Be an Ingredient Label Reader. What ARE You Putting On Your Body Every Day?

DEODORANT: Did you know most deodorants on the store shelves feature aluminum as one of the main ingredients? YES!

Read this article to find out about the dangers of Aluminum in Deodorant

I've tried all the natural aluminum-free deodorants on the market and the only one that I like is: Home Health Herbal Magic. I'll alternate between that deodorant and straight baking soda (just add 1-2 drops of water) .

However, not everyone needs to apply stuff to their pitts every day! Simply taking a shower and bathing with soap and water is sometimes enough. As a culture, we would be a lot healthier if we scaled back and only used a few good natural products every day instead of 50 products that are filled with nasties. Learn about the Healthy Person's Guide To Personal Care Products here.

Get out all your cosmetics, lotions, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. and check the health ratings of each here. How healthy are the products you are using?

Antibacterial Soaps: Why You Should Avoid Them Like the Plague

Author: Christine Farlow

Antibacterial soaps DO NOT help your family stay healthy. They may even be making you sick!

Antibacterial soaps have been widely embraced as a way to "kill germs" and prevent illness. But not all bacteria are harmful. And not all "germs" are bacteria.

Some bacteria are beneficial and your body needs them. Antibacterial soap cannot distinguish between harmful and helpful bacteria. It kills all bacteria. When the healthy bacteria that your body needs have been "washed away," it weakens your body's defense system and makes it easier for you to get sick when you're exposed to harmful bacteria.

The most common antibacterial agent used in these soaps is triclosan, which is classified as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a pesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA considers triclosan to be a high risk to human health and to the environment.

Recent studies show that triclosan acts like an antibiotic in the way it kills bacteria and may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Chemically, triclosan is almost the same as some of the most toxic chemicals on earth: dioxins, PCB's, and Agent Orange. Its manufacturing process may produce dioxin, a powerful hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects in the parts per trillion (one drop in 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools!).

Triclosan is a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans. Externally, it can cause skin irritation, but since "...phenols can temporarily deactivate the sensory nerve endings…contact with [triclosan] often causes little or no pain. Internally, it can lead to cold sweats, circulatory collapse, convulsions, coma, and even death."

Triclosan is stored in body fat. "It can accumulate to toxic levels, damaging the liver, kidneys, and lungs, and can cause paralysis, sterility, suppression of immune function, brain hemorrhage, decreased fertility and sexual function, heart problems, and coma." It has not been completely tested and analyzed for all health and environmental risks.

Triclocarban is another antibacterial agent similar to triclosan. Like triclosan, it is also a pesticide. It is widely used in antibacterial soaps and other personal care products. Not much research has been done on the toxicity of triclocarban. However, it has been found to adversely affect lab animals' ability to reproduce and some of its breakdown products cause cancer.

Triclocarban does not completely break down in wastewater treatment, after you wash it down the drain. It has been found in groundwater, streams and drinking water. There are many unanswered questions about whether its presence in fertilizer and the soil cause it to get into the food supply and whether it will cause harm.

These two chemicals alone are enough reason to avoid antibacterial soaps. However, products containing antibacterial agents generally also contain other harmful ingredients. Some of the other ingredients found in these products that you should avoid include:

-DMDM hydantoin

-BHT

-Potassium Lauryl sulfate

-Lauramide diethanolamine (DEA)

-Ammonium lauryl sulfate

-Sodium laureth sulfate

-Tetrasodium EDTA

-Fragrance

-D&C Colors

-FD&C Colors

Antibacterial agents are not only in liquid soaps. It's more common for liquid soap to contain the antibacterial chemicals, about 75% of them do. However, about 30% of the bar soaps also contain chemicals like tricolsan or triclocarban. In addition, these chemicals can also be found in other products, like deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, creams, toothpastes, mouthwashes, detergents, dish soaps and laundry soaps.

It is especially important to avoid using antibacterial soaps on children. These soaps do not protect them and help them to stay healthy. In fact, children need to come in contact with "germs" to help them to develop their immune system. Overuse of antibacterial agents has been linked to allergies and asthma.

It's also important to remember that antibacterial agents do not kill viruses, the microorganisms responsible for colds and flu.

The best soap to use for hand washing and general body care is a pure and natural soap, liquid or bar, without the harsh and harmful chemicals.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/antibacterial-soaps-why-you-should-avoid-them-like-the-plague-64226.html

About the Author:

© 2006 Christine H. Farlow, D.C., "The Ingredients Investigator" and author of DYING TO LOOK GOOD. Learn more about ingredient safety in skin care products and find healthy products at DyingToLookGood.com.

Dangers of Aluminum, Toxic, Alzheimer's Disease, Health Risk, Aluminum Foil, Deodorant,Pots, Pans

Have you limited your exposure to aluminum?

I've made the switch to aluminum-free deodorant (Crystal); however the next to go is aluminum foil! Glass mason jars & glass Pyrex storage sets are going to replace aluminum foil (and plastics) in my kitchen.

YES, it's a continual process to be aware of items which contain aluminum so that you can minimize YOUR exposure.

Healing With Nutrition explains "One of the main toxic elements associated with Alzheimer's Disease is aluminum. Brain cells get tangled and die off; a study has shown that aluminum is a cofactor in the formation of these neurofibrillary tangles. As people get older, their body's ability to detoxify harmful toxins like aluminum decreases, and so concentrations of toxins remain and build up to unhealthy levels. This logically explains why Alzheimer's Disease usually occurs in relation to age increases. Also explained is the fact that those with Alzheimer's Disease show higher levels of aluminum.

What products contain aluminum?

Healing With Nutrition lists "Aluminum exposure also comes from deodorants; pots, pans, and silverware; food wrapped with aluminum foil; and non-dairy creamer, baking powder, and many brands of table salt. Minimal exposure to these items is crucial in keeping aluminum levels low. "

Soft Drinks-The Drinks of Champions?

Author: Craig Burton

One of the most heavily promoted and "coolest" products around are soft drinks. Millions are spent on superstars advertising coke, pepsi and the like. We know they are not healthy but how damaging is that innocent - and many would say satisfying - can of coke to our health?

In the following article I will outline:

1. The current soft drink epidemic

2. The ingredients

3. The physical cost from soft drink ingredients

1. The current soft drink epidemic

In the U.K. in 2004 nearly 14 billion litres of soft drink were consumed. The 2004 total soft drinks figure represents an increase of 47% over the past ten years. (1)

In Australia soft drink consumption increased by over 30% in the 10 years to 1999. 50% of 16-18 year olds consumed soft drinks every day. (2)

These popular beverages account for more than a quarter of all drinks consumed in the United States. More than 56.9 billion liters were sold in 2000 - that works out to at least one can per day for every man, woman and child. Soft drink consumption among children and adolescents rose 41% between 1989-1991 and 1994-1995, mostly displacing milk and juice, the leading sources of many vitamins and minerals in the American diet. (3)

2. The ingredients

One can of soft drink has about:
• 10-13 teaspoons of sugar
• 30 to 55 mg of caffeine
• And additionally it is loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites

3. Physical costs from soft drink ingredients

• Sugar: Soft drink manufacturers are the largest single user of refined sugar in the United States. It is a proven fact that sugar increases insulin levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, premature aging and numerous other negative side effects including associated tooth disease problems.

• Caffeine: Caffeinated drinks cause many nervous system reactions including the jitters and insomnia. High caffeine use is associated with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion that potentially leads to disease.

• Aspartame: This chemical is used as a sugar substitute in diet soda. There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption including brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilepsy/seizures. Further, when aspartame is stored for long periods of time or kept in warm areas it changes to methanol, an alcohol that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens. Please see February and March Peak Performance editions to read more on this deadly product.

• Phosphoric Acid: May interfere with the body's ability to use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth and bones. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which can interfere with digestion, making it difficult to utilize nutrients. (4)

• Benzene: Recent random government testing of soft drinks found five of them contaminated with levels of benzene (which is a cancer-causing chemical linked to leukemia) that exceeded federal standards set for benzene in drinking water. 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. (5)

Looking at the consumption statistics and related health consequences I have no doubt soft drinks are one of the main reasons from a nutritionally perspective why many people suffer health problems. Aside from the negative effects of the soda itself, drinking a lot of it is likely to leave you with little appetite for whole foods that your body needs to function at its best.

Your 3d Coach
Craig Burton
References
(1) http://www.researchandmarkets.com/ reportinfo.asp? report_id=302947.
(2) http://www.nutritionaustralia.com.au/SNAC/ soft-drink-final-paper.pdf
(3) Squires, S, The Amazing Statistics and Dangers of Soda Pop, 2001 http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/10/ soda_pop_dangers.htm
(4) Mercola, J, The Real Dangers of Soda to You and Your Children, mercola.com, 2003 http://www.mercola.com/2003/jul/9/soda_dangers.htm
(5) Soft Drinks: Disease in a can, bloomberg.com, May 20, 2006

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/soft-drinks-the-drinks-of-champions-195102.html

About the Author:
Article by Craig Burton. Craig is a prominent European based holistic health and fitness coach and founder of 3D Personal Training Systems. Craig is a Sports Science graduate with postgraduate accreditations in nutrition, massage, athletic training, and corrective exercise therapy.

He is the author of "The 21 Day Roadmap to Health" available at http://www.21dayroadmap.com.

Receive your FREE 3d pts tools including the 7 Part Series: Success Strategies for transforming the body, mind and spirit, our FREE monthly Peak Performance Newsletter and our FREE questionnaire to find out more about your current health status at http://www.3dpts.com/freetools.

For more information and articles on health and fitness visit http://www.3dpts.com/articles.

Xylitol Epic Gum & Mints: NO Aspartame & Sugar-Free

Whew! I found a sugar-free gum and mints that have NO aspartame in them. Instead they are sweetened with 100% Xylitol, which is a "healthy alternative to sugar".

As a frequent gum chewer, I'm thrilled that I don't have to give up my gum chewing days. Instead, I will replace my conventional aspartame filled junk with Epic Gum. This gum is kid friendly too.

Xylitol has benefits!
http://www.epicdental.com/t-learn-about-xylitol.aspx

How is Epic kid friendly?
http://www.epicdental.com/t-improve-kids-hygiene-habits.aspx

Learn more about Epic
http://www.epicdental.com

What are the dangers of aspartame?
http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-information.html

Source:
http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Dangers_in_Aspartame
According to numerous reports, 75 percent or more of food reactions reported to the FDA are aspartame-related. Some reported reactions thought to be caused by aspartame include:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Memory loss
• Fatigue
• Vision loss

Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) has a very recent study out that covers its findings on how aspartame in low doses does affect one’s probability of developing cancer. This study also reports that when fetuses are exposed to aspartame, the life-long rates for developing cancer can increase.