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            <title>How to Keep Your Family Safe from Toxic Chemicals</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=11&amp;comments_parentId=112</link>
            <description><![CDATA[
::BPA ... Phthalates... You know they can be dangerous for your family, but you may not know all the ways they enter your body, or -- most important -- how you can limit your exposure. Parents investigates.::

''By Virginia Sole-Smith''


 Amy Ellings thought she knew what to expect last year when she agreed to donate blood for a study that would measure the levels of chemicals in her body. It focused on pregnant women in their second trimester in order to gauge what kind of chemical "body burden" they might be passing on to their developing baby. It sounded a little sci-fi, but Ellings, of Olympia, Washington, knew she led a healthy lifestyle: "I'm a public-health nutritionist, so I was interested to see the results, but I figured everything would be normal."

Not quite.

Two months after she gave birth to baby Nick, Ellings learned that her blood samples had contained 12 different chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with the body's ability to produce hormones. Two of these chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA) and diethyl phthalate (DEP), were at levels higher than those found in 90 percent of American adults. "I was blown away," says Ellings. She wondered whether she'd been exposed to these chemicals because she'd grown up in a small industrial town. But BPA and DEP break down quickly, which means her blood test revealed only what her body had accumulated within the previous three days. "I was shocked to learn what my unborn baby and I were exposed to," she says.

You might think Ellings is an isolated case, but biomonitoring studies show that these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (or EDCs) are now found in virtually all of us. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified detectable levels of BPA, for instance, in 93 percent of people tested, and phthalates like DEP in at least 75 percent of the population. "These chemicals weren't in most consumer goods as recently as 40 years ago," says Parents advisor Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City, and director of its Children's Environmental Health Center. "Now they're in our bodies, and we don't understand all the ways they could impact our health because no previous generation of humans has ever been exposed to them."

===What we do know:=== As the environmental exposures and chemical burden on our bodies has risen, so have rates of diseases, particularly those that impact kids, including asthma, childhood cancers, autism, and ADHD. Hormones, and chemicals that mimic them, may play a key role in the evolution of these health problems because they work as chemical messengers, traveling through the bloodstream to affect the development of tissues and organs, as well as influencing body processes like metabolism and reproduction. "There is no more dangerous time for this toxic exposure to occur than during pregnancy and early childhood, when organ systems are still in development," notes Andrew Weil, M.D., founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona.

But nobody knows what level of toxic exposure might trigger a particular disease. Even though many EDCs break down quickly, their levels are constantly increasing in our body because we encounter them every day -- in our food, beauty products, and even from the furniture in our own home.

!!The New Pollution
 

 EDC exposure works like this: You go shopping and stock up on canned goods, baby formula, cleaning supplies, and shampoo, all of which may either contain BPA, DEP, or other endocrine disruptors or absorb them via their EDC-containing cans and packages. Then you eat, breathe, and in some cases, rub these chemicals directly on your skin. Once they're in your body, you release small doses into our waterways every time you urinate. And when you're finished with the products, you send the leftovers or their containers to break down in a landfill, allowing them to circulate further in the environment.

EDCs do their damage early on, causing small changes to a fetus's developing cells that may have a ripple effect throughout that child's life. "We used to think that the placenta protected a fetus from these kinds of exposures, but studies have shown that phthalates and other endocrine disruptors cross the placenta barrier," says Dr. Landrigan. The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy organization, released a biomonitoring report last year that detected more than 200 environmental toxins in the cord blood of newborn babies. Fetuses accumulate these chemicals in higher concentrations than their moms do because their immature liver and kidneys can't excrete them as well as adult organs can. Although Ellings says that 7-month-old Nick is happy and healthy, it's too soon to know whether his early chemical exposures will lead to future problems.

These are three of the most common EDCs and the specific ways you and your family are exposed.

!!Bisphenol A (BPA)
 
Bisphenol A (BPA), pronounced [bis-FEEN-al A]
===What it is:=== An industrial chemical that is used to make some types of epoxy resins (which hold things together) as well as polycarbonate plastic, a hard, shatterproof plastic used in some food-storage containers

===Where it is:=== The linings of metal food containers and drink cans and some aluminum water bottles; any food containers, baby bottles, or other plastics that are labeled #7; CD cases; eyeglasses; dental composites and sealants

===The risks:=== "Since the 1930s we've known that BPA can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body," says Richard Denison, Ph.D., a senior scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund. Studies on lab animals have found that early exposures to BPA can predispose them to develop prostate and breast cancers later in life; it may also lower fertility by impairing normal development of eggs and sperm. Researchers at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported in March that 2-year-old girls who had been exposed to higher prenatal levels of BPA displayed more aggression and hyperactivity, while other research has suggested links between BPA and increasing asthma rates and cardiovascular problems.

!!Phthalates
 
Phthalates, pronounced [THA-lāts]
===What they are:=== Chemicals, including diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), added to vinyl and other plastics to increase flexibility and to personal-care products to keep their fragrances

===Where they are:=== Anything vinyl; most soaps, lotions, and hair products, especially those with "fragrance" or "parfum" in their ingredients -- all of which may off-gas or degrade, releasing phthalate particles into household dust. Phthalates were banned for use in products for kids under 3 by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, but they're still lurking in many other plastic toys, and any baby products made before the ban.

===The risks:=== "Exposure to phthalates is associated with reduced testosterone levels in kids and adults," notes Tracey Woodruff, Ph.D., director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the University of California, San Francisco. Researchers at the University of Rochester have found that prenatal phthalate exposure correlated with subtle signs of feminization (like undescended testicles) in baby boys and less masculine behavior as the boys got older. In April, a study at Mount Sinai's Children's Environmental Health Center also found that children exposed to phthalates in the womb were more likely to exhibit symptoms of ADHD between the ages of 4 and 9.

!!Flame Retardants
 
What they are: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used in products to lower the risk and inhibit the spread of fire.

===Where they are:=== On electronics, furniture, carpets, children's pajamas, and other household items that are required to meet flame-retardant safety standards. As these materials age, they release PBDEs into household dust, which we then breathe in. The CDC estimates that 97 percent of Americans have detectable levels of PBDEs in their body. PBDEs are now banned in several states, so manufacturers will be phasing them out of consumer goods over the next few years.

===The risks:=== PBDEs don't break down as quickly as most other endocrine disruptors, so they persist in the environment and in the body for years. Women with higher levels of PBDEs may be half as likely to conceive as women with lower levels, according to a recent study from University of California, Berkeley. Children who had higher concentrations of PBDEs in their umbilical-cord blood at birth scored lower on mental and physical development tests between ages 1 and 6, according to research from the Columbia University Center for Children's Environmental Health.

__How We Got There__
 
Why are such potentially dangerous chemicals allowed in so many household products in the first place? "You can't put a new car on the market without extensive crash testing first, but there aren't any similar precautions in place for chemicals," explains Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence Canada and coauthor of Slow Death by Rubber Duck. When used as industrial chemicals, EDCs are regulated by the much-maligned Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, which doesn't require that they be tested or proven safe before being used. Instead, it's up to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to show that a chemical is unsafe -- that it poses an "unreasonable risk" -- before it can regulate or ban that chemical. "The bar is set so high that the EPA can essentially never meet it, and therefore dangerous chemicals are in all sorts of products," says Dr. Denison. Congress's original rationale for giving a pass to industrial chemicals like BPA, he explains, is that they weren't designed to be biologically active or get into our body in the same way pesticides or drugs would, and wouldn't pose the same risks. "Now we know that was naive. We should presume these chemicals could be a problem until their producers can prove otherwise," he says.

Some canned-goods manufacturers, such as General Mills (which makes Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes) and Heinz, are responding to consumer concerns. They're reformulating some of their products to be BPA-free or are planning to line their cans with safer chemicals (which they haven't yet identified). But public-health officials worry that until better procedures are in place to regulate claims like "BPA-free," consumers can't be assured seeing this term on a label means a product is safe. (Experts predict the next hallmark of safety may be products marketed as "EA-free," for estrogenic activity.) "At this point it's still better to choose items that are BPA-free," says Dr. Woodruff.

Meanwhile, some experts continue to believe that the EDC levels found in biomonitoring studies are too low to be a cause for concern. "It's the amount of any given chemical, not its presence or absence, that determines its potential for harm," says Carl Winter, Ph.D., a toxicologist and director of the FoodSafe Program at the University of California, Davis, as well as the scientific spokesperson for a trade group called the Institute of Food Technologists. Still, consider a 2005 study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, which found that mice exposed to BPA in utero at a level of just 25 parts per trillion experienced double the amount of milk-duct growth as mice with no BPA exposure. That alone would lead you to believe that even the tiniest amount could affect your body.

"Finding any synthetic chemical in a person's body should be a big red flag that we need to really study that chemical," says Gina Solomon, M.D., a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. The American Medical Association issued a statement last fall calling for the government to increase regulation of EDCs in consumer products. And certain EDCs are banned in multiple states and cities, including Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Washington, and Wisconsin, Chicago, and New York's Suffolk County. Suffolk County, for instance, issues a $500 fine to stores that sell baby bottles or sippy cups that are made with BPA.

In April, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced Senate and House versions of the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010, which would overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act. Under this new law, manufacturers would have to demonstrate that new chemicals are safe before they can put them on the market, and all existing chemicals would have to be assessed for safety over the next five to 15 years. The Obama administration has signaled that it will support the bill. And in April, a panel that advises the president on cancer issued a 200-plus-page report calling for all levels of government "to protect every American from needless disease through rigorous regulation of environmental pollutants," including BPA. "We expect the chemical industry to fight reform tooth and nail, but there's broad bipartisan support for more regulation because nobody in his right mind supports exposing kids to toxins," says Smith.

__Making a Difference__
 
With EDC exposure so ubiquitous, you may wonder if you can keep your family safe. "The good news is that it's completely doable to make small changes that have real benefits," says Dr. Woodruff. For example, many of these chemicals pile up in household dust, so dusting, wet mopping, and vacuuming frequently can reduce your family's exposure, especially if your child is crawling and at that stage where he's putting everything in his mouth. (See "Safer Swaps," below, for more simple substitutions.) "Since many of the EDCs have a short half-life, they can be quickly flushed out of your body once the exposure is removed," explains Smith. Which is exactly what we want to hear as we wait for chemical-policy reform and for scientists to understand the full scope of these daily yet preventable EDC exposures. As Amy Ellings says, "You shouldn't have to worry every time you shop for your family."

Safer Swaps
Whether you make one, some, or all, your family's health will benefit -- and fast.

!!Phthalates 

Instead of: Personal-care products that list "fragrance" as an ingredient
===Try:=== Fragrance-free shampoo, moisturizer, and other staples. Burt's Bees, California Baby, and Earth Mama Angel Baby are three phthalate-free brands. Find safer products by checking their ratings in the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database at cosmeticsdatabase.com.

Instead of: Heavily fragranced cleaning products
===Try:=== A spray bottle filled with a solution of half vinegar, half water. Or use Clorox, Seventh Generation, or Method, cleaning-product brands that are free of phthalates and most other EDCs.

Instead of: Buying new toys without knowing what they may contain
===Try:=== Seeing whether their test results are listed on healthystuff.org, an online database of more than 5,000 products run by the Ecology Center, a Michigan environmental nonprofit.

!!BPA

Instead of: A water bottle that's made of plastic or aluminum (which may be lined with BPA) 
===Try:=== Stainless steel

Instead of: Canned goods
===Try:=== Soups or tomatoes that are packaged in glass jars; fresh or frozen produce; dried beans

Instead of: Liquid formula in metal cans
===Try:=== Powdered formula in cardboard or plastic. If you must use liquid, choose concentrate in glass or plastic.

Instead of: Microwaving in plastic or pouring hot liquids into BPA-containing bottles or containers
===Try:=== Transferring your leftovers to a glass or ceramic bowl before you heat them up, heating baby formula in BPA-free bottles or by putting the bottle in a bowl of warm water.

Instead of: Using any plastic, especially baby bottles and other children's products, labeled #7 (polycarbonate) or #3 (PVC)
===Try:=== Remembering this mantra: "4, 5, 1, and 2 -- all the rest are bad for you." Look for a product labeled BPA-free and find out why it's safer. WeilBaby bottles, for instance, are made with Tritan (a copolyester that is also free of phthalates) and manufactured in the U.S. on equipment that makes only BPA-free products. BornFree Eco-Friendly Baby Bottles are made from polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), a plastic that does not contain BPA, PVC, or phthalates, and can be returned to the manufacturer for recycling. Lifewithoutplastic.com has more ideas for affordable, nonplastic food-storage containers, bottles, and children's goods. When you do use plastic of any kind, don't put it in the dishwasher.
__
PBDEs__

Instead of: Carpets, curtains, and furniture that have been treated with flame retardants
===Try:=== Naturally fire-resistant wool, hemp, and cotton. (With furniture, and other big purchases, before you buy always ask the manufacturer whether it uses a chemical coating.)

Take Action for Tougher Chemical Laws
Check out these Web resources to get involved.

Join the MomsRising "Safer Chemicals" campaign: momsrising.org/environmentalhealth.

Through the Environmental Defense Fund, send a letter to your Congressperson, letting him or her know that tougher chemical regulation is important to you: edf.org/chemicalsafety.

Stay up-to-date on pending legislation with the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition: saferchemicals.org.

Learn more about the research of the Washington Toxics Coalition, which conducted Amy Ellings's test: watoxics.org/publications/earliestexposures.

Originally published in the August 2010 issue of Parents magazine.

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


www.parents.com 
Bringing together the power of respected magazine brands including American Baby and Parents, the Parents Network is your go-to destination for parenting information. From first kicks to first steps and on to the first day of school, we are here to help you celebrate the joys and navigate the challenges of parenthood.

© Copyright 2010 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved.]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:42:08 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>HONEY </title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=2&amp;comments_parentId=109</link>
            <description><![CDATA[

!Honey may have healing qualities.

A British teenager developed a blood infection so severe that both of his legs and some of his fingers had to be amputated.

During the next six months, he endured many painful skin grafts, developed terrible staphylococcal infections, and suffered horribly when his bandages were changed. The nurses tried everything to lessen his agony, including changing his dressings in the bath and giving him nitrous oxide for the pain. Nothing helped.

"It felt like they were ripping my skin off," he said.

When nothing else worked against the chronically infected sores, nurse Cheryl Dunford and her colleagues turned to Manuka honey from New Zealand. To start, they smeared sterilized Manuka on one set of dressings while the other leg was covered with a traditional dressing. Within a few days, the honey-dressed leg had a reduced bacterial count. The nurses then used the Manuka honey on the dressings of both legs. The teen's lesions and wounds all healed within 10 weeks.

!!Antibacterial properties
This case, reported in the April 6, 2000 issue of Nursing Times, was not the first to report that Manuka honey may be able to curb infection.

According to Peter Molan, professor of biochemistry at Waikato University in New Zealand, Manuka honey has remarkable antibacterial properties. Professor Molan has researched honey for two decades and heads up the university's Honey Research Unit.

"Manuka honey is made by bees that swarm onto one type of bush found in New Zealand and Australia," says Professor Molan. "Because Manuka is so effective against terrible infections, we're sure this honey contains an as-yet-unidentified antimicrobial agent."

Commercially known as MediHoney, the sweet stuff has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia and by Medsafe in New Zealand (those countries' equivalents of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

!!Ancient uses
While Manuka honey seems to be more powerful than other types of honey, ancient peoples would only yawn if you told them honey is being used in medicine.

According to John Riddle, professor of ancient science at North Carolina State University, a medical text written on papyrus from 3000 years B.C. specifies the use of honey for head wounds. He says that perhaps "the honey helped prevent swelling and sealed off the wound to keep air and infection out."

Hippocrates, the Greek physician, also praised honey's healing powers and came up with many honey-based treatments for ailments such as skin disorders, ulcers and sores. In World War I, German physicians used a mixture of honey and cod liver oil to treat gunshot wounds. But with the advent of modern antibiotics in World War II, honey fell from favor among physicians.

!!!Why may honey stop infection?
Ordinary honey ties up water so that bacteria in a wound have insufficient water to multiply. The water activity of honey inhibits bacterial growth, and the pH of honey is between 3.2 and 4.5-low enough to inhibit the growth of many common bacteria.The major antibacterial activity in honey, however, is thought to be due to hydrogen peroxide (much like the commercial product you purchase at the pharmacy), which is produced enzymatically. The level of hydrogen peroxide produced is antibacterial, but doesn't damage the tissues.

!!!Healing burns with honey
In one Indian study of patients with burns, physicians compared ordinary honey with silver sulfadiazine-the standard treatment-and found it to be just as effective. In the study, 104 patients with partial-thickness burns were randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments. Half the patients were treated with 15-30 mL honey spread on their wounds each day and then their burns were covered with dry sterile gauze.The other half of the patients received the standard treatment of gauze soaked with silver sulfadiazine, and the gauze was replaced daily. Among patients treated with honey, healthy tissue granulation appeared, on average, at 7.4 days, compared with 13.4 days for patients given the standard treatment. Wounds healed more rapidly in the honey group (33 of 52 patients within 10 days and all patients within 40 days) compared with other group (35 of 52 patients within 30 days and all patients within 60 days).Only four honey-treated patients showed infection at the burn site after seven days of treatment, compared with 38 of the patients given the standard treatment.

!!!Honey for allergy relief?
At the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, immunologist T.V. Rajan, MD, PhD, is studying the healing powers of simple honey to treat seasonal allergies. The study is based on the theory of oral tolerance, which reasons that humans become accustomed to things they ingest. So, if people eat local pollens-via pollen-rich honey-allergic reactions to pollen in the spring and summer should diminish. Study subjects receive either a tablespoon of local honey, non-local honey as a placebo, or their usual allergy medications. So far, Dr. Rajan is encouraged by the findings, although his results won't be released until 2001.

Researchers at the University of Illinois reported in the Journal ofAgricultural Research in 1998 that antioxidants in 14 various honeys were highest in the darkest honeys (Manuka honey is very dark). Antioxidants in the diet are important because they slow the production of free radicals that cause DNA damage and have been implicated in age-related illnesses, such as arthritis, stroke and cancer.

!!!A sweet substitute
"Honey also has a lot to offer as a replacement for table sugar," says May Berenbaum, PhD, head of the entomology department and a researcher at the University of Illinois Functional Foods for Health program.

At the University of Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition Lab, Richard Kreider, PhD, did research that may sweeten the appeal of honey to athletes. "During the past three decades, athletes have used carbohydrate-loaded 'sports gels' for quick energy," says Dr. Kreider. "But many ...of those products... cause ...a... quick rise and fall in blood sugar."

While studying the blood glucose and insulin concentration in 71 subjects, Dr. Kreider gave the athletes one of seven substances, including table sugar, dextrose, fruit sugar, placebos and honey. Honey provided the quickest boost of energy for a longer endurance-without a big drop in blood sugar later.

!!!Should you try it?
Will honey cure your allergies? Can you apply it on minor scrapes and burns rather than using antibacterial ointment? While existing research is intriguing, more information from research studies is needed to confirm the therapeutic uses of honey. So ask your health care practitioner about using honey for minor infections and allergies.

One word of caution: Because honey contains spores that can cause botulism infection in infants, it should never be fed to children younger than one year old.

''Resources''

__Waikato Honey Research Institute__
:: http://honey.bio.waikato.ac.nz ::

Honey, Mud, Maggots, and other Medical Marvels: The Science Behind Folk Remedies and Old Wives' Tales, by Robert and Michele Root-Bernstein. Houghton Mifflin Co, 1998.

"Effects of topical honey on post-operative wound infections due to gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria following Caesarean sections and hysterectomies," by N.S. Al-Waili, K.Y. Sallom. European Journal of Medical Research, 1999, Vol. 26, pp. 126-30.

"Using honey as a dressing for infected skin lesions," by C. Dunford, et al. Nursing Times, 2000, Vol. 96, pp. 7-9.

"A prospective randomized clinical and histological study of superficial burn wound healing with honey and silver sulfadiazine," by M. Subrahmanyam. Burns, 1998, Vol. 24, pp. 157-61.

"Topical application of honey in treatment of burns," by M. Subrahmanyam. British Journal of Surgery, 1991, Vol. 78, pp. 497-8.

"Spirit of the beehive," by J. Trevelyan. Nursing Times, 1997, Vol. 93, pp. 72-4.]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:13:56 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Boost the Immune System</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=9&amp;comments_parentId=108</link>
            <description><![CDATA[


!Natural Remedies To Boost The Immune System

What causes endometriosis? There are many theories, but no one knows for sure. One of the most plausible theories is that endometriosis is caused by a breakdown in the immune system. Continuing research indicates that dioxin and other pollutants create chemical reactions in our bodies which can alter many of our body systems, especially the immune system function. More toxins mean more free radicals ravaging through our system. Free radicals are atoms that contain at least one unpaired electron. These "free" electrons can bind easily with any other atoms or molecules in the body and can cause dramatic damage throughout our entire system.

Even if a breakdown in the immune system is not responsible for causing endometriosis, immune system function certainly becomes impaired once we have this disease. Many of us with Endo are much more susceptible to catching every virus and infection going around, and many of us seem to have a severe lack of energy most of the time. Fortunately, there are many foods, herbs, and supplements that can help strengthen our weakened body systems and improve our health!

Antioxidant vitamins and minerals are extremely important to proper functioning of the immune system. Vitamins, minerals, foods, and herbs that have antioxidant properties help to neutralize free radicals by binding to the free electrons, therefore rendering them harmless. Dr. Andrew Weil, a leader in the field of natural healing, often recommends this "Antioxidant Cocktail" to boost the immune system functions: 

Vitamin C:1000-2000mg 2-3 times daily 
Beta-carotenes / mixed carotenes: 25,000IU once da
ily (This is preferable over Vitamin A, as large amounts of Vitamin A in supplement form can be dangerous, whereas carotenes can safely be stored in the body and then be converted by the body into Vitamin A as it is needed.) 

Vitamin E: 400IU-800IU once daily 

Selenium: 200-300mcg once daily He suggests that Vitamin E and Selenium be taken together as Selenium helps with the absorption of Vitamin E. He also suggests that Vitamin C be taken at a separate time than the Vitamin E and Selenium as some forms of selenium can inhibit the absorption of Vitamin C. 

Zinc has also been found to be important in the proper functioning of the immune system and in issue repair, approximately 30mg per day is suggested.

The strongest antioxidants come from maritime pine bark and grape seed. These are called proanthocyanidins, or OPC's (sometimes called pycnogenol) and have been found to be 50 times more potent than Vitamin E, and 20 times more potent than Vitamin C. It is generally recommended that you take 1mg per pound of body weight daily.

The following herb and food supplements also act as antioxidants and all can safely be taken on a daily basis: 

Astragalus, Elderberry, Echinacea (Purpurea is the strongest and most effective variety of Echinacea), Chaparral, Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly (do not use bee products if you have severe reactions to bee stings), Parthenium, Morinda (also known as Noni), Garlic, Pau D'Arco, Spirulina, Barley Juice, Wheat Grass Juice (do not use if you have wheat allergies), Cabbage powder, Broccoli powder, and Asparagus powder. Other very helpful supplements for the immune system are Evening Primrose Oil, Black Currant Oil, and Fish Oil lipids.

Diet is of course the most important factor in the proper functioning of the immune system. Avoid white sugar and flour, red meat, dairy foods, caffeine, tobacco, food additives, and processed foods. Eat as many organic fruits and veggies as you possibly can, whole grains such as buckwheat, brown rice, wheat, cornmeal, oats, rye, and barley, legumes and raw nuts and seeds (flax seeds are extremely beneficial), and unsaturated fats. Try to stick to a low fat, moderate protein diet, occasionally eating protein from free range eggs and poultry, and fish.

The thymus gland has been found to play a large part in immune system function and there is a product available called "Thymic Formula" developed by Dr. Carson Burgsteiner that contains Thymic extract along with a huge amount of immune enhancing herbs, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids and this product has helped many people with diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and many other immune system health problems. Some other brands of herbs and vitamin supplements that you can trust are Nature's Sunshine Products, Solaray, Schiff, KAL, and Frontier.

Of course, getting the rest that your body needs, daily exercise, and positive imagery all play a role in proper immune system function. An excellent and gradual program for changing your lifestyle to a healthier one can be found in Dr. Andrew Weil's book, "Spontaneous Healing", and I strongly urge everyone to look for this book, or any of his other books at the library or bookstore. They are fascinating and full of information about alternative therapies explained in down to earth language. He also has a web site called "Ask Dr. Weil" at www.drweil.com which is also a wonderful informational web site.

Good luck and good health to all ! ! !]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:59:53 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Happiness &amp; Chronic Illness</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=8&amp;comments_parentId=107</link>
            <description><![CDATA[


!::Chronic Illness Does Not Equal Unhappiness::


Most healthy people assume that living with a chronic illness or disability would make life miserable. Surely one can't be as happy when dealing with a serious health condition. After all, one of the key factors to happiness is having one's health. Isn't it?

In fact, previous research shows that serious health conditions do not impact well-being to the extent assumed by healthy individuals. It seems that a discrepancy exists between the actual versus perceived happiness of people with chronic illnesses, but the cause of this discrepancy is still being studied. Is it that healthy people are biased, thinking that these health impairments are worse than they are? Or is it that people with chronic illnesses exaggerate and report a higher quality of life than they are actually experiencing? Or perhaps do healthy people understate their own well-being?

A new study in the February 2005 issue of the Journal of Experimental Psychology set out to examine happiness among people with and without chronic health conditions, and possibly determine the causes of a discrepancy between actual versus perceived happiness of unhealthy individuals.

!!!About the Study
The study included 49 patients with kidney failure who were receiving dialysis treatment three times per week, and 49 healthy individuals (controls) who were similar to the patients in age, race, gender, and education. The average age of both groups was 49.

Researchers provided each participant with a PDA (personal digital assistant, such as a Palm Pilot) to carry with them every day for a period of seven days or more. The PDA was set up to prompt participants to answer questions at random times throughout the day. The same 12 questions were asked 90% of the time and focused on mood, emotions, pain, and fatigue. On 10% of the prompts an additional question was asked, concerning overall life satisfaction.

!!!There were three phases to the study:
The entry interview, where participants estimated the percent of time during a typical week that they would experience each of five mood levels ranging from "very pleasant" to "very unpleasant."  The Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), where participants answered questions throughout the day as prompted by their PDA. The exit interview, where participants rated their moods as they had during the entry interview, but also answered questions aimed at determining the cause of the discrepancy. For example, healthy participants were presented with a scenario about a dialysis patient and then asked to estimate their typical moods as that patient. Likewise, the dialysis patients were asked to estimate the percent of time they would spend in each mood level had they never had kidney problems or needed dialysis.

!!The Findings
There was no difference between the patients and controls in the average EMA rating of their overall mood. Average EMA responses were also similar between the two groups for the other questions, which focused on positive emotions, negative emotions, pain, tiredness, and overall life satisfaction. In general, patients slightly overestimated their average mood during a typical week, while controls significantly underestimated their average mood. Similarly, patients' recollection of their moods accurately reflected their EMA responses, while controls significantly underestimated their moods. Controls also significantly underestimated the average mood of a dialysis patient, while patients overestimated the average mood of the controls. Finally, patients estimated that their own average mood would be higher had they never needed dialysis treatment.

!!How Does This Affect You?
In line with previous research, this study found no evidence that people living with a serious chronic illness experience lower moods than healthy individuals.

To answer critics' contention that those subjects who agreed to participate are likely to have different mood levels than those who did not, the researchers performed a brief survey of subjects who declined to be in the study. They found that the average mood of non participants was similar to that of participants. Interestingly, the patients predicted that they would be significantly happier if they had their full health back. This suggests that the patients were not aware of the extent to which they had adapted to their condition. It may also suggest that happiness is relative. The patients in this study may have adjusted, but is their rating of "very pleasant" the same as a healthy person's rating of "very pleasant?" This we do not know.

Not surprisingly, the controls in this study predicted they would be significantly unhappier if they were in the shoes of the dialysis patients. Challenging this discrepancy has important implications for health care: a healthy individual's misperception of what life would be like with a serious illness may adversely influence their treatment choices when confronted with such an illness.

The results of this study leave us with a better, although not complete, understanding of the cause of this discrepancy. They suggest that while patients do not exaggerate their mood, healthy individuals tend to understate their mood. Additionally they suggest a bias on the part of healthy people, in that healthy people-not having experienced a serious chronic illness or disability themselves-assume health impairments are worse than they are. Apparently, many of us are able to cope with more than we think.

RESOURCES:
Managing Your Chronic Illness: Information for Patients Government of British Columbia

Secrets of Happiness
Psychology Today

Sources:
Riis J, Loewenstein G, Baron J, Jepson C, Fagerlin A, Ubel PA. Ignorance of hedonic adaptation to hemo-dialysis: a study using ecological momentary assessment. Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2005. (In press at the time of this article).]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:36:25 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Natural Endorphins</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=16&amp;comments_parentId=106</link>
            <description><![CDATA[

!::NATURAL ENDORPHINS AND PAIN RELIEF::

::''by Forest Tennant, MD''::

!!1. WHAT ARE ENDORPHINS?

The term stands for "in the body morphine". Please note that the last part of the word "endorphin" is the last 7 letters of the word morphine. "End" is Latin for "in the body". Endorphins are the primary natural, genetic chemicals in the body that relieve pain. They are made and stored in the hypothalamus (lower brain) and adrenal glands, and are "on call" for activation and release into the blood during episodes of pain and stress.

If our pain is too great for our own levels of endorphin, we will require an endorphin surrogate which are the opioid (morphine-like) compounds.

!!2. ENDORPHIN TOLERANCE AND DEFICIENCY

If pain is severe and chronic (particularly constant, unrelenting pain) our own endorphins become deficient. They may actually deplete due to pain, or, in effect, the body becomes "tolerant" to our own endorphins. Some persons appear to be genetically deficient in endorphin rendering them more susceptible to intractable pain.

!!3. ENDORPHIN SURROGATES

The opium poppy is a living, biologic plant, and it produces a number of chemicals closely related to natural body endorphins. These chemicals are now known as "opioids" rather than narcotics, since the narcotics have historically included a number of non-opioid chemicals such as cocaine. Today the term "opioids" is used to make the point that natural internal ("endogenous") endorphins and opium plant derivatives plus some synthetic compounds are closely related even though taken externally ("exogenous").

Since internal and external opioids are so closely related, it explains why opioids given for intractable pain cause no known tissue damage to the liver, brain, kidney, etc., as does Tylenol, alcohol, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory agents. This close chemical, surrogate relationship also explains why therapeutic opioid dosages may vary widely and why the patient becomes "dependent" upon external opioid drugs. In reality, all of us are "dependent" upon endorphins.

!!4. INSULIN, THYROID, ESTROGEN, AND TESTOSTERONE ANALOGY

When a person has a genetic or acquired deficiency of insulin, thyroid, estrogen, or testosterone, a chemical closely related to the natural body chemical is administered. For example, if the body doesn't produce enough insulin to metabolize glucose, physicians will prescribe an insulin closely related to natural insulin. In effect the patient will become dependent upon insulin and require it for a lifetime. Other examples of synthetic substitutes are Premarin for estrogen and Synthroid for thyroid. In a similar vein, an intractable pain patient will not have enough of their own endorphin to control the pain, so they will need to take an endorphin surrogate such as fentanyl or oxycodone for a lifetime.

!!5. SUB-TYPES OF ENDORPHINS AND NEED FOR TWO OR MORE EXTERNAL OPIOIDS

The body has several sub-types of endorphins of which two common names are enkephalin and dynorphin. Endorphins relieve pain and stress by attaching to action points on nerves known as "opioid receptors". Insulin, for example, makes glucose turn into muscle energy by attaching to "insulin receptors" in the muscle. Science has recently demonstrated beyond equivocation that there are multiple sub-types of opioid receptors. Since there are multiple sub-types of endorphin and opioid-receptors, it may be necessary to prescribe 2 or 3 different opioids to adequately control intractable pain.

!!PREGNENOLONE: A CRITICAL HORMONE FOR INTRACTABLE PAIN CONTROL

An essential hormone for IP patients is pregnenolone. It appears that it may be the most important natural body chemical for healing of nerves. Research has shown that it is about the most plentiful chemical in the brain. Pregnenolone is also the precursor or building block for all the hormones in the adrenal gland, ovaries, and testicles. For example, it is the building block for testosterone, estrogen, DHEA androstenedione, and cortisol. In order to assure adequate blood levels of pregnenolone, many IP patients must take pregnenolone on a regular basis. Many researchers believe it assists memory and mental stability.

!!!HOPE FOR HEALING

In a laboratory study, 16 rats had their spinal columns damaged to the point they couldn't walk. After a few weeks of pregnenolone therapy, 11 of the rats regained the ability to walk. This exciting study raises the hope and possibility that pregnenolone may be useful in healing painful conditions rather than simply providing symptomatic pain relief. IP patients who have taken pregnenolone for a few weeks generally report pain relief and a generalized feeling of well being. Pregnenolone appears extremely safe, and a dosage of 100 to 200 milligrams per day is usually required. Dosage modification should be done by blood monitoring. Pregnenolone may be simultaneously taken with other adrenal gland hormones and pain medication.

!!!BLOOD TESTING

Every IP patient should have a blood test for pregnenolone. The best time of the day is 8:00AM while fasting. Minimal blood level is about 20 ng/ml. If the blood level is low, pregnenolone supplements are essential for maximal pain and stress control as well as permanent healing.

!!!SKIN CREAM

Pregnenolone on the skin gives pain relief almost immediately after application. While it is not known if it causes some healing and permanent pain reduction, many IP patients are beginning to report this. Research is definitely needed.

!!!WHERE TO OBTAIN PREGNENOLONE

Pregnenolone is not a prescription drug, and it can be obtained in most pharmacies, health food stores, or through dietary supplement catalogues.

from: IntractiblePainDisease.com]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:16:11 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Natural Relief</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=15&amp;comments_parentId=105</link>
            <description><![CDATA[
!Relief from IBS Naturally

Sometimes old-fashioned remedies work best, and for the millions of people with one very hard-to-treat condition -- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) -- an old remedy beats everything modern science has dreamed up. If you or someone you know has IBS, please read on.

As many as one in five Americans suffer from IBS, a miserable disorder that can bring an endless progression of constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating and stomach cramps. Where expensive new IBS drugs have been disappointing, it turns out that a classic stomachache remedy, peppermint oil, can often get the job done more effectively. 

!!In with the Old, Out with the New

At McMaster University in Ontario, Alexander C. Ford, MD, and his colleagues analyzed the results of many previously published studies on adults with IBS, including 12 comparing fiber with placebo, 22 comparing antispasmodics with placebo, and four comparing peppermint oil with placebo. Peppermint oil was surprisingly effective, bringing relief to 74% of patients. This compares very favorably with antispasmodics, which helped only 61%, and fiber, which was beneficial to just 48%. 

Peppermint oil may be most helpful in soothing the abdominal pain and cramping that are common IBS symptoms and, over time, it may also help ease diarrhea or constipation. Scientists believe it works by blocking the movement of calcium into muscle cells in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing muscle contractions, discomfort and bloating. 

!!How to Make Your IBS Better
Look for "enteric coated" peppermint oil capsules at your health food store, since taking peppermint oil straight can produce reflux symptoms, suggests Daily Health News contributing medical editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND. Dr. Rubman often prescribes doses of 200 mg to 300 mg to be taken once, twice or three times daily -- but not more often, as larger doses can be toxic. He says most patients find it helpful to take a dose just before eating a meal.

Several factors should be weighed in identifying the right treatment for an IBS patient, including whether symptoms are dominated by diarrhea or constipation or whether both occur about equally. If your doctor seems quick to recommend newer pharmaceuticals, consider seeing a specialist in natural medicine to discuss the older remedies and over-the-counter medicines. As Dr. Ford pointed out to me, even though peppermint oil helped the most people in his analysis, the other two treatments -- fiber and antispasmodics (which lessen spasms in the GI tract) -- were effective for many, and they are safe, inexpensive and readily available over the counter at most pharmacies. Also, Dr. Rubman pointed out that there are many other useful botanical extracts that are antispasmodic as well, including valerian, skullcap, viburnum, juniper berry, hyoscamus niger, gentian and gelsemium. "Their effects may vary from minor to profound, so it’s best to use these only under physician care," he added.

Dr. Ford has also been exploring another "new old" remedy for IBS --probiotics -- and results are promising. Bottom Line’s Daily Health News will keep you up to date.

''Source(s): ''

Alexander C. Ford, MD, gastroenterology division, Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Andrew L. Rubman, ND, medical director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut.  www.SouthburyClinic.com.

Be well, 
Carole Jackson; Bottom Line's Daily Health News; dhn.bottomlinesecrets.com]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:40:26 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Spring Cleaning</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=11&amp;comments_parentId=103</link>
            <description><![CDATA[!Spring Clean Your Cleaning Arsenal

You scrub, scour, and spray to make your house sparkle. But could your efforts to clean your house actually be polluting it? Spend 15 minutes cleaning the shower, and you could inhale three times the "acute one-hour limit" set by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment for glycol ether-containing products. It’s no wonder then that janitors and people who clean houses for a living have eight times the rate of asthma found in other workers. 

These cleaning products aren’t just hurting those of us who use them. A nationwide study by the US Geological Survey showed that nearly 70 percent of streams tested contained breakdown products from detergents, and 66 percent contained disinfectants.

So how to green your routine? Start by eliminating the following chemicals:

__Glycol ethers.__ Often labeled as butyl cellosolve, 2-butoxyethan, or ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, these solvents strip hands of natural oils and cause hormone disruption.

__Diethanolamine (DEA) and tri-ethanolamine (TEA__). These sudsing agents can form carcinogens when exposed to nitrate preservatives found in many cleaning products. 

__Ammonia.__ Irritating to lungs and air-ways.

__Sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite __(bleach), or phosphoric acid. Can burn eyes and skin. Bleach has also been linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems in men, and learning and behavioral problems in children.

__Synthetic fragrances__. The small chemical particles can trigger allergies and be absorbed by the skin.

Find More Ways to Clean and Green Your Living Spaces From your laundry to your lawn, you can make your house a truly healthy home using tips from our Natural Home Wellness Center. . http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com/subtopic/173/Natural-Home]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:35:59 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Stop Making Scents</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=11&amp;comments_parentId=101</link>
            <description><![CDATA[::''By Jill Sverdlove''::

After moving into a newly rented house in Ft. Collins, Colorado, Alison Webster (not her real name) felt ill. "Within three days, I was waking up with symptoms I never had before," she explains. "My face swelled up like a balloon, my hands were puffy. I couldn’t see straight or even walk in a straight line." A graduate student at the time, the formerly healthy 32-year-old said she knew the symptoms were related to the house. "They went away when I was at school and came back a few hours after I got home." 

Alison and her husband rented the place furnished, which included four potent room deodorizers. "We suspected it was the deodorizers," she says, noting how the strong odor remained, even after they threw them away.

"We thought removing furniture and even washing the walls might help, but it didn’t. The smell and my symptoms wouldn’t go away," Alison says. She couldn’t imagine how a simple, scented item could make her so sick.

!!What’s that smell?

You can’t watch TV today without catching commercials peddling fragranced products. In theory that’s not such a bad thing. After all, cultures throughout history perfumed their homes and persons, if only out of necessity given the state of their hygiene and sanitation systems. Think of the potpourris, sachets, and nosegays so much in favor not all that long ago. Perhaps we all have an innate desire to smell like a breath of spring, and what harm could there be in that?

Well, none until you industrialize the process. Before the early 20th century, the fragrances in high demand were derived directly from plants or animals, but after World War II, companies turned to petrochemicals as the source of manufactured scents and expanded the uses of fragrances exponentially. Natural fragrance preparations still exist, of course, but synthetic scents have taken over the marketplace, with sales topping $18 billion annually. 

With our spritzed, sprayed, and slathered-on 21st century barely underway, virtually every conventional cleaning and body care product on the market contains chemically manufactured fragrances. 

Obvious products include perfumes, deodorants, soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents, candles, and cleaning products. The not-so-obvious range from shirts to sports drinks. And new products keep coming. Japanese filmgoers get a nose full of fragrance while watching movies, as special machines pump out scents synchronized to certain scenes. And several companies recently announced plans to chemically scent the packaging for products: Cookie boxes, fruit containers, and drink caps will soon emit synthetic scents. And last year, more than one thousand new air fresheners appeared on US stores shelves. This phenomenon means more exposure for everyone. Unfortunately, most of the companies behind these marketing schemes never consider the dangers lurking in their fragranced products, and we consumers have little choice about whether or not we’ll be exposed to them—short of never venturing into a supermarket or department store again. 

!!Mystery ingredients

Alison was curious about which chemicals in the air fresheners had made her so sick. "I went to Target and looked at the packaging," she explains. "But no ingredients were listed."

Only after searching the Internet did she learn that products containing synthetic fragrances are not regulated by any government agency. Fragrance formulas are considered "trade secrets," a designation that gives companies the legal right not to disclose product ingredients, even to the FDA. ...

If a company provides an ingredient label, it only need list the catchall term fragrance, even though hundreds of chemicals may make up one formulation. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reports that "95 percent of the ingredients used to create fragrances today are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, including benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxins and sensitizers. Many of these substances have been linked to cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and allergic reactions." NAS targets fragrances as one of six categories of chemicals that should be tested for neurotoxicity. This puts synthetic fragrances in the company of insecticides, heavy metals, solvents, food additives, and air pollutants. For a list of commonly used fragrance chemicals and their effects, go to Web Exclusives at www.alternativemedicine.com.

But despite this level of concern, the trade secret laws have ensured that fragrance chemicals remain completely unregulated. Manufacturers may point to the "self-regulatory" system in place, but they’re not required to check their chemicals for safety, so testing is limited, and compliance with recommendations is voluntary and not enforced. The result? The same chemicals that must be disclosed and tested when used in gasoline and cigarettes go unregulated when put into a bottle of shampoo.

Frustrated by this lack of disclosure, Betty Bridges, a registered nurse who became chemically sensitive in 1988 after an acute exposure to the fragrance chemical amyl cinnamaldehyde, a common fixative in cleansers, established the Fragrance Products Information Network ( www.fpinva.org ). Bridges investigated fragrances for 11 years, and in 1999, worked with Barbara Wilkie, the president of the Environmental Health Network of California ( www.ehnca.org ), to file a petition with the FDA requesting regulatory enforcement of the fragrance industry. So far, the FDA has not taken any action. 

Bridges explains that we breathe, ingest, and absorb untested, unsafe chemicals. "Although most parents today wouldn’t dream of allowing their kids to be in a room full of cigarette smoke," she notes, "they expose them to equally bad toxins when near scented candles." 

!!Is your body polluted?

According to the Environmental Health Coalition of Western Massachusetts, approximately 20 percent of the population reacts adversely to synthetic fragrance, with anywhere from 3.5 to 6 percent experiencing debilitating or even life-threatening reactions. Infants, children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable. 

"Even for people who have lost their sense of smell," Bridges points out, "symptoms still appear when they are around synthetic fragrances, since it’s not the smell but the toxicants comprising the scent that are dangerous." She further explains that while an allergic reaction might cause congestion or sneezing, reactions to synthetic fragrances often consist of a poisoning response, which may include migraines, difficulty breathing, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and digestive problems.

"But sensitive people," Bridges emphasizes, "aren’t the only ones affected by synthetic scents." Fragrances pose a health issue for everyone. Although most people believe small amounts of chemicals are harmless, studies show that the adage "the dose makes the poison" no longer holds true. Researchers have shown that even low-level exposure causes serious health effects, as our bodies absorb and accumulate the chemicals we get exposed to daily. The Environmental Working Group also found troubling results after studying the impact of cumulative chemical exposures termed "the body burden" ( www.ewg.org/bodyburden ). And the Environmental Protection Agency discovered that indoor air contains two to five times more toxic chemicals than outdoor air, with fragrance chemicals contributing heavily. 

You might be wondering, somewhat skeptically, "Why do I feel fine after years of applying lotions and perfumes?"

Most people who now feel sick around fragrance chemicals had many prior exposures and appeared immune to the dangers, until their bodies broke down. Fragrance toxins silently add stress to our natural detoxification systems, and the impact might take longer to show up in a healthy adult or may manifest in a seemingly unrelated condition like reproductive problems or cancer. Our bodily defenses didn’t evolve to process and store petrochemicals, and wrestling with these toxins keeps our bodies from doing their real jobs. Furthermore, people may not even realize a product causes their symptoms. They may suffer chronic headaches or hives, completely unaware of the connection to their perfume or their favorite detergent’s aroma. 

For Alison, living with room deodorizers was her tipping point, and although she and her husband moved out of the rental, she became chronically sensitive to even low levels of chemicals. 

Three years later, Alison continues to avoid exposure to fragrance-laden people and products—not an easy task. "I had no clue my system could become so sensitive," Alison says. 

Although most people associate fragrances with smell, the chemical components don’t merely enter the body through the nose. Wearing scented products or even being near others who use them leads to the absorption of fragrance chemicals through the skin (a direct link to the bloodstream), the respiratory system, digestive system, and the eyes. Modern fragrances are also extremely persistent, designed to cling for a long time to fabric, hair, walls, whatever. Some fragrance constituents, like those in softener sheets, can never be fully removed from clothes. And like plug-ins and perfumes, dryer sheets contain nerve-deadening chemicals, narcotics, and known carcinogens.

While we know a great deal about plant-based fragrances, not enough research exists on the long-term effects of synthetic scents. Judging from the research conducted so far, however, the news doesn’t look good. A recent Mayo Clinic study placed synthetic fragrances in the 10 most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, and The Institute of Medicine categorized fragrances as equal to second-hand smoke for triggering asthma. Other conditions affected by fragrances include allergic reactions, hypersensitivity diseases, chronic sinusitis, and migraines. 

"It’s possible that synthetic scents will go the way of cigarette smoking," says Peggy Wolff, an environmental health consultant who raises awareness about fragrance sensitivities. She warns that fragrance chemicals might actually be more toxic than cigarette smoke when you add up the total exposures. 

"Children are getting sick in schools and can’t learn well. People can’t heal in hospitals. But things are changing," says Wolff, who recently received a grant through Healthcare Without Harm ( http://www.noharm.org ) to work with hospitals on fragrance issues.

!!Scents and sensibility

If you’d like to find out whether or not synthetic scents affect you, consider conducting an experiment to see how you feel away from direct exposure. Write down all of your symptoms (headache, hoarse voice, rash, etc.), then switch entirely to fragrance-free products for at least one month (and put your old ones out of the house). Note if your symptoms have decreased or disappeared. 

And before you spritz fragrance, consider that others are at the mercy of your product choices. The fragrance-intolerant often find it awkward to ask for consideration. But without our awareness and compassion, these people are prevented from going to work and school, socializing, or being active in their communities. With experts estimating that 60 percent of the population will suffer from sensitivities by 2020, isn’t it about time we cleared the air? Jill Sverdlove is a freelance writer in Boulder, Colorado.

!!What’s in a Label? 

Since companies can get away with incomplete labeling, follow these guidelines to ensure healthy choices. 

•Choose products that list all ingredients.

• Examine the list of ingredients to check that the word fragrance does not appear. Essential oils are usually listed separately.

• Be prudent because even if the label advertises "unscented," some manufacturers use masking agents that block our ability to perceive odors; so not only is fragrance still in the product, but even more chemicals are present. Check that fragrance is not listed in the ingredients, or call the company directly and request accurate information.

• Avoid phthalates and parabens (often listed as methylparabens).

• Always inspect labels because formulas change. • Since no legal definitions exist for natural, nontoxic, and hypoallergenic, those words don’t always signify a healthier product. (For more ways to take action, go to Web Exclusives at [http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com].)

!!Safe Alternatives to: 

__Dryer Sheets. __Try Nellie’s Dryer Balls or safe, reusable cloths by Static Eliminator. Or use an aluminum foil ball in the dryer, a 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle, or separate your synthetics and cottons when drying. 

__Laundry Detergents.__ For safer detergents and softeners, use fragrance-free versions from Seventh Generation, Ecos, and Mountain Green. Or try the Oxy Ball or 1/2 cup of baking soda per load instead of detergent.

__Air Fresheners.__ Instead of masking odors, identify and remove the source. Take shoes off at the door, empty the trash often. Try natural mineral zeolite, baking soda, or Borax. Use cedar blocks, or simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves, or allspice. If you need to spray, try Citra-Solv’s AirScents, which uses real citrus scents—or make your own with distilled water and essential oils. 

__Filtration.__ Air filters can also help improve indoor air quality, but not all purifiers are the same. Get a filter that contains no plastics or other materials that off-gas. Reputable companies include Allerair, Aireox, IQ Air, and Austin Air. 

__Essential Oils, Candles, and Incense.__ A good alternative to synthetic scents, essential oils can be placed around the house, worn as perfume, or used in cleaning and body products. For candles, try soy or beeswax alternatives, unscented or with essential oils. Don’t assume all incense is safe; it has combustible materials, may include contaminants, and may feature artificial fragrances. 

__Cleaning Products.__ The most inexpensive, safe cleansers are baking soda and water (for deodorizing), white vinegar (for cleaning when mixed with water and a little soap), Bon Ami (for scrubbing), and hydrogen peroxide (for disinfecting). Try Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds and Seventh Generation’s cleansers. 

!!Bodycare Products. 

• Soap: Sappo Hill Unscented, Kiss My Face Olive Oil, Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild, Tom’s of Maine Unscented Natural Glycerin Soap, Terressentials Unscented 

• Deodorant: Kiss My Face Active Enzyme Unscented, Tom’s of Maine Unscented, Jason Aloe Vera, Lafe’s Natural Crystal Stick

• Shaving Lotion: Kiss My Face Unscented Shaving Gel

• Shampoo/Conditioner: Earth Science Pure Essentials Fragrance-Free, Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild, Magick Botanicals, Tijeras Unscented 

• Hair Gel: Aubrey B5 Design Gel, Magick Botanicals, Kiss My Face

• Moisturizer: Organic oils (jojoba, sesame, apricot), Kiss My Face, Magick Botanicals, Jason, MyChelle Dermaceuticals

• Sunblock: Aubrey, Vanicream, Jason Chemical- and Fragrance-free 


From: [http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/articleSearch.article/articleID/13404/pageID/1/headline/StopMakingScents/fontSize/13]]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:43:14 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Natural Cleaners</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=11&amp;comments_parentId=100</link>
            <description><![CDATA[

!.::Natural cleaners::

::by Katherine Griggs, 50Plus.com:: 

Are your cleaning products safe? Here are some natural solutions to cleaning problems.

When choosing to switch from store-bought cleaners to environmentally friendly natural cleaners, there are several basic ingredients that can be used.

__Baking soda __– this can be used for cleaning, deodorizing, softening fabrics, removing stains and cleaning drains. It can be used on vinyl, plastic, carpeting, furniture, silver, stainless steel and can even be used in refrigerators and down drains.

__Vinegar __– can remove mildew, stains and wax buildup. It can also be used to clean coffeepots, glass, paintbrushes, grout, windows and fireplaces. It is also a mild disinfectant that can cut through grease and get rid of stains on mirrors.

__Borax__ (sodium borate) – cleans wallpaper, floors and painted walls. It can deodorize and remove stains. It also boosts theeffectiveness of other cleaning products.

__Lemon juice __– cuts through grease and stains on mirrors, dishes and pots.

__Table salt__ – can be used as a disinfector or a gentle power scrubber

__Ammonia__ – Cleans carpets, linoleum, copper, enamel and most appliances. It is a very hard working liquid, but can also irritate the skin and the eyes. Be sure to wear gloves when using and also DO NOT mix with chlorine bleach. This combination produces a POISONOUS gas.

__Washing soda__ – cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, can remove wax, lipstick and can also neutralize odors. Do not sure on fiberglass, aluminum or waxed floors. Be sure to wear gloves when using washing soda as well because it can irritate the skin.

Here are several recipes to use, instead of buying harsh, store bought cleaning supplies.

!!All purpose cleaner

½ cup ammonia 

1/3 cup washing soda

16 cups of warm water


!!All purpose cleaner (#2)

¼ cup baking soda

1 cup ammonia

½ cup white vinegar

16 cups of warm water

!!Heavy duty polish for floors and furniture

1 tbsp carnauba wax

2 cups mineral oil

Heat in a double boiler, cool, and then apply with a soft rag. 


''Note:'' Carnauba wax can be found at auto-supply stores or hobby shops.

!!Furniture Polish

2 tbsp olive oil

1tbsp white vinegar

4 cups warm water


Mix ingredients and then put into a spray bottle. This polish works best when warm. You can heat it up by letting the spray bottle float in hot water. After applying to furniture, rub the surface dry with a warm cloth.

!!Dishwashing detergent

2 cups grated hard bar soap or soap flakes

16 cups water


Rub salad oil on the grater before grating the bar soap, it is much easier to clean after. Place the soap in a pot, add water and stir. Heat over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool. 


''Note: This mixture is not for use in automatic dishwashers.''


!!Instead of bleach, try this

1 part hydrogen peroxide

8 parts water

Soak clothing in this solution, then rinse.


!!Drain cleaner

1 cup baking soda

1 cup salt

½ white vinegar

1 kettle of boiling water


Pour the baking soda, salt and vinegar down the drain and leave for 15 minutes. Then pour the boiling water down.


!!Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1 tsp household ammonia

1 cup hydrogen peroxide

8 cups water

Mix ingredients in a bucket and pour the mixture into your toilet. Let stand for 30 minutes and then scrub toilet bowl and flush away. This cleaner can also be left in the toilet for several hours if you needto remove harsh stains.


!!Carpet cleaner

Lightly sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda over the carpet and rub it in. Leave for one hour and then vacuum.]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:31:45 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Profound in its' Simplicity</title>
            <link>http://ahealthierplace.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=8&amp;comments_parentId=99</link>
            <description><![CDATA[::James Allen::
 
::James Allen(1864-1912), whose marvelous books are freely available on the internet, expresses it very eloquently in his book ‘As a Man Thinketh’.

‘For thousands of years the sages have taught, both by precept and example, that evil is only overcome by good, yet still that lesson for the majority, remains unlearned. It is a lesson profound in its simplicity, and difficult to learn because men are blinded by the illusions of self. Men are still engaged in resenting, condemning, and fighting the evil in their own fellow-men, thereby increasing the delusion in their own hearts, and adding to the world's sum of misery and suffering. When they find out that their own resentment must be eradicated, and love put in its place, evil will perish for lack of sustenance. Dislike, resentment, and condemnation are all forms of hatred, and evil cannot cease until these are taken out of the heart. 

But the obliterating of injuries from the mind is merely one of the beginnings in wisdom. There is a still higher and better way. And that way is so to purify the heart and enlighten the mind that, far from having to forget injuries, there will be none to remember. For it is only pride and self that can be injured and wounded by the actions and attitudes of others; and he who takes pride and self out of his heart can never think the thought, ‘I have been injured by another’ or ‘I have been wronged by another.’

He who has taken evil out of his own heart cannot resent or resist it in others, for he is enlightened as to its origin and nature, and knows it as a manifestation of the mistakes of ignorance. With the increase of enlightenment, sin becomes impossible. He who sins, does not understand; he who understands does not sin. 

The pure man maintains his tenderness of his heart toward those who ignorantly imagine they can do him harm. The wrong attitude of others toward him does not trouble him; his heart is at rest in Compassion and Love. 

' Blessed is he who has no wrongs to remember, no injuries to forget; in whose pure heart no hateful thought about another can take root and flourish.::

 
''I was reading this and thought others maybe interested James Allen (1864 -1912) wrote 20 books in his time and they have such relevance to the world right now, to me he feels like a kindred spirit. If you would like to read more of this book you can get it for free at http://www.asamanthinketh.net you can also find out a bit more info on James Allen.''

Hope you enjoy

Blessings

SoulBeliever

~~#669966:I discovered this on an old MSN group, my thanks to the person who shared it.
Rene~~]]></description>
            <author>Rene</author>
            <pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:42:28 +0100</pubDate>
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