The growing number of toxic substances found not only in our food, but also in our personal care products and home cleaning products is skyrocketing.
Look at some of these statistics:
- from 1965 to 1982 over 4 MILLION distinct chemical compounds were formulated
- at least 250,000 new formulations have been created annually since then
- approximately 3,000 chemicals are added to our foods
- 700 have been found in drinking water
- 400 have been identified in human tissue
- over 500 can be found under the kitchen sinks or in the laundry rooms of US homes
- over 800 neurologic chemical compounds are used in cosmetic and perfume industries
We must become informed and start eliminating the chemicals that we can control. If not we are setting ourselves up for serious problems down the road due to all this chemical exposure!
The problem is that we don’t know what all these chemicals do or cause? Nor do we know what happens inside our bodies when these chemicals build up over decades of use? Add to that what happens when they interact with one another? There’s only a handful of these that have been tested and verified that they cause problems- it’s anybody guess about the thousands of others!
The bottom line is that there ARE alternatives to use that are natural and SAFE.
Let’s talk first about the toxins in our food. The most dangerous to our long term health are two substances, MSG (monosodium glutamate an addictive flavor enhancer) and aspartame ( the artificial sweetener that is now in over 6000 products). Both of these products are known as excitotoxins and are very dangerous to our nervous system in particular.
Dr. Russell Blaylock, a retired neurosurgeon has studied and written much on “how” and “why” MSG and “hidden” sources of MSG affect our brains and ultimately our health within a very short period of time. He warns us that excitotoxins as well as many other ingredients in all of our processed foods, even milk, so-called natural and organic foods, like soy and many others – are virtually present in ALL processed and restaurant foods. He warns us to read labels closely.
MSG reactions have even been reported from contacts of soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG is hidden in ingredients that include the words “hydrolyzed,” “amino acids,” and “protein.”
Drinks, candy, and chewing gum are potential sources of hidden MSG and of aspartame. Aspartic acid, found in aspartame (NutraSweet), ordinarily causes MSG type reactions in MSG sensitive people. Aspartame is even found in some medications, including children’s medications and vitamins.
In 1991 the National Institute of Health listed 167 symptoms and reasons to avoid the use of aspartame. It is known to affect short-term memory and erode intelligence. Its components also may lead to a wide variety of ailments including but not limited to:
- brain tumors
- sudden cardiac death
- headaches/migraines
- stomach problems
- birth defects
- epilepsy/seizures
- numbness
- hearing loss and ringing in the ears
- blindness, blurred vision and other eye problems
- emotional disorders like depression and anxiety attacks
- lymphoma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s,Alzheimer s, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
This list is just the tip of the ice burg! Aspartame complaints represent 80-85% of food complaints registered with the FDA! MORE food by craving carbohydrates! A study of 80,000 women by the American Cancer Society found that those who used this neuro-toxic sweetener actually gained more weight than those who did not use aspartame products. This so-called “diet”aid can have multiple neuro-toxic, metabolic, allergenic, fetal and carcinogenic effects. The kicker – even though many people still consider it a safe “diet” food – there is volumes of scientific evidence that the chemical actually causes people who use it to consume.
We need to avoid foods that have aspartame and MSG products at all cost. Our children are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects so please everyone make a conscious effort to identify and avoid these things.
Another chemical in many of our personal care products is something called DEA (Diethanolamine). This is an ingredient formulated into soaps, detergents and surfactants and is found in over 600 home and personal care products.
Way back in 1998 there was a study done by the US Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program thatfound when DEA was applied to the skin, resulted in clear evidence of carcinogenic activity? This stuff is in shampoos, conditioners, bubble baths, lotions, cosmetic, soaps, laundry and dish washing detergents. So how many times do you think we are exposed to this one in a years time? We simply must start paying attention to this stuff!
Then there is propylene glycol. This stuff is found in anti-freeze, brake and hydraulic fluid, de-icer, paints, floor wax, laundry detergents, pet food, and tobacco. Guess where else – cosmetics, toothpaste, shampoos, deodorants, lotions, processed foods and many more personal care items. Propylene glycol helps retain moisture content – or simply it prevents things from drying out. That’s why some pet foods are soft and chewy. Obviously, a good reason it’s in cosmetics and personal care items cause it makes the skin feel moist and soft. Believe it or not it is also found in baby wipes and even some of our processed food!
Here’s what’s on the Material Safety Data Sheet for Propylene Glycol: Implicated in contact dermatitis (skin rashes), kidney damage and liver abnormalities, can inhibit skin cell growth in human tests and can damage cell memebranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage. Acute effects: may be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. May cause eye irritation, skin irritation. Exposure can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances, nausea, headache and vomiting, central nervous depression. The sad thing is that at this time it’s nto known if propylene glycol is the target of any studies to see the long term effects of this substance.
There is sodium lauryl sulfate – this little jewel is a surfactant used to break down the surface tension of water. We find it in everything from body lotions, baby wash, shampoo and toothpaste. Now for industrial use you can find the same thing in concrete floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car wash detergents…Is that bazaar or what?
WOW – wait till you hear the dangers of sodium lauryl sulfate. According to the Journal of the American College of Toxicology: Vol 2, No. 7, 1983 : SLS can be a mutagen. In sufficient amounts it is capable of changing the information in genetic material found in cells. SLS has been used in studies to induce mutation in bacteria..and there’s more…
- SLS is routinely used in clinical studies to irritate skin tissue
- SLS corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair.
- Carcinogenic Nitrates can form when SLS interacts with other nitrogen bearing ingredients.
- SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact (shampoos?)
- SLS denatures protein, impairs proper structural formation of young eyes – damage permanent
- SLS can damage the immune system, cause separation of skin layers and cause inflammation to the skin.
WHY IS THIS STUFF EVEN ALLOWED IN OUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS?
Here is one more tidbit on SLS. There are over 20 popular brands of toothpaste that have SLS..this is how the manufactures cover themselves. Have you ever looked at the warning on the toothpaste tube? Many say: Warning: Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age. In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. I guess producers can put in “safe” amounts of “poison”, but if diseases or abnormalities arise in your child down the road, don’t blame or “sue “ the big corporations – they have warned you! ( I bet part of this warning is for the flouride in the toothpaste too).
The list of potentially harmful ingredients found in our everyday products doesn’t end with DEA, Propylene Glycol and SLS. There is talc, alcohol, aluminum and on and on…again the bottom line is to arm yourself with information. Look for whole natural foods and personal care products that do not have lots of chemicals and additives. Bureaucracy moves at a snails pace – even if the powers that be listen to the warnings – it is just like the tobacco industry -how long did it take before action was taken? We can’t wait for the manufactures to change- we have to arm ourselves with knowledge to protect our children and ourselves.
There is at least one company that has personal care products and even cleaning products that are natural and even good for you to use. The company is Young Living Essential Oils. Therapeutic grade essential oils – the life blood of plants- in things like shampoo, toothpaste, soaps, deodorants, mouthwash,and even the cleaning solutions. You can find them here.
I was reading Dr. Nugent’s book, How to Survive on a Toxic Planet and in Chapter 10 he talks about how toxins cause free radical activity in your body. As you can see – toxins are everywhere, unless we leave the planet there’s no escaping them. Which means that free radical formation is inevitable. The problem with them is that when unchecked, they are the principal cause of cancers and heart disease. Researchers have found that oxidative free radicals contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, diabetes, cataracts, arthritis, and other ailments of aging. And there is supporting data that toxins contribute to ADD and ADHD.
But there is hope. The key to combating free radical oxidative stress is antioxidants. Foods rich in antioxidants include, the cruciferous foods like broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower. Other foods rich in antioxidants include green leafy veggies, garlic, onion, citrus and tomatoes. Remember that we cannot possibly eat all we need because of the poor farming techniques, etc.
Everyone needs to supplement with antioxidants. But not all are created equal. Without getting too technical, let’s just say that it is important to find one that has a high ORAC value. That stands for Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. You want a quality antioxidant that will take care of the free radicals we’re all harboring. We will post a link for the best antioxidant with a high ORAC value on the site called Ambrotose AO.
In conclusion: We need to become informed and knowledgable about the toxins around us. Then we must eliminate all that we can in every way that we can. Our long term health and well being demands it!
Resources:
Rub a Dub, Dub..Is Cancer in Your Tub? Published by Network News and Publications 2004
The MSG Theory and Obesity – The Excitotoxin that Kills by Russell Blaylock, M.D.
