ORGANIC SHAMPOOS, ARE YOU SERIOUS?

With all the natural and organic products on the market some may wonder what all the hype is about. You may even question how can a soap be organic and why would I bother paying more? Believe me, I have thought the same thing. Our concern is the continued allergies in our children and cancer in our families, could we make changes in our daily routines that would begin to slow this down.

There seems to be numerous products in our bathrooms that could be seriously harming our health. There has been research on the affects of many ingredients being carcinogenic yet critics argue that the amounts are very small. Don't be fooled, what we put on our bodies is absorbed and think about how frequently you may be using these products. Shampoos, moisturizers, fragrances, shaving creams, make-up... the list of products used daily goes on, especially for women, it has been said we use up to nine products a day. The government is not regulating the cosmetic industry not in Canada nor in the US. There has been some concerns brought forward to cosmetic companies, hoping in good faith that there will be product changes eliminating some of the better known carcinogenic ingredients.

Please read this from EWG's website:

FDA, the agency that regulates the safety of personal care products, cannot require safety testing of products before they are sold, and does not systematically assess the safety of ingredients. Instead, the cosmetic industry polices the safety of its own products through a safety panel that is run and funded by the industry's trade association. In the absence of mandated testing or even Agency guidance on product safety, some companies make products safe enough to eat, while other companies add carcinogens to their formulations. Until cosmetic safety standards are overhauled, consumers must choose products carefully, with an eye toward avoiding potentially hazardous ingredients.

As a start, we recommend that consumers choose products free of carcinogenic impurities. To avoid 1,4-dioxane, read ingredient labels and avoid any of the 56 cosmetic ingredients that can contain the contaminant, including "sodium laureth sulfate" and ingredients that include the clauses "PEG," "xynol," "ceteareth," and "oleth."


You may want to look at your labels, well, start with organic products and then look at your labels. It's easy to get bombarded by all this and to begin feeling like you have to start from scratch and throw out all your products. Take one step at a time, do what works for your family. Next time you go buy a shampoo for your baby, look in the organic area, some better brands tend to be California Baby, Burt's Bees and Aveeno. Take a look at this handy little PDF from EWG: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/parentsguide/EWG_parentsguide.pdf


FURTHER RESEARCH AND READING
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/health/labels-cosmetics.html
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/pp.asp?c=kwKXLdPaE&b=2483603

OUR ALLERGY PRONE CHILDREN

As children's allergies continue to rise we have to wonder what we, as a society, have been doing to ourselves and our children which may have resulted in these increased issues. In the last twenty years there has been:

300% increase in asthma
400% increase in food allergies
400% increase in ADHD
between a 1500% and 6000% increase in autism
Allergy Kids

Those are alarming numbers and definatley cause for concern. There is growing scientific evidence that the chemicals in our processed foods and non-organic vegetables and fruits are damaging our bodies. More importantly there is even more cause for concern to a developing fetus and our growing babies. Toxins are ingested through a mother or a baby's food, overwhelming their little digestive tracts resulting in their bodies rejecting foods, such as wheat, dairy, soy and nuts. These allergic reaction become present in obvious cases such as hives, asthma, vommitting yet also an allergy to food may result in ezcema, itchy skin and temper changes. There is also growing concerns of new unknown skin ailments on children, ailments that some doctors may just gloss over as an unknown contact dermatitis.

To keep your family as healthy as possible try to stay away from processed foods, eat organic USDA certified foods. Remember that just because a product says "natural" does not mean organic. The term "natural" is often just a label trying to encourage buyers that the product is a more healthy choice when in fact it may have the exact same ingredients as the previous unnatural label.

If you are finding it hard to pay for all organic products, purchase the organic produce that you are not peeling off the skin, such as berries, grapes, tomatoes and apples. Other products that have high levels of chemicals are corn and soy. Not only are pesticides a concern in non-organic products but also genetically engineered produce is of great concern. Genetically engineered produce does not have any label informing a customer of the chemically enhanced changes it has undergone. Therefore another reason to try and stick with organic as much as possible.

NOT WORTH THE EASE OF USE - DAMAGING PLASTICS

As we await the Canadian government to do more testing on our baby's bottles and water bottles it appears many retailers are concerned enough that they have removed these harmful plastics from their stores. Mountain Equipment Co-op and Lululemon Athletica Inc. removed products containing bisphenol A from it's shelves and other retailers are preparing to as well.

CTV news continues this information stating, the Forzani Group Ltd., Canada's largest sporting goods retailer, and Hudson's Bay Co., which includes the Bay and Zellers stores, said Tuesday they are removing BPA products and will refund money to customers who bought the bottles at their stores.

“Pending the government announcement, the company will immediately move to clear all 94 Bay stores and 280 Zellers stores of BPA baby products, and effective immediately, HBC will no longer sell any baby feeding products that are not BPA-free at any of its stores,” the company said in an e-mail to The Canadian Press.

We are still waiting to see what results from the continued government research, yet with this much concern it seems time to change our frequent use of these products and go back to the use of glass. in the end, the ease of using a plastic product does not seem worth the risk to our health.

http://ctv2.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080415.wbottles0415/business/Business/businessBN/ctv-business

HARMFUL PLASTICS

There is growing evidence for more concern about PVC or vinyl. This chemical is found in our adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, solvents, automotive plastics, plastic clothing, personal-care products (such as soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish), as well as toys and building materials. PVC leaches through it's products into our bodies causing concerns of cancer.

One of the main concerns of this product is it's ability to replicate estrogen in our bodies. Too much estrogen has been shown to cause breast cancer, reproductive issues and many other issues especially for women. Another confirmed carcinogen is vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), as a result, advocacy groups, including Greenpeace, Children's Health and Environmental Coalition (CHEC) and the U.S.-based Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) have called for a restriction or prohibition of PVC in consumer products including toys, building materials and packaging.


QUICK TIPS from CBC news

Choose refillable containers. Glass, for example, can be re-used for food storage.

Choose packaging that's made from truly recyclable materials: paper, glass, metal cans. (Purchasing recycled paper products completes the recycling loop, too.)

Buy in bulk, whenever possible. It's the least-packaged option.

For wrapped foods, choose butcher paper, waxed paper or cellulose bags.

Bring cloth bags when you go shopping, rather than using PVC-based plastic bags.

Choose things made from #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) whenever plastic cannot be avoided. These are the most commonly recycled plastics.

Avoid plastics that aren't readily recyclable: #3 (PVC), #4 (LDPE), #5 (PP), #6 (PS), #7 (often polycarbonate).

Avoid single-use, disposable packaging.

Bring your own non-plastic container to salad bars, yogurt shops, etc. — any place you'd otherwise be served food in plastic containers.

Avoid plastic cutlery and dinnerware. Use stainless steel utensils and look for recycled paper products.

Microwave foods and drinks in oven-proof glass or ceramic dishes with lids. Never let plastic wrap touch food while in the microwave, as this is one way chemicals are suspected of leaching from plastic into food.

When purchasing cling-wrapped foods from the supermarket or deli, slice off a thin layer where the food came into contact with the plastic and store the rest in a glass or ceramic container, or in non-PVC cling wrap.


Information gathered from CBC News, on dangers of PVC plastics in our toys, cleaning products and lubricating oils
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/consumers/plastic.html

Brain Development in ADHD Children

There has been a recent study showing a link between ADHD and slower brain development in children. This lag can be as much as three years. The brain regions that suppress inappropriate actions and thoughts, focus attention, remember things from moment to moment, work for reward and control movement. "That was the finding of researchers, led by Dr. Philip Shaw of the National Institute of Mental Health, who reported the most detailed study yet on this problem in Monday's online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences." This is important information in understanding how these children seem to be biologically different.

Globe and Mail/ Brains of ADHD Children Slower to Develop/ Nov 12, 2007 /Randolph E Schmid

JUST A THOUGHT...
My question would be to look at these children at birth, watch their diet throughout childhood and then test years later to see if the difference in brain development occured at birth or was somehow influenced by a combination of external factors, such as diet.

FLU SEASON

The flu season is upon us and I wanted to remind you of a few strategies you could take in order to best equip yourself with health. Limiting your consumption of white sugar is a must because it paralyses the white blood cell. White blood cells that cannot move cannot engulf bacteria. Replace sugar with honey where possible.

At the first sign of a cold, if your tummy can stand fresh garlic, crush a clove, cover with a bit of honey and swallow it. If you are concerned about the garlic smell, take it right before bedtime and by morning there will be no trace of it. Garlic is a powerful tool against bacteria and virus’.

Vitamin C and zinc are my two favourite “immune nutrients”. Take 2000mg of C twice daily from October to March and 30-50mg of Zinc once a day during the same time period is helpful for prevention.

If you want to get a bit more aggressive, I recommend the infect-2 “natural flu shots” we give at the Family Health Clinic as a means to preventing the flu. Children can take an oral version to avoid the poke. In addition to this shot every 4-6 weeks during the winter, I also recommend muccococinum. This remedy is taken once every 2 weeks for added protection between your shots. My patients love the success of this immune protocol for their entire families.

Don’t forget about the power of exercise when it comes to immunity. In a recent study of post menopausal aged women who exercised for 45 minutes 5 days a week, the incidence of infection was 3 times lower than their non-exercising counterparts. Fantastic! Not only do you stay in shape for that little black New Years dress, but you protect yourself from getting sick as well.

Chubak J, McTiernan A, Soresen B, et al. Moderate-intensity exercise reduces the incidence of colds among postmenopausal women. American Journal of Medicine 2006;119(11):937-942.

DISEASE IN A CAN

Out of over 100 soft drinks and other beverages analyzed by the government, five contained levels of benzene -- a cancer-causing chemical linked to leukemia -- that exceed federal standards set for benzene in drinking water, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While the federal benzene limit for drinking water is 5 parts per billion (ppb), researchers found benzene levels as high as 79 ppb in the drinks, and most had at least some detectable level of benzene present.

Benzene is able to form in beverages that contain vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and the preservatives sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Exposure to heat and light can trigger the formation.

The five drinks that contained excessive benzene levels were:
• Safeway Select Diet Orange
• Crush Pineapple
• AquaCal Strawberry Flavored Water Beverage
• Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange
• Giant Light Cranberry Juice Cocktail.

I am still shocked every time I reflect on the fact that the number one source of calories in America comes from soda. We clearly have a long way to go to share even the most fundamental, basic nutrition concepts to the typical highly deceived and manipulated American consumer.

One of the most important physical choices you can make is to discontinue the use of any types of soda and replace it with clean water or soda alternatives (see below). This can have absolutely profound influences on not only your health but the health of your children.

Studies demonstrate that phosphorus, a common ingredient in soda, can deplete bones of calcium. You will see it on the label as “phosphoric acid”. The acid nature of the ingredient causes the body to release calcium from bone in order to buffer the blood back to a neutral pH. The blood wins, but the bones lose.

A 1994 Harvard study of bone fractures in teenage athletes found a strong association between cola beverage consumption and bone fractures in 14-year-old girls. The girls who drank cola were about five times more likely to suffer bone fractures than girls who didn't consume soda pop.

Surveys have found that parents are major role models for their kids' eating habits, even more so than their peers.

• Almost one-third of the children surveyed drank soft drinks daily, and most drank "regular," not "diet," drinks.
• Consumption was greater among boys than girls and their intake increased as they got older
• Virtually all of the respondents liked or "strongly liked" the taste of soft drinks. The "strongly liked" group was almost five times more likely to have soft drinks at least five times a week
• A child's odds of having a soft drink daily almost doubled if they watched at least 3.5 hours of TV
• Soft drinks are far more likely to be consumed when they're available in homes and schools

So what are the alternatives for the odd treat when you want to serve a beverage other than pure water to your little ones? Health food stores and health supermarkets offer terrific soda look a likes. One of my favorites is the “light mango organic spritzer”. It is fizzy and yummy and nice over ice on a hot day. The ingredients are organic mango purée and naturally carbonated spring water. The “light” has no artificial sweetener, just a lower proportion of the mango so it is not as sweet.

I even cut the light version with Perrier, but those who are used to drinking sweet sodas should have no problem with the full strength version. There is a wide variety of flavors and they come in convenient soda cans for packing to a picnic or party. So for summer time barbeques and special occasions do your family a huge favor and spare their bones, teeth and immune systems by choosing a healthy alternative to regular soda pop.