Study: Chemicals Found in Common Plastics may be “Feminizing"

Study: Chemicals Found in Common Plastics may be “Feminizing"

Lead researchers from a University of Rochester study presented a disturbing study that found that chemicals in many common household plastics may be altering male hormones in the brains of baby boys [1]. This represents more evidence directly linking chemicals in plastics to harmful effects in humans.



Published recently in the International Journal of Andrology, the report is a clear indication of the dangers of a plastic chemical additive, called phthalates. These additives are commonly added to vinyl flooring, PVC shower curtains and many other every-day products.

The Study

It is well-known that boys have different hormonal compositions than girls. These “male hormones” drive specific types of actions in young boys associated with “rough-and-tumble,” play-fighting behavior.

When these hormonal chemicals are altered, researchers have noted that boys begin to play more like little girls. This may be related to the fact that phthalates cause male hormones to behave more like the female hormone, estrogen, and therefore may reduce the male drive to “play rough.”

Dr. Shanna Swan is a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and environmental medicine, as well as director of the Center for Reproductive Epidemiology at the University of Rochester. She was also the lead scientist looking into phthalate composition in urine samples of pregnant mothers. This study took the incidence of phthalates in mothers, and compared them to behavioral play in their children.


Boy Playing With Screwdriver

It was found that the phthalates DEHP and DBP were affecting modalities of play in boys. Those boys who were exposed to high levels of these two phthalate forms in vitro, were less likely to play the types of games most commonly associated with “boy play.” This included playing with guns, cars and trains, as well as engaging in rougher, yet playful forms of fighting.

The study also found that larger servings of phthalates caused very serious abnormalities in animals, including undescended testicles, misplaced openings to the urethra on the penis, as well as other forms of “phthalate syndrome.”

Elizabeth Salter-Green, director of CHEM Trust, a chemical protection advocacy group, has stated that these concerns go beyond looking into children’s play, as certain phthalates may even cause boys to be born with genital abnormalities, reproductive problems and low sperm count. “We now know that phthalates, to which we are all constantly exposed, are extremely worrying from a health perspective,” she says. “This feminizing capacity of phthalates makes them true ‘gender benders’.”

The Health Risks of Phthalates

While it may be common scientific knowledge that phthalates can disrupt hormones, these chemicals are still appearing heavily in our daily lives. The E.U. and the U.S. have both banned these chemicals from children’s toys, despite heavy opposition from chemical industry groups, which financed a massive effort to stop the ban.

Despite this ban on phthalates in toys, we are constantly being exposed to phthalates in flooring, glues, cosmetics, paints, plastic furniture, packaging, shower curtains, dyes, textiles and even in baby bottles. Sadly, these chemicals are still deemed entirely safe by governmental regulations committees, despite overwhelming evidence from multiple studies on phthalates.

And young boys are not the only ones at risk. Studies show a clear link in the deterioration of adult male reproductive health and exposure to hormone-altering chemicals. There are also a plethora of studies on the association between plastic chemicals and breast cancer http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/cc/breastcancer.php. Wildlife is also undergoing a “feminization” due to chemical exposure. Gwynne Lyons, toxics adviser to the WWF, stated that “this research highlights the need for tougher controls of gender-bending chemicals.” Despite these concerns, chemical companies putting phthalates into every-day household products maintain that the their chemicals are safe and rigourously tested.

– Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

Shanna H. Swan, Ph.D. Pilot Study Relates Phthalate Exposure to Less-Masculin Play by Boys http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=2689. International Journal of Andrology. 2006 November 16.

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3 Health Benefits of Distilled Water

3 Health Benefits of Distilled Water

Distilled water is water that’s been purified of contaminants through distillation. The process is relatively simple; water is brought to a boil and converted to steam. The steam flows through cooling tubes and condenses back into pure water. This is different than simply filtering water in that this process removes all potentially harmful organisms and chemicals. As you may imagine, there are benefits to drinking and using distilled water beyond superficial smell and taste improvements.



1. Removing Contaminants

The most important health benefit distilled water offers is the elimination of water borne contaminants that may potentially be found in water. Drinking contaminated water is one of the fastest ways to spread disease, toxic metals and industrial pollutants. By removing the contaminants from water through distillation, we can help alleviate the risk of future illnesses and toxic buildup http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=31288.

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2. Elimination of Chemicals

The most common problem with drinking municipal water is that chlorine http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33387 and/or fluoridehttp://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32737 are added as part of the water treatment process. The addition of fluoride is a huge can of worms alone and perhaps one of the greatest scams perpetrated in modern times. Among a host of other problems, too much fluoride in your drinking water can have adverse effects such as tooth discoloration and breakdown of tooth enamel. Chlorine can be harmful to your skin in undiluted amounts, it can also be harmful to your body in the diluted amounts of city water. Distilled water has filtered out these chemicals as well as others to make what is called pure water.

3. No Additives

Many municipal water supplies also contain calcium. While calcium is essential to maintaining good health, too much calcium can be a precursor to kidney stone formation. For some people, kidney stones http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=33569 can be a constant and painful problem and drinking distilled water can reduce the risk of developing more kidney stones. And, if you just prefer to be in complete control of how you receive your vitamins and minerals, there is no substitute for distilled water.

The Flipside to No Additives

Distillation will remove impurities found in water but will also remove the naturally occurring minerals http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=32687. The World Health Organization has stated that 14 necessary micronutrients are absent from distilled water; our bodies do require these minerals to function. If you’re not receiving your daily amount of these minerals in your water, it is necessary to get them from food sources or a multivitamin.



How to Make Super Water

Add the following to 1 gallon of distilled water to give it a boost of enzymes and nutrients:

- 2 tablespoons of non-pasteurized, organic apple cider vinegar
- Juice http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=33023 squeezed from ½ organic lemon http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33580
- 2 ounces of organic aloe vera juice http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=33223

To receive the maximum benefits that super water offers, divide your body weight by two to determine the number of ounces of super distilled water to drink daily.

by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM


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19 Chemicals to Avoid in Skin Care – Organic Skin Care

19 Chemicals to Avoid in Skin Care – Organic Skin Care

The beauty industry has an ugly secret. Most skin care products – both regular and “organic” – contain harmful chemicals. When it comes to cosmetics, no one regulates what “organic” or “natural” means. [1]



Your makeup, face cream, skin moisturizer, or cleanser may deliver short term smoothness and brightness, but it may disrupt your hormones and fertility, expose you to known cancer-causing pesticides, and deliver dangerous toxins that penetrate and age your skin. That’s right. The cosmetics you use may actually speed the formation of wrinkles, age spots, and worse.

In the US, researchers have found 1 of every 8 ingredients used in cosmetics is an industrial chemical. Many of these were originally created to keep concrete soft, remove grease from auto parts, and as surfactants paints and inks. [2]

You might think if these industrial chemicals were that bad they’d be banned. Well, in fact many are…in Europe. European authorities have banned more than a thousand of these chemicals. In the US, the FDA has banned eight.

Lookout for These 19 Ingredients

To protect your skin and keep it looking young, firm, and bright, look for these chemicals in all skin care products – and avoid them.

1. BHA/BHT

Used to lighten skin, BHA and BHT are considered by the National Toxicology Program as a likely carcinogen. In studies, animals exposed to these chemicals developed stomach cancer and liver damage, and developed problems with their thyroid and reproductive organs. Banned in Europe.

2. Sodium Borate / Boric Acid

These chemicals interfere with hormones and cause infertility in men. Regular exposure is linked to low sperm counts. It absorbs easily through the skin and is used in diaper creams. Banned in Europe and Canada, and the cosmetic industry states it’s unsafe for infants.

3. Coal Tar

You can find coal tar still used in hair dyes and dandruff and psoriasis shampoos. It’s recognized as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. On ingredient lists, it goes by aminophenol, diaminobenzene, and phenylenediamine.

4. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

Another known cancer causing agent, formaldehyde also harms the brain, interferes with growth and development in children, and induces asthma. These preservatives slowly release formaldehyde to keep the skin care product from spoiling. These often trigger allergic reactions on the skin. If you’ve ever experienced a contact allergy after using a skin lotion, it probably had one of these ingredients: DMDM Hydantoin (very common), diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, and quaternium-15.

5. PEG Compounds

These go by many names like Propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, or polyoxyethylene as they are petroleum-based compounds. But they go by other names too; If you see a word with “–eth” or “–oxynol” in it, it’s likely one of these PEGs. These chemicals can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a chemical the FDA says may cause cancer. [3]

6. Mercury

You know mercury is bad, but some cosmetics use it to lighten the skin. It absorbs easily through your skin and with enough use can develop into mercury poisoning. Steer clear of products with “calomel”, “mercurio”, “mercurio chloride” or just plain old “mercury”.

7. Hydroquinone

Another skin lightener, it causes a skin disease called ochronosis that features black and blue lesions that can become permanent. In animals, studies have found enough exposure leads to tumor development.

8. Oxybenzone

Sunscreens use oxybenzone to absorb UV light. In humans, this chemical causes skin irritation and allergic reactions. Animal studies report it acts as an endocrine disruptor and interferes with hormone activity.

9. Triclosan

You’ll find this one in many antibacterial hand soaps and hand sanitizers. But it’s also used in deodorants, skin cleansers, and toothpaste. It’s another endocrine disruptor that harms your thyroid and reproductive hormones.

10. Parabens

You’ve probably seen a slew of products marketing themselves as “paraben-free”. These chemicals mimic estrogen and lead to hormone imbalance. Now, CDC reports suggest their presence in every American’s body. Whether they are or aren’t, avoid products with parabens to prevent reproductive problems like infertility or slowed growth and developmental disorders in children.

11. “Fragrance”

Also called perfume, these terms indicate a mixture of ingredients that cosmetic companies don’t have to legally tell you about. Three thousand or more chemicals may be used to create a fragrance. Some “Unscented” products contain fragrances with masking agents. [2] Some fragrances have been linked to allergic reactions, asthma, and breathing difficulties while others have links to cancers.

12. Phthalates

A common ingredient in “fragrances”, phthalates block testosterone and damage a man’s reproductive system. These dangerous chemicals have also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. [4]

13. Petroleum distillates

Used in mascara, these ingredients come from oil refineries and often contain impurities linked to cancer.

14. Siloxanes

These, and similar ingredients labeled as “methicones”, soften and smooth skin. They also disrupt your hormones and interfere with fertility and libido.

15. Sodium Lauryl (Laureth) Sulfate

You’ll find this one in most shampoos, soaps, and cleansers. It may contain 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen, and ethylene oxide, a chemical known to harm your nervous system. The California EPA has even identified it as a possible developmental toxin. [5]

16. Toluene

Used in nail polish, toluene is also used in paint thinners. Research suggests it interferes with the human immune system and may be tied to the development of malignant lymphoma.

17. Retinol, or Retinyl Palmitate/Acetate

These vitamin A compounds are not safe for skin use. Sunlight breaks them down and creates free radicals that increase the risk of skin cancers. Avoid all skin and lip products with any of these vitamin A chemicals.

18. Fungicides

Used in dandruff shampoos, these ingredients wreak havoc when rinsed down the drain and into nature. Researchers report that one fungicide, climbazole, kills tiny organisms like algae and stops growth in larger plants and fish. [6]

19. Nanoparticles

Many cosmetics now use nanoparticles to deliver chemicals to the surface or even into the skin. Many of these products have not been evaluated for safety. Some are even used in sprays that make it possible for particulates to enter your lungs and blood stream.

Best Options for Natural Skin Care

Even though the cosmetic industry is largely unregulated, with a few mindful steps, you can protect, heal and restore your skin. Many natural products including olive oil, coffee berry, and green tea can treat and prevent premature aging of your skin from UV exposure. [7] Here’s what to do…

First, don’t buy or use any cosmetic product, cream, sunscreen, ointment, or lotion that has any of the ingredients listed above. This may take a little work, but you and your family will be far better off in the long run.

Next, do a little research online. Take a little time and research products that not only claim to use natural, organic products, but have ingredient lists that support their marketing. Find out where you can buy these.

Many of the best, safest, and “real” natural skin lotions and cosmetics can be bought online, saving you time and travel. For your most delicate skin, I personally recommend Parfait Visage®, an all-natural facial cream that contains no synthetic preservatives. For more information and as a great comparison label, view this ingredient list of a natural and organic skin care product.

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3 Crazy Myths About Soy

3 Crazy Myths About Soy

Soy, one of America’s favorite “health” foods, is not as benevolent as it is made out to be. One of the most successful maneuvers by the food and agricultural businesses in North America was marketing soy as a natural, health-promoting food. Even today, soy continues to retain a popular following among many individuals in the natural health community.



The stark reality, however, is that soy is more of a poison than a nutritious food, with fermented soy being the exception. As it turns out, nearly everything we’ve been told about soy is untrue, including that it’s a staple of Asian diets. Today’s soy has never been a staple in any diet except the diet that has been developed by modern agribusiness. As a common ingredient in many foods today, unfermented and non-organic soy is a disaster waiting to happen.

The History of Soy

How did soy become the darling of health foods? In North America, soy was a major product of the industrial revolution. Soy oil was used to provide lubrication to machinery; soy was a base ingredient for paint. After petroleum became the primary source of oil in the early 20th century, agribusiness farmers faced a major problem. In order to use the abundance of soy they had been growing for decades, they set about creating a massive public relations effort to convince the public, governmental agencies, nutritionists, and even scientists—that soy is not only food, but also a health food!

The Top Myths About Soy

Let’s take a look at some of the health myths surrounding this popular, albeit potentially damaging, food.

1. Soy Prevents Osteoporosis

The myth surrounding soy and bone health is derived from correlation studies showing that Asians have a low incidence of osteoporosis. Soy intake is assumed to be the reason behind the correlation, but when we delve a bit further into the facts we see that soy actually comprises a low percentage of the Asian diet. When soy is consumed in Asia, it is mostly in its fermented or minimally processed form. Asians tend to drink more green tea, consume more fermented and calcium-rich vegetables, and may even have a shorter hip axis length than Caucasians. [1] All of these factors are far more likely to contribute to Asia’s lower osteoporosis rates than the pseudo-miracle food that is soy.



2. Soy Formula is Good for Infants

Absolutely false! Soy contains trypsin, a compound that interferes with digestion and pancreatic function. [2] It is absent of cholesterol, which is critical for brain development and many other functions. [3] Research has shown that infants fed soy formula may experience a greater incidence of autoimmune disorders compared with infants that are breastfed. [4] If you need to feed formula to your baby, do not use one made from soy. The Israeli Ministry of Health, the German Institute of Risk Assessment, and the British Dietetic Association have all warned that infant formula made from soy puts both brain and body development at risk. [5]

3. Soy Is Good for the Environment

There is some truth to the claim that soy is good for the environment since farmers have long used soybeans to balance nitrogen levels in the soil. Unfortunately, nearly all of the soy grown today is genetically modified. Personally, I do not believe that playing with nature can be beneficial for the environment. Super weeds, anybody?

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