Then again, maybe not. Air conditioning is a mixed blessing.

In climates that are consistently hot, it can be a lifesaver.

But it does have its tradeoffs. You should be aware that living in a consistently air-conditioned environment can do both good and not-so-good things to your body.

The good

1 Air conditioning boosts metabolism. Spending time in cold air or cold weather can cause your body to develop healthy, energy-burning brown fat. This can happen if you spend enough time in an air-conditioned environment.

2 Air conditioning helps you think. Have you ever felt like your brain was “fried” after spending too much time in extreme heat? I know I have.

There may be something to it. A 2018 Harvard study showed that students who lived in dorms without air conditioning during hot summer months did worse on cognitive tests than those who had cool central air.

For seniors, not the college kind, but the kind over 65, heat may actually contribute to neurodegeneration, so they need to keep cool too.

3 Air conditioning helps you sleep. As part of your natural sleep cycle, your body needs to cool down, and a cool room can help this happen. We all know how awful a hot, sweaty, restless night can feel.

Experts say that a temperature of between 60 and 67 degrees is ideal for rest. Air conditioning is sometimes the tool you need to get there.

4 Air conditioning saves lives during heat waves. Once your body temperature exceeds 102 degrees, you’re at risk of heat exhaustion. If your temperature rises even further, you could end up with heatstroke.

Air conditioning may come with some negative effects, but there’s no doubt that it saves lives during periods of extremely high temperatures.

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The bad

5 Air conditioning affects indoor air quality. Working in an air-conditioned building with poor ventilation can raise your risk of ‘sick building syndrome.’

You may notice recurring symptoms that seem to appear whenever you’re in a particular building. This happened to me years ago, every time I’d return to the school I taught in after a week of school vacation.

Symptoms may include headaches, dry cough, dizziness and nausea, runny nose, and brain fog.

For tips on improving indoor air quality (even during the winter months) check out these four tips. And be aware of other sneaky things, like your stove, that can impact your air quality.

6 Air conditioning dehydrates you. Air conditioning works by sucking moisture out of a room to bring down the humidity and cool things off. The trouble is, it can also pull water from your skin, dry it out, and dehydrate you.

7 Air conditioning dries out your eyes. The lack of humidity caused by air conditioning can dry your eyes, make them irritated or itchy, or even cause blurry vision.

8 Air conditioning irritates airways. Studies show that people who work in air-conditioned buildings have more respiratory problems than those who work where there is natural ventilation. These problems include irritated nasal passages and trouble breathing.

9 Air conditioning can make your head ache. Dirty or poorly maintained HVAC (heating/ventilation/air conditioning) systems are more likely to have headaches or even migraines.

In one study, eight percent of people who worked in environments with unhealthy indoor air had a headache anywhere between one and three days per month, and another eight percent had headaches every single day.

10 Air conditioning lowers your heat tolerance. Since your body’s ideal temperature depends largely on whatever temperature you’ve recently been exposed to, the more time you spend in air-conditioned rooms, the more uncomfortable heat and humidity will feel. Scientists call this the “adaptive comfort model.”

11 Air conditioning pollutes the outside air. In the 1990s, the U.S. Clean Air Act began phasing out older A/C units that released chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a refrigerant that harms the ozone layer.

This is one “downside” to air conditioning you can do something about. If you still own one of these older units, replace it with a newer model.

12 Air conditioning can worsen allergy symptoms. Again, here’s one you have some control over.

A clean air conditioner can actually help tame allergies, but an HVAC system can quickly and easily become a home for microbial allergens. Be sure to have your air conditioner or system inspected and cleaned regularly.

Sources:

What Air Conditioning Does to Your Body — Web MD

Sick Building Syndrome — Healthline

The post 12 surprising ways air conditioning affects us appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In certain Asian cultures, washing rice before cooking is a given. The chef checks through the rice to remove any husks or stones, then rinses the rice repeatedly until the cloudy water runs clear. Some people actually scrub the wet grains of rice between their hands before rinsing it.

Culinary experts are split as to whether washing rice is necessary. From a cooking standpoint, if you want your dish to have separate grains of rice, they advise washing away the excess starch clinging to the surface of the grains. But if you’re making a dish like risotto, paella or rice pudding, they say you should probably skip the wash so your dish remains starchy, sticky and creamy.

What these experts fail to consider is another very good reason in favor of washing rice….

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Washing rice rids it of harmful heavy metals

Rice is known to contain relatively high levels of the toxic heavy metal arsenic because the crop absorbs it as it grows. Arsenic levels in rice vary depending on where it’s grown, the type of rice and how it’s cooked. One study found the highest level of arsenic was in the United States.

When heavy metals build up in the body they’re capable of contributing to autoimmune diseases and the underlying inflammation that accelerates the process of chronic illness, including heart disease.

The good news here is that washing rice has been shown to remove about 90 percent of bioaccessible arsenic — the type that the body is able to absorb.

In addition to arsenic, washing rice has been found to decrease levels of other dangerous heavy metals like lead and cadmium by between 7 and 20 percent.

Then, there are microplastics…

Unfortunately, rice is just as likely as other foods to be contaminated with microplastics thanks to the heavy use of plastics in the food supply chain. And a study found that rice contains the same level of microplastics regardless of whether it’s packaged in paper or plastic bags.

Luckily, the researchers found that by washing your rice, you’ll be rinsing up to 20 percent of the microplastics away. That at least puts a dent in the 10,000 plastic particles each of us is estimated to consume yearly!

If you use pre-cooked instant rice, you’ll be interested to know that study found four times the microplastics than in regular uncooked rice. By rinsing your instant rice, you could reduce microplastics by 40 percent.

While washing won’t have any effect on the bacterial content of rice, the high cooking temperature will kill any bacteria that might be present. Just make sure you don’t store washed or cooked rice at room temperature for long or it can activate the bacterial spores from the Bacillus cereus pathogen.

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You can still have creamy rice — and your good health

If you’re concerned about heavy metals, you can read more about how they can weigh your health down — and how you can lessen their load in your body.

If you’re concerned about whether washing rice will make it a lot less starchy and ruin your dish, don’t be. That’s been debunked.

A different starch inside the rice grain, amylopectin, is what produces the sticky, creamy effect, and different types of rice contain different amounts.

For instance, the type of rice used to make risotto, arborio, contains a lot more amylopectin starch than basmati rice, which is why arborio rice turns out so much creamier.

Sources:

Yes, You Should Wash Rice, But Not For The Reason You Think — ScienceAlert

Do you need to wash rice before cooking it? It all depends on what you’re cooking — ABC Everyday

A Guide to the Different Types of Rice — Chef’s Corner Store

The post 3 reasons to wash your rice: Lead, cadmium and arsenic appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But I’ll admit there are definite advantages to living in a more rural setting. And one of them is being surrounded by green, growing things.

In one study, Harvard researchers found women living in areas with more greenery were 12 percent less likely to die than women living in areas with the least vegetation. They also had lower levels of depression and reduced rates of cancer and respiratory disease, likely because all that greenery helps reduce pollution.

I’d certainly prefer to have less exposure to pollution, especially the type that can cause cancer. But I’m not willing or able to pack up and move to the country.

So what’s a city girl to do?

Just bring the greenery inside…

Plants can detox the air

According to the World Health Organization, poor air quality is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths worldwide. And we’re not just talking about outdoor air…

The air within our homes and other buildings can be even more polluted than outdoor air even in the largest, most industrialized cities. And since most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors at home, school or the workplace, it’s especially important to keep your indoor air as clean as possible.

That’s where having plants can help. Previous studies on indoor plants have shown they can absorb a wide range of indoor air contaminants, including benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and carbon monoxide.

To get a more detailed picture, Australian researchers conducted a study into the ability of plants to clean up exhaust fumes. These fumes from gas combustion engines are one of the largest sources of toxic compounds in buildings.

Because offices and residential apartment buildings are often connected directly to parking areas, it’s difficult to avoid the intrusion of harmful gas-related compounds into work and residential areas. Breathing these fumes can lead to lung irritation, headaches and nausea. They’ve also been linked to an increased risk of cancer, asthma and other chronic diseases from long-term exposure.

The researchers studied the effect of a small green wall containing a mixture of indoor plants on the air in a sealed chamber. When taking measurements, they found the small green wall had removed 97 percent of the most toxic compounds from the surrounding air in just eight hours.

The researchers say the study results far exceeded their expectations…

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“This is the first time plants have been tested for their ability to remove petrol-related compounds, and the results are astounding,” says Fraser Torpy, an associate professor and bioremediation researcher at University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Not only did the plants remove the majority of gas-related pollutants from the air in a matter of hours, they absorbed the most harmful compounds from the air efficiently. “For example, known carcinogen benzene is digested at a faster rate than less harmful substances, like alcohols,” Torpy says.

“We also found that the more concentrated the toxins in the air, the faster and more effective the plants became at removing the toxins, showing that plants adapt to the conditions they’re growing in,” he adds.

Bringing plants into your home

If you’re considering adding houseplants to your home or workplace but feel overwhelmed about keeping them alive, start small. Go to a garden center and select one plant, and make sure you get instructions on how best to care for it. Once you’ve mastered that plant, then you’ll feel more comfortable bringing home others.

If you’re specifically looking for easy-to-care-for plants that remove toxins from the air, give the bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) or Janet Craig (Dracaena fragrans “Janet Craig”) a try. Both of these plants do well in low-light conditions, so you don’t have to worry if your home doesn’t get a lot of sun.

Other plants that are good at removing air toxins include:

• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
• English ivy (Hedera helix)*
• Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
• Marginata (Dracaena marginata)
• Mass cane/corn plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”)
• Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii)
• Pot mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)*
• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”)*

*If you have pets, be sure to avoid plants that may be harmful to them, like those in the list above with asterisks. Here’s a more complete list to check.

Sources:

Plants remove cancer-causing toxins from air — University of Technology Sydney

The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality — United States Environmental Protection Agency

Cleaning Indoor Air With Plants — HGTV

Your Complete Guide to Caring for a Bamboo Palm in Your Home — Plantz

Janet Craig Dracaena: Low Light Workhorse Houseplant — Plant Care Today

The post Remove cancer-causing toxins from your home with plants appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Major metro areas, such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., are experiencing very unhealthy air quality advisories — while some of the smoke has drifted as far south as Georgia, but only affecting the Metro Atlanta Air Quality to a “moderate” degree.

Depending on where you live, you may be wondering how the poor air quality may affect you.

First of all, it’s important to understand the risks from air pollution, especially exposure to what’s known as fine particulate air matter, which includes pollution carried on the wind and can include dust and soil, both capable of containing various types of toxins.

However, it’s even more concerning when it relates to smoke from wildfires. The reason?

It’s been found to be among the most toxic to people compared to fine particle air matter exposure from other sources.

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Fine particulate air matter affects the cardiovascular system

There are different types of air pollution and they are categorized often by size. They are made up of particulates — atmospheric aerosol particles or particulate matter.

Sources of these particulates can be natural or man-made chemicals (in cases of fires, you often get a little of both). PM2.5 is so fine you never even know you’re inhaling it.

In previous research on non-smoking healthy individuals, researchers exposed them to concentrated ambient particulate matter for two hours. The result was a decrease in heart rate variability, along with increased lymphocyte and white blood cell levels.

Increases in white blood cell and lymphocyte levels are signs of increased inflammation in the body, which means the immune system is rapidly activated to fight the incoming stimulus. Decreased heart rate variability is a sign of autonomic nervous system dysfunction — the part of the nervous system that controls the cardiovascular system.

Quite surprisingly, these inhaled particles have acute effects on the cardiovascular system that could lead to a pollution-triggered heart attack.

According to a Journal of the American Heart Association Report, researchers examined cardiac arrests during 14 wildfire-affected counties in California between 2015 and 2017. They found that out-of-hospital cardiac arrests:

• increased on days rated as heavy smoke density and for several days afterward, with the highest risk (70% higher than on days with no smoke) on the second day after smoke exposure;
• increased among both men and women and in people aged 35 and older exposed to heavy smoke; and
• increased in communities with lower socioeconomic status (20% or more people living below the poverty line) with both medium and heavy smoke exposure.

According to Ana G. Rappold, Ph.D., a research scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment in the Office of Research and Development, “Particulate matter from smoke that is inhaled can penetrate deeply into the lungs, and very small particles may cross into the bloodstream. These particles can create an inflammatory reaction in the lungs and throughout the body. The body’s defense system may react to activate the fight-or-flight system, increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels and increasing blood pressure. These changes can lead to disturbances in the heart’s normal rhythm, blockages in blood vessels and other effects creating conditions that could lead to cardiac arrest.”

Protection from particulate air matter

In areas hardest hit by the air pollution from the Canadian wildfires, public health officials are warning older people and those with heart or breathing problems to stay inside — or at the least wear a mask if they must venture out. N95 masks are the most effective.

Even if you live in areas, not as heavily affected and have heart or issues like asthma or COPD, it would be wise to stay inside till of this literally blows over.

But you should know, wildfires or none, living near low levels of air pollution for a handful of years makes serious structural changes to your heart… even if you’re relatively young and healthy.

If you have access to an air purifier or can have someone deliver one to you, strongly consider it as an option. It’s also a good idea to install an indoor HEPA air filter in your HVAC return to minimize the particulates in the air of your home — or add houseplants that can improve your indoor air.

Now would also be a good time to consider supplementing B vitamins…

Research by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, individuals who were exposed to the same amount of pollution but were given B vitamin supplements for four weeks afterward, were able to almost completely reverse the pollution damage caused to their immune and cardiovascular systems.

In fact, B vitamin supplementation appeared to show incredible opposition…

• A 150 percent reduction in the particulate matter’s effects on heart rate
• A 139 percent reduced effect on white blood cell count
• And a 106 percent reduced effect on lymphocyte count

The post What are your health risks from the Canadian wildfires? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

At that time, we shared that five of the tested juices contained enough heavy metals to threaten the health of adults if they drank four ounces per day, and five more contained enough heavy metals to threaten the health of adults if they drank eight ounces per day.

If you still haven’t given up juice, a new study has emerged that shows just how widespread these toxins are — not only in juice but also in so-called “health” drinks that have become increasingly popular…

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From juices to plant-based milks, sodas and tea

Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause skin and lung cancer, neurological damage and heart disease. And exposure to cadmium can cause neurological damage, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension and kidney disease.

They are just two of 25 toxic metals and trace elements researchers at Tulane University tested levels of in 60 commercially available beverages.

It wasn’t much of a surprise to them that mixed-fruit juices contained elevated concentrations of toxic metals more often than other drinks. But it might surprise you as much as it did me to learn they found the same high levels in plant-based milks, like oat and almond.

In fact, out of the 60 drinks tested:

• Five contained levels of toxic metal exceeding federal drinking water standards.
• Two mixed juices had levels of arsenic above the 10 microgram/liter standard.
• A cranberry juice, a mixed carrot and fruit juice and an oat milk each had levels of cadmium higher than the 3 parts per billion standard.
• Seven of the 25 elements tested exceeded drinking water standards in some of the drinks: nickel, manganese, boron, cadmium, strontium, arsenic and selenium.
• Lead was detected in more than 93 percent of the 60 beverages, though most contained very low levels. The highest level was found in a lime sports drink, but it was still below both EPA and WHO standards for lead in drinking water.

The highest risks are to children and infants and the experts advise limiting these types of drinks.

Says lead author Tewodros Godebo, a Tulane University professor, “Arsenic, lead, and cadmium are known carcinogens and well established to cause internal organ damage and cognitive harm in children, especially during early brain development.”

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Should adults be concerned?

Even if the amount in this latest study of beverages was considered “low risk” for adults, you must consider your exposure from other sources — and for good reason…

Exposure to heavy metals can increase risks for cardiovascular disease by increasing oxidative stress in the blood vessels. Air pollution has been found to do the same and contribute to cognitive decline — even at levels well below the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and ozone.

Some heavy metals are found naturally in soil, but industrial pollution has led to a surge. Water runoff pollutes the groundwater and makes its way to farmland. Particulate matter (PM), tiny particles of air pollution, has strong potential for absorbing toxic metals that may enter the body through inhalation.

At this point, there may not be much you can control about your exposure through the air, water and soil, but you can cut down on known sources — like these beverages — that bring these dangers directly into your body.

There are also steps you can take to promote the elimination of toxic heavy metals. For instance, Dr. Michael Cutler has written about “chelators” that bind to heavy metals to remove them from the body. You can also eat cleansing foods like organic vegetables, particularly broccoli.

Sources:

Study finds elevated levels of toxic metals in some mixed-fruit juices and soft drinks — EurekAlert!

Toxic metals and essential elements contents in commercially available fruit juices and other non-alcoholic beverages from the United States — Journal of Food Composition and Analysis

The post Drinking toxins: Heavy metal contamination reaches beyond juice appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Yes, it’s convenient, and yes, it’s good at keeping your drinks cold or hot. And if you want to take your dinner home from the steakhouse, it’s hard to escape.

But the price you’re paying — the price we’re all paying — is becoming more and more clear, to the point where it’s hard to deny that we’re better off without it.

Microplastics and nanoplastics

Microplastics are plastic particles that are between 0.001 and 5 millimeters in size. Many are still visible to the naked eye.

Nanoplastics, on the other hand, are smaller than 0.001 millimeters in size and are invisible to the naked eye.

Both are hazardous to your health, and you’re being exposed to both … more than you think.

Eating fish and seafood that have consumed both types of particles is the most common way we ingest them without even knowing it.

But there are other sources, including things we consider good for us, like bottled water and vegetables.

Besides being toxic themselves, plastic particles pose a problem for another reason.

Other environmental poisons “hitch a ride” on microplastic particles that we ingest, and so get a lot closer to the walls of our cells than they normally would. From there, they can easily enter our bloodstream, and in a much more concentrated form.

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Styrofoam: one of the worst offenders

Polystyrene, better known as styrofoam, is one of the most treacherous nanoplastics of all.

Polystyrene releases the chemical styrene, which The Department of Health and Human Services’s National Toxicology Program has listed as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that short-term exposure to styrene can affect the nervous system, causing depression, weakness, fatigue, and nausea. Long-term exposure can cause liver and nerve tissue damage, as well as cancer.

Styrofoam nanoparticles reach the brain in just two hours

An Austrian and a Hungarian scientist have led a group of researchers in exploring just how polystyrene nanoparticles are able to cross the protective blood-brain barrier and enter the bloodstream.

They administered nanoparticles to mice by mouth, and something scary happened.

Despite having a protective barrier similar to humans, the nanoparticles reached the mouse brain in just two hours!

The researchers believe that the nature of the surface structure of each particle is key in letting it pass through the blood-brain barrier.

More research is needed, but other things are already known for certain. Both micro- and nanoparticles in the gastrointestinal tract have already been linked with localized inflammatory and autoimmune reactions, as well as the development of cancer.

“In the brain, plastic particles could increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders or even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” says lead author Lukas Kenner of the Medical University of Vienna.

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How to cut down on plastic in your brain and body

“To minimize the potential harm of micro- and nanoplastic particles to humans and the environment, it is crucial to limit exposure and restrict their use while further research is carried out into the effects of MNPs,” says Prof. Kenner.

While it might seem impossible to steer clear of these particles, you can minimize your exposure.

Buy organic. Even better, know the source. If you can gain access to local farmers and fishermen, you stand a better chance of finding cleaner food.

Drink tap water – and use a filter. According to one study, anyone who drinks the recommended 1.5-2 liters of water per day from plastic bottles will end up ingesting around 90,000 plastic particles a year in the process.

However, drinking tap water instead can — depending on the geographical location — help reduce this figure to 40,000. And using a water filter in your home will further reduce the particles you drink.

Basically, the more you can eliminate plastic from your world, especially your food, the better. Use glass storage containers instead of plastic, and avoid plastic wrappers as much as possible, or transfer your food to glass as soon as you get it home.

And of course, you should be doing things to support your liver as it removes poisons from your body, including detoxifying your body with the right foods and supplements.

Sources:

Tiny plastic particles also find their way into the brain — Eureka Alert

Micro- and Nanoplastics Breach the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB): Biomolecular Corona’s Role Revealed — Nanomaterials

The perils of polystyrene and why it should be banned — World Centric

Public health statement on styrene — cdc.gov

The post Tiny plastic particles can reach the brain in just 2 hours appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Spring cleaning washes away months of dirt, dust and grease, freshens the air, and gets rid of clutter. And, if done with some happy music in the background, it can be fun!

But you can do more than just clean your home this spring. With a little planning, you can detoxify and cleanse your home and make it a healthier living space than it’s ever been before.

I’ve written before about the host of harmful chemicals in household cleaners. Phthalates are among the worst. They’re in any products that make your home smell good, from air fresheners to dish soap to laundry detergent. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors. They interrupt the function of your body’s many hormones — including your thyroid hormones.

Now I’d like to offer you a comprehensive list of tips on cleaning and detoxifying your home this spring that are safer. Even if you do half of these things, you’ll be breathing easier in the coming months.

Here’s how you can purge your home of hormone-harming, life-stealing toxins…

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8 things you can do now

1. Keep houseplants in every room.
Living with green plants increases the oxygen level in your home. During photosynthesis, plants absorb the carbon dioxide we breathe out and release oxygen.

At night, photosynthesis stops and most plants give off carbon dioxide. A few, including orchids, succulents and bromeliads, continue absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen at night.

Also, see this NASA-approved list of plants you should keep throughout your home and especially in your bedroom to improve the air quality in your home while you sleep.

Note: Many beautiful plants are poisonous to dogs and cats and to curious babies and young children. Check with your pediatrician or your veterinarian before selecting houseplants that your children or furry friends might want to taste.

2. Take shoes off at the door.
Keeping dirt, soil and dust out of your home is important for more than cosmetic reasons. Most of the dirt, lead and toxins in your home come in on your shoes. So it’s a good idea to leave your shoes at the door and put on house slippers to avoid tracking it inside.

Simple trick: instead of placing your doormat horizontally across the doorstep, place it vertically. More dirt will be scraped off that way.

3. Freshen the air without chemicals.
Using synthetic air sprays and other fresheners is hazardous to your health. These products contain carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, respiratory irritants and other toxins.

Instead, put a box of baking soda in an inconspicuous place in your kitchen and bathroom, buy some fresh flowers, and open a window. Homemade sprays that include distilled water and essential oils are lovely and non-toxic.

I’ve been using a combination of distilled water, pure vanilla extract and sweet orange essential oil to sweeten the air in my kitchen.

Quick tip: Keep your orange or lemon peels and place them in about half a cup of water in a small sauce pan. Throw in a couple of cloves and simmer on your stovetop on low. Makes the whole house smell great!

4. Switch to pure beeswax candles.
Paraffin candles release benzene and toluene, both known carcinogens. As for soy candles, they are still processed with small amounts of paraffin, and most contain artificial fragrances.

Beeswax candles, on the other hand, burn clean, with no black petroleum-based soot. They give off a wonderful warm honey smell.

5. Stop cleaning with poison.
You’d be surprised at how a few inexpensive items you probably have at home can substitute for toxic cleaning products.

For example, a paste made from baking soda, castile soap and a few drops of the essential oil of your choice can clean sinks, counters, tiles and toilets beautifully (a final wash with water removes any baking soda residue).

A little research online or at your bookstore will reveal many aromatic housecleaning formulas that are safe and easy to make. Why not infuse your home with lavender, sweet orange or peppermint, instead of eau de formaldehyde?

6. Use essential oils for cleaning.
Commercial antibacterial products contain triclosan and formaldehyde, which lead to thyroid disruption and inflammation. Oregano oil soap or tea tree oil are great alternatives.

Clove oil is a sweet-smelling, non-chemical way to ditch the bleach and still get rid of mold and mildew.

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7. Filter your water.
There’s a lot we can do proactively to keep toxins out of our homes. One easy step is to purchase and install filters for drinking water taps and showerheads.

EWG’s Tap Water Database can help you identify potential toxins in your community’s drinking water.

In my small town water, it identified seven contaminants above health guideline levels, including arsenic, cadmium and cancer-causing PFOAs. Sure glad I’ve got a water filter on my tap!

But why a shower filter? Because many contaminants in tap water become gases at room temperature. A shower filter can help keep these toxins out of your air.

8. Filter your air.
Vacuum regularly. Those dust bunnies are natural magnets for chemicals. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, and an allergen-capturing dust bag.

Placing a free-standing HEPA air purifier unit in your living room and bedroom will dramatically reduce the dust and airborne toxins you breathe. Be sure to get one large enough for the room and make note of when filters need changing.

Remember to change the filter regularly in the return air vent of your home’s HVAC system.

Little-known tip: Did you know you can also filter the air in your home as it blows through your registers? You can find small filters at most home goods stores that are easy to cut to size. And, they are easy to slip into your floor or ceiling registers. This way the air in your home is filtered as it is pulled into the return air vent, as well as when it blows back out through the registers.

The post 8 ways to rid your home of dust, dirt and toxins this spring appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, are a class of chemicals that don’t naturally break down, and so they accumulate in water, soil, and in the human body.

They’re also found in everything from non-stick cookware to takeout containers to cosmetics.

Studies have shown that high levels of these “forever chemicals” increase the risk of cancer and other adverse health effects, including liver damage and thyroid disease.

Finally, after years of waiting, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to protect our drinking water from these devastatingly harmful chemicals.

Experts are excited by this development.

But some are asking, “Is that enough?”

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A good first step… but ONLY a first step

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finally proposed strict limits on six common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.

It’s taken way longer than it should have for the government to get around to actually regulating these dangerous chemicals in the water we drink and cook with.

But now that they have, many experts are calling for them to do even more by holding manufacturers of products with PFAS accountable.

The EPA’s proposal for cleaning up drinking water “just doesn’t go far enough,” says Carmen Messerlian, a professor of reproductive environmental epidemiology at Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health.

“The government needs to hold these companies strictly accountable at the highest level possible and say, ‘No more PFAS, we’re banning them,” she says.

Elsie Sunderland, a professor of environmental chemistry who leads environmental contaminants research at Harvard, would agree.

“You can’t just regulate in drinking water, without addressing the other side,” Professor Sunderland said, referring to the countless US companies selling products full of PFAS.

She points out that, while filtration systems can remove “forever chemicals” like PFOA and PFOS (the most common) from our drinking water, that doesn’t stop them from entering our bodies through food, furniture, clothing, makeup and other items.

The root of the problem

Even in a “best case scenario” where the government ends all use of PFAS, Professor Sunderland warns that the same thing will happen again with other chemicals — unless we address the real cause of the problem…

That, she says, is the “innocent until proven guilty” system in place: the U.S. regulation that does not require that any new chemical be thoroughly vetted for safety or human-health hazards before it’s used on the market.

As things stand, chemical manufacturers are “innocent until proven guilty,” she says,  and the burden of proof falls on people and communities who try and sue companies over health issues they believe are related to “forever chemicals” in products they’re using.

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So, what can you do?

Although this may seem like an insurmountable problem, there are things you can do to limit your exposure to PFAS:

Check your area’s water supply. The Environmental Working Group has created an interactive, county-by-county map to show areas where drinking water has been found unsafe.

Use the right filter. Use a reverse osmosis filter on your taps. Carbon filters won’t reliably remove PFOA. Only a reverse osmosis filter can remove already dissolved particles.

Ask questions. Contact your local water authority and find out whether they test for PFOA. If they do, find out what the levels are (in parts per billion). Remember that this chemical is not safe at any level, but your water should definitely register at one ppb or less.

Avoid products with PFOA. These include stain-resistant carpets and Teflon pans. Electric kitchen appliances with nonstick coatings, such as rice cookers, pressure cookers and waffle irons, can also be coated with Teflon.

And those Chinese takeout boxes? Anything with that smooth, shiny coating may be full of Teflon and PFC chemicals.

Don’t eat microwave popcorn. The inside of the bag is usually coated with a perfluorinated chemical (PFC) called a fluorotelomer that can break down to form PFOA.

Check out your personal care products. PFCs are added to some cosmetics (nail polish, moisturizers, and eye makeup), as well as shaving cream and dental floss. Avoid products that include the words “fluoro” or “perfluoro” on the label.

Support your liver. Your liver is your body’s main detoxing organ, responsible for filtering your blood and removing toxins and waste. But forever chemicals don’t come out of the body easily. By supporting the natural detox processes, it may lighten the liver’s load in general. Certain nutrients support the liver’s processes and chelating agents may help facilitate them.

Sources:

EPA Moves to Limit ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water, But Is It Enough? — Science Alert

Maine’s ban on ‘forever chemicals’ marks a big win for some scientists — Science

The EPA wants to regulate hazardous ‘forever chemicals,’ which are found in items like pizza boxes, nonstick pans, and cleaning products — Insider

FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Launches Plan to Combat PFAS Pollution — The White House

PFAS Bans, Restrictions Go Into Effect in States in 2023 — Bloomberg Law

The post Regulating forever chemicals in your water: Too little too late? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

You may also have read that my father had Parkinson’s disease, so I’ve witnessed first-hand what it can do to a person.

Well, I’m now looking at research pointing to another widely used chemical, also one you probably don’t even know you’re interacting with, that sends the risk for Parkinson’s disease sky-high for all of us…

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The degreaser we’ve been drinking for years

Trichloroethylene (TCE) has been used for at least 100 years, and is still in use, despite long-standing evidence of how easily it spreads and of its connection to disease.

TCE was widely used as a solvent in industrial, consumer, medical and military settings. Its use peaked in the 1970s when two pounds per American were manufactured annually and used to remove paint, correct typing mistakes, clean engines and anesthetize patients.

And, up until the 1970s it was even used in the process to decaffeinate coffee!

Currently, it’s still popular as a solvent for degreasing metal parts and used in the manufacture of a variety of products including wood finished, adhesives and paint and stain removers. It’s also still the primary solvent used to dry clean fabrics in the U.S.

But the most likely way you’d be exposed to TCE without knowing is through your tap water. TCE breaks down better in air, so in soil, it can easily pass through to groundwater, which then becomes the water coming out of your tap that you may drink and use for cooking.

And over the last fifty years or so, research in mice has shown how easily TCE enters both the brain and body tissue…

Recent research and recommendations

At high doses, TCE damages our mitochondria, the energy-producing part of our cells.

A 2008 study established a strong connection between TCE and Parkinson’s. TCE causes the loss of nerve cells whose job it is to produce dopamine. The loss of these dopamine-producing cells is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease.

In addition, a small epidemiological study found that occupational or hobby exposure to the solvent was associated with a 500% increased risk of developing Parkinson’s.

In a hypothesis paper in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, an international team of researchers assert that TCE may be an “invisible cause” of the rise in the number of Parkinson’s disease cases seen in the United States.

A 2022 study backed by the Parkinson’s Foundation showed that nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the U.S. each year, a 50 percent increase from the previous estimate of 60,000 diagnoses annually.

The authors of the hypothesis paper recommend a number of steps be taken:

• Use of vapor remediation systems similar to those used to eliminate radon
• More research to better understand how TCE contributes to Parkinson’s
• Closer monitoring of groundwater, drinking water, soil and outdoor and indoor air
• Ultimately, a ban on the use of TCE in the United States

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How to protect yourself from TCE

As long as TCE is still in use, you’ll want to know how to protect yourself.

The federal government has established the safe drinking water standard (also called maximum contaminant level (MCL)) for trichloroethylene as 5 ppb. Local municipalities frequently test drinking water for impurities to make sure it meets EPA guidelines. Public

If your water is provided from a well, have your water tested. Testing of a private water supply is the responsibility of the property owner. The best way to reduce the amount of TCE from drinking water to at least the MCL is a granular activated carbon filter.

Finally, I’d like to offer you the following solid information from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:

How can I be exposed to TCE?

How can I reduce my exposure and my family’s exposure?

Sources:

Hidden Danger in Your Groundwater? Widely Used Chemical Linked to 500% Increased Risk of Parkinson’s — Neuroscience News

Trichloroethylene: An Invisible Cause of Parkinson’s Disease? — Journal of Parkinson’s Disease

Trichloroethylene (TCE) Is A Risk Factor For Parkinsonism, Study Shows — Science Daily

Statistics — Parkinson’s Foundation

The post The ‘invisible’ chemical increasing Parkinson’s diagnoses appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, these man-made chemicals are now found at detectable levels in almost every person in the United States.

And it’s no wonder since manufacturers load them into everything from non-stick cookware to ‘eco-friendly’ takeout bowls, cosmetics, the anti-fogging sprays we use on our glasses and more.

A whopping 19 million Americans are even stuck with drinking water that comes from systems known to be contaminated with PFAS.

And if you think this chemical danger is something new, you’d be wrong. PFAS have been around since the 1940s.

That means, based on findings from the Keck School of Medicine, most of us have been around long enough to have experienced a certain window of time in which PFAS do their damage and set us for disease later in life…

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The truth behind their ‘forever’ name

But before we jump into those dangers, let’s go over just what these man-made time bombs truly are.

PFAS are carbon atoms, surrounded by fluorine atoms. Because carbon plus fluorine is one of the strongest chemical bonds known in nature, they simply never break down.

And that’s not an exaggeration.

Once PFAS are in your bloodstream, they are truly there to stay. In fact, over time they even continue to accumulate in your body.

The window when PFAS damage sets up disease

So how do these toxic chemicals lead to disease? Those Keck researchers answered that question…

The team used blood samples collected from 312 adolescents and 137 children to determine which PFAS were in their bodies, and what exactly they were doing to their natural biological processes.

PFAS are already known to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals, meaning they alter how hormones are meant to function.

And because children and young adults are going through critical stages of development, they may be more susceptible to the negative health effects of PFAS exposure. It is also during this time that many diseases that manifest in adults take root, so it provides a clear picture of how these toxins can lead to disease.

Overall, the researchers found that all the children and adolescents had a mixture of several common PFAS in their blood including PFOA and PFOS (which have earned a water health advisory from the EPA).

“Our findings were surprising and have broad implications for policy makers trying to mitigate risk,” said Jesse A. Goodrich, PhD, assistant professor of population and public health sciences and lead author of the study. “We found that exposure to a combination of PFAS not only disrupted lipid and amino acid metabolism but also altered thyroid hormone function.”

This was especially concerning because changes in thyroid hormones play an important role in child development during puberty, which can have significant effects on disease risk later in life.

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Is PFAS protection possible?

The question then becomes whether or not there’s anything that can be done to protect yourself from forever chemicals.

The first step is to cut down on exposure…

For example, look for personal care products and cosmetics made without these chemicals whenever possible. For help on products and safer choices visit The Environmental Working Group website.

Skip take-out boxes, fast food wrappers and even microwave popcorn. Make fresh food at home instead, using an old-fashioned iron skillet rather than a non-stick pan.

Next support your body’s detox systems. Exercise and sweat on a regular basis. Eat cruciferous vegetables to put up resistance against estrogen mimickers and support your thyroid function.

While you might not be able to avoid PFAS completely, the threat is too serious not to try.

Sources:

Keck School of Medicine study finds “forever chemicals” disrupt key biological processes — EurekAlert!

Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS — EPA

The post How forever chemicals set you up for disease later in life appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In fact, the American Tinnitus Association cites roughly 200 different health conditions that can generate tinnitus as a symptom.

Here are just a few:

• Ear canal blockage (such as a buildup of earwax or other debris)

• TMJ
• Meniere’s disease
• High blood pressure
• Atherosclerosis
• Thyroid problems
• Hormonal changes
• COVID-19

Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications have been linked to tinnitus as well. But new research is begging the question…

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Could traffic noise be another source?

Tinnitus isn’t always triggered by a health issue. Exposure to loud noises can definitely set off a bout of tinnitus. And if the noises are continuous, the tinnitus they cause could linger as well.

Take traffic noise, for instance. One study involving data from 3.5 million Danish people found the more traffic noise they were exposed to in their homes, the higher their odds of developing tinnitus.

According to the data, with every 10-decibel increase in traffic noise in an individual’s home, their risk of developing tinnitus increases by 6 percent. Just to get a general idea, 70 to 80 decibels is the average noise level from a busy urban street. Heavy truck or motorcycle traffic can ramp that up to 85 to 95 decibels. A quiet neighborhood would be closer to 45 to 55 decibels.

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) believe that living near a busy road may increase your stress levels and disturb your sleep — both of which are factors in raising the risk of tinnitus.

This study marks the first time researchers have found a link between residential traffic noise exposure and effects on hearing — although a previous SDU study in 2021 found a link between traffic noise and dementia.

“It is alarming that noise seems to increase the risk of tinnitus, cardiovascular diseases and dementia, among other diseases,” says SDU professor Dr. Jesper Hvass Schmidt.

The researchers note that more studies are needed to confirm that traffic noise causes tinnitus and explore how this happens.

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Protecting yourself from noise pollution

According to the researchers, nighttime noise can be even worse for health.

“It affects our sleep, which is so important for restoring both our physical and mental health,” says Manuella Lech Cantuaria, PhD., SDU Assistant Professor. “Therefore, it is worth considering whether you can do something to improve your sleep if you live next to a busy road.”

One of the best things you can do is sleep in a bedroom that is on the side of the house not facing a road. Installing soundproof windows in your home also helps. However, not everyone has these options.

If you live in an apartment or condo, try lining the wall facing the street with bookshelves and books, or place a wardrobe, clothing rack or linen storage unit there. All of these obstacles will help absorb some of the street noise.

And there are some steps you can take to both help reduce the misery it causes and reduce your risk of developing tinnitus in the first place…

• Drink caffeinated coffee or tea. Research shows this can reduce your tinnitus risk.
• Get enough magnesium. This mineral may help dial down the internal noise-making caused by tinnitus.
• Add a CoQ10 supplement. One study found supplementing with 100 mg of CoQ10 three times a day significantly improved tinnitus symptoms.
• Try a tinnitus app. This app trains your brain to ignore tinnitus-generated sounds.
• Do this one-minute exercise (with video). It has been found to reduce ear ringing related to tinnitus.
• Engage in mindfulness. This can help your brain accept the noise as normal, which helps you tune it out.

Sources:

Researchers find a link between traffic noise and tinnitus — University of Southern Denmark

Transportation Noise and Risk of Tinnitus: A Nationwide Cohort Study from Denmark — Environmental Health Perspectives

Why Are My Ears Ringing? — American Tinnitus Association

Tips for Dealing with Noise from the Street — Apartment Therapy

Colorado Department of Transportation — Noise FAQs

The post The road that leads to tinnitus noise triggers appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

A few years later in the 1950s, the product chemically known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) became best known for its use as a nonstick coating on cookware. At the time, housewives thought they were the best thing since sliced bread.

That popularity has been long-lived. Today you can probably find at least one PTFE-coated pan in every kitchen in the U.S.

But we’re learning the convenience of making perfect omelets (and the easy cleanup) comes with a hefty price — one that especially hits home if you’re cooking with worn-out pans…

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Convenient but not so healthy

The companies that make PTFE and the pots and pans that are Teflon-coated insist that this chemical is safe for use in cooking. After all, they stopped using one problematic chemical in the mix,  perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in 2002.

But investigators are finding the truth may not be that simple. These manmade substances are known as “forever chemicals” because they never degrade in the environment, and end up contaminating our water, soil, air and even our food.

And that’s not good news. PFAS have been linked with conditions like high blood pressure, celiac disease, liver damage and decreased fertility and can raise your risk of diabetes, obesity, asthma and thyroid disease.

The makers of the cookware say that as long as the pots and pans are used correctly, the coating should remain intact on the pan, rather than entering our bodies. That means keeping the temperature below 500 degrees Fahrenheit and using tools that won’t scratch or break the nonstick surface.

But all it takes is one small crack and you have big problems…

A side of plastic particles with every meal

Even if you do everything right, nonstick pans eventually wear out. Their shelf life is estimated at anywhere between 3 to 7 years, depending on use and care. One study estimated an even shorter use-by date — 2.3 years from time of purchase.

And let’s face it — not many of us replace pans that often. Cookware is expensive, and we tend to use it until it’s clearly not working anymore. I’m guilty of using one skillet for 12 years before discarding it for ruining one too many omelets.

This is something we should rethink. Investigators now know that nonstick cookware gradually loses its coating. And as this happens, tiny plastic particles are released into the food cooked in them.

Scientists from Newcastle University and Flinders University have been able to measure how many of these particles are being released. And it’s not an insignificant number: one surface crack on a Teflon-coated pan can release about 9,100 plastic particles.

And when measuring on a micro-scale using a special type of imaging, they have identified the release of as many as 2.3 million microplastics and nanoplastics from broken coating within 30 seconds of cooking.

“Given the fact PFAS is a big concern, these Teflon microparticles in our food might be a health concern so needs investigating because we don’t know much about these emerging contaminants,” says University of Newcastle researcher Dr. Cheng Fang. “

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What to use instead

So, what to do about our nonstick cookware? If you truly want to ensure you’re not leaching tiny PTFE fragments into your food, it’s best to replace your Teflon-coated pots and pans with cookware that uses a healthier nonstick surface.

More and more people are choosing to go with the old-fashioned cast iron skillet, which develops a natural nonstick coating after regular use. Unlike Teflon cookware, cast iron can be used on the stovetop and in the oven with no worries about high heat. As a bonus, cast iron enriches your food with iron, a mineral that’s essential for good blood health.

As long as you properly care for your cast iron skillet, it should last you for decades. Lodge has a great guide to caring for cast iron here.

Two other options are ceramic-coated cookware, which is safe and nonstick, and anodized aluminum cookware, which resists corrosion and scratches. Just remember when using anodized aluminum pots and pans to employ tools that won’t scratch the protective coating on its surface, or else aluminum might leach into your food.

Sources:

Not-so-tough Teflon — Flinders University

One Small Crack on a Teflon Pan Can Release Thousands of Plastic Particles — Science Alert

Raman imaging for the identification of Teflon microplastics and nanoplastics released from non-stick cookware — Science of The Total Environment

The History of Teflon Fluoropolymers — Teflon

Roy J. Plunkett — Science History Institute

Chemistry History: Teflon & Non-Stick Pans — Compound Interest

The Pros & Cons of Hard-Anodized Cookware — eHow

The post Worn-out non-stick cookware: Not just ugly — but toxic appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

One family of these chemicals, phthalates, appears to be especially hazardous to our health. Studies have linked phthalates like di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to insulin resistance and a higher risk of diabetes, as well as low testosterone, weight gain (especially around the waist), reproductive issues, thyroid problems, allergies and asthma.

There’s another possible health risk associated with phthalate exposure — one that specifically affects women….

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The widespread presence of phthalates

Many cosmetics, lotions and shampoos contain phthalates to help disperse their synthetic scents. These chemicals are so insidious they even show up in personal care products like sanitary pads and tampons (as well as urinary incontinence pads and baby diapers as well).

Here, phthalates are especially dangerous because they come in direct contact with our genitals, which are far more sensitive to chemical absorption than other areas of the body.

In fact, research estimates tampon use could be contributing 15 percent of our total phthalate exposure, pantyliners 10 percent and pads roughly 3 percent.

“These are more than simply environmental pollutants,” says Dr. Serdar Bulun, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine physician. “They can cause specific harm to human tissues.”

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The impact of phthalates on uterine growths

Case in point: a Northwestern Medicine study found women with high exposure to certain phthalates such as DEHP and its metabolites are at high risk of developing a symptomatic uterine fibroid.

Fibroids, the most common type of tumor in women, could affect up to 80 percent of all women at some point in their lifetime. One-quarter of these women develop a symptomatic fibroid, characterized by excessive and uncontrolled uterine bleeding, anemia, miscarriages, infertility and large abdominal tumors that require difficult surgeries to remove.

Previous studies have shown a connection between phthalate exposure and uterine fibroid growth, but the Northwestern study uncovered the mechanisms behind that link.

Researchers discovered exposure to DEHP may activate a hormonal pathway that triggers an environmentally responsive aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). This receptor binds to DNA and causes increased growth of fibroid tumors.

“Interestingly, AHR was cloned in the early ’90s as the receptor for dioxin, the key toxin in the agent orange,” says Bulun, a corresponding study author. “The use of agent orange during the Vietnam war caused significant reproductive abnormalities in the exposed populations; and dioxin and AHR were thought to be responsible for this.”

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Don’t just watch and wait

Environmental regulators worldwide are becoming more concerned about the impact of DEHP and other phthalates on human health. While the European Union has instituted some regulatory restrictions on DEHP use, other regulatory bodies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have taken a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to phthalates.

Because of this, DEHP is still widely used for the packaging of food and health products in the U.S. And while some companies are claiming to be using safer, less toxic substitutes for phthalates like DEHP, research indicates they can be just a problematic for our blood pressure and metabolic health.

Even though avoiding phthalates may seem like a daunting prospect, here are a few simple things you can do that will help you dodge these dangerous substances:

• Use unscented, hypoallergenic cosmetics and personal care products. Avoid any product that lists the words “fragrance” or “parfum” on the package.
• Use air fresheners made with pure essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances.
• Use unscented laundry and dish soap and avoid using those plastic-encased detergent pods.
• Instead of a plastic shower curtain, use a cloth one made of cotton or another fabric that you can easily wash and reuse.

To avoid ingesting phthalates:

• Store refrigerated food in glass containers instead of plastic.
• If you do have to use plastic food containers, don’t put them in the microwave. The high temperatures may cause chemicals from the plastic to leach into your food.
• Avoid ordering take-out which comes in plastic containers.

Sources:

Uterine fibroid growth activated by chemicals found in everyday products — Northwestern Now

Mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate promotes uterine leiomyoma cell survival through tryptophan-kynurenine-AHR pathway activation — PNAS

Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health — Healthcare (Basel)

Cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester and metabolite effects on rat epididymal stromal vascular fraction differentiation of adipose tissue — Environmental Research

The post How phthalates can trigger abnormal growths in women appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But those plates and cups adorned with fall leaves, turkeys, smiling Santas, Christmas trees and reindeer may be less innocent than they look…

They may contain surprisingly high levels of the heavy metals lead and cadmium.

Now, I’m not trying to put a damper on your holiday. But I think if you’re going to use this type of dishware you should know there may be a health risk involved…

Lead and cadmium are heavy metals that can negatively impact your health in many ways. Studies show cadmium exposure is connected to a shorter lifespan, a higher cancer risk and premature aging. And lead exposure is tied to obesity, neurological issues and heart disease.

If you’re feeding kids and grandkids off of these dishes, the stakes are even higher. You already know how bad lead paint is for the neurological development of children. So just imagine the impact of lead-laced cups and plates.

The good news is, once you’re aware of this risk lurking in your kitchen cabinets, you can make wise choices to reduce your exposure.

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Are cadmium and lead leaching from your dishware?

A study from researchers at the University of Plymouth in the UK found that dishware painted with decorative designs contains potentially toxic levels of lead and cadmium.

These researchers conducted 197 tests on 72 new and used glass products, like tumblers, beer and wine glasses and jars. And they found dangerous heavy metals on the surface of the glassware and sometimes even on the rims.

Alarmingly, some of these dishes contained lead concentrations that were 1,000 times higher than the recommended limit. And it seems, the more you use and wash these decorative dishes, the more likely the paint is to chip off and end up in your body.

Another recent study from researchers at the University of Plymouth found that the paint on playground equipment also contains dangerously high levels of lead, but the risk from drinking glasses is far greater, according to researchers.

Researchers said that lead and cadmium were found in both the paint and the glaze of decorative glassware and that about 70 percent of the products they analyzed tested positive for these heavy metals.

Lead was found in all decorative paint colors, as well as gold leaf designs. The greatest risk for cadmium exposure came from red enamel (That means, those Christmas designs are probably pretty dangerous).

The US Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment says that lead concentration on the lip area of decorative cups should be limited to 200 parts per million (ppm) and cadmium concentrations should be limited to 800 parts per million (ppm). Lead concentrations on the glassware that researchers studied, however, ranged from 40 to 400,000 ppm for lead and 300 to 70,000 ppm for cadmium.

And even though researchers only studied drinking glassware, they did confirm that the same type of paint and glaze are used for a variety of items in your kitchen, including beer, wine and liquor bottles, egg cups, jugs, measuring cups, coasters and chopping boards.

“Given that safer alternatives are available to the industry, the overall results of this study are both surprising and concerning,” Dr. Andrew Turner, lead researcher in the study. “I believe consumers should be made aware of this, while retailers and the glass industry have the responsibility to eliminate toxic metals from decorated products.”

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Avoiding heavy metals in your dishware

Now, don’t get discouraged if you love your collection of holiday dishware. The fact is, if you’re only using decorative dishware during the holidays, your exposure is pretty minimal and the risk involved is probably low. But if you’re using potentially dangerous dishware every day, that’s another story…

That’s precisely how this entire family got lead poisoning if you would like to read about their experience. They picked up what they thought was a nice set of daily dishware while on vacation, and it was anything but.

For everyday use, choose plain plates and cups—no paint and no designs—just to be safe. Organic inks are also becoming more popular in dishware, so search for decorative options that use these instead of the metallic variety. That way, you can still have a fun, festive and safe holiday!

Sources:

1. D. Vaziri, H.C. Gonick. “Cardiovascular effects of lead exposure.” — Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2008 Oct;128(4):426-35.
2. Lead Exposure in Adults – A Guide for Health Care Providers — New York State Department of Health. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
3. Drinking glasses can contain potentially harmful levels of lead and cadmium — MedicalXpress. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
4. “High levels of migratable lead and cadmium on decorated drinking glassware.” — Science of the Total Environment, 2017.

The post Avoid hidden heavy metals this holiday season appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Despite what most might think, the bacteria that dogs carry can actually make you less likely to get sick. Dogs have been known to detect cancer in their owners, and living with a canine friend can make you happier and less apt to become depressed.

More and more senior living facilities are becoming pet-friendly. They recognize that pets encourage social interaction and physical activity, both of which can benefit heart health.

In return for all they do, it’s only fair that we protect our pets and keep them safe. This can be challenging during the holiday season. With all kinds of dangerous and unusual items around the house, curious pets can get hurt, become sick or even die when they go investigating.

Our pets are part of the family, and they want to celebrate with us. Here are more than a dozen tips for making it a safe holiday season for your furry friends.

Christmas tree dangers

The National Fire Protection Association reports that an average of 170 home fires a year start with a Christmas tree. An artificial tree may not smell as good, but it’s a lot safer.

Here are some tips to “pet-proof” your tree:

Avoid low-hanging ornaments and lights. Pets like to lay underneath your tree and will break ornaments and get tangled in lights. Cat owners who have “climbers” may want to opt for unbreakable ornaments.

If you don’t want to use plastic ornaments, opt for handmade paper ones along with dried fruit on strings.

No candy or nuts on or under the tree. Pets are persistent and will get at the treats. Chocolate and some nuts, including macadamia nuts, are toxic to your pets.

Use twine instead of metal hooks. Metal hooks can hurt pets’ eyes and mouths, and cause bleeding if swallowed. Twine is more easily digested, if it comes to that, and gives our tree a more homemade look.

Steer clear of tinsel. Not only are your pets attracted to its sparkle, but it can really harm them. If it gets caught in their intestines, it can cause problems that require expensive surgery.

Make your tree tip-proof. Anchor your tree with some fishing line looped around the trunk and into a bolt in the wall behind it. This can also be done from the top of the tree into a bolt in the ceiling.

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Other dangerous decorations

Toxic Christmas plants. Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias are poisonous for your pets. Keep these plants way out of reach, or consider the artificial version.

Pine needles from your tree aren’t toxic, but they are small and sharp and can injure your pet’s mouth and intestines. Keep your tree well-watered to minimize fallen needles, and sweep them up every day.

Watch those candles! At any time of the year, a lit candle and a pet should never be left alone together! It doesn’t take long at all for a cat to jump on a table and knock over a candle.

Food hazards

Sweets are not sweet for your pet! Chocolate or anything with the artificial sweetener xylitol is extremely dangerous for dogs. Even small amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure or even death.

Safeguard your dinner table leftovers, your garbage, and any other place where sweet treats lurk.

Safeguard your alcohol. If drinks are being passed around, your dog might easily lap up some spilled wine or cocktails. Drinking alcohol can make them weak, sick and even cause them to go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

Pet-safe parties

Set the house rules. Make sure your guests know exactly what they should and should not feed your cat or dog. For the most part, table scraps should be off-limits.

Lock up the meds. Some of your guests may carry necessary medications in their purses or coat pockets. Ask your guests to make sure medications are zipped away in a place where an adventurous pet can’t get to them. You might even offer to store coats and purses in a separate room and keep that door closed to keep Fido out.

A room of their own. Many pets may need a place to escape the noise of a holiday gathering. Give them a room of their own complete with food and water (and a litter box for cats).

New Year’s noise. Noisy poppers can potentially damage a pet’s sensitive ears. And remember that pets are also scared of fireworks. In general, as the countdown to New Year’s approaches, it’s best if your pet has a quiet space to retreat from all the noise.

Also bear in mind that confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines if ingested, often requiring surgery.

Sources:

1. How to Dog-Proof Your Christmas Tree — Pet Central by Chewy
2. 8 Tips to Dog-Proof your Christmas Tree (and Tree-Proof your Dog) — The Dog People by Rover.com
3. Holiday Safety Tips — ASPCA
4. How to Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays — The New York Times 

The post 13 ways to make the holidays safe for your pet appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But you may want to change that after you read the results of a study by a group of researchers in Environmental Science & Technology.

That’s because according to their study, having a gas stove in your house could be as dangerous as spending your days inhaling second-hand smoke…

A chemical linked to blood cancer

Researchers collected natural gas samples from 159 natural gas stoves in homes across California.

And they found that a whopping 98 percent of those samples contained chemicals known as non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), including ones that have been labeled as hazardous air pollutants.

One of the worst offenders they found was benzene, a dangerous chemical that has already been linked to an increased risk of blood disorders, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and was the subject of a recall of sunscreen products that contained the carcinogen.

They found that the gas stoves didn’t just leak these chemicals during cooking, but instead off-gassed them even when they weren’t in use — leading to elevated levels of cancer-causing agents in the air that families who live in these homes breathe.

“Stoves leak small amounts of gas all the time, even when they are off. While these leaks are often too small to smell, they can still impact air quality and increase human health risks in our homes,” said Eric D. Lebel, PhD, of PSE Healthy Energy in Oakland. “We found that just having a gas stove can create benzene concentrations in the kitchen comparable to second-hand smoke.”

Even worse, the researchers say that as bad as that is, their research actually may have underestimated the true concentrations of benzene in kitchens with gas stoves, as they only measured concentrations when the stove was off — not during ignition.

So does that take you from second-hand to first-hand smoke?

I bet that’s not what you expected from your stove.

And this study isn’t the only evidence that shows gas stoves can be trouble.

In a previous study, the same researchers found that gas stoves emit up to 1.3 percent of the gas they use as unburned methane, not only when they’re in use, but also when they’re off and when their flames are ignited and extinguished.

And additional research, which analyzed the composition of unburned natural gas samples from 69 natural gas stoves, found they not only contained benzene, but also varying levels of other volatile organic chemicals, like toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and hexane, which are known toxins.

Working against dangerous toxins

According to the researchers of this study, nearly 75 million U.S. households use natural gas. Their intent is to spur policymakers to take action because household leakage of natural gas is not calculated in emissions data.

“What this tells us is that just having a gas stove in your home can introduce potentially dangerous levels of hazardous air pollutants,” said Eric Lebel, PhD, who works for PSE Health Energy, the nonprofit that funded the research.

So does all of that mean you have to get rid of your gas stove and shell out big bucks to replace it with its electric counterpart?

That would be a personal decision any family should weigh heavily, and something that may not be possible for every household.

Benzene is a widely used industrial chemical. It’s produced synthetically, as well as by natural processes such as forest fires. It’s used to make dyes, plastics, fibers, resins, pesticides, detergents, lubricants and other products. It’s present in gasoline, crude oil — and tobacco smoke.

But while we may have less control of exposure to carcinogens and pollutants, we can look to ways to cut down on the effects these poisons pose our bodies, including:

• Eating more broccoli sprouts, which help the body excrete pollutants like benzene
• Adding certain houseplants to your kitchen, which NASA says improve air quality
• Opening windows when you cook (and if weather permits, even when not cooking)
• Using an exhaust fan

Sources:

Is Your Oven Leaking Cancer-Causing Chemicals Into Your Kitchen? – MEDPAGETODAY

The post Is your stove leaking cancer-causing chemicals? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The metal that’s found in everything from cosmetics to cooking utensils and drinking water to vaccines has not only been connected to a higher risk of breast cancer, it’s also been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s for nearly half a century.

Now, new evidence is stacking up proving just how dangerous it is for your brain and once again illustrating the aluminum-Alzheimer’s connection.

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All wrapped up in tau tangles

The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, specifically found that aluminum is part of the pathogenesis (the process by which the disease develops) of Alzheimer’s.

In fact, the research team discovered that the metal is what’s known as co-located — meaning it shares a common location — with phosphorylated tau protein, which is an early initiator of the disease. This phosphorylated tau makes up those tau tangles in the neurons of the brains of people with early-onset or familial Alzheimer’s.

“The presence of these tangles is associated with neuronal cell death, and observations of aluminum in these tangles may highlight a role for aluminum in their formation,” explained lead investigator Matthew John Mold, PhD, at Keele University in the UK.

This research builds on the results of earlier studies which proved that aluminum is also co-localized with amyloid-β in brain tissue in familial Alzheimer’s.

So what does it all boil down to?

Tau and amyloid-beta are known to act in synergy to cause neurotoxicity, brain cell death and cognitive dysfunction. And aluminum may be helping to fuel the process!

Avoiding excess aluminum

If aluminum has the potential to damage the brain, avoiding it should be a high priority.

Here are a few tips to help:

• Be careful in choosing your cosmetics and personal care products – Cosmetics and personal care products like deodorants, toothpaste, eye shadow, nail polish and more are some of the worst offenders. Check labels and stick with products that are aluminum-free.
• Watch out for your cookware – Aluminum pots, pans, and dishes can result in the metal leaching into the food you eat.
• Stick with silicone or stainless steel – Cooking utensils can also lead to toxicity, so choose silicone or stainless utensils to limit your exposure.
• Avoiding storing or wrapping food in aluminum foil – Choose glass containers instead. Also, be on the lookout to avoid take-out food packaged in it.
• Drink filtered water – To banish aluminum from your water, use a reverse osmosis filter, distillation or deionization.

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Other places it hides include:

• antacids
• dyes
• cake mix
• processed cheese
• baking soda/powder

The best way to decrease your risks is to lessen your exposure to the metal. But, according to some integrative medicine protocols, it may be possible to help the process that naturally flushes waste and toxins from the body:

• Chelation – Chelating agents like high dose vitamin C, EDTA and medical options, including deferoxamine can help remove excess heavy metals from your bloodstream.
• Herbs – Certain herbs, such as milk thistle and dandelion root, assist in detoxification to boost the amount of aluminum excreted through your urine. Cilantro has also been reported to be a natural chelator.
• Epsom salt baths – Even your skin can be a vehicle for ridding your body of heavy metals. Warm baths with Epsom salts can help encourage detox.

Sources:

Aluminum is intricately associated with the neuropathology of familial Alzheimer’s disease — ScienceDaily

THE 3 MOST DANGEROUS DAILY SOURCES OF ALUMINUM AND THE DAMAGE IT DOES — Easy Health Options

SIGNS YOU NEED A HEAVY METAL DETOX — Easy Health Options

Eliminating Aluminum From Our Homes — Keeperofthehome.org

The post The aluminum-Alzheimer’s connection grows stronger appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Getting enough fruits and vegetables in your daily diet is essential to good health.

But if you’re not careful, you’ll get a healthy dose of pesticides, too — negating those disease-fighting nutrients.

If you’re looking to “clean up your act” when it comes to the produce you eat, look no further than the environmental health advocacy nonprofit known as the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Since 2004, the EWG has produced a yearly guide to the dirtiest and the cleanest fruits and vegetables.

Here are the highlights from their 2022 “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.”

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The healthiest fruits and veggies are also the most poisonous

For the current guide, the EWG analyzed the latest test data from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

They found that more than 70 percent of non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful pesticides.

Many of these poisons are still found on fruits and vegetables after they’ve been washed, peeled or scrubbed (the USDA does all these things before testing for pesticide levels).

And which pesticides are we talking about, exactly?

• Dacthal –  classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a possible human carcinogen, was most frequently detected on kale and mustard greens (the European Union banned the use of this pesticide in 2009).
• Glyphosate – doubles your risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A 2022 FDA report found super-high levels of glyphosate in lentils, chickpeas and beans.
• Chlorpyrifos – this neurotoxin (causes nerve damage) was found in pears, strawberries and celery, among others

The EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” for 2022

Here, then, is this year’s list of the most pesticide-ridden fruits and vegetables, starting with the dirtiest.

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Bell and hot peppers
8. Cherries
9. Peaches
10. Pears
11. Celery
12. Tomatoes

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And the alternatives: the “Clean 15”

These fruits and veggies had the lowest amounts of pesticide, according to the EWG’s analysis of the most recent USDA data.

Almost 70 percent of “clean fifteen” fruit and vegetable samples had no detectable pesticide residues.

The list starts with the “cleanest” produce – avocados and sweet corn. Under two percent of samples had no detectable pesticide residues.

Here’s the “Clean Fifteen” for 2022:

1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet peas
7. Asparagus
8. Honeydew melon
9. Kiwi
10. Cabbage
11. Mushrooms
12. Cantaloupe
13. Mangoes
14. Watermelon
15. Sweet Potatoes

Making cost-effective and safer choices

Now, there are those “experts” who say because Americans don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, most people don’t consume enough of these pesticides to experience harm. But that’s a double downer…

Fruits and vegetables, like berries, apples and leafy greens, for example, can do powerful things for your health and you should make an effort to eat more of them, safely.

The environmental nonprofit Friends of the Earth conducted a study on the impact organic eating has on pesticide levels in our bodies. And the results were pretty amazing, especially when it came to clearing these poisons from the body.

The USDA certifies produce as “organic” if it has been grown in soil where no fertilizers or pesticides have been applied for three years prior to harvest. Thus, you are guaranteed that your produce is free of pesticides.

Of course, organic produce is expensive. That’s where the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” lists come in.

If you really love strawberries, for example, buy organic since they top the dirty list. On the other hand, you’re probably OK buying non-organic avocados, sweet potatoes and other “Clean Fifteen” produce.

When buying produce, use the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” lists as your guides to making decisions that are both healthy and cost-effective.

Sources:

Dirty Dozen: EWG’s 2022 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce — EWG

Clean Fifteen: EWG’s 2022 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce — EWG

EWG’s 2022 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce — EWG

FDA tests find U.S. food supply awash in pesticide residues — EWG

The post Pesticides in produce: A guide to safe, cost-effective choices appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Yet, when that balance tips out of whack, dangerous pathogens can slip past these weakened defenses, causing infection.

And perhaps one of the worst and most dangerous of the lot is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius or MRSP. A bacteria that is common in domesticated animals but can cross the species barrier, MRSP has become antibiotic resistant, making it extremely difficult to treat clinically.

Luckily, research out of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine may have solved that problem and finally found the answer to overcoming this antibiotic resistance in a very unlikely way — with your cat.

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Using bacteria to fight bacteria

The researchers used a cutting-edge approach to fighting MRSP known as “bacteriotherapy.”

Basically, this is when you use bacteria or their products to treat illnesses.

In this case, the team turned to bacteria found on healthy cats to successfully treat an MRSP skin infection on mice.

The team first screened a library of bacteria that normally live on dogs and cats and grew them in the presence of MRSP. From these, they were then able to identify a strain of cat bacteria called Staphylococcus felis (S. felis) that was especially good at inhibiting MRSP growth.

How?

This “lucky” bacteria actually produces multiple antibiotics that kill MRSP by disrupting its cell wall and increasing the production of cell-destroying free radicals!

“The potency of this species is extreme,” said Richard L. Gallo, MD, PhD, the study’s lead author. “It is strongly capable of killing pathogens, in part because it attacks them from many sides — a strategy known as ‘polypharmacy.’ This makes it particularly attractive as a therapeutic.”

You see, according to the researchers, bacteria, like MRSP, can easily develop resistance to a single antibiotic.

But S. felis gets around this issue since it possesses four genes that code for four distinct antimicrobial peptides. Each of these antibiotics is capable of killing MRSP on its own, but by working together, they make it more difficult for the bacteria to fight back.

It’s bacterial warfare at its best!

In fact, the results were so promising that the researchers plan to take the next steps in a clinical trial that pits MRSP against S. felis head-to-head, possibly via a topical spray, cream or gel that contains the live bacteria.

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Give your cat a treat

However, while these options aren’t available to all of the rest of us yet — the researchers say that “It may even be possible that living with a healthy cat provides humans with some protection against MRSP.”

This means that it might just be time to say thanks to your furry companion for protecting your skin against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, like MRSP.

As an added bonus, in addition to the bacterial protection cats may offer, studies have found that spending time with your feline may offer six other health benefits, including stronger bones.

Sources:

Cat bacteria treats mouse skin infection, may help you and your pets as well — EurekAlert!

The post Having a cat could protect you against a staph infection appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

• We go out of our way to buy BPA-free items in order to avoid its dangerous side effects.
• We buy stainless steel water bottles.
• We avoid eating off of plastic dishes or heating them in the microwave.
• We switch to ceramic coated rather than non-stick cookware.

But what if I told you that there could be an even more dangerous substance than BPA lurking in the dishes you use to serve your food every day — one that could poison your body, cause behavior and learning problems in your children and skyrocket your risk for heart disease?

Well, that’s exactly what one family discovered had happened to them…

The culprit discovered in traditional ceramic dishes

It all started when their three-year-old was found to have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood. When the family was screened, it turned out that all five members were suffering from lead poisoning.

In fact, routine screening found that the three-year-old’s blood lead level was sitting at seven micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl), when the CDC rates the highest safe amount at five ug/dl.

If you think that’s bad though, hold onto your hat…

The child’s older siblings had lead levels of 17 and 53 ug/dl, as did the parents!

So the CDC launched an investigation, discovering the culprit in what most of us would consider an unlikely place — the traditional ceramic dished the family had purchased in Mexico for cooking, storage and for making coffee.

While this may sound strange, researchers say it’s more common than you might think.

“Traditional ceramic ware from around the world has been found to contain lead at levels thousands of times higher than regulatory limits in the United States,” they say.

That’s because even though lead levels are heavily regulated in the U.S., other countries still often use dangerous levels of the heavy metal in the glaze and paints used on their ceramics, which can then slip into the foods and drinks that are prepared, served or stored in the dishes.

And once it’s in your body, that lead goes to work slowly destroying your nervous system, causing cognitive and memory issues and even leading to an early death if not taken care of.

Luckily, for this family, the problem was caught before irreversible damage was done and a year after replacing their dishes, their levels had almost returned to normal.

But it’s a warning to us all about how quickly and easily dangerous poisons can wreak havoc on our systems.

Keeping yourself and your family safe

So if you have traditional ceramic dishes, a replacement set might be in order.

The CDC lists dishes made in Ecuador, Mexico, Morocco, Turkey and Uzbekistan as potential dangers.

If you have ceramic dishes and are unsure where yours were made, you should also consider having your blood levels checked for lead.

Chelation is a good way to cleanse your system of lead and other heavy metals that have already found their way in. Chelators bind to these substances and remove them, safely — through your waste.

If you want to learn more about chelation, here’s a good place to start. 

EDTA chelation, which was first used when sailors painting military ships were contaminated with lethal levels of lead. The U.S. Navy relied on intravenous EDTA treatment to quickly eliminate deadly toxins from their bloodstream. And it’s also available in supplement form.

Sources:

NYC family find out their Mexican ceramic dishes had dangerous levels of LEAD on them after youngest child had high levels of chemical in their blood – DailyMail.com

The post The surprising way an entire family got lead poisoning appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Below, is a selection of ideas you can implement today to start seeing positive changes in your mental and physical well-being.

Make your home a haven

Your home doesn’t need to look like something out of Architectural Digest to be a sanctuary — it just needs to be clean and tidy with some fresh air circulating.  

Proper ventilation has a range of benefits and can create good interpersonal vibes. Plants can be a big help at improving your indoor air and look great, too.

Having extra stuff lying around is stressful, and can pose a danger, especially to seniors, posing a fall risk. Make a point to spend 10 minutes picking up before you head to bed every night. That way, you wake up to a calm environment that sets the tone for the rest of the day. Do the same for your at-home workspace.

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Track your spending

Your financial health can affect your mind and body. Improvements in this area come down to reducing debt, finding ways to increase your income sustainably without suffering burnout, and living within your means.

Prioritize paying off high-interest loans, and draw up a budget and stick to it. Keep an eye on your spending, and turn saving into a game or family project. You’re likely to notice a little less weight on your shoulders before long.

Don’t consume too many empty calories

What you eat is fuel for your body. Make your food intake count by eating the rainbow (colorful fruits and veggies), and you may operate like a Ferrari on premium gasoline.

Empty calorie foods are high in sugar and solid fats and offer little in the way of nutrition. They include sodas, cookies, hot dogs, and candy bars.

Finally, stop drinking alcohol, or at least limit your intake, and that may be a game-changer for you.

Make exercise exciting

Move your body by doing the kinds of activities that are fun for you.

Sign up for a local yoga or boxing class, for example, if you need structure, accountability, or camaraderie to build a habit. Alternatively, head out for a hike, ride a bike, or hop on a paddleboat. Spending time in nature is part and parcel of a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise also helps you sleep well, and high-quality sleep is another piece of the wellness puzzle. 

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Flutter by social activities

Not everyone’s a social butterfly, but people have grown accustomed to minimal in-person interactions.

You may find yourself feeling too lazy to meet up with acquaintances, but socializing with friends and family can lift your mood and improve your physical health.

Be the person who organizes a no-fuss get-together, and it may be the best thing you do all week.

Forge good habits to thrive

Activities that combine the above principles reinforce new lifestyle choices and help you make cherished memories.

Want more valuable health information? Find it on Easy Health Options today!

The post 6 simple principles to crack the wellness code appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

However, research published by the American Society for Microbiology is proving that modern food practices may be turning that much loved saying on its head.

In fact, apples and other fruits you pick up each time you go to the grocery store might send you running to the doctor or even the nearest emergency room — all because of a pathogenic yeast that can cause invasive infections, including bloodstream and wound infections.

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The double-edged sword of freshness preservation

You see, decades ago when that old saying came into being, the apples people ate were fresh picked and packed with nutrients. And most importantly, they came without the chemicals that now coat the skin of the fruits we eat.

Today, apples and other fruits are prepared for transport by first treating them with a fungicide. The goal is to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. This helps keep them fresh as they’re stored first in warehouses then on the trucks that cart them hundreds and thousands of miles and finally, on the shelves of your produce aisle.

While this might sound great in theory, there is a downside.

That’s because according to researchers the fungicides may help select and boost the transmission of pathogenic yeasts that are multi-drug resistant.

One such pathogen is Candida auris, which we warned you about a couple of years ago. The problem now is that it’s hitching a ride to your fruit bowl…

How dangerous is C. auris

To get an idea of how bad C. auris really is, here’s a look at what the CDC says about it…

Candida auris is an emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat. CDC is concerned about C. auris for three main reasons:

1. It is often multidrug-resistant, meaning that it is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs commonly used to treat Candida infections. Some strains are resistant to all three available classes of antifungals.
2. It is difficult to identify with standard laboratory methods, and it can be misidentified in labs without specific technology. Misidentification may lead to inappropriate management.
3. It has caused outbreaks in healthcare settings. For this reason, it is important to quickly identify C. auris in a hospitalized patient so that healthcare facilities can take special precautions to stop its spread.

Pretty scary, right?

Especially considering that research findings at the University of Delhi suggest apples could be a selective force for the pathogen — and help it to spread.

After testing 62 apples, including varieties like Red Delicious and Royal Gala, the scientists identified drug-resistant strains of C. auris on a total of 8 apples (or 13%).

All the apples with the yeast had been stored before purchase, whereas not a single freshly picked apple hosted C. auris.

People with compromised immune systems, including the elderly and those who are already ill, hospitalized or in nursing homes are at the highest risk from C. auris infections.

But the CDC suggests that the risk factors for C. auris infections are generally similar to risk factors for other types of Candida infections — including recent surgery, diabetes, broad-spectrum antibiotic and antifungal use. Infections have been found in patients of all ages, from preterm infants to the elderly.

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Eat your fruit carefully

With these results, you might be wondering whether it’s time to give up those so-called healthy apples. But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Fruit offers a variety of health benefits that you don’t want to miss out on. For example, apples may help lower LDL cholesterol and fight off diabetes.

And, researchers in China have found that people who eat 100 g of fruit each day are one-third less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.

So instead of giving up the benefits of these fruits, simply institute some safer habits…

This includes choosing organic fruit — or better yet, locally-grown organic fruit where possible. Even then ensure every apple or piece of fruit you eat is thoroughly washed to help clear away dangerous pathogens, like C. auris.

This way, you can keep the truth in that that old saying — an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Sources:

Apples and other fruits can host drug-resistant, pathogenic yeasts on surfaces, study finds – ScienceDaily

Candida Auris – CDC

The post Dangerous drug-resistant pathogen coming to your fruit bowl appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But when it comes to my own home, I’ve never been much of a plant person. The few times I’ve tried adding even the hardiest houseplant to my environment, I’ve never been able to keep it alive. So I figure it’s best for the plants if I steer clear.

But recent research has me rethinking my houseplant aversion. For one thing, having some greenery in your home can help ease anxiety and improve mood. They also increase the oxygen level in your home, which helps with energy and mental focus as well as better sleep.

Plus, researchers have found that houseplants can naturally clean the air you breathe. This was reinforced by a recent U.K. study that found potted houseplants can significantly contribute to reducing indoor air pollution in homes and offices…

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Improve indoor air quality with houseplants

In the study, researchers exposed three types of houseplants to the common pollutant nitrogen dioxide. Gas heaters, stoves, fireplaces and water heaters can emit nitrogen dioxide gas that can irritate the respiratory tract and trigger asthma symptoms, as well as lead to severe respiratory infections and chronic lung disease.

After monitoring the plants, the researchers determined that in some conditions, they could reduce NO₂ by as much as 20 percent.

The researchers chose three houseplants that are inexpensive, easy to maintain and commonly found in U.K. homes: peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) and fern arum (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). They’re also found in homes in the U.S.

Each plant was put by itself in a test chamber for an hour. The test chamber contained levels of NO₂ comparable to those in the air of an office located next to a busy road.

According to the researchers’ calculations, all three types of plants were able to remove about half the NO₂ in the chamber within the hour. Their performance wasn’t affected by whether their environment was light or dark or whether their soil was wet or dry.

“The plants we chose were all very different from each other, yet they all showed strikingly similar abilities to remove NO₂ from the atmosphere,” says lead researcher Dr. Christian Pfrang of the University of Birmingham. “This is very different from the way indoor plants take up CO₂ in our earlier work, which is strongly dependent on environmental factors such as nighttime or daytime, or soil water content.”

The researchers compared what results would be for a small office of about 15 cubic meters and a medium office of about 100 cubic meters. They found that adding five houseplants would reduce NO₂ levels by about 20 percent in a poorly ventilated small office with high levels of air pollution. Adding five houseplants to the larger office only reduced NO₂ by 3.5 percent, though adding more plants would likely increase the effect.

One thing the researchers couldn’t determine is exactly how the plants reduced the NO₂.

“We don’t think the plants are using the same process as they do for CO₂ uptake, in which the gas is absorbed through stomata — or tiny holes — in the leaves,” Pfrang says. “There was no indication, even during longer experiments, that our plants released the NO₂ back into the atmosphere, so there is likely a biological process taking place also involving the soil the plant grows in — but we don’t yet know what that is.”

“Understanding the limits of what we can expect from plants helps us plan and advise on planting combinations that not only look good but also provide an important environmental service,” says Dr. Tijana Blanusa, principal horticultural scientist at the Royal Horticultural Society and one of the researchers involved in the study.

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Plant care for those with a black thumb

If you’re a plant care beginner — or if, like me, you have a tendency to kill your plants — here are some tips to help you become a better plant parent.

First, check the light in the room where your plant will go. Is it direct or indirect? Is the light bright or dim? Once you figure that out, you’ll be able to choose the kind of plant that will thrive in that type of light. You wouldn’t want to put a dark-loving peace lily in direct sunlight, for instance.

Next, make sure your planter has a drainage hole to let excess water escape the soil. This will help keep the roots from rotting and your plant from drowning.

Speaking of drowning, go easy on the water. Plants die much more often from over-watering than under-watering. Before you water, test the soil with your fingertip. If it’s still moist, it’s not time to water yet.

Finally, don’t be afraid to move your plant to a slightly bigger home when they outgrow their first. The best time for repotting is in the spring, so make moving your plants to a new pot with fresh soil part of your spring-cleaning routine every year.

One thing to note: if you have pets or small children, you’ll want to choose your houseplants carefully. For instance, both peace lily and fern arum are toxic to both pets and children when ingested, and corn plant is toxic to pets but not humans. Check with an expert at the nursery where you’re acquiring your plants before bringing them home to your pets or kids.

You can look up any plant that you’re planning to purchase in the ASPCA’s searchable Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List to make sure it’s safe for your pets.

Sources:

Common houseplants can improve air quality indoors — University of Birmingham

Potted plants can remove the pollutant nitrogen dioxide indoors — Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health

Health Benefits of Houseplants — WebMD

Surprising Health Benefits of Getting Fresh Air — Long Island Weight Loss Institute

Poisonous Houseplants: 10 Indoor Plants For Pet Owners And Parents To Avoid — Pistils Nursery

8 Things First-Time Plant Owners Should Know, According to Plant Whisperers — Glamour

Is Dracaena Plant Safe for Humans, Dogs, or Cats? — Ready to DIY

The post Improve your indoor air and breathe easy with houseplants appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Evidence is mounting that sleeping in anything but a pitch black bedroom is harming your health in some serious ways.

There’s already been plenty of research showing that even a little bit of light, whether from your window or a candle, can cause depression, as well as elevate your risk of thyroid cancer.

The latest: If you’re not turning off the lights, you’re turning on processes that normally shutdown after dark.

And when they’re running overtime, they impair glucose and cardiovascular regulation — risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

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Light at night is a metabolic nightmare

A 2018 study had already proven that even one night of light exposure when you’re sleeping can set you up for insulin resistance and eventual type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, chief of sleep medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, also cites an earlier study where a large population of healthy adults was exposed to light during sleep and were more likely to be overweight or obese.

The newest study, conducted by researchers from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, sheds light on why that happens…

“Now we are showing a mechanism that might be fundamental to explain why this happens,” Dr. Zee says. “We show it’s affecting your ability to regulate glucose.”

Essentially, when you sleep in a lighted room, you wake up more insulin resistant than when you went to sleep. Insulin resistance is when your cells don’t respond as they should to insulin, so your body is unable to use blood glucose for energy. This causes the pancreas to overproduce — resulting in high blood sugar.

But that’s not all…

“We showed your heart rate increases when you sleep in a moderately lit room,” says Dr. Daniela Grimaldi, a co-first author and research assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern.

In moderate light, compared to dim light, the heart rate increases as well as the force with which the heart contracts and the rate of how fast the blood is conducted to your blood vessels for oxygenated blood flow.

“Even though you are asleep, your autonomic nervous system is activated. That’s bad. Usually, your heart rate together with other cardiovascular parameters are lower at night and higher during the day.”

And all of these effects from light at night — insulin resistance, harm to normal cardiovascular functions and weight gain — equate to a perfect recipe for metabolic syndrome.

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How to keep light from making you sick

According to Dr. Zee, “These findings are important particularly for those living in modern societies where exposure to indoor and outdoor nighttime light is increasingly widespread.”

What does she recommend?

1. Don’t turn lights on (in the bedroom). If you need to have a light on (which older adults may want for safety), make it a dim light that is closer to the floor.
2. Color is important. Amber or a red/orange light is less stimulating for the brain. Don’t use white or blue light and keep it far away from the sleeping person.
3. Blackout shades or eye masks are good if you can’t control the outdoor light. Move your bed so the outdoor light isn’t shining on your face.

How can you tell if your room is too lit? Dr. Zee says if you are able to see things really well, it’s probably too light.

Dr. Michael J. Breus, clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist, also recommends:

1. Get plenty of light exposure during the day. Daytime light exposure improves your mood, strengthens your circadian rhythms and allows you to sleep better at night.
2. Avoid unnecessary and excessive exposure to evening light. Look for ways to reduce the amount of artificial light you’re exposed to once evening falls. Close your curtains to block bright street light or use dimmer switches to lower the level of light in your home after dinner.
3. Block bright and blue light on screens. Use the blue light-blocking filter on your phone and laptop (most are now equipped with this filter). Or you can attach blue light-blocking filters directly to the screens themselves, or use blue light-blocking glasses.

Sources:

Close the blinds during sleep to protect your health — Science Daily

Light exposure during sleep impairs cardiometabolic function —Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)

Light exposure during sleep may increase insulin resistance —Science Daily

Unraveling the link between obesity and sleep — Eureka Alert

5 Serious Medical Conditions Linked To Nighttime Light Exposure — huffpost.com

The post The bad bedroom habit that leads to metabolic syndrome appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And all of those toxins are showing up in our bodies — where there’s no telling what kinds of horrors they can wreak on our health.

We recently reported on two pesticides that have the power to destroy the action of the sleep hormone melatonin, leaving you at risk for insomnia as well as metabolic disease, diabetes and even cancer.

And now, another study is reporting concerning news…

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco have detected a whopping 109 chemicals in the bodies of pregnant women — 55 of which have never been reported in people before — plus 42 “mystery chemicals” whose sources and uses are a complete unknown.

Plasticizers, cosmetics, flame retardants and more

Led by a former EPA scientist, the study analyzed the blood of pregnant women, as well as their newborn children.

And not only were the mothers’ bodies flowing with the chemicals, so were the bodies of their babies, suggesting the chemicals were able to travel from the mother’s placenta to leach into the child’s blood.

“It is alarming that we keep seeing certain chemicals travel from pregnant women to their children, which means these chemicals can be with us for generations,” said Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at UCSF.

So where are all these man-made chemicals coming from?

Using mass spectrometry, the team was able to identify most of them, in addition to their uses.

According to the team, they found that:

• 40 are used as plasticizers – These are chemicals that go into things like packaging and paper plates.
• 28 are found in cosmetics – The makeup you put on when you wake up can fill your body with chemicals.
• 25 come from consumer products – This can make up a wide range of the things you use every day from a spatula to candles.
• 29 as pharmaceuticals – Chemicals and drug manufacturing go hand-in-hand.
• 23 as pesticides – These are the toxins they spray on food – many of which are banned in other countries, but still contaminate the U.S. food supply.
• 3 as flame retardants – From mattresses to clothing, flame retardants are located in many items you probably have sitting in your house right now.
• 7 from PFAS compounds – PFAS are used in carpeting, upholstery, non-stick cookware and even waterproof fabrics.

The researchers say there may be other uses for all of these chemicals.

Lack of oversight

And those so-called “mystery chemicals”?

Well, the researchers say they can’t identify them or their use because manufacturers don’t always make their chemical libraries available.

An example of this is the latest PFAS compounds they’re using, which are supposed to be safer and less toxic than the old ones. But who knows, since some manufacturers have chosen to block access to their chemical standards.

“It’s very concerning that we are unable to identify the uses or sources of so many of these chemicals,” Woodruff said. “EPA must do a better job of requiring the chemical industry to standardize its reporting of chemical compounds and uses. And they need to use their authority to ensure that we have adequate information to evaluate potential health harms and remove chemicals from the market that pose a risk.”

Reduce your toxic burden

So how do you avoid becoming a walking pool of chemicals?

Well, you might not be able to give all man-made chemicals a miss, but you can reduce your toxic burdens with these tips:

1. Eat organic – Avoid conventional foods and the pesticides they’re coated in and choose only organic fruits and veggies. Follow the guidance of the Environmental Working Group.
2. Use less plastic – Whether it’s plastic bowls, plastic wrap or Ziploc baggies, anything that’s made of plastic is made of chemicals.
3. Throw out non-stick cookware – Instead of non-stick, choose stainless steel or ceramic cookware to avoid those PFAS.
4. Reduce medication usage – Whenever possible, go natural for your health rather than taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that could increase your toxic burden.
5. Choose chemical-free furniture and mattresses – When shopping for new household items, look for ones without chemicals and flame retardants.
6. Pick natural personal care products – Whether it’s deodorant, makeup, or hair care products, look for natural, plant-based options without the chemicals and toxins.

Another very important factor in decreasing the toxic load in your body is the health of your liver. Your hardworking liver is your body’s main detox organ, responsible for filtering your blood and helping to show the “trash” the way out. Consider occasional cleansing to lessen the burden on your liver as well as nutrients that promote liver health.

Toxins are everywhere, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept them in our lives and homes, much less in our bodies. Start reducing your toxic burden today to lower the levels of chemicals in your blood in the future.

Sources:

UCSF study finds evidence of 55 new chemicals in people — EurekAlert!

UCSF Study Find Evidence of 55 Chemicals Never Before Reported in People — University of California San Francisco

The post Scientists find 109 chemicals never reported in people before appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And once you’ve got it, its symptoms hit you again and again.

Step outside during the Spring, the pollen in the air could bring on an attack.

Hitting the golf course during the fall, ragweed could constrict your breathing.

And asthma dangers aren’t confined to the great outdoors.

According to extensive research in Australia, the things you’re exposed to at home might be even worse. But at least you may have a little more power to control them. 

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The asthma culprits lurking in your house

Australian researchers set about determining specific things asthma sufferers could be exposed to daily, without even stepping foot out of the house, that could initiate or worsen their symptoms. These include tobacco smoke, pollen, mold, dust, pet dander and harmful gases.

But what they wanted to find were the worst offenders. In other words, the triggers responsible for more attacks than any others.

So they gathered a massive amount of data from 56 separate studies, involving a whopping 137,840 people to discover which household features are the most common in homes of people who have asthma and need the most asthma treatment.

And the answer came down to three things…

Second-hand smoke, synthetic bedding and gas heating.

So let’s break down their findings.

#1 – Cigarette smoke

The researchers discovered that being around smokers and inhaling second-hand smoke is the most commonly reported indoor exposure for people with asthma. This so-called “passive smoking” alters normal lung and immune system development and skyrockets irritation of the airways.

#2 – Bedding

Coming in at number two on the home asthma danger scale was bedding made from unnatural fibers, including microfiber, nylon or acrylic materials for two very important reasons.

The first has to do with allergens. Levels of dust might allergens are significantly higher for synthetic bedding than for featherbedding. And synthetic blankets, comforters and pillows are more likely to trap cat and dog allergens, leaving you to breathe them in all night long.

The second issue is that synthetic bedding, especially mattresses, is prone to off-gassing. This means that synthetic bedding materials emit gases, increasing exposure to volatile organic chemicals that causes health problems. As these gases accumulate indoors, so too can your asthma issues.

#3 – Heating

The third most common problem in homes that could worsen your asthma is gas heating. The Australian scientists found that both flued and un-flued gas heaters can emit nitrogen dioxide gas that can irritate the respiratory tract and trigger asthma symptoms.

Their recommendation is to get rid of gas heaters or heating systems, if possible.

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Easing the breathing worries of asthma

All in all, they say that eliminating these three household culprits could help you better control your asthma symptoms and possibly even prevent asthma in your children.

For additional asthma relief, you can also try these tips:

• Daily nasal rinsing has been shown to improve asthma control scores in 83 percent of study participants.
• Switching to a ketogenic diet could also help since research has found it can reduce mucus production, inflammation and asthma symptoms.
• A natural helper may be black seed oil. My colleague and editor Virginia Tims-Lawson shares the healing history of this 3,000-year-old remedy that benefits respiratory conditions, here.

Sources:

Large Review Identifies Common Household Things That Can Make Your Asthma Worse – ScienceAlert

The post 3 household nasties that make asthma worse appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

We’re inundated with commercials telling us if we join this or that program and eat their special pre-packaged meals mailed to your doorstep, the pounds will drop.

Maybe you’ve given them a try or followed a weight loss diet at home, working out on top of all of that — but the scale keeps going up.

Let me be the first to tell you to stop beating yourself up.

According to research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, it’s definitely not all your fault…

If you hate your scale, blame plastic

The researchers say that, while it may sound strange, the chemicals in plastic may be the reason visiting your bathroom scale is unpleasant.

Their study took a hard look at 34 different plastic products to get an idea of which chemicals they contained and how many. They chose normal products that you and I are very likely exposed to every day, like yogurt containers, water bottles and kitchen sponges.

And you won’t believe the results…

They determined that those 34 plastic products contained over 55,000 chemicals. (No, that’s not a misprint.)

And they leach into our bodies. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t sign up for that.

While we don’t know as much as we should about all of them — the researchers say, for a fact, that 11 of the chemicals they found interfere with our metabolism.

Additionally, chemicals from one-third of the plastic products investigated were found to contribute to “fat cell development.” In lab experiments, they actually spurred the production of more fat cells and the accumulation of more fat.

What’s really frightening is that even the products that didn’t have known metabolism-disrupting chemicals also triggered fat cell development and “fattening.”

“Our experiments show that ordinary plastic products contain a mix of substances that can be a relevant and underestimated factor behind overweight and obesity,” says Martin Wagner, an associate professor at NTNU’s Department of Biology.

And his colleague, Johannes Völker, the first author of the study, weighed in with more explaining, “It’s very likely that it is not the usual suspects, such as Bisphenol A, causing these metabolic disturbances. This means that plastic chemicals other than the ones we already know could be contributing to overweight and obesity.”

Reduce your toxic burden and support the breakdown of fat

So what in the world can you do if chemicals from the plastic that surrounds you are busy encouraging your fat cells to multiply and store even more fat, when clearly diet alone isn’t going to fix the issue?

Well, I’ll be honest and say that there’s no perfect answer as long as companies keep using plastic. It’s cheap and they have little incentive to do otherwise.

But that doesn’t mean that we’re helpless.

First, it’s important to avoid as much plastic exposure as possible. This means:

• Skipping bottled water and investing in a high-quality water filter for your house
• Buying organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible
• Avoiding fast food, since plastic is in the coating of every wrapper and container
• Choosing to cook fresh rather than packaged foods

Additionally, encouraging your body to detox from what’s already accumulated could help at least diminish what’s already built up in your tissues.

And since your liver is your main detox organ, keeping it running optimally is the place to start—especially since we sometimes forget that the liver also helps the body break down fats. This means the plastic onslaught has it doing double duty.

I recommend taking the following supplements to support your liver so that it can better do its job:

• N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) – This powerful amino acid promotes gentle detoxification while offering liver support.
• Milk Thistle – Milk thistle has been found to help support the elimination of heavy metal build-up, medication residue (which is often packed with plastics), environmental pollutants and alcohol.
• Turmeric – This herb helps guard the liver from oxidative stress and promotes healthy liver function.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) – ALA is a potent antioxidant that helps keep fats from accumulating in the liver.
• Selenium – This trace element helps promote detoxification.

Sources:

Chemicals in plastic may contribute to weight gain – EurekAlert!

The post ‘Everyday’ plastics mess with metabolism, increase fat cells appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The connection between aluminum in deodorant and breast cancer scared me enough that I decided not to take the risk. Maybe you decided on the same thing. But here’s where I went wrong…

I eliminated aluminum from my deodorant, but I didn’t pay attention to any other sources of aluminum. Because the fact is, aluminum is in so many everyday things.

It’s in your cooking utensils. In your cosmetics. Wrapped around your leftovers. Invisible aluminum is even hiding in your food and water. And as we’ve learned from the aluminum-breast cancer connection, too much aluminum exposure isn’t healthy…

It can cause neurotoxicity — a form of damage to the central and/or peripheral nervous system. In fact, aluminum’s link to Alzheimer’s has only grown stronger, with more research substantiating the connection.

So, you want to stay on top of your aluminum exposure (beyond what type of deodorant you buy), especially since recent research shows plenty of people are still exposed to far too much…

People of all ages are exposed to too much aluminum

A new study published in the journal Archives of Toxicology found that aluminum exposure is still too high for people in all age groups.

The study was conducted by German researchers. On the positive side, they found that aluminum exposure from food is going down. It’s 50 percent of the tolerable weekly limit set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

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But aluminum exposure from other sources is still dangerously high. The biggest culprits are:

• Cosmetics and personal care products
• Food packaging
• Cooking tools

Researchers say the use of uncoated aluminum cooking tools and aluminum-containing beauty products could cause a large group of people of all ages to permanently exceed safe levels of aluminum exposure and accumulate aluminum in their bodies.

Related: How to recognize these 5 toxic dangers (slideshow)

As a reminder of just how dangerous aluminum exposure can be, I want to mention that yet another study came out recently linking aluminum to Alzheimer’s. This study found scary amounts of aluminum in the brains of people who died with Alzheimer’s disease.

How to avoid aluminum exposure

So, do your due diligence when it comes to aluminum. I know I plan to start doing mine better. Here are a few tips for getting started:

• Check your cosmetics and personal care products. Start with deodorant and toothpaste, the two most common sources of aluminum, but leave no cosmetic label unexamined. Aluminum also frequently turns up in eye shadow, nail polish, eyeliner, blush, hair dye, brow liner, mascara, sunscreen, face masks, and hairspray.
• Don’t prepare or store foods in uncoated aluminum dishes or pots, or in aluminum foil. This applies to all foods but you should be especially careful about acidic and salty foods. Aluminum tends to leach into these foods more.
• Ditch aluminum cooking utensils. Organic bamboo, silicone or stainless steel are all healthier alternatives.
• Be careful when you get takeout. I know I’ve gotten plenty of aluminum takeout containers in my day. It may seem weird, but I plan to start bringing my own Tupperware to restaurants when I go out to eat. Consider doing the same.

Sources:

1. How can we reduce our exposure to potentially harmful aluminum? — Medical News Today
2. Alzheimer’s Disease Linked to Exposure to Aluminum — SciTechDaily
3. Aluminum Powder — Environmental Working Group

The post The 3 most dangerous daily sources of aluminum and the damage it does appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In fact, according to the CDC, a whopping two-thirds of us are now classified as either overweight or obese. And on average most of us are carrying around an extra 23 pounds more than our ideal body weight.

There are a lot of reasons that could contribute to our weight problems. And we’ve been conditioned to believe those reasons are within our control — and that not following a healthy diet or overeating is no one’s fault but our own.

But how true is it?

Well, according to a study from scientists at McMaster University, it may not be all about the food you’re eating, but what’s on that food that you don’t know about…

A banned pesticide is making us fat

You see, the problem they say is a commonly-used pesticide known as chlorpyrifos.

And it’s widely sprayed all over many of the fruits and vegetables we eat regularly. Yet, its health profile is bad enough that Canada has recently completely banned its use.

Now, you might think the U.S. would have already done the same — or at least banned imported foods from countries that use them agriculturally.

But no such luck…

Not only are fruits and veggies we import from other countries coated in this dangerous chemical, chlorpyrifos has been widely used right here in the United States since 1965!

According to the EPA, the pesticide is sprayed on crops like corn, soybeans, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, which means that you could be eating it with every meal.

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The good news is that the EPA has finally announced as of August 18, 2021, that they will be enacting measures to stop the use of chlorpyrifos on food in our country.

But the bad news is that this rule is at the mercy of the government red tape and bureaucracy. This means that there’s no telling how long this ban will take to go into effect.

In other words, don’t hold your breath that the food you buy at the grocery store will be “clean” and safe anytime soon.

Chlorpyrifos: a player in the global obesity epidemic

 So what does a pesticide have to do with your weight?

Well, those McMaster researchers discovered that when chlorpyrifos is consumed, it actually slows down the burning of calories in brown adipose tissue.

That’s the good fat on your body that helps you stay slim and trim.

And when the pesticide causes calorie burn to plummet this burning of calories, your body starts to store these extra calories as white fat (that’s the bad stuff that laps over your waistband). Obesity can then be just around the corner.

And the effects can really add up (at least on the scale).

According to the researchers, chlorpyrifos would only need to stop your brown fat from burning off just 40 calories every day to trigger obesity and translate to an extra five pounds of weight gain per year.

No wonder lifestyle changes like diet and exercise so often fail to help us lose the weight and keep it off!

The food we’re eating is poisoned with a chemical that stops us from succeeding and actually makes us pack on the pounds.

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Organic, organic and organic

And this isn’t the first time that pesticides on our foods have been shown to contribute to the deterioration of our health.

Studies have shown they can steal your sleep hormone, disrupt your hormones and even cause neurological issues.

That means it’s time to go all-in on eating organic produce whenever possible.

Whether you grow it yourself or you buy it in the grocery store, going organic could help stop the metabolic damage pesticides are doing to your body and get you back on track to a healthier weight and a healthier life.

Sources:

Common pesticide may contribute to global obesity crisis —  ScienceDaily

Is Fat the New Normal? — Nourish by WebMD

U.S. to ban use of pesticide chlorpyrifos on food crops over health concerns —  Reuters

The post The pesticide that helps pack on the pounds appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If you’ve ever shopped for a mattress, you know that there are many aspects to consider, including size and materials, as well as price, hardness, and degree of thickness. Oftentimes, we get so preoccupied with finding the perfect mattress that will last for decades that we totally overlook potentially hazardous ingredients that are not only terrible for the environment but also harmful for ourselves.

These mattresses are often accessible and affordable, which is excellent for individuals who lack the time or money to invest in an expensive mattress due to a pressing necessity or a limited budget.  However, they have no idea that such shopping endeavor may result in a variety of acute symptoms and is highly discouraged by health professionals.

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The risks of owning a mattress containing glass fibers

There are many risks associated with having fiberglass in your home. They may easily cling to your clothes, body, and hair, making removal difficult, and, more importantly, they can cause serious health problems. For children and people with allergies, this can be extremely dangerous. There is some debate over studies that looked at the link between human exposure to fiberglass and cancer development. Additionally, glass fibers may irritate the eyes and upper respiratory system and can get lodged in the skin, necessitating surgical removal.

Worst of all, once it has escaped from your mattress, fiberglass is extremely difficult to remove; it can infiltrate your ventilation system, heater, or air conditioner, where it may cause further harm. In fact, it will contaminate everything within your house, including the air, carpet, furniture and clothing. It’s similar to dust that settles everywhere, but it’s composed of small glass shards.

Fiberglass takes a lot of effort to clean up, making it costly and burdensome. Depending on the severity of the problem, removing glass fibers from your house may cost anywhere from $2,000 to $30,000, or more according to one fiberglass-cleaning expert. Thus, although fiberglass is an excellent flame retardant for mattresses, the health and cost concerns are just not worth it, particularly when there are alternative, better flame-proof materials available.

The glass fiber content in Zinus mattresses has been named in a class-action lawsuit

Recent years have seen numerous reports of consumers being injured from mattresses leaking out fiberglass particles. In a class-action complaint, these customers claim that their Zinus mattresses have a flaw that allows fire-retardant glass fibers to leak into their homes.

The manufacturer rejects the accusations, stating that their mattresses are safe and comply with all relevant government standards and that the fiberglass used in its mattresses is industry standard and exceptional in fire protection. Some manufacturers, such as Zinus, who admits to using fiberglass in their mattresses, claim that the fiberglass is tucked away in the mattress’s inner cover, which is seen to be a safer option.

Avoid removing the inner cover

The cover is removable, but removing it can affect your health, and we strongly recommend that you should not do it. When they learn about the dangers of fiberglass, some customers decided to tear the liner of their mattress apart in order to get rid of it, which is a bad decision.

We strongly advise you to follow the following guidelines if you have a fiberglass-containing mattress, or you want to avoid the hazardous glass fibers in your new mattress:

• Do not unzip the mattress cover – this will prevent an explosion of fiberglass particles from damaging your property and putting you and your family at risk of health problems.
• If the mattress is damaged or otherwise torn, handle it very carefully; definitely do not unzip or remove the outer cover and consider getting rid of the mattress.
• Before purchasing a mattress, carefully read the label or consider choosing an organic, fiberglass-free mattress.

How to identify a fiberglass-containing mattress

There are three main ways to tell if a mattress contains fiberglass:

• Read the label to find out what material your mattress is composed of; search for terms like “fiberglass”, “glass wool” or “glass fiber”.
• Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully; if it states “Do not remove the cover,” it’s most likely because the mattress contains glass fibers. Some mattresses have zips on the cover, despite a “do not remove cover” caution; this zip is not an invitation to remove the cover, but a part of the manufacturing process; thus, avoid touching the zip if you encounter a mattress with a zip or a “never to remove the cover” warning.
• If none of the previous two are available, this is when you would presume a memory foam mattress includes fiberglass: it was inexpensive and manufactured in China.
• To rule out the possibility that the mattress contains fiberglass, you may look for clues in the product descriptions, FAQ pages, and customer reviews that can be found on the manufacturer’s website and major retail websites.

The post Is your mattress leaking fiberglass? Here’s how to know appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And though most chemicals are meant to improve our lives in some way, according to a study by the Silent Spring Institute there are likely almost 300 of them in your home right now that have the potential to help fuel breast cancer.

The hormones cancer cells need to grow

In fact, according to scientists, it’s likely that many chemicals act in the same way that the hormone therapies that were found to raise breast cancer risk worked.

You might remember back when studies found that women who were given combination hormone replacement therapy had an increased risk of breast cancer. Women everywhere stopped taking the drugs and breast cancer rates plummeted.

Well, those drugs changed hormone levels, raising estrogen and progesterone, which can feed cancer cells.

Breastcancer.org reports that “hormone disruptors can affect how estrogen and other hormones act in the body, by blocking them or mimicking them, which throws off the body’s hormonal balance.”

And that’s exactly what scientists say the chemicals in your household products are doing.

The cancer connection

 “The connection between estrogen and progesterone and breast cancer is well established,” said Ruthann Rudel, a toxicologist and research director at Silent Spring Institute. “So, we should be extremely cautious about chemicals in products that increase levels of these hormones in the body.”

Her team of scientists decided to delve deep into these chemical risk factors and they combed through the data covering more than 2,000 chemicals that demonstrated what biological changes occur when you expose living cells to them.

All in all, they found a whopping 296 separate chemicals that increase either estradiol (a form of estrogen) or progesterone in cells in the laboratory. Seventy-one of them had the power to raise the level of both hormones.

The chemicals included ingredients in:

• Personal care products like hair dye
• Chemical flame retardants used in building materials and household furnishings
• A number of pesticides that could be coating your fruits and veggies

While the researchers say that they don’t yet know the exact mechanism behind how these chemicals are causing cells to produce more hormones that could feed breast cancer, what we do know is…

“Women are exposed to multiple chemicals from multiple sources on a daily basis, and that these exposures add up.”

Keeping your body healthy in a toxic world

This study goes along with previous research that found 109 chemicals in the bodies of pregnant women — 55 of which have never been reported in people before — plus 42 “mystery chemicals” whose sources and uses are a complete unknown.

Clearly, the chemicals in the world around us are becoming a bigger threat than ever.

That’s why it’s so important to take the steps needed to reduce your toxic burden…

It’s especially vital to beware of the chemicals that could be contaminating your personal care routine in order to choose cleaner, safer options for the products you apply to your body. To discover safer options, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database.

You can also cut down on the amount of toxins in your home by following these 8 tips to rid your home of dust, dirt and toxins.

But perhaps the best way to avoid the danger of chemicals is to chelate or remove as much as you can. When it comes to that, the brassica family is tops. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and kale contain an abundance of sulfur compounds that help support glutathione production and other detoxification pathways in the body. Glutathione is considered the “master antioxidant” and is very important in detoxification.

Cruciferous vegetables also contain Di-Indole Methane, which is a promising agent for the prevention of estrogen-sensitive cancers per a study published in the journal Molecular Medicine.

Sources:

Study identifies nearly 300 chemicals, many in consumer products, that could increase breast cancer risk – Silent Spring Institute

The post The chemicals fueling the hormones breast cancer cells thrive on appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But we’re not out of the woods yet.

If you’re vaccinated, you have a strong level of protection from a serious COVID-19 infection.

But as restrictions ease and more of us begin hosting indoor gatherings, experts say we need to stay aware that the virus is still among us.

For large gatherings, air circulation is vital for minimizing the risk of viral transmission.

But how can we be sure our homes and gathering places are safely ventilated?

One researcher has gathered proof that a simple and inexpensive solution can control the spread of the airborne virus particles that cause COVID-19 infections and make your next social function much safer.

The air in your space

Over the past year, there’s been concern about HVAC systems in homes and offices contributing to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. That’s why it was widely suggested to open windows as much as possible during the pandemic. But oppressive summer heat makes that nearly impossible.

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. In standard homes with an HVAC system, the entry of fresh air comes from doors, windows and cracks. Your home isn’t sealed airtight so that’s where the “fresh air” comes from that is recirculated through your HVAC system to be heated or cooled and returned through vents throughout your home.

Some commercial HVAC systems are equipped with devices that pull air from outside such as what’s known as an economizer.

But if you want to be sure the air in your home isn’t recirculating the SARS-CoV-2 or any other virus for that matter, room to room, there’s an extra layer of protection you can bring into your home.

Portable HEPA filters eliminate airborne virus particles

Dr. Ahmad Sedaghat is director of the Division of Rhinology, Allergy and Anterior Skull Base Surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

“Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control indicates that we can rely on our HVAC systems to slowly decontaminate the air during an hour timeframe,” says Dr. Sedaghat. The HVAC system he’s referring to is in a hospital setting.

According to Dr. Sedaghat, “Studies in the medical literature are showing us that we can use portable air purifiers to do a better and faster job of decontaminating these airborne particles to keep our patients and staff safe.”

And you can do the same in your home to add a level of safety to your next inside gathering.

Along with an international team of researchers, Dr. Sedaghat conducted a systematic search of the literature on the effectiveness of portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers in eliminating airborne SARS-CoV-2 from indoor environments.

The team searched four major research databases: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Databases, and the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease.

They found repeated evidence that “air purifiers with HEPA filters can be used as very effective means to decontaminate the air above and beyond what many HVAC systems may offer.”

“If you want to host larger gatherings, you should consider putting the air purifiers into your living room to help decontaminate anything that is released into the air,” says Dr. Sedaghat. “HEPA-based air purifiers work the best.”

Choosing and using a HEPA purifier in your home

COVID-19 is not expelled on its own. It must attach to something else to travel: mucus, a respiratory droplet or a piece of dust in the environment.

A HEPA filter does not kill the COVID-19 virus. But when droplets or dust are captured by the filter, this prevents the virus from circulating further in the air in your home, or elsewhere.

Think about the size of the area you want to cover. The manufacturer’s specifications will tell you the number of square feet the unit is meant for.

When choosing your air purifier, you’ll come across two abbreviations: CADR and ACH.

CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rating. This is the volume of clean air an air purifier can produce in one minute. The higher the rate is, the better the air purifier works, and the bigger the area it can service.

The other abbreviation, ACH, stands for Air Changes per Hour. For example, a unit that can completely change the air in a room four times per hour will have an ACH rating of “x4.” A higher ACH rating means cleaner air for a longer period.

Sources:

Several studies show HEPA air purifier reduce airborne COVID-19 particles — Medical Xpress

Portable HEPA purifiers to eliminate Airborne SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review —Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

What is an Economizer and How Can it Benefit My Commercial HVAC Unit? — North East Air Conditioning

HVAC 101: What’s a Ventilator or Air Exchanger? — staycomfy.com

Cleaner air: Another layer of protection from COVID-19 — Mayo Clinic Health System

The post Is the air in your home safe for post-pandemic indoor gatherings? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Well, think again…

More than 200 cosmetics sold across the United States and Canada were recently tested — and there’s no doubt that your cosmetics could be hiding a dirty little secret: Toxic “forever chemicals” that could cause everything from thyroid disease to cancer.

Not just for Teflon cookware anymore

These toxic chemicals are per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (also known as PFAS chemicals). PFASs are endocrine–disrupting chemicals due to their ability to interfere with hormone systems and wreak havoc.

Previously these chemicals have been found in nonstick cookware — think Teflon — treated fabrics, fast food wrappers and even the personal protective equipment used by firefighters across the country.

They’re called “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally degrade. That means that with every product that they end up contaminating our groundwater for decades after their release into the environment.

The state of Michigan even sued 3M over groundwater contamination due to PFAS chemicals.

And they’ve been linked to:

• Kidney and testicular cancers
• High blood pressure
• Thyroid problems
• Low birth weight
• Immuno-toxicity in children

They don’t simply stick around in the environment either.

Once they get into your bloodstream, these forever chemicals stick around and accumulate, which is why this latest study is so scary.

Slipping into your tear ducts and absorbing through your skin

That’s because after testing over 200 cosmetic products, researchers at the University of Notre Dame found PFAS in:

• 56 percent of foundations and eye products
• 48 percent of lip products
• 47 percent of mascaras (which showed high levels of fluorine, an indicator of PFAS use)

“These results are particularly concerning when you consider the risk of exposure to the consumer combined with the size and scale of a multibillion-dollar industry that provides these products to millions of consumers daily,” said Graham Peaslee, professor of physics at Notre Dame and principal investigator of the study.

According to the researchers, every time you use a cosmetic product contaminated with these toxins, they could absorb into your body through your skin. And when it comes to eye makeup, your tear ducts make the perfect highway for these chemicals to travel into your bloodstream.

Even more concerning is the fact that the researchers say that while 29 of the products tested were found to contain between four and 13 separate PFAS compounds, only one listed PFAS as an ingredient on the label!

Reducing your PFAS exposure

This means that it’s impossible to estimate your PFAS risk simply by checking the label for ingredients or even looking for words such as “Clean” and “Natural”.

A few terms the researchers do recommend being on the lookout for are “long-lasting” and “wear-resistant” since many waterproof foundations and mascaras use PFAS for their water-resistant properties.

In addition to cosmetics, you should also be aware of hidden PFAS in other personal care items. The Environmental Working Group is a great source for safer cosmetics and personal care items. Check their recommendation at EWG’s Skin Deep^®

Reducing your exposure is the first step but longtime health researcher and editor of Easy Health Options, Virginia Tims-Lawson, suggests at least five ways to lessen your toxin load here.

Sources:

Use of PFAS in cosmetics ‘widespread,’ new study finds — ScienceDaily

The post Dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ are hiding in your cosmetics appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And you may be tempted to continue the habit since it helped lower your exposure not only to COVID-19 but remarkably fewer cases of the flu were reported during that time too.

That’s not a bad idea considering they expect both influenza and COVID-19 variants to continue to make rounds next season…

But, according to a new study, if the cleaners you use in your home have this one ingredient, even if you’re using a bleach alternative, you could be trading the risk of catching any respiratory virus for the risk of respiratory problems, like asthma.

From eye and skin irritation to serious lung problems

What’s the ingredient?

Good old hydrogen peroxide.

If you’re like me, you probably didn’t even know that it’s commonly used in disinfectants. In fact, if a disinfectant doesn’t use bleach, the ingredient of choice is often hydrogen peroxide.

And while hydrogen peroxide may not sound dangerous, a team of scientists from the University of Saskatchewan were worried about its potential to pollute the air around you and pose a danger to your health.

They say that, “When you’re washing surfaces, you are also changing the air you are breathing.” And this can translate to real health risks since, “Poor indoor air quality is associated with respiratory issues such as asthma,” says chemistry researcher and senior author of the study, Tara Kahan.

In addition to lung problems, hydrogen peroxide can even cause skin and eye irritation.

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So the scientists decided to quantify that risk level.

After performing their study, the team found that mopping a floor with a commercially available hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant (one you could have picked up walking down the cleaning aisle at your local supermarket) raised the level of airborne hydrogen peroxide to more than 600 parts per billion.

To put that into perspective, it’s about 60 percent of the maximum level permitted for exposure over eight hours, and a whopping 600 times the level naturally occurring in the air!

And that was after disinfecting the floor only — not like when you mop your floor, wipe down your counters and clean your sinks.

The team says that they measured at face height only. That concentration would have been even stronger at floor, or at the level of a countertop you had sprayed with the disinfectant.

They also point out with pets and children physically closer to the surfaces you disinfect, they could be in even more danger.

Safe disinfection doesn’t have to be so harsh

When asked how to disinfect and cleanse your home with less risk, the team had these suggestions.

• Stick with soap and water instead of a disinfectant – They’re known to kill the virus that causes COVID-19 and you won’t have to worry about air pollution.
• Get air flowing – Open a window, turn on a range hood or using your central air system. The point is to reduce the levels of pollutants by circulating the air.
• Nix the bleach too – Even though this study focused on the dangers of hydrogen peroxide, the disinfectant ingredient is still safer than bleach.

You can also check out the Environmental Working Group’s recommendations on greener cleaners here that are safer choices for both a bleach alternative and a hydrogen peroxide alternative.

In the age of scary respiratory viruses, it can be easy to slip into a constant disinfection mode. Just remember to do it safely, so that you’re not trading one health concern for another.

Sources:

Bleach-alternative COVID-19 surface disinfectants may pollute indoor air: USask research — EurekAlert!

The post Popular bleach alternative not so safe to disinfect your home appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Maybe that’s because it is totally preventable. That is — if we’re given accurate information, and unfortunately, that hasn’t always been the case.

We’re talking about bisphenol-A (BPA) and its supposedly safe replacement, bisphenol-S (BPS).

These chemicals are found in common plastic products like water bottles, food storage containers, even cash register receipts.

We already know that BPA and BPS reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy, affect your thyroid, and cause obesity and diabetes.

BPS can slow your heart rate to dangerously low levels within minutes of exposure.

Now, concerned scientists are digging even deeper, only to find that the chemicals in your plastics can cause permanent brain damage.

Chemicals in common plastics disrupt brain activity

A study by three biologists at the University of Bayreuth in Germany has shown that even small amounts of BPA and BPS disrupt the transmission of signals between nerve cells in the brains of goldfish.

Goldfish brains share many characteristics with human brains, and the researchers consider it very likely that similar interference can also occur in the brains of adult humans.

The study focused on the two largest cells in the fish brain, known as Mauthner cells. The job of these cells is to coordinate sensory input quickly and accurately, so that fish can “think” quickly and escape predators.

Because they important to survival, these particular cells have evolved to be very large and strong, which made the damage that could be caused by these chemicals even more alarming to the research team.

“We were surprised how many vital brain functions in fish are affected by the plasticizers used in numerous industries,” says Elisabeth Schirmer, a doctoral student at the University of Bayreuth.

“This damage… does not occur immediately. However, when the brain cells are exposed to small amounts of BPA or BPS for a month, the damage is unmistakable.”

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How to rid your life of BPA and BPS

Obviously, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by avoiding plastics.

But where to begin? They’re everywhere, and, let’s face it, they make life more convenient.

Like any other health changes you make, don’t expect it all to happen at once.

For starters, be aware of where BPA and BPS are hiding:

• Water bottles
• Baby bottles
• Canned foods (in the lining of most cans as a sealant)
• Pacifiers
• Store cash register receipts
• Plastic food containers (especially those marked with a #3 or #7 on the bottom)

Once you know where these toxins live, consider starting with one or two of the following steps:

• Purchase a stainless steel, BPA-free water bottle (yes, they cost more, but you’ll never have to buy bottled water again!).
• Start using frozen or fresh vegetables and fruits in place of canned.
• Get your store receipts electronically and skip the BPA-treated paper ones.
• NEVER heat plastic containers in the microwave!
• Switch out some of your plastic food containers for glass or Pyrex.
• Stop using plastic drinking cups and utensils.

You should also search the Environmental Working Group’s database of foods packaged with BPA. If your favorite food is on the list, find another favorite.

Finally, support the health of your liver. Your liver is your body’s main detox organ, responsible for filtering toxins from your bloodstream. One big problem, though: BPA causes liver damage. Some natural liver protectors are milk thistle, turmeric (which also supports memory) and selenium.

Sources:

Brain Damage Linked to Common Compound In Everyday Plastic Items — Neuroscience News

Bisphenols exert detrimental effects on neuronal signaling in mature vertebrate brains — Communications Biology

The post 7 ways to start ridding your life of brain-damaging BPA appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But is that always the case? More and more studies are finding it’s not. In fact, something as innocuous as the dust in your home can pose a cancer threat.

That’s exactly the finding behind a brand new study by Canadian researchers from the Institut national de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS).

Endocrine disruptors in your dust, air and food

The research, published in the journal Toxicological Sciences, specifically looked at the effects of the compounds known as brominated flame retardants or BFRs. These are the chemicals manufacturers use in your furniture, electronics and even your kitchenware to make it harder for fire to travel.

Yet, while keeping flame spread to a minimum is a great idea in theory, in practice these chemicals aren’t just fire retardants, they’re also endocrine disruptors.

This means that they interfere with your body’s natural hormonal system and can throw off all of the hormone levels that play a role in your health — including the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone.

What’s particularly scary about this is that research shows that since manufacturers aren’t able to directly bind the BFRs to the material in which they’re added (for example, the fabric on that couch sitting in your living room), they can easily escape.

And that means they end up floating around in the air in your home and in the dust you breathe and touch.

The risk of breast cancer

All of that’s why a team of Canadian scientists decided to find out just what exposure to these chemicals could be doing to our bodies, especially when it comes to breast health.

To accomplish this goal, the researchers exposed female rodents to a typical mixture of BFRs that you would expect to find in household dust. Exposure occurred prior to mating, during pregnancy and during lactation.

And here’s what they found…

Exposure to BFRs prior to puberty led to early development of the breasts, while post-puberty exposure resulted in a “deregulation of communication between cells.” Both of these factors are known to significantly increase future breast cancer risk.

In other words, taking in BFRs through the air we breathe or the food we eat could affect our breast health and development at every stage of our lives.

If that alone wasn’t scary enough, it’s even more frightening when you consider that the research also proved that most of the negative consequences occurred at the lowest exposure dose of BFRs from dust — not the higher doses!

And the old way of determining what a “safe dose” of these chemicals is just isn’t working since all it takes is a little (similar to the concentration of hormones in our bodies) to spin our hormonal systems out of balance and set off the chain of events that leads to breast cancer.

So whenever possible avoid purchasing new products with BFRs in them that will end up leaching into the rest of your home. Some of the worst household offenders that can be loaded with the chemicals include:

• Electronics, including television sets
• Upholstery
• Pain
• Carpet
• Pillows
• Kitchen appliances

Some tips to help cut down on toxic dust:

• Vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Don’t sweep or dry dust. Mop or wipe with a damp cloth instead.

Sources:

Breast cancer: The risks of brominated flame retardants – EurekAlert!

The post How household dust may contribute to breast cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

A piece of furniture you likely sit on every day was the subject of a recent study indicating that replacing it with an updated model can go a long way to reducing the level of toxins in your home…

Flame retardants and your couch

Researchers have discovered that when people ditch their old couch for a new one with no added flame retardants, it greatly reduces the levels of the harmful chemicals in household dust. And if you don’t want to get rid of your current couch, replacing the foam inside its cushions is just as effective at lowering those toxins.

These findings confirm that having flame-retardant-free furniture in your home can really help reduce adult’s and children’s everyday exposure to these toxic chemicals.

“We’ve long suspected that couches are a major source of toxic chemicals in dust,” says lead author Kathryn Rodgers, a research scientist at Silent Spring Institute. “Now, for the first time, we have evidence demonstrating the positive impacts of replacing old furniture containing flame retardants.”

As is the case with a lot of the chemicals in household objects, flame retardants can transfer out of furniture and into air and dust, and from there end up in people’s bodies. Exposure to flame retardant chemicals has been linked with cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, lower IQ and other harmful health issues. Infants and young children are especially at risk when they crawl and play on the floor, where contaminated dust settles, and put their hands in their mouths.

The use of flame retardants in upholstered furniture in the United States is about to be updated to California’s flammability standard. Enacted in 2014, this standard is designed to stop smoldering fires in the furniture’s fabric before they reach the flammable foam inside, eliminating the need to add flame retardants to the foam. This allows manufacturers to make furniture free of flame retardants.

Beginning June 25, a new federal law requires all upholstered furniture imported or sold in the United States to comply with California’s flammability standard for upholstered furniture.

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Some flame retardants reduced more than others

To determine the impact of the California standard on home toxicity, researchers studied participants from 33 homes in Northern California who agreed to swap out their old furniture for options free of flame retardants. About two-thirds replaced their entire upholstered couch, while the rest replaced their couch’s foam.

The team collected dust samples from each home before the swap, then several times afterward over a period of 18 months. After the first six months, concentrations of flame retardants in the samples dropped significantly, and most remained lower a year after the furniture was replaced. The same declines were seen in the homes where just the foam was replaced as in the homes where the occupants got an entirely new couch.

Of the seven types of flame retardants researchers tested for, two in particular — PBDEs and TPHP — decreased the most. The drop in PBDE levels wasn’t a surprise, given how widespread their use is in furniture that met the old standard.

In animal studies, PBDEs have shown negative impacts on the thyroid, liver and brain development. TPHP can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skin and affect the liver and kidneys.

Researchers also observed a decrease in chlorinated OPFRs, but the declines were not as sustained over time, likely because the flame retardants are used in other products including textiles, plastics, adhesives and rubber. OPFRs are structurally similar to neurotoxic organophosphate pesticides, so there are concerns these flame retardants can have the same toxic effects on development, reproduction and the endocrine system (think thyroid and pancreatic cancer).

While removing flame retardants from furniture is going well, the global market for these chemicals continues to expand because manufacturers are increasing their use of flame retardants in other types of consumer products. “The findings from the new study should spur state and federal policymakers to reduce other harmful and ineffective uses of flame retardants in other items such as television cases and building insulation,” says co-author Arlene Blum, executive director of Green Science Policy Institute.

Eliminating toxic furniture in your home

Furniture can last for many years, so it’s possible you still have furniture in your home that meets the old standard and contains flame retardants. Since replacing furniture can be expensive, it may not be an option for everyone. Replacing the foam in your existing couch with foam that’s free of flame retardants can be more cost-effective. You can do the replacement yourself by contacting a local foam supplier and asking for foam with no added flame retardants. Or you can contact a furniture upholsterer and have them replace the foam for you.

Beyond replacing your couch, keeping your home as dust-free as possible can also help lower your home’s chemical content. Ms. Rodgers recommends using a strong vacuum with a motorized brush and HEPA filter and wiping surfaces often with a wet cloth or mop. Also, make sure to fix any rips in your furniture’s fabric so that the foam isn’t exposed. Finally, try to regularly wash your own hands, as well as those of your children to keep their hands from being contaminated by household dust.

Sources:

Want a healthier home? Start with your couch — Silent Spring Institute

Do flame retardant concentrations change in dust after older upholstered furniture is replaced? —  Environment International

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) Factsheet — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet — New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services

A Review of a Class of Emerging Contaminants: The Classification, Distribution, Intensity of Consumption, Synthesis Routes, Environmental Effects and Expectation of Pollution Abatement to Organophosphate Flame Retardants (OPFRs) — International Journal of Molecular Sciences

The post The one piece of furniture making your home toxic appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Well, if you fall into the second category, we’ve got big news for you…

Those other fruits and vegetables may be the reason you’re not sleeping so well.

Sleep not only makes you feel rested and ready to take on the world, but sleep keeps you healthy. During sleep, your brain takes the trash out, so to speak. Without proper sleep, your brain is not able to complete processes that help clean out waste from the brain when cerebrospinal fluid flows in the gaps between neurons allowing waste proteins to be flushed into the circulatory system and out of your body.

Lack of sleep has also been associated with heart disease and even cancer.

But when you eat foods that are not organic, not only are you being cheated of more healthful nutrition that should fight disease, you may get a dose of a toxin that’s stealing your sleep hormone and increasing your risk for metabolic disorders, like diabetes.

The pesticides that are destroying your health and sleep

The study builds on past research which has shown that organic food that is free of the chemicals and pesticides that coat our conventional food supply is linked to lower risks of Parkinson’s, cancer and drug-resistant infections.

Performed by a team at the University of Buffalo, this research took a deep dive into how two specific pesticides affect your chances of getting your rest when your head hits the pillow at the end of the day and staying disease-free.

Those two pesticides are known as carbaryl and carbofuran.

And here’s where things get scary…

While the United States still allows our food supply to be sprayed with carbaryl, it’s completely banned in other countries because of its toxic effects.

And that carbofuan? Even though its use has been banned in the U.S., other countries still use it, including Mexico, and traces persist in food, plants and wildlife.

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Disrupting melatonin and other body processes

How did the researchers make the connection between these pesticides, melatonin and disease?

Per the University at Buffalo’s website, they used predictive computational modeling and in vitro experiments with cells that express human melatonin receptors, and found that carbamates selectively interact with a melatonin receptor. That interaction can disrupt melatonin signaling and alter important regulatory processes in the body.

“By directly interacting with melatonin receptors in the brain and peripheral tissues, environmental chemicals, such as carbaryl, may disrupt key physiological processes leading to misaligned circadian rhythms, sleep patterns, and altered metabolic functions increasing the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and metabolic disorders,” said Margarita L. Dubocovich, PhD, senior author on the paper and SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB.

For example, she explained, there is a fine balance between the release of insulin and glucose in the pancreas at very specific times of day, but if that balance becomes disrupted over a long period of time, there is a higher risk of developing diabetes.

Avoiding pesticides

Since melatonin regulates so many processes in your body beyond sleep, including things like blood pressure and heart function, if you can’t use it because it’s inactivated, serious health problems can be just around the corner.

These include:

• Diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Heart disease
• Cancer

How can you know if you’re choosing produce that’s been exposed to either of these pesticides? There’s no sure way to tell. That’s why so many choose to eat organic where possible.

Because it can be costly to choose organic produce, we recommend looking to the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, for guidance. Each year they produce a dirty dozen list of the fruits and veggies that are an absolute must to buy organic. They are recommending that the following foods are safer bought organic:

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, collards and mustard greens
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Cherries
8. Peaches
9. Pears
10. Bell and hot peppers
11. Celery
12. Tomatoes

Sources:

Dirty Dozen — EWG

Using computational and experimental techniques, UB scientists provide first evidence that carbamates can upset circadian rhythms — Buffalo.edu

Organic Food Helps You Sleep Better, Study Finds — The Institute for Natural Healing

The post The pesticides that steal sleep and give you diabetes appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But have you stopped to consider how these factors harm you?

I’m not talking about plastics and toxins that leach into your food that may or not lead to cancer one day. I’m talking about the air you breathe and the fact that air pollution is now the most significant environmental risk for early death — responsible for serious long-term health effects like heart disease.

Air pollution has even been linked to more severe cases of COVID-19

You see, air pollution doesn’t just wreak havoc on the planet, but on your health, too. In fact, the damage it can do to your heart has prompted the medical community to declare it a factor they must address for the sake of their patients.

Here’s what you should know — and what you can do to protect yourself…

Air pollution, COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease

When we take a breath, our first line of defense is hair-like structures known as cilia, which line our respiratory tract keeping the airways clear of dirt and mucus. Air pollution damages the cilia and causes cellular damage, including inflammation throughout the body, making it more vulnerable to cancer, diabetes, asthma, stroke — and heart disease.

All of these conditions are known to raise risks for a harsher outcome with COVID-19. And the pollution? Well, a study out of Harvard has concluded that someone living in an area of high-particulate pollution is 8 percent more likely to die from COVID-19 than others living in an area with less pollution.  

But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, air pollution was an issue of growing concern.

In 2019, an estimated 6.7 million deaths were attributed to household or outdoor air pollution and half of these were due to cardiovascular disease.

This dangerous “triple threat” of air pollution, COVID-19, and cardiovascular disease has four leading cardiovascular organizations — the World Heart Federation (WHF), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) — making a call to action encouraging the medical community and health authorities to speak up and act to mitigate the impact of air pollution on the health of the human population.

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This statement is powerful because it causes much-needed structural and community actions to reduce air pollutants and harmful exposure. But it also highlights the critical role for healthcare providers which includes:

• Providing patients with information about personal measures to reduce exposure such as room filtration and air purification systems.
• Integrating air pollution into disease management approaches, for example, as air quality indices, would be helpful for patients diagnosed with asthma.
• Supporting ministries of environment, energy, and transportation in their efforts.
• Raising awareness of the cardiovascular benefits of clean air (online forums, pamphlets, and conversations with all new and existing patients).
• Collaborating with senior decision-makers locally, regionally, and nationally to make air pollution-related heart disease a priority.
• Advocating for air pollution mitigation as a health measurement, additional research studies on air quality and impact on CVD, and interventions to reduce air pollution and its effect on NCD’s.

How can you start protecting yourself right now?

Air pollution is a problem that’s not going to go away as soon as we’d like it to — even with the clout of these powerful medical organizations bringing to light the dire consequences for our heart health.

That doesn’t mean you should sit idly by while it makes you sick…

The threat of a pollution-triggered heart attack is something my colleague Jedha Dening has written about before. You can read her research that explains how vitamin B supplements can play a critical factor in almost completely reversing the harmful pollution damage caused to your immune and cardiovascular systems.

Also, vitamin D is very important for heart health. Not only does vitamin D3 increase the level of nitric oxide in your blood to regulate blood flow and lower your blood pressure, but it also lowers the levels of oxidative stress in your cardiovascular system. Exposure to a wide range of air pollutants gives rise to oxidative stress.

It’s important to know that indoor pollution is just as big a threat as outside pollution. Our homes are full of volatile chemical compounds that leak into the air from furniture, clothes, flooring and other building materials. For tips on improving your home’s air quality to diminish your exposure to air pollution, see our suggestions here.

Sources:

Leading cardiovascular organizations call for urgent action to reduce air pollution — Eurekalert!

Why air pollution is linked to severe cases of COVID-19 — Stanford Medicine blog

The post The hidden side effects of air pollution on your heart appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Now, a new study has found that one specific chemical could be lurking in products you use every day. It’s one that could be secretly packing that fat into your liver, making you sick and increasing your risk of death, without you even knowing it.

A banned antibacterial

The chemical known as triclosan is one you’ve probably heard of since it was only a few short years ago that the FDA banned its use in antibacterial soaps and body washes.

That ban was based on study findings that showed triclosan had the potential to:

• Disrupt hormonal balance
• Accelerate the development of antibiotic-resistant germs
• Harm the immune system
• Promote the formation of liver tumors

And since the FDA determined that using antibacterial soaps powered with triclosan was no more effective than plain soap and water, they told manufacturers that their triclosan field day was over…

But only when it came to products you wash with.

Despite all of the evidence that triclosan could be dangerous to your health, the FDA hasn’t yet forced companies to remove the chemical from other types of household products.

Some that could still be jam-packed with it include:

• Cosmetics
• Toothpaste and Mouthwashes
• Deodorant
• Athletic clothing
• Food packaging

And according to the Mayo Clinic, “When you use a product containing triclosan, you can absorb a small amount through your skin or mouth.”

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One more triclosan danger exposed

And now, researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have just discovered more evidence that triclosan is a huge risk to your health, finding that when combined with a high-fat diet, it’s the perfect recipe for fatty liver development.

For the study, the researchers fed a high-fat diet to mice with type 1 diabetes. And on cue, the mice developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Then the team fed some of the mice triclosan at a level that would be comparable to normal human exposure from those household products we talked about.

And you probably guessed it…

Compared to mice only fed a high-fat diet, triclosan accelerated the development of fatty liver and fibrosis or liver scarring.

The scientists were able to determine that the reason triclosan is so dangerous to the liver is that it disrupts metabolism as well as your gut microbiome, while also stripping away your liver cells’ natural protections.

This means that if you’re already eating a high-fat diet, which is a risk factor for fatty liver, and you add triclosan exposure to the mix, things can go from bad to worse — fast.

This also means that if you haven’t been a label reader in the past, now is definitely the time to start in order to guard your liver against the ravages caused by excess fat in the organ.

So be on the lookout to keep triclosan from damaging your liver. You can check out a partial list of triclosan-containing products to avoid here.

Sources:

Antimicrobial soap additive worsens fatty liver disease in mice — EurekAlert!

Should I avoid products that contain triclosan? — Mayo Clinic

The post ‘Banned’ chemical in everyday products fast-tracks fatty liver disease appeared first on Easy Health Options®.