many consumer products, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.” Continue Reading…

Got a Cold? Vitamin D May be the New Vitamin C

03/22/2010 in Health | No comments

When you get sick, your body fights off infection by kicking your immune system into high gear.  It sends out T-cells that the immune system “activates” in order to seek and destroy pathogens in the body.  Research at the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology has found evidence that T-cells require Vitamin D in order to activate. Science Daily explains how this process works:

T cells that are successfully activated transform into one of two types of immune cell. They either become killer cells that will attack and destroy all cells carrying traces of a foreign pathogen or they become helper cells that assist the immune system in acquiring “memory.” The helper cells send messages to the immune system, passing on knowledge about the pathogen so that the immune system can recognize and remember it at their next encounter. T cells form part of the adaptive immune system, which means that they function by teaching the immune system to recognize and adapt to constantly changing threats. – Science Daily

So next time you feel a cold coming on, perhaps a little 10 minute bask in the sun (with sunscreen applied) or a Vitamin D supplement might replace that overdose of Vitamin C.  Have an orange and you’ll get more Vitamin C than your body needs in a day.  Studies have suggested that Vitamin D deficiency is a concern especially in Nursing mothers and Children.

Hundreds of Toxic Chemicals Found in Babies umbilical chords

02/12/2010 in Health | No comments

EWG performed a study on chemicals found in newborn’s umbilical chords.  Among the compounds found in the tissues samples were BPA, Teflon, flame retardant found in couches and bedding, the total number of toxic chemicals was 232.  Many of the chemicals found in the babies umbilical chords were components of make up and personal products that women continue to use throughout pregnancy.

The EWG put out a list of ways to avoid the most harmful toxins during pregnancy (as always).

From MNN:

“A two-year study, commissioned by eco-nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Rachel’s Network, studied the umbilical cord blood of 10 American babies of African-American, Asian, and Hispanic heritage born between 2007 and 2008 — to find 232 toxic chemicals. According to Alex Formuzis, EWG’s director of communications:
Among the substances newly discovered, in addition to BPA, included a toxic flame retardant chemical (tetrabromobisphenol A) designed for computer circuit boards, chemicals used in synthetic fragrances (galaxolide and tonalide) for common cosmetics and detergents, and a member of the notorious Teflon chemical family (perfluorobutanoic acid) that helps make non-stick, and grease, stain and water-resistant coatings for a number of everyday consumer products.”

Prenatal cosmetic use may determine if a child has behavior issues

02/10/2010 in Health | No comments

When a women is pregnant, the makeup she wears, the deoderant she uses and the lotions she uses may effect her baby’s behavior later down the road.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that high levels of phthalates found in a women’s blood during pregnancy directly correlate with behavioral issues in their child at ages 4-9 years.

Phthalates are non-organic chemicals used in lotions, makeup products, soaps, nail polish, perfumes and shampoos.  “Phthalates are part of a group of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, that interfere with the body’s endocrine, or hormone system.”1 Phthalates is also known as BPA when used in plastics.

Children whose mothers tested with a high level of Phthalates in their blood during pregnancy consistently reported behavioral issues in their 4-9 year olds associated with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and ADHD.

To avoid phthalates in personal care products, buy only all natural products and read the ingredients.  If you can’t pronounce an ingredient or have never heard of it, look it up on the EWG website before buying.  Most Phthalates in personal products are called one of the following:

BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate)

DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate)

“fragrance” is another ingredient to avoid.  If a chemical blend is a trade secret, manufactures are not legally required to disclose the contents on the lable.  They simply denote this as “fragrance”, which likely contains parabens or phthalates.

The best paraben free products to replace your most common personal care products are:

Deoderant: Crystal Salt

Toothpaste: PerioBrite

Shampoo and Conditioner: [amazon ASIN="B001JAH2V0"]Hugo Naturals[/amazon]

Lipgloss, cosmetics: [amazon ASIN="B000WRZSCQ"]Honeybee gardens[/amazon]

Lotion: [amazon ASIN="B0012NZ9LY"]Hugo Naturals[/amazon]

Hand and Body soap:[amazon ASIN="B001ET77YI"]Dr. Bronners[/amazon] or find home made soaps from your local farmer’s market.

Nail polish: just don’t use it!  Nail polish is basically paint that you absorb through your skin.

Learn more: The Do-Nothing Method to Healthier Skin ::   BPA powder on your receipts?!

References:

1. Science Daily

Having troube getting pregnant? Your bed may be to blame.

02/08/2010 in Health | 1 comment

Recent studies have linked high levels of PBDEs in women’s blood to a difficult time getting pregnant.  PBDEs are a type of flame retardant found in fabrics, furniture and mattresses.  They are most prevalent in foams.

PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are a class of organobromine compounds that became commonplace after the 1970s when new fire safety standards were implemented in the United States. The flame retardants are used in foam furniture, electronics, fabrics, carpets, plastics and other common items in the home. - Science Daily

It is not clear how PBDEs interfer with fertility, but reserach has suggested they effect hormone levels.  Household dust from foam, couches, curtains, sheets, and mattresses is the main culprit for human absorbtion of PBDEs.  Tempurpedic beds do not contain PBDEs

Read more: Non-stick pans wreak havok on your Thyroid

Things made with OIL – how dependent are you?

02/03/2010 in Health | No comments

Thinking about putting in some new carpeting?  How about some balloons for the next office party, or candles for a romantic evening with your partner?  Has your child ever eaten a crayon?  All these things and more are made with, you betcha: OIL.  Toothpaste, Vitamin Capsules, Hair Coloring, Nail Polish and Hand Lotion are the most disgusting ones on this list…

You may also be interested in The Do-Nothing Method to Healthy Skin

Learn more about the harms in:

What is really in Cool Whip?, Teflon, Deoderant, Parabens in PapSmears, The Future of Food, Spray-on Sunscreen, Folic Acid Overdose, Toxic Cosmetics, Organic Toothpaste, Mercury in your Mascara and Lead in your Lipstick, Corn Syrup, Nail Polish

Mid-life crisis or not?

01/29/2010 in Health | No comments

When people approach the age of 40 they excuse themselves on a mid-life crises venture, feeling the need to blame the desire for change on the number of years they have been alive. But why does this mentality persist when people live to be 90 or 100 (provided they lead a healthy lifestyle)?  Modern medicine, safer public practices and a better understanding of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle have helped humans lead longer, healthier lives.  Is a mid-life crisis warranted?

Decades ago when people were expected to live maybe to 60, 70 if lucky, buying a sports car or changing directions was seen as a last ditch effort to enjoy life before kicking the bucket.  Today however, the 30s, 40s and 50s are the prime of life.  Why are they the prime of life? Professor Strenger explains:

Most people make many of their most important life decisions before they really know who they are… By age 30, most Americans have already married, decided where to live, bought their first home, and chosen their career. “But at 30, people still have the better part of their adult years ahead of them,” Prof. Strenger says. - Science Daily

If our major life course is decided when we have not formed our mature selves, it is no wonder that many people feel they need a major life overhaul in their 30s and 40s.   Each person’s experiences, accumulation of knowledge, and social encounters shapes our personality and opens us up to ideas and paths that we may not have encountered before.  When you were 18 or 19 you may have been pressured into deciding a career path for the rest of your life.  Perhaps when you graduated college, you married your high school sweetheart or college partner without dating much to get an idea of what you really needed in a partner.  These early decisions when we barely know ourselves can backfire on us later in life, causing us to be miserable and regretful.

We should all take the chance to reinvent ourselves, especially at age 30.   Perspectively, life has just begun and the real YOU has just recently taken shape.  Change careers, go back to college, move far away, get in the best shape of your life, pick up a sport you’ve always wanted to try, whatever it takes to make you happy.   Why?  Because this day will never come again and if you lead a healthy life, you may be living whatever path you set for yourself for another 70 years.  Continue to reinvent, change and challenge yourself.

Non-stick pans wreak havock on your Thyroid

01/25/2010 in Health | 2 comments

Recent studies link a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) to human thyroid hormonal imbalances and diseases.  PFOA is found in the coatings of non-stick cookware, stain resistant carpeting, upholstery and clothing.  The most common way PFOA makes its way into the human body is by eating foods cooked in non-stick cookware or foods that touched non-stick coatings on fast food wrappers and styrofoam packaging.

Science Daily reports:

The researchers found that the individuals with the highest 25% of PFOA concentrations (above 5.7ng/ml) were more than twice as likely to report current thyroid disease than individuals with the lowest 50% of PFOA concentrations (below 4.0ng/ml). The most specific analysis included 163 women and 46 men who reported having current thyroid disease and who were taking thyroid medication at the time the blood samples were taken.

What is the moral of the story?  Organic, all natural carpet, or just cut out the hairy stuff altogether.  Get natural, organic furniture, not stuff made out of synthetics and PFOA.  But more importantly, replace all non-stick cookware with stainless steel, woods and metals without the teflon coatings.  Your thyroid will be much happier and more easily regulate your metabolism and mood without a bonbardment of PFOA.

Yum, chemical soup in your dental products

01/04/2010 in Health | No comments

So why should we care about 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate ?  For starters it is found in some hair products and denture/dental products.

It is in so many products despite it’s ability to cause cancer in lab rats and toxicity of the human digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems.

8-Hydroxyquinoline sulfate is a metal chelating agent extracted from coal tar. It has been used in a wide variety of products, from “bag balm” for cows to cosmetics and drugs, for its ability to inhibit the growth of imidazolidinylurea microbes. 1

8-Hydroxyquinoline sulfate

The compound was previously used a preservative in cheese until it was deemed “harmful if swallowed” by the FDA, which has since banned it from all foods. 2 At some point in it’s history it was used as a pesticide, but is not considered obsolete. 3

A 2001 document on the effects of 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate on livestock prepared for the USDA by the Organic Materials Review Institute states that “Although it is not generally reported as a carcinogen or teratogen, a test of the food additive formerly used as cheese preservative (8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate) found tumors in the bladder, brain, and uteri of rats and mice when administered intervaginally.” 4

According to the EWG, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate is considered a moderate health hazard with the ability to cause cancer, toxicity of the stomach, digestive tract, respiratory tract and cardiovascular system even in low exposure.  It’s use in cosmetic products is either prohibited or strictly limited in most major countries.  Finally, there have been no studies on the long term effects when left on the skin and absolutely no studies done on how much is absorbed into the bloodstream 5

Sources:

1. ACS Chemistry

2. FDA

3. http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Docs/ref_regulatoryINT.html#WHOObsolete

4. SkinDeep and OMRI NOSB Tap Materials Database

5. EWG

A New Years Resolution to Healthy Armpits

01/02/2010 in Health, Product Reviews, Sustainable Living | 1 comment

This December I read an article on Treehugger.com addressing healthy armpits.  Armpits are a common conundrum among health nuts like myself who have decided not to use deodorizers with chemicals and metals in them.  So many armpit products today advertise as an “antiperspirant”.  But do you really know why they work or how?

Metals that exist in most antiperspirants like Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY actually react with your skin to close the sweat pores so that you are unable to sweat from your armpits.  Aluminum Zirconium is a metal that is a human nervous system toxicant.  This metal is the most common ingredient in antiperspirants like Axe, Dove, Secret, etc.  These products often also contain fillers like PROPYLENE GLYCOL, BHT, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE , and PPG-14 BUTYL ETHER. The EWG states that these ingredients are known to cause “neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, persistence and bioaccumulation, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), enhanced skin absorption, contamination concerns, occupational hazards, biochemical or cellular level changes.”

Do you know what you are smearing under your arms each morning?  Check your label and consider an alternative.

The only product out there that does not contain harmful substances and actually works is called Crystal. Instead of forcing sweat glands shut with a toxic metal powder, Crystal uses natural salts to kill the bacteria that eat your sweat and exude that awful stink you are trying to get rid of in the first place.  Get rid of the bacteria producing the smell, don’t force your skin to swell shut preventing natural sweat.

My favorite Crystalproduct is the “original” stick.  It is actually a rounded piece of salts rock that you apply right after showering when you arm pits are still damp from the shower.  I have been using it for a month now after previously having settled for another all natural stick that just masked odors.  There is no smell!  Even after a hard workout at the gym, I smell good.  Amazing!

Parabens in Pap Smears May Cause Cell Mutation and Irritation

12/11/2009 in Health, Product Reviews | 1 comment

Having just visited the gynecologist for a yearly examination, I noticed an overwhelming ill feeling a few hours after leaving the doctor’s office.  For the rest of the day I had a mix of a headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, fatigue, and an upset stomach.  The symptoms would come and go without pattern.  I generally just fell unwell.  I have had this feeling after every doctor visit where lube is used vaginally to insert some instrument (or someone’s hand).  They squirt out that nasty lube and smear it all over their hand or tool before sliding it in.  I had to know what was in that stuff.

Methylparaben

The only active ingredient listed in the most common lube used in paps, Femglide, was Methylparaben. After switching cosmetics, cleaning supplies, soaps, etc  to non toxic, all natural products, the last thing I wanted was a paraben being generously applied to my vagina where it is quick to be absorbed into my bloodstream.  A little research lead me a long way:

Methylparaben, designated as food additive E218 in Europe, is a preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi in many products, but it is frequently used in cosmetics. 1

Femglide and SlipperyStuff is touted as “sperm friendly” and one of the least harmful personal lubricant available.  Methlyparaben in Femglide is a know mutagen, causing cells it contacts to mutate.  Why that is considered “sperm friendly” evades me.  Methylparaben, which is currently banned in the EU is also a skin irritant and is known to cause allergic reaction in humans.  That would explain why I felt like crap after the doctor used a half cup on her hand.

The EWG states that “one or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses.”  Methylparaben is also known to cause cancer, endocrine disruption, and interference with gene expression. (I think the sperm are doomed at this point).  It is is considered by the EWG a high health hazard with the ability to cause cancer, toxicity of the stomach, digestive tract, respiratory tract and cardiovascular system.

Armed with this information, it would be safe to caution against using personal lubrication when trying to conceive if you want live, healthy sperm.  Also, if you have issues with yeast infections, using a personal lubrication with Methylparaben in it is not advisable because it may kill the healthy bacteria in the vagina.

Femglide and personal lubes are not the only products in the US containing the chemical Methylparaben.  Sun screens, lotions, conditioners, hemorrhoid creams and get this: spermicides are just a few product types that may include Methlyparabens.  See an entire list here.

Did I mention that Methlyparaben is not the only nasty ingredient in Femglide?  Yes, there is PEG-4.  I’ll let Treehugger.com explain why this chemical is so toxic:

“Polyethylene glycol, better known by its acronym, PEG, isn’t a single ingredient but a class of ethylene glycol polymers that moisturize, keep products stable, and enhance the penetration of other ingredients, both good and bad. PEGs are typically followed by a number correlating to how many units of ethylene glycol they comprise, in the form of say PEG-4 or PEG-100; the lower the number, the more easily the compound is absorbed into the skin.

While PEGs can be mild irritants, they’re less than desirable primarily because they help traffic funky chemicals across your epidermis, including a slug of impurities they’re often contaminated with. According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, pollutants found in various PEG compounds include ethylene oxide (used to manufacture mustard gas), 1,4-dioxane, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and heavy metals (lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, arsenic).” 3

The EWG says that PEG-4 is restricted in cosmetic use and is not safe for application on damaged or broken skin.  Have a slight tear downstairs during your papsmear ladies?  Well, why not smear PEG-4 all over it?  PEG-4 is a human carcinogen and has been banned in Canada, yet the FDA allows it’s use in food products.  You won’t see it listed as PEG-4 in your food, rather it is called POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL when placed on a food lable. 4

So for my next papsmear, I am officially allergic to Methylparaben.  “No thanks doc, I’ll pass on the paraben-chemical goop, but thanks for asking.”

————————————————————————————————————————

Sources:

1. ACS Chemistry

2.  EWG

3. Treehugger.com

4. EWG on PEG-4

Skin’s healthy glow comes from inside, not outside

11/25/2009 in Health | No comments

Have you ever noticed how people who eat only junk food and sit at a computer all day, never getting exercise have an unattractive hue to their skin? Of course there is your classic world-of-warcraft shut-in who’s diet consists of doritos and ice cream. What is it about their skin that makes them unattractive?

Research out of Bristol and St. Andrew’s, UK has shed light on the link between an attractive skin color in humans and the lifestyle that goes with it. As no surprise to the health nut, maintaining a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise determines the attractiveness of one’s skin tone.

“We knew from our previous work that people who have more blood and more oxygen color in their skins looked healthy, and so we decided to see what other colors affect health perceptions. This has given us some clues as to what other skin pigments may relate to a healthy appearance.”

Science has already clued us into the harmful damage sun exposure does to the skin cells.  Also, with the recent findings in other studies suggesting that spray-on tanning may cause lung cancer, it is perhaps fitting to revisit the basics of human health.  Your skin is a walking billboard of your internal health.  So don’t fry your integument in the sun and don’t spray chemicals on it either.  If you eat healthy, clean foods and get exercise you won’t have a need to change your skin color artificially.

Read more at Science Daily

Spray on Tanning and Spray-on Suncreen may cause cancer

11/20/2009 in Health | 6 comments

Every time I go to a new gym, I become familiar with the resident “orangies” who are perpetually tan, most of them bordering on the orange spectrum.  For weight trainers like myself there is something to be said for being buff AND tan.  Spray on tans are by far the most common alternative to frying your skin in the cancer coffin on a regular basis.  I’ve tried the spray tan booth a few times myself and was hard pressed to avoid breathing in the spray.  Holding your breath for 15 seconds while being doused with dye.  I inevitably inhaled the stuff.

Researchers at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have conducted studies on nano particles found in paint, vitamins, tanning sprays, spray-on suncreens, cosmetics, toothpastes, etc.  Their focus especially was on titanium dioxide nanoparticles.  Results suggested that continual exposure whereby the nanoparticles were allowed to enter the body (through digestion or inhalation) caused cancer in mice.  They also suggested that the nanoparticles are not able to penetrate the skin, but upon entering the body, they are able to move around freely causing oxidative stress and cell death.

“It could be that a certain portion of spontaneous cancers are due to this exposure,” Schiestl said. “And some people could be more sensitive to nanoparticles exposure than others. “I believe the toxicity of these nanoparticles has not been studied enough.”

The studies warrant further research on the effects of nanoparticles on the body.  Until then, think twice when stepping into that tanning booth, spraying on the sunscreen or powdering your face.  You may be flirting with lung cancer.

Find out more at Science Daily.

What is really in Cool Whip?

11/17/2009 in Health | 1 comment

Foods like this never find their way into our home, but it is still fun to see what disgusting crap goes into “food” like Cool Whip .  This Thanksgiving, will you be eating food or “food”?

From Wired Science

Catholic Mass becomes Politicized

11/05/2009 in Atheism And Religion | No comments

From The Colorado Independent:

This past weekend the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops instructed pastors at parishes across the country to distribute material urging Catholics to oppose the health reform bills making their way through Congress for allowing public funding of abortions. Priests were to insert the Bishops Conference pdf leaflets and letters into parish news bulletins, distribute them at church doors or place them in pews. They were also directed to read a statement at mass to reinforce the message.  Continue Reading…

Toxic ratings on your personal products

09/26/2009 in Health | 1 comment

I recently stumbled upon a cosmetic website that tested and rated the toxicity level of household products and personal care products. My partner and I had recently switched from toxic cleaners and personal products to organic, all natural, no chemical products. Toothpaste proved to be the most difficult to find a replacement that actually worked, but for most of them, we enjoyed switching to products that contained less ingredients and nothing we couldn’t pronounce.

The only product I have yet to toss in the trash and replace is my Mascara. At Skin Deep I entered the name: Big Fatty Mascara by Urban Decay and gasped as a toxcitiy rating of 7 out of 10 showed up on my computer.  I tossed that stick in the trash and put “WholeFoods” on my list of errands.  I made a list of the “zero toxic” options and headed to the store in search of a beauty stick without poisons.

Organic Toothpaste that actually works: PerioBrite

09/25/2009 in Environmental, Health, Product Reviews, Sustainable Living | 3 comments

When our household switched from toxic products to non-toxic, all natural alternatives we enjoyed every part of it… except the toothpaste.  We went through so many toothpaste brands like Jason, Toms of Maine and many others.  All of them left our teeth feeling fuzzy.  Some of them even still contained Fluoride, one ingredient we get too much of in our drinking water and a chemical that disrupts the natural hormone production in the thyroid.

Feeling dismayed and out of options, we found ourselves at the Wholefoods store, staring at a wide array of natural toothpastes.  We were going to trial and error again, just pick some and return them if they didn’t work when we bumped into a gentleman buying toothpaste as well.  He reached for a brand familiar to him.  I quickly piped up and asked him if he liked that stuff.  He looked at me funny.  I explained that we were having a hard time finding a paste that worked and wondered if he would recommend the PerioBrite he held in hand.  He told us it is the only thing that works and turned to leave.  Dylan and I looked at each other.  I grabbed a tube of PerioBrite and since then we have been hooked.

PerioBrite is clay-colored and does not contain “sudsing” ingredients that make conventional toothpastes suds in your mouth.  It does contain natural peppermint flavors that really cool and refresh the mouth.  And they graciously leave out the Flouride.  It is clay based and does not leave your teeth feeling fuzzy.  We use it three times a day and our teeth are healthier and cleaner than with chemically loaded conventional toothpastes.

Learn more: Organic, non-Alcohol Mouthwash

Mercury in your Mascara and Lead in your Lipstick?!

09/14/2009 in Environmental, Health | 1 comment

Not too long ago it we learned that Nail Polish contains “female reproductive toxicants”. Some more beauty products in the average women’s arsenal are now up for question for containing lead and mercury.

The FDA recently tested 33 of the most popular lipsticks and found lead in 60% of them. The ranges in lead detection were between 0.01 parts per million (ppm) to 3.06ppm. Ladies should also know that most lipsticks are composed of fish scales and parabens (along with the lead) which get ingested when you lick your lips or eat with the stuff on. Read the full report here.

Along with lipstick, Mascara as regulated by the FDA allows for up to 65 parts per million of mercury.  This is a small amount, however Mercury is a neuro toxin and once absorbed by the body stays in the fatty tissues and never is flushed out of the system.  Mercury can then accumulate over years of exposure and prove toxic to a developing fetus.

Things like Lead and Mercury are not included on the manufacture’s lable along with other harmful carcinogens.  Fortunately for those who want to still look smashing without the poison, there are beauty product lines that offer an all natural, chemical and paraben free way to dress up your eyes and lips.  For[amazon ASIN="B0017QT7T6"]Mascara try Honeybee Gardens[/amazon].  They also carry a great line of [amazon ASIN="B000VUUSAG"]lip color[/amazon] and [amazon ASIN="B0036ANS0U"]eye color[/amazon].

Similar products and many many more can be found at Whole Foods or other health stores.  If you are unsure about trying a new product, ask a sales representative at the store to recommend a product.  You may even ask if they will accept a return so you can try something new in confidence.

Excuse me, there is Mercury in your Corn Syrup

09/10/2009 in Environmental, Health | 1 comment

So corn syrup, otherwise known as HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) has gotten a lot of bad rap lately.  Corn syrup is in loads of processed foods and drinks contributing to obesity,diabetes, DNA damage, and unhealthy eating habits in the majority of Americans.  HFCS is made from the same type of corn crop that is used to make Ethanol used to fuel E-85 vehicles.  But recently, we may have yet another reason (like there aren’t enough) to avoid Corn Syrup.  In a recent TreeHugger piece, David Friedlander unveils the ugly truth about mercury in corn syrup:

According to a recent Mother Jones article, in 2004 when FDA researcher Renee Dufault found mercury in HFCS samples from leading manufacturers, they did what any agency looking to protect public health would do: they asked her to stop her inquiry.

The source of the mercury is thought to be lye, which is used to separate the cornstarch from the kernel. Many chemical companies make lye by pumping salt through large vats of mercury. That mercury-laced lye is most likely the same lye used in processing corn to make HFCS.

After the FDA tried to stymie Dufault’s inquiry, she decided pursue the matter further, sending the original 20 samples to be retested; nearly half of the samples contained mercury. This past January, Dufault published her findings in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health.

Read more…

Can We Change our Genetic outcome by eating healthy?

09/09/2009 in Health, Science | No comments

Experts say “yes”.  Eating healthy and including foods that aid the body in maintaining healthy cell structure and blood flow can change your otherwise “predisposed” genetic code.

H1N1 is only a “Type 3″ epidemic

09/04/2009 in Health | 3 comments

Is H1N1 as widespread and scary as the media portrays it to be?  Evidence points towards H1N1 being just as common and the common flu.  Each year the flu kills thousands of people, most of whom have prior health concerns.  When someone dies of the flu, they don’t actually die from the virus directly, but rather by untreated or severe symptoms such as phenomena.

H1N1 has thus far followed a simialar pattern to the seasonal flu in symptoms, number of cases and number of deaths.  Infact, some people may be partially immune to  this strain of H1N1 already because of previous encounters with other H1N1 flu viruses.

It is probable that because the virus originated in Mexico where healthcare is of poor quality, the higher death rate due to the “swine” flu initially caused the rest of the world to go overboard on prevention and vaccination.   Science Daily comments on the brash response to swine flu:

Over the past four years, pandemic preparations have focused on responding to worst case scenarios. As a result, we responded to the H1N1 outbreak as an unfolding disaster. Some countries erected port of entry quarantines. Others advised against non-essential travel to affected areas and some closed schools and businesses.

The CDC defines and categorizes types of epidemics in order to better prepare and handle the variety of outbreaks and diseases.

type 1 epidemic (severe disease affecting many people)

type 2 epidemic (infecting few, mostly severe disease),

type 3 epidemic (affecting many, mostly mild).

All the hype around “swine” flu caused people to approach it like a type 1 epidemic, when in reality it is proving to effect the population like a type 3.

So what do you do? The CDC is advising people sick with flu like symptoms to stay home and phone in to the doctor if you need advice.  The only reason to come in to the doctor with flu like symptoms is when having difficulty breathing or keeping liquids down (or for any other major complication).  They are no longer doing blood tests to determine who has swine flu verses regular flu because it doesn’t matter and it doesn’t effect the patient any differently.  Stay home, get well and stop worrying.  In the meantime, eat healthy, stay positive and exercise: that is the best way to ward of illness of any kind and ensure your body is in a prepared state should you become ill.

Nothing works! The Do-Nothing method to natural, healthy skin

08/31/2009 in Environmental, Health, Product Reviews, Sustainable Living | 1 comment

Are you at the point with your skin blemishes that you just feel like giving up and saying “Nothing works”?  Take a step back and consider that your skin did not evolve to deal with harsh soaps, twice daily washes, makeup clogging up pores.  These things strip away the skin’s natural defenses.  If you are at the point where you have no idea if you have dry or oily skin, you have tried so many acne treatments you want to cry or you are just feeling like giving your skin a break, the “Do-Nothing” method may work for you.  10 easy changes.  Try it for 3-4 weeks.  “Natural”, “Nothing” and “Free” don’t make anyone money, that’s why you’ll hardly hear of someone advocating this method.

1. Nothing works!

For your daily face regimen, simply do nothing. No makeup, no scrubs, no washes, nothing. Let your skin regulate itself by producing natural oils that protect the skin and keep it moisturized. Washing your face strips your skin of it’s natural defenses, leaving it dry and vulnerable, often leading to an overproduction of oil that causes acne breakouts. It is a vicious cycle. Go cold turkey and see what “nothing” can do for you! The day you start this method, use a mild scrub (see below) and steam the follow day to start the cleansing process.

2. Cold showers, short showers

Hot water strips away the natural oils in your skin, leaving it dry. If you can’t stand a cold shower, take a warm shower (not hot) and turn the shower handle to cold at the very end when you rinse your face. If there are very oily spots on your face, go ahead and gently rub them with your fingertips, but on most days just a cold rinse should be enough.

3. Never pop a zit!

That white puss that forms on a zit is your skin’s way of cleansing out the inflamed area. The puss is actually filled with white blood cells, and repairing components that clean and heal the infected pore. By “popping” it, you are stripping that natural healing method away and opening up a wound that will take longer to heal and may leave behind a pock mark. Once you get a pussy zit, leave it alone, let it works its magic and it will “pop” and go away on its own. The key is to avoid getting zits in the first place, but once you have a puss filled zit, best to leave it to repair the damage already done rather than causing more damage by popping it.

4. Wash your makeup brushes

If you do need to use makeup to occasionally cover embarrassing blemishes or just to add some color to your eyes, be sure to wash your makeup brushes once a week with warm water and an all natural paraben-free shampoo (the one you use for your own hair of course). Dirty makeup brushes harbor bacteria. Don’t let that build up or you will just be rubbing that grime all over your face! If you must use makeup, use a mineral makeup like Bare Minerals and apply as little as possible. For eyeliner and mascara use a natural, organic product like HoneybeeGardens.

5. Exfoliate Once a week

Sluffing off those dead skin cells is necessary at least once a week. You can buy a natural product with no parabens and a very fine granule like Hugo’s Sea Fennel Scrub. A cheaper and more natural alternative is to use organic coffee grounds from your morning brew.  Coffee grounds not only exfoliate, but the caffeine helps tighten your pores giving you smooth skin. If you have dry skin, you can add a tablespoon of cold-pressed coconut oil to a handful of coffee grounds and use to exfoliate.

6. Massage the lift into your face

When you scrub your face once a week, give yourself a mini facial massage to increase circulation to your skin. Facial massages help reduce wrinkles by loosening the muscles of laugh lines and tension areas in your face.

7. Steaming for acne

A weekly steaming can help open your pore to flush out toxins.

Use a small pot of water (add lavender, thyme or chamomile if desired). Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat and let simmer for a few minutes. Form a tent over your head by draping a towel over your head and lean your face over the steaming pot. Let the steam hit your face without getting too close (to avoid scalding yourself). Steam for 5 minutes, then immediately rinse your face with cool water to close your pores.

8.  The Hair on Your Head

Since we spend about 8 hours a day with our faces on a pillow, it is important to consider what sleep situations may do to our skin.  If you have long hair, put your hair up in a binder before hitting the sack to keep the oils and product in your hair off your pillow and off your face.  Using a hairnet also works for those who have shorter hair or don’t like their hair tied up all night.  It is also important to evaluate what is in your hair products, as these are the closest in proximity to your face and scalp.  Check your shampoos, conditioners and hair products for parabens such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and known human carcinogens, such as triclosan.  If you find any of these things in your product, throw them away and start fresh.  A big factor in your skin’s health can be the laundry detergent you use.  Bed linens and clothing rub on us all day.  Buying a natural detergent and staying away from dryer sheets can help clear up acne, yeast infections and skin irritations as well as keep harmful carcinogens out of your system.

Health food stores sell all natural cosmetic and beauty products that will be gentler on your hair and better for your overall health.  Look for ingredient lists that are short and do not contain words you cannot pronounce or chemical names you have never heard of.  Less is more in this case.  Keep this healthy practice with all your cosmetics, cleaners, and soaps and you will have less chance of coming in contact with harmful chemicals and carcinogens throughout your day.  Our favorites are Hugo shampoos and conditioners and Dr. Bronner’s liquid hand and body soaps.

9. Exercise

Healthy skin is tied in with healthy living. Eating fresh produce, meats and avoiding processed sugars, corn syrup and parabens goes hand in hand with regular exercise. Exercise aids in carrying nutrients to all cells in the body and carrying out toxins that build up in our cells. Our bodies are not built for sitting on the couch or at the computer all day.

10. Avoid sweets

Avoiding sweets and refined sugars is the best way to avoid zits and aging. Glycation is a process by which sugar bonds to a protein or lipid molecule without the controlling action of an enzyme contributing to the deterioration of collagen in your skin. Collagen is responsible for that young, tight skin look we all strive for. Not to mention, avoided sweets and eating healthy will make you feel better and look better!

Studies have linked Corn Syrup to DNA damage in humans

08/27/2009 in Health | 2 comments

Recent studies have linked HMF to DNA damage in humans and it also might be the answer to why bees are dying at an alarming rate. HMF is a chemical that is created in High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) when it is heated above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Most products on American grocer shelves contain HFCS that has been heated during processing. HMF has been shown to cause DNA damage in humans and to kill bees. Many high volume producing bee farms feed their bees HFCS that can reach high temps in summer sun, releasing HMF. Natural beekeepers or bees that produce honey from pollination do not exhibit signs of HMF poisoning. High Fructose Corn Syrup is easy to avoid if you eat a healthy diet. Avoid the shelves in your grocer and stick to the perimeter of the store where all the refrigerated and fresh items can be found. Fruits, veggies, meats, grains. If it can "keep" on the shelf for over a week, it probably has preservatives and HFCS in it. Evolutionary, we are not designed to handle high volumes of sugar, chemicals or canned foods. Our ancestors would have eaten small amounts every 2-3 hours as they foraged and collected food. The human body is best served by eating small portions every 2-3 hours. The food ingested should be natural and not chemically altered or preserved.

Recent studies have linked HMF to DNA damage in humans and it also might be the answer to why bees are dying at an alarming rate. HMF is a chemical that is created in High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) when it is heated above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Most products on American grocer shelves contain HFCS that has been heated during processing. HMF has been shown to cause DNA damage in humans and to kill bees. Many high volume producing bee farms feed their bees HFCS that can reach high temps in summer sun, releasing HMF. Natural beekeepers or bees that produce honey from pollination do not exhibit signs of HMF poisoning.

High Fructose Corn Syrup is easy to avoid if you eat a healthy diet. Avoid the shelves in your grocer and stick to the perimeter of the store where all the refrigerated and fresh items can be found. Fruits, veggies, meats, grains. If it can “keep” on the shelf for over a week, it probably has preservatives and HFCS in it. Evolutionary, we are not designed to handle high volumes of sugar, chemicals or canned foods. Our ancestors would have eaten small amounts every 2-3 hours as they foraged and collected food. The human body is best served by eating small portions every 2-3 hours. The food ingested should be natural and not chemically altered or preserved.

Photographic memory pill

07/16/2009 in Health, Science | No comments

Quote taken from this article

Imagine if you could look at something once and remember it forever. You would never have to ask for directions again. Now a group of scientists has isolated a protein that mega-boosts your ability to remember what you see.

A group of Spanish researchers reported today in Science that they may have stumbled upon a substance that could become the ultimate memory-enhancer.  learn more