Stay Healthy….Naturally!

Although there are many ingredients that we should be avoiding in food (and beverages), here is a list of 10 commonly found on ingredient labels:

1.  Food Colorings

Studies show that these dyes can cause hyperactivity in children. Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 are contaminated with cancer-causing substances, and Red 40 has been shown by the FDA to be a known carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer), but is still in use in products such as toothpaste, soda, pop-tarts, candy, and even cough syrups and other medicines (Also see Coal Tar Colors (FD&C, D&C, in the first section).

2.  Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

MSG is an excitotoxin that over-excites nerve cells to the point of cell damage, or even cell death. Used as a flavor enhancer, MSG plays a major role in obesity; researchers have known that an injury to specific parts of the hypothalamus in the brain can cause an animal to become grossly obese. MSG has been discovered to cause lesions in these same parts of the hypothalamus.
MSG also shuts off the hormone Leptin, which is responsible for telling us that we are full. Leptin enters the brain and acts with neurons in the hypothalamus to suppress appetite. In animal experiments, MSG suppressed the leptin, rendering it useless in this area of the brain, causing the animal to overeat and become grossly obese. Have you ever eaten a bag of chips in one sitting and wonder, how did that happen? It happened because the MSG turned off the leptin, so you didn’t get the signal that you were full.  MSG and other excitotoxins, such as aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal), cause more glucose to enter fat cells, resulting in more fat being stored, especially around vital organs in the midsection. MSG also is not required to be listed on an ingredient label, and many ingredients are known to contain MSG. Click here for a link to those ingredient names.

3.  Aspartame

This substance was once listed on the Pentagon’s list as a prospective biochemical warfare weapon. Brand names Nutrasweet and Equal, aspartame is linked to birth defects, depression, mental retardation, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and many neurological symptoms, it is found in
everything from soft drinks, multivitamins, prescription medications, cereals, and many other sugar-free items. One of the components of Aspartame, methanol, releases formaldehyde into the body as a result of aspartame digestion. It has recently been re-branded as AminoSweet.

4.  Acesulfame Potassium (Acesulfame K)

Another artificial sweetener, exposure to this chemical produced tumors of the lung
and breast, rare types of tumors of other organs, chronic respiratory diseases, and several types of leukemia in several rodent studies. Acesulfame K is often used in combination with aspartame in products (check your diet sodas) to mask bitterness, but there are no known studies that have researched the synergistic effects of the two together.

5.  Polysorbate 80

Also known as Tween 80, it is an emsulsifier found in ice cream, pudding cups, vitamin tablets, chewing gum, bubble bath, vaccines, and much more. It is linked to miscarriage and reproductive issues. Another risk is its link to anaphylactic shock. In their conclusion, PubMed.gov states that polysorbate 80 “can cause severe nonimmunologic anaphylactoid reactions.”

6.  Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) & Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT),Tert-Butyl Hydroquinone (TBHQ)

These are synthetic antioxidants made from petroleum that are used to prevent oxidation in foods. BHA is found in everything from chewing gum, butter, meats, food packaging, and even cosmetics. It is known as a possible carcinogen. BHT is also used to preserve food odor, flavor, and coloring, and is used in many types of packaging materials. They are linked to causing hyperactivity in children, possibly causing cancer and tumor growth (especially lung tumors), and possibly interfering with hormone functions.

7.  Nitrates and Nitrites (also known as sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate)

Used as food additives in processed, smoked, and cured meats, they can interact with other elements in the body to form nitrosamines, a potentially cancer-causing compound. Nitrosamines increase the risk for cancers such as non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and bladder, prostate, or esophageal cancers. A study has found that children who eat more than 12 hot dogs per month have 9 times the risk of developing
childhood leukemia. Nitrates are thought to be the major cause.

8.  Genetically Modified Foods

GM foods are genetically modified organisms in which genes are taken from one species, such as bacteria and viruses, and forcing them into the DNA of another species, such as soybeans or corn plants. There have not been many human studies regarding GM foods, but animal studies have shown that GM foods are linked to infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, organ damage, and GI problems. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine urges all doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets to all of their patients.  The only human feeding study demonstrates that GM genes can remain inside us, in our intestinal bacteria, and can continue to function long after we stop eating GMOs; this could even be life-long. The FDA does not officially approve GMOs; there is only a voluntary consultation process, and the bioengineering company can present whatever information they choose; no safety testing is necessary. Other ingredients to look out for include rBGH and aspartame, both of which also have genetic components. GM foods have already been banned in Europe, so if we buy organic as much as possible and buy non-GMO foods when we can’t, we can create a “tipping point” much like Europe’s, and get the GM ingredients out of our food supply. Another way to avoid GM foods is to use the Non-GMO Shopping Guide.

9.  Olestra

Also known as olean, olestra is a fat-substitute used in foods (click here for a list of popular items that contain olestra/olean) that passes through the body undigested because it is not absorbed in the intestines, thereby making it zero calories. It also attaches to fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and carotenoids and flushes them out of the body. Although vitamins A,D,E,K are added back in the food, they are usually under the required daily amount of that vitamin. The removing of carotenoids is particularly troubling because they play an important role in the prevention of cancer, and other diseases such as macular degeneration, the leading cause of legal blindness.
Other reported side effects include gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms include diarrhea, gas, loose stools, nausea, and stomach pain or discomfort.

10.  High Fructose Corn Syrup (soon to be known as “corn sugar”)

Found in most processed foods – cookies, crackers, chips, salad dressings; even fruit juices and soda. In fact, because it is a cheaper alternative to sugar, it is hard to find processed foods that do not contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the body rapidly converts fructose into fat. The liver decides how the body will use dietary sugars; however, fructose does not need the liver to metabolize it, so it floods the bloodstream, quickly converting into fat. HFCS accounts for the largest amount of calories in the American diet, and Americans consume about 12 teaspoonfuls of it per day.
Besides rapidly turning to fat, high fructose corn syrup is also linked to diabetes, wrinkling of the skin, collagen damage, metabolic syndrome, increased cellulite, hypertension, increased cancer risk, and accelerating the aging process. In a study, almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup contain the neurotoxin mercury, which is a result of the production process.

How to Avoid These (and Other) Chemicals:

These are just 10 food ingredients to avoid, although there are many more! A great way to avoid these undesirable ingredients is to eat fresh, organic, whole foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, lean meats) as a majority of your diet. According to the Environmental Working Group, the following foods are the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables that are commonly exposed to pesticides and/or wax. Buy these organic, whenever possible:
• Peaches
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes
• Apples
Not sure if it is organic or not? Check the label; labels on organic produce will begin with a 9, and produce that is conventionally grown will start with a number 4. If you are buying processed foods, be sure to check the labels carefully. Avoid the ingredients previously listed, and another great way to avoid potentially harmful food chemicals is if you cannot pronounce the ingredient names, it is best to avoid the product.

Excerpt from Naturally’s 10 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products, Sunscreen, and Food.  Click the link to get the full eBook, as well as a printable shopping list to check ingredient labels on-the-go.

A cancer-causing chemical, 1,4 dioxane (often just called “dioxane”) has been found in many “natural” products in a study done by the Organic Consumers Association.  Dioxane is “known by the state of California to cause cancer” under Proposition 65.  It is also considered to be toxic to the kidneys and respiratory system, and it is also known to be a neurotoxicant.  Some of the well known “natural” brands that were found to contain dioxide include:

• JASON
• Kiss My Face
• Citrus Magic
• Whole Foods 365 brand
• Nature’s Gate Organics
• Alba
• Method
• Seventh Generation
• Giovanni Organic Cosmetics
• Johnson & Johnson

Some of these companies were found to have products that contained dioxane while other products from the same company did not.  These companies include Alba, JASON, Kiss My Face, and others.  I still will not carry products from any of these companies until they remove the dioxane from all of their products.  For a complete list of the study results, click here.

1,4 dioxane is generated by the use of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing petrochemical, during the process of ethoxylation – a process used to “provide mildness to harsh chemicals.”  Since it is a byproduct of this process, it is not required to be listed on an ingredient label.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG – www.cosmeticsdatabase.com) estimates that 57% of all baby soaps may contain dioxane after conducting a computerized assesment of ingredients in 15,000 cosmetics and personal care products.  Kimberly-Clark, Disney, Johnson & Johnson, Kid Care, and Gerber were among 15 of the product makers that contain dioxane.  Hello Kitty Bubble Bath had 12.3 ppm of dioxane, which is above the recommended 10 ppm.  Some research suggests that there may be a link between early onset puberty and common bath products.

How do you know find products that are dioxane-free?  Well, products that carry the USDA Certified Organic Seal were all found to contain no dioxane.  A second way is to avoid all personal care products that contain the following ingredients (according to the Organic Consumers Assocation) :

• Any ingredient with the words “myreth,” “oleth,” laureth,” Cateareth, or other “eth” in the name
• PEG (polyethylene glycol)
• polyethylene
• polyoxyethylene
• oxynol

The FDA does not require safety testing of personal care products, and the recommended maximum 10 ppm for dioxane is voluntary.  The cosmetics industry is responsible for the safety of its products, but the safety panel that runs it is run and funded by the industry’s trade organization.

This is some surprising and scary information, but it is important to know what is really in the products that we use.  By becoming informed and by carefully reading product labels, we can protect ourselves and our families.

Visit our site for dioxane-free products.

Sources:

The Moroccan Method

Organic Consumers Association

EWG Skin Deep

We use antibacterial products thinking that we are protecting ourselves and our families from harmful germs.  They sound great in theory – when we see a product that kills “99.95 of germs,” it sounds like it’s a good thing!  Is it too good to be true?  Most likely.  Most of these products contain a product called triclosan, and it is found in everything from deodorant, antibacterial soaps and handwash, dishwashing liquid, socks and clothing (antimicrobial), cutting boards, and even toothpaste!

But did you know that triclosan is a pesticide?   Scary, especially when you realize how many times we may be exposed to it per day, and when we think of our children putting their fingers in their mouths after using a product containing it.  The FDA has even  recently decided to review the safety of it.

• Triclosan is that it acts as an endocrine distruptor in the body.  An endocrine disruptor is a man-made chemical or substance that interferes with the function of the endocrine system, which regulates every function of the body.  It is composed of the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.   Endocrine disruptors mimic natural hormones that help regulate, for example, how many fat cells a body makes and how much fat to store in them; they are also stored in the body’s fatty tissue and do not get flushed out with water, meaning that they just keep accumulating inside they body.   Estrogen is an example of a messenger hormone, and many chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors can mimic it.   The dramatic rise of breast cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and thyroid cancer have been linked to exposure to environmental estrogens.  Thyroid cancer rates have increased more than 45% in the U.S. alone.  More women are affected than men (we use more personal care products) and has become the #1 cancer in children under the age of twenty.  Exposure to triclosan can begin at birth; it has been found in 3 out of 5 samples of human breast milk.

• Another problem  is that  it can contribute to antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.”  It was originally used as a surgical scrub and in hospitals to prevent infections, but ther is no data that exists to show effectiveness when used in products found in a normal household.  In fact, the CDC states that washing hands with warm water and ordinary soap is an effective way to remove germs.  There is also evidence that suggests that the use of these antibacterial products kills off normal bacteria, while leaving “hardier,” bacteria behind.  A big fear is not only resistant bacteria, but also bacteria that lives longer.

• Triclosan has also been found to react with chlorine in tap water to form chloroform, a probable human carcinogen.  In a study done by researchers at Virginia Polytech University, researchers using triclosan-containing products such as soap and dishwashing products, found that it produced chloroform levels that met or exceeded the EPA’s allowable amount.   This is also a huge problem because we brush our teeth and wash our hands with tap water, and if those products contain triclosan, we are unnknowingly inhaling chloroform vapors.  Not only is chloroform a probably carcinogen, it is also linked to human bladder cancers and miscarriages.  The CDC states on its “Occupational Health Guidelines for Chloroform” that exposure to chloroform vapors can result in kidney and liver damage.

• Manufacturers of triclosan-containing products claim that it can continue to work as long as 12 hours after use, so exposure continues much longer than the time it takes to wash your hands or brush your teeth.  There are not only reports of skin irrtitation with use, but also reports of immunotoxic and neurotoxic reactions.

Antibacterial products do have their place, especially in hospitals, but their widespread use may be contributing to health problems, as well as more illnesses that are resistant to the antibiotics used to treat them.  Washing our hands often with normal soap and warm water will also protect us from germs.  If you would like to avoid triclosan, be sure to check your ingredient labels (other names for triclosan include Microban and Igarsan), and avoid antimicrobial clothing.   You can also look for a hand sanitizer that does not contain triclosan or other undesirable ingredients, such as alcohol.  Click here to see a triclosan fact sheet, as well as a list of products that contain it.

Visit Naturally to view hand sanitizers containing essential oils, rather than triclosan, to get rid of germs.

From Naturally Boutique, LLC

Chemicals to Avoid in Your Personal Care Products

Naturally Boutique, LLC is the creation of Tonya Harris, a Geneva resident and childhood cancer survivor, who launched her online company in the fall of 2008 to sell natural and organic-based products for the whole family – including the four-legged members!  Offering nearly 100 unique items, most of the products sold through Naturally Boutique are not available in commercial retailers.  “Many retailers are carrying products that are claiming to be ‘natural’ and/or organic, when they are anything but,” noted Harris.  “At Naturally Boutique, you can be assured you are getting natural, organic, and non-toxic products that  have been thoroughly researched and are free of the undesirable chemicals that are often found in our personal care products.  These chemicals are used because they are inexpensive and readily available;  meanwhile, they wreak havoc in our bodies.”
According to Harris, some ingredients to look out for include sodium laurel sulfate, propylene glycol, parabens, fragrance, mineral oil, triclosan, cocamidopropyl betaine, and Bisphenol-A.  These chemicals can cause skin irritations and immune suppression, as well as endocrine disruption and/ or harm to reproductive and nervous systems; some can even cause cancer.
With so many questionable ingredients out there, you may be wondering what you can do to help protect yourself and your family.  Harris offers several important steps that you can take when reading ingredient labels: avoid ingredients that contain the word “phthalate” or any of its abbreviations:  DBP, DEP, DEHP, DMP, or BZBP; avoid the word “fragrance,” as it usually refers to a combination of up to 4,000 chemicals, of which usually contains phthalates; look for plastic products with the recycling code 1, 2, or 5.  Recycling codes 3 or 7 are most likely to contain BPA and phthalates; these codes are usually found on the bottom of the product bottle.  Also avoid ingredients such as propylene glycol, mineral oil, triclosan, phenoxyethanol, imidazolidynyl urea, and cocamidopropyl betaine.
In addition to selling body and hair care, household and baby products on her website, Ms. Harris also offers tips on how to maintain a healthy house and family, and welcomes the opportunity to speak to groups on living a healthier lifestyle through avoiding certain product chemicals.  She also offers a blog on her website to offer further information.
A survivor of childhood leukemia, Harris has established her company to donate a portion of its sales to childhood cancer research and family support programs at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where she was treated for over 14 years.  Already she has organized three golf outings to raise money and collect toys, and has given the hospital $50,000.  “As a partner with Children’s Memorial, I am dedicated to the research programs they have in place and want to do all I can to help families as they go through this difficult process.”
Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, is recognized as one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country by rankings published in U.S. News & World Report and serves as a major regional referral center.  As a not-for-profit organization, Children’s Memorial relies on philanthropy to help care for more than 126,000 patients and their families every year.
For further information about Naturally Boutique, LLC products or to book a speaking engagement, contact Tonya Harris at tonya@naturallyboutique.com or 630-330-6898.   Her store website is www.naturallyboutique.com.
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Click here to go to Naturally Boutique. LLC’s website