10 Harmful Chemicals to Avoid

It feels like everywhere around you there is something that causes cancer, whether it's food, cleaning products, environmental toxins, clothes, furniture and the list can go on. This can be really overwhelming for people, especially those with children.

Parents Magazine published an article in 2013 about the results of specific chemicals that should be avoided. Many of those chemicals are "known or suspected" to be linked to cancer, early puberty, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, autism, and other serious health issues.

There seems to be so much to avoid that lists such as these are a great way to get started without feeling overwhelmed. The goal is to reduce the usage of any products that contain harmful chemicals.

Here is a summary of the list, with some additions, provided by the published article done by Parents Magazine:

1. Arsenic 

Linked to: Skin, bladder, kidney and lung cancers

Found in: 

• Apple and grape juice
• Rice products (which are contaminated through pesticides in groundwater) 
• Pressure-treated wood made or manufactured before 2003

What you can do: 

• Consume juices in small amounts
• Limit amount of rice consumed and try to switch to 100% organic and, if possible, whole wheat products
• Avoid older pressure-treated wood, which may be found in sandboxes, playgrounds, wing sets, decks. If your child gets a splinter, it can actually be absorbed into the skin.

Remember, the skin is the largest organ of the body and absorbs everything placed on it. For children, it absorbs at a much higher rate relative to their body size, so it's best to limit the exposure to these harmful chemicals as much as possible.

2. Formaldehyde 

Linked to: Skin irritants, allergies, respiratory symptoms, headache, fatigue, and nausea

Found in: 

• Embalming fluid
• Household products
• Makeup
• Skin care products
• Baby wipes
• Hair products
• Pressured wood medium density fiberboard
• Furniture
• Glue and adhesives 

What you can do: 

• Ventilate any furniture outdoors or in an open garage if you purchase wood made of pressboard or MDF that has been treated with this chemical.
• Avoid beauty and household products that have these ingredients: 
• Quaternium 15
• Bronopol (also written as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol)
• Diazolidinyl urea
• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate

3. Mercury 

Linked to: Impaired neurological development and high levels of ADHD 

Found in: 

• Air pollution
• Industrial waste
• Fish (shellfish and larger fish that eat shellfish)
• Older thermometers 

What you can do: 

• Eliminate the consumption of large fish such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish from diet, especially if you're trying to conceive, are pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about the air pollution, but if you live in a major city with a lot of pollution, try to make a weekly visit to a park surrounded by trees and clean air and inhale. 
• Fight for clean air through the Clean Air Act. 

4.  Bisphenol A (BPA) and 5. Phthalates 

Linked to: endocrine disruptors, hormone disruptors (they mimic natural hormones and can affect reproductive development and health), early puberty, low testosterone for males and male reproductive problems. 

Found in: 

• Plastics
• Lining of food and beverage cans
• Bottled formulas
• Shopping receipts 
• Vinyl plastics (raincoats, backpacks, shower curtains, blow-up toys)
• Perfumes, lotions and soaps 

What you can do: 

• Don't support or purchase any body products with "Fragrance" listed as an ingredient. They legally DO NOT have to tell you how many toxins are used in that word used to mask an array of chemicals including this one. 
• This may come as a shock to you ladies, but it's in 99% of your products that are not organic. Use EWG to see what ingredients are found in the daily products you use. Purchase organic skin care products for your whole family.
• Look for "PVC-free" raincoats and backpacks
• Try to have cashiers drop the receipt in the bag to refrain from touching the chemical.
• Avoid purchasing food and beverage cans, plastics and bottled formulas unless they are marked "BPA-free"
• Do not microwave foods in plastic containers because they release this toil chemical and others into the food
• Purchase "BPA-free" cups

6. Flame Retardants

Linked to: damaged reproductive systems (specifically polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs]), affected motor skills, learning, memory and hearing. 

Found in: 

• Upholstered furniture (couches, pillows, mattresses, carpet padding)
• Because the chemical is not bonded to foam, they can be released in the dust of the furniture as it ages (very scary!)
• Electronics before 2014
• Foam products manufactured before 2005

What you can do: 

• Don't let babies put electronics, especially those mobile phones, in their mouths
• Replace furniture and pillows if foam is old and beyond repair
• Use a vacuum with HEPA filter and/or run HEPA air filters in rooms
• Throw out older items such as car seats and mattress pads where the foam is not covered in a protective fabric

7. Fluoride

Linked to: cancer, discolored teeth, loss in tooth enamel, brittle bones, and neurotoxicity. 

Found in: 

• Water supply
• Toothpaste and mouthwash
• Soil

What you can do: 

• Switch to a toothpaste and mouthwash that does not contain fluoride. I personally use Now XyliWhite Toothpaste and love it! I have for over 4 years. 
• Call your state department of environmental protection or municipal water supplier to see the level of fluoride in your waters. We do this every time we move to find out immediately.
• Invest in purchasing a water filtration that does reverse osmosis. Use the EWG water filter buying guide before doing this. 

8. Pesticides 

Linked to: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia in children and negative neurobehavioral development. 

Found in: 

• Sprays to treat and kill inspects and weeds produce, outdoor lawns and gardens. 
• Soil as a result of spraying
• Groundwater supply as a result of spraying
• Baby food and drinks

What you can do: 

• Don't let children play in areas where pesticides have just been sprayed
• Buy organic fruits and veggies!
• Always wash fruits and veggies with a soft brush and water or peel and trim before eating. 

9. Lead 

Linked to: nervous system damage, stunted growth, kidney damage, and delayed development 

Found in: 

• Homes built before 1978 that have not been in good repair (lead was found in wood and used in paint) 
• Imported toys,
• Jewelry 
• Candy 

What you can do: 

• If you live in a home built before 1978, be sure all the paint is in good condition as it contains lead and can be inhaled by young ones. Frequently mop and wipe surfaces with a damp cloth.
• If you live in an older home, make sure to get a lead-safe certified contractor to do repairs
• Avoid painted or metal toys older than 1978
• Avoid purchasing imported toys and children's jewelry, especially from China
• Do not buy candy made in Mexico

10. Perchlorate  

Linked to: high doses interferes with iodine absorption into the thyroid gland, which interferes with hormone production needed for growth and development.

Found in: 

• Naturally occurring it is found in arid states in the southwestern U.S.
• Industrial chemical contaminant used in rocket fuel, fireworks, explosives and flares
• Bleach
• Some fertilizers
• Groundwater
• Drinking water and irrigation all over the country

What you can do: 

• Call your state department of environmental protection or municipal water supplier to see the level of perchlorate in your waters. 
• Check with your doctor about taking an iodine supplement to boost thyroid function and offset any contaminants. 

Please pass the Splenda...so I can throw it away.

I've been putting off this blog post for over a month, but now that I've seen over 10 infographics on this, it's time to write about this very popular and dangerous subject.

The Problem

There is so much research that has accumulated showing the negative affects of aspartame and artificial sweeteners on our bodies. But even so, people still opt for their regular Diet Coke or coffee with Splenda, Sweet 'N Low or NutraSweet thinking they are going for the "healthier" choice.

FALSE!

GMO Chocolate...really???

I love chocolate. You can say I'm a chocoholic. If I could live off of chocolate and didn't gain any weight, I would. You get the picture.

So yesterday, my husband sends me an article about my favorite thing containing GMO. Read the article and hear me rant:

Article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/15/us-cocoa-indonesia-idUSBRE89E1DA20121015

My rant:

I see Monsanto written all over this!!! I’m ticked off! Now I have to spend money on organic chocolate! This is so frustrating. The reason those cocoa beans died was because of the stupid government-sponsored cocoa beans!!!!!!!!!! This is iritating! Why can’t they just leave all the farmers alone and let them grow their stuff on the soil God gave us with the seeds he provided for us that have not been cloned or genetically altered????

Is this so hard to ask????


Thank you for reading. 


Stay Healthy, my friend (think accent of the Dos Equis XX beer guy <--- he's so awesome)

GMOs = Silent Killers

If rats get tumors and cancer when they eat the same GMO induced food we eat as a society, what is it doing to us? 

Let's start at the basics. What is GMO? GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms which is being used to create food, even though it has been proven through scientific research and tests that they are unfit for human consumption.

The uprise is that Monsanto (the enemy of our food and health and hence nicknamed MonSatan) has not only gone against family farms to put them out of business, but they are in cahoots with the government to

7 Side Effects of Soda

This is nothing new to my blog but if you want a quick refresher on the ingredients to stay away from, check out a previous post on Bad Ingredients.

Stay Healthy!

Is your cleaner clean?

Let me begin by saying I've been removing any toxic cleaners, detergents, facial and cosmetic products (which is why I sell Ava Anderson Non-Toxic) from my home. Working part-time at a health food store, I found a new product we started carrying that caught my attention. It stated it was "non-toxic", "all-natural" and safe for everyone in the family.

But something bothered me.

It didn't list ingredients...it simply said "Coconut derived ingredients and natural oils". You know what that means to me? NOTHING!!! Coconut is how they derive some of the most toxic and cancerous ingredients. Just because it comes from a natural source DOES NOT mean it's still natural after they distill, heat and overprocess in order to make it what they want. They usually, then, mix it with overly toxic ingredients and say it's "natural" after they've altered the molecules of the "natural" source. Yes, it upsets me.

Even though it bothered me, I still purchased it because I figured it's can't be that bad.

Well, after the first time I used it, I had to open all the windows. It was a stronger smell than ammonia! In fact it smelled stronger than Windex but similar. I thought I would give it another try (it didn't even clean well and cost me $12.99). The next time I used it, my husband came into the bathroom where I had just finished using it and he couldn't believe the smell.

Then, he did a little research to see what the "REAL" ingredients were (I was embarrassed I didn't do this myself). What he found was more than a little disturbing. This is an excerpt:

Their active ingredient that they called butylcelosolv is Czech for 2-Butoxyethanol acetate, also known as Butyl Cellosolve. According to the Skin Deep Database, which rates it a 6 (moderate hazard), butoxyethanol has ties to cancer, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and more. (source) It’s used in hundreds of cleaning products, even as an oil spill dispersant, and “provides cleaning power and the characteristic odor of Windex and other glass cleaners. It is the main ingredient of many home, commercial and industrial cleaning solutions.” (source) It may not be a major environmental contaminant, but it certainly doesn’t sound safe!

Here’s a must-read from the Janitorial Products Pollution Prevention Project:

2-Butoxy Ethanol is one of the most toxic of the glycol ethers.

You should use products containing butoxyethanol with extreme care. It is a poison that can easily absorb through your skin to harm you. When working with it, always wear gloves and goggles and be sure the you have enough ventilation.

The product I'm talking about is Charlie's Soap. They claim so much on their bottle and fail in every respect. I was beyond disappointed, I was upset!

I didn't use gloves because it said it was safe for the hands...etc.

Lies! Don't believe everything you read...read ingredients! In detergents or cleaners, they don't always have them. While Seventh Generation isn't always the cleanest, they ALWAYS label the ingredients. Clearly they feel they have nothing to hide.

For more info on Charlie's Soap, check out this blog: click here.

Story of Cosmetics

Here's a great video in 8 mintues that gives a quick recap of what and how our cosmetic industry works:

Choose wisely...choose Ava Anderson Non-Toxic, I did =) www.SimplyJenelle.com

When phthalates are exposed to children in womb...

This article continues to prove my point on the dangerous toxins in health and beauty products sold to millions in the U.S. Parents, please read this article and see what can happen when we "trust" these large corporations to make safe and healthy decisions for us on the ingredients and products we use daily:

Children more likely to have attention, behavioral problems when exposed to phthalates in womb, New York study says — Environmental Health News

This is why I use and continue to sell and promote Ava Anderson Non-Toxic beauty line. It's non-toxic ingredients are great for the skin and actually provide nourishment through antioxidents. You can get more information at www.SimplyJenelle.com.

Ask me! =)

BPA-Free? Not Exactly

Hard to trust the government, especially when it comes to our health and our families health. Here's just another study that has surfaced. It's not meant to scare you, but rather inform and hopefully make you begin to dig a little more and do your own homework....I have.

Check out this article:

BPA-Free? Not Exactly. Healthy Child Healthy World

As a result of trying to reduce the amount of toxins my body absorbs (to avoid completely is impossible), I began using and selling Ava Anderson Non-Toxic beauty products. I've said it several times, your skin is the largest organ in the body! Everything you put on your skin is absorbed immediately into your bloodstream.

For more information on Ava Anderson Non-Toxic beauty line visit: www.SimplyJenelle.com =)

Johnson & Johnson Sued for Toxic Ingredients!

And THIS is why it's important to watch what you put on your skin and your children!

I wanted to share that Johnson & Johnson (and Walmart) were sued by a consumer group last year, for having Methylene Chloride in their baby shampoo. This is one of the 9 banned ingredients in this country (which in and of itself is a joke that we only ban 9 while Europe bans over 1,300!). The case was tossed out by the judge, becasue the methylene chloride is there as an "unintended ingredeint" - or contaminant (This is where I insert my comments: WHAT??!?!?!). Crazy but true.

"The complaint — filed in July by Missouri residents Erika Levinson and Maria Watkins — claims that Johnson &Johnson's Baby Shampoo and Wal-Mart's Equate Tearless Baby Wash include three "toxic and potentially cancer-causing chemicals": methylene chloride, formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.

In addition to cancer, repeated exposure to the chemicals can also cause skin irritation, asthma and hypersensitivity in children, the plaintiffs claim. The lawsuit cites tests run by an independent laboratory that found varying degrees of the chemicals in the defendants’ baby products. However the suit does not contain any allegations of injury-in-fact, instead claiming economic injury in counts of breach of implied warranty, unfair and deceptive trade practices and unjust enrichment, according to the opinion.

Johnson & Johnson and Wal-Mart had argued that the two women lacked standing to sue because they did not allege either an actual injury or that the products did not clean their children's hair as advertised."

And that was the end of that. Unbelievable! Do we have to prove 20 years from now, using their toxic products that now 1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will get cancer in thier lifetime? Guess what? There's no proof of any of it once the disease infiltrates the body. It can be blamed on an array of variables. I know one thing for sure: those toxic ingredients won't touch my body or those of my loved ones. Just one additional reason I choose to use and sell Ava Anderson Non-Toxic Products.
 
See more here.

5 Pounds of Toxins Each Year!

The average American woman absorbs five pounds of toxic chemicals each and every year from her makeup and personal care products. Every time you wash your hair, brush your teeth, rub on moisturizer, use a deodorant or spritz on a fragrance, you’re adding to your toxic load.

Did you think the FDA was protecting you? Not so much. However, there are some steps you can take to cut down or eliminate these sources of toxins.

First, though, you need to know what they are! Here’s a partial list:

1. Phthalates / DBP. Kids’ toys containing phthalates have been in the news in the past few years, but a lot of cosmetic products include them as well. Often in cosmetic or personal care products you’ll find the ingredient DBP, which stands for dibutyl phthalate. Phthalates cause cancer and interfere with your ability to reproduce.

2. Petroleum distillates are carcinogenic. Propylene glycol is derived from petroleum, is readily absorbed through the skin, and is so toxic that workers are required to wear protective gear when handling it. It’s used in industry to make things like hydraulic brake fluid and antifreeze. It’s found in very high concentrations in stick deodorants.

3. Parabens are synthetic chemical preservatives. They might show up as methyl paraben, propyl paraben, ethyl paraben, butyl paraben or PHB Esters.

4. Mercury and other toxic metals.

5. Formaldehyde. Even if formaldehyde is not listed on the ingredients label, it might be released by imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin or Hexamethylenetetramine.

6. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) destroy cell membranes. It’s derived from coconut, so it’s frequently labeled as a “natural” product. However, after being mixed with other chemical cocktails, it damages your immune system, causes eye damage, and collects in the heart, lungs, brain and liver.

7. Triethanolamine (TEA) is a synthetic chemical frequently contaminated with nitrosamines.

8. Coal tar derivatives are found in dyes and colors.

9. Triclosan is found in almost all toothpastes and hand sanitizers, and is readily absorbed through the soft tissues of the mouth and skin. It disrupts thyroid activity, drops testosterone levels and increases the risk of cancer.

The FDA has admitted it does not protect the public health from toxic chemicals found in cosmetic products.

You Do Have Options for Toxin-Free Products

The Environmental Working Group maintains an extensive database to help you eliminate the damaging chemicals from your personal care and cosmetic products.

It’s divided into logical sections including hair, skin, nails, makeup, etc. You can search for products you’re currently using and rates them as low, moderate or high hazards.

Most shampoos ingredients', while they may not all contain carcinogens, are linked to:

• development and reproductive damage
• allergies
• immune system disruption
• neurotoxicity
• endocrine disruption
• organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
• irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
• contamination concerns
• biochemical or cellular level (DNA) changes

Fortunately, the EWS also provides lists of products with zero toxicity, along with links for purchasing online. All ingredients and thier toxicity levels can be found on their website at http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/. Their disclaimer reads:

“Environmental Working Group is not associated with the manufacturer or distributor of this product and cannot guarantee the safety or quality of the product, the product formulation nor the service of the store owner.”

My Non-Toxic Option

As a result of searching for the purest ingredients that are completely non-toxic, I found Ava Anderson Non-Toxic beauty line. I have been using the entire line and love every single product! I have felt the difference in my skin, my complexion, my hair and texture of skin. It's been nothing short of amazing!

I now represent this wonderful line and can't stop talking about the difference it has made on my skin! If you would like to try it for yourself and join or host a party contact me here! You can check out the entire line at http://avaandersonnontoxic.com/jenelle.

(Several excerpts from http://overcomediabesity.com/5-pounds-of-toxins-each-year/) 

***NEW Non-Toxic beauty line***

Most of you know how passionate I am about holistic nutrition and health. I have spoken to many of you about this subject and through my blog, recommended many brands of products I've used. I've never been more excited about any brand than I am about Ava Anderson a Non-Toxic beauty and skin care line. There are so many great products available for the whole family!

There are no chemicals, carcinogens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, triclosan, sulfates, PEG's or other contaminants. THAT'S AMAZING!!!

This is a line I represent and am strongly promoting. It takes a lot for me to say that. I would love your support and questions! I will be posting continual articles on this blog about holistic nutrition and add new products from Ava Anderson line as they come. I will be hosting a launch party next week in Winter Park.

If you're out of town, I'd love to speak with you about being part of this groundbreaking company that is going to take off. There's nothing like it out there and it's a great company to join now in its grassroots. Email or call me at 786.390.1521 to get more information about joining Ava Non-Toxic.

You can always place your order online at: http://www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/jenelle.  

Bad Ingredient List

I've been asked several times to post the "bad ingredients list". This list is an easy guide to help give you a jump start on learning to read labels. For decades, the food industry has been able to fool the general public with artificial ingredients and chemicals that can cause serious side effects, allergies and even diseases.

I've composed a basic list that my husband and I live by. We both can skim products in seconds and know whether or not to purchase it. It's great to be in control of what you are consuming and what you choose to buy. If you want to know why a certain ingredient is on my list, just let me know. This list will be updated whenever I find a new synthetic ingredient that should not be consumed.

Bad Ingredients List:

• Phosphoric acid (normally found in carbonated drinks)
• Dextrose (Sweetener)
• Sucrose (Sweetener) 
• Aspartame (Sweetener) 
• Sorbitol (Sweetener) 
• Splenda (Sweetener)
• Artificial Colors
• Artificial Flavors
• Enriched or bleached ingredients
• Sugar
• BHT (Preservative) 
• TBHQ (Preservative) 
• BHA (Preservative)
• Sodium Benzoate
• Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 40
• Vanillin (not to be confused with Vanilla)
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Corn Syrup
• Nitrates
• MSG
• Soybean Extract (MSG in disguise)
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
• Autolyzed Yeast
• Hydrogenated Oil

Knowledge is power. Here's to good health =)

What is Ascorbic Acid, really?

During flu season and especially when feeling the onset of a cold coming, we always get out our trusty Vitamin C from the medicine cabinet. The typical dosage people take when feeling sick or for immune building is about 500-1000 mg a day (more when sick). But when you look closely at the bottle, 98% of the time you'll see ascorbic acid (or the less acidic form called ascorbate) as the main form of C, but I'll teach you a little something you may not know.

Ascorbic acid is NOT vitamin C. It represents the outer ring that serves as a protective shell for the entire vitamin C complex, much like an orange peel that serves as a protective shell for an orange.

In essence, you're not really taking Vitamin C. You're taking a synthetic form that is not as readily bioavailable as C from food. You're not getting the full benefits of what the entire C complex contains. For example, vitamin C contains the following components:

• Rutin
  
• Bioflavonoids (vitamin P)
  
• Factor K
  
• Factor J
  
• Factor P
  
• Tyrosinase
  
• Ascorbinogen
  
• Ascorbic Acid

New Chapter C Food Complex

It's unbelievable how many times I see people buying all or some of these in their synthetic form when all they have to do is consume foods containing vitamin C (which has the full complex) or taking a C supplement that is whole food based. 

Here's the deal: When you take only ascorbic acid found in your synthetic vitamin C tablet or powder, your body must get all of the other components listed above from your body’s tissues in order to make use of it. 

Garden of Life Raw Vitamin C

Please understand that ascorbic acid itself DOES NOT provide any of the health benefits that the full vitamin C complex does. 

After circulating through your system, the unused ascorbic acid is eliminated through your urine.

There are several GOOD supplement companies that offer food based vitamin C from the following sources: acerola fruit, amla berry, and camu camu. Two of my favorite supplement companies that ONLY use whole foods and herbs are New Chapter and Garden of Life. 

When looking at whole food based supplements, don't look for the same milligrams you're used to. All are NOT created equal. When you take 1000 mg of ascorbic acid, you only absorb about 10-30% of the tablet or capsule, which is why we take such high doses. When you consume natural forms of C, you're getting it from food, not from a foreign synthetic form that is unrecognized by your body. 

Bottom line: always try to take the food based form, whether in supplement or in food form, of vitamins and minerals for all your health needs, but especially with vitamin C.

RDA (Recommended Daily Amount) = 60mg
ODA (Optimum Daily Amount - good for daily use) = 1,000-3,000mg
TDA (Therapeutic Daily Allowance - by doctor's recommendation only) = 10,000mg

Worst type of birth control.

A few weeks ago, we had a lady who came in to exchange the chlorophyll she had purchased with one from another brand. Her reason? One of the "other ingredients" included was Polysorbate 80. I overheard her telling the cashier that someone had told her that ingredient caused infertility.

I immediately looked into this because that's what I do. I found the following research:

According to Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 95, Number 6, December 2005 , pp. 593-599(7), "it is of current relevance as a 'hidden' inductor of anaphylactoid reactions", and "Polysorbate 80 was identified as the causative agent for the anaphylactoid reaction of nonimmunologic origin in the patient. Conclusions: Polysorbate 80 is a ubiquitously used solubilizing agent that can cause severe nonimmunologic anaphylactoid reactions."

What does that mean? It can cause severe damage to your immune system and can lead to anapyhlactic shock which can kill you. In fact, the study above included pregnant women who suffered anaphylactic shock after being given an IV drip of multi-vitamins containing polysorbate 80.

 

**You should NEVER eat, drink, put on your skin or inject Polysorbate 80 because of its toxicity.**

That's not the only study either. There have been numerous studies showing that this toxic stabilizer (which is why it's an added ingredient) causes infertility: Gajdova M, Jakubovsky J, Valky J.Delayed effects of neonatal exposure to Tween 80 on female reproductive organs in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 1993 Mar;31(3):183-90. PMID: 8473002.

To make matters worse, scientists from the World Intellectual Property Organization (part of the United Nations) are developing vaccines specifically to damage fertility as a method of contraception due to overpopulation. A suggested ingredient: polysorbate 80!

Does Gardasil sound familiar? Of course! It's the vaccination that has been pushed all over commercials to girls ages 9-26 to prevent cervical cancer. What are one of its ingredients? Polysorbate 80. Am I sounding redundant??? It stands to reason that this may be one of the main reasons infertility and miscarriages are extremely common.

One of many examples of products containing Polysorbate 80

 

Polysorbate 80 is found in shampoos, soaps, bubble baths, dairy products (mostly ice cream), canned or jarred food, and even vitamins! Start reading labels carefully for this toxic ingredient and keep you and your loved ones far from it.

 

Now you know.

Natural...Beyond food.

It wasn't until recently that I fully understood what it was to be all around "holistic". I pride myself in eating organic produce, eating raw whenever possible, eating natural foods without additives, preservatives or food colorings, eating the best choices when out with friends, but all that can be in vain if I don't take care of what is going on the largest organ of the body: the skin.

Skin absorbs everything that is placed on it, almost as if it were food. Toxins and chemicals, as most of us know, are in most processed foods, but we don't give it a thought that most of the shampoos, conditioners, soaps, toothpastes, bodywashes and especially hair dyes are the same if not more. We trust that brilliantly marketed products are trustworthy because they're "made for the skin". Newsflash, they're not. In fact, they're more harmful then beneficial.

So where do you start? Here's a brief list of the top 10 synthetic ingredients that are in cosmetics and shampoos. Check your own bathroom and you will notice at least two in each product you own. There are very few organic products without all of them. I'll give you a great alternative later. Here's the list:

1. Methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl paraben: Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic.

2. Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA): Used in cosmetics as emulsifiers and/or foaming agents. They can also cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, and dryness of hair and skin. DEA and TEA are ammonia compounds and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates. They are toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time (they are in most shampoos and soaps)

3. Diazolidinyl Urea and Imidazolidinyl Urea: Widely used preservatives. The American Academy of Dermatology has found them to be a primary cuase of contact dermitites. They release formaldehyde (what they use to embalm corpses) which can be toxic.

4. Sodium Lauryl/ Laureth Sulfate: A cheap, harsh detergent used in shampoos for its cleaning and foam-building properties. Often derived from petroleum, it is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the phrase "comes from coconuts". It causes eye irritation, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, skin rashes and other allergic reactions (this is usually the second ingredient, after water, in most shampoos - sometimes even organic ones).

5. Petrolatum: Also known as petroleum jelly, this mineral oil derivative is used for its emollient (supposed to smooth the skin and reduce dryness) properties in cosmetics. It has no nutrient value to the skin and can interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness and chapping. Practically the opposite condition it claims to alleviate. They use it because it's incredibly cheap.

6. Propylene Glycol: Usually a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. It has been known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. When you see PEG or PPG on labels, there are related synthetics so beware!

7. PVP/ VA Copolymer: A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, styling aids and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since inhaled particles can damage the lungs of sensitive people.

8. Stearalkonioum Chloride: A quaternary ammonium compound used in hair conditioners and creams. Developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, it is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which are beneficial to the hair. It's toxic and causes allergic reactions.

9. Synthetic Colors: Used to make cosmetics and shampoos "pretty", synthetic colors, along with synthetic hair dyes, should be avoided at all costs (including in your food!!!). They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Many synthetic colors can be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). If a cosmetic contains them, don't use it.

10. Synthetic Fragrances: it's used in cosmetics and can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way of knowing what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply read "fragrance". Some problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritaion - and the list goes on.

These are just a few of the main ones but there are so many more. The key is to avoid any ingredients that are unnatural or manmade.

I have an excellent example of something that happened to me only last week. I found a lotion I purchased earlier this year. It was Acai Pomegranate scented lotion from Victoria Secret. I read the label and found parabens, fragrance, and sodium laurel sulfate. I figured since I'd paid $6 for the small bottle, I'd use it. BIG MISTAKE. I rubbed it into my hands and I broke out with a few hives right where I rubbed in the cream. Serves me right.

There's a few excellent lines that are really wonderful with the ingredients:
1. Myshelle Dermaceuticals
2. Aubrey Organics
3. Jasons Naturals (careful with some of their products)

4. Tate's (probably the most amazing and natural line I've found but super pricey!)

5. Dr. Bronner's (great products and affordable - especially their body wash, all natural oils)

6. Weleda

7. Burts Bees

I've used a combination of several of these lines, but here's a cheaper way to be natural that I've used:

• Olive oil for the skin as lotion, as shaving lotion in the shower, as shampoo (not recommended for oily hair), as face wash
• Jojoba oil for the skin as lotion, great for cellulite, wrinkles, as shampoo, as face oil. I purchased jojoba oil because I noticed it was included in several products I wanted but were too pricey. This seemed to be a common denominator and I love it.



Jojoba Oil

• Vitamin E oil (Jasons) - I use this twice a week on my face after cleansing it about an hour or two before going to bed so it starts soaking it in. It leaves my face resilient and soft in the morning. 

As far as hair dyes go, I don't think it's necessary to explain the harm of what you can already smell as it's being done. There are great alternatives to this as well: henna. Natural and even comes in color options like you'd get at your local drugstore. There's no amonia, no peroxide, and safe enough to be able to use it if you're pregnant.

Remember, you're not just feeding yourself through your mouth, your skin receives more toxins from the environment and outside influence than any other part of your body, and in addition to that, whatever you're placing on it as food. Just as you need nutrients in your body, so does your skin.

Feed it well =)