Cancer prevention strategies... ♪ Secret Garden - ode to simplicity♪
Number 1- Heal the gut
Realfarmacy.com/scientists-blow-the-lid-on-cancer-sunscreen-myth
ie sunscreens are more dangerous than the sun
coz they contain carcinogens and they block Vit D - and Vit D protects us from cancer
If you or a friend has a root canal filling, read this - urgently
Dr Mercola.com/dangers-of-root-canaled-teeth
LACK of HEALTHY FATS
Mariamindbodyhealth.com/ketogenic diet has an intense and fast effect on cancer
The healthiest way to stop feeding cancer cells isn’t to increase protein while subbing out excess carbohydrates;
is to increase healthy fats. Too much protein will increase glucose also via gluconeogenesis.
It is such a common mistake that people make when cutting out carbohydrates.
Limit protein to high quality organic and pastured sources only.
To read more on the healing benefits of a well-formulated keto-adapted diet,
click HERE for new Keto-Adapted ebook
.If most aggressive cancers rely on the fermentation of sugar for growing and dividing,
then take away the sugar and the cancer can stop spreading. Meanwhile, normal body and brain cells switch to generate energy from fatty molecules called ketones, the body’s main source of energy on a fat-rich diet.
Trying to control the pH in your body appears to not be helpful.
Not only does the absence of acid in the gastric tract and bladder establish an environment
that is favorable to tumor growth, the control of pH is automatically controlled in a neutral range of 7.2—7.4.
Our diets have been proven to have little to no effect over the pH of the blood.
♥♥♥
PS - I wouldn't make the gingerbread cookies, way too much sweetener, and not healing for the gut,
Cancer people need a very healthy gut flora, (we need a healthy gut to AVOID getting cancer)
use these food guidelines
How to Address Autoimmune Diseases with Diet - Empowered Sustenance
♥♥♥
Dr Mercola.com/dangers-of-root-canaled-teeth
LACK of HEALTHY FATS
Mariamindbodyhealth.com/ketogenic diet has an intense and fast effect on cancer
The healthiest way to stop feeding cancer cells isn’t to increase protein while subbing out excess carbohydrates;
is to increase healthy fats. Too much protein will increase glucose also via gluconeogenesis.
It is such a common mistake that people make when cutting out carbohydrates.
Limit protein to high quality organic and pastured sources only.
To read more on the healing benefits of a well-formulated keto-adapted diet,
click HERE for new Keto-Adapted ebook
.If most aggressive cancers rely on the fermentation of sugar for growing and dividing,
then take away the sugar and the cancer can stop spreading. Meanwhile, normal body and brain cells switch to generate energy from fatty molecules called ketones, the body’s main source of energy on a fat-rich diet.
Trying to control the pH in your body appears to not be helpful.
Not only does the absence of acid in the gastric tract and bladder establish an environment
that is favorable to tumor growth, the control of pH is automatically controlled in a neutral range of 7.2—7.4.
Our diets have been proven to have little to no effect over the pH of the blood.
♥♥♥
PS - I wouldn't make the gingerbread cookies, way too much sweetener, and not healing for the gut,
Cancer people need a very healthy gut flora, (we need a healthy gut to AVOID getting cancer)
use these food guidelines
How to Address Autoimmune Diseases with Diet - Empowered Sustenance
♥♥♥
Cancer cells die in an oxygen-rich environment.
If you or a loved one has cancer, look into food grade (diluted) hydrogen peroxide therapy,
hyperbaric oxygen therapy,
and other oxygen therapies (all under the supervision of a trained health professional).
If you or a loved one has cancer, look into food grade (diluted) hydrogen peroxide therapy,
hyperbaric oxygen therapy,
and other oxygen therapies (all under the supervision of a trained health professional).
Barrie Trower (13 of 14) - Slippery slope to cancer/ill health -Microwaves/cellphones and melatonin
The Unhealthy Truth:
One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food...
One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food Supply--
and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself
Do you know what you are eating? In this extraordinary personal account,
Robyn O'Brien tells the story of how she started paying attention to what's in food.
The answer may surprise you and it will certainly inspire you to be more deliberate about your food choices.
Watch/listen to her TEDX talk: http://youtu.be/fWXrRftyOMY
[Paperback]:http://bit.ly/theunheathlytruth
==========
Crisps, fried processed products, heated oils
Realfarmacy.com/cancer-in-a-can-the-shocking-true-story-of-how-pringles-are-made
Realfarmacy.com/top-10-inflammatory-foods-to-avoid-like-the-plague
The Unhealthy Truth:
One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food...
One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food Supply--
and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself
Do you know what you are eating? In this extraordinary personal account,
Robyn O'Brien tells the story of how she started paying attention to what's in food.
The answer may surprise you and it will certainly inspire you to be more deliberate about your food choices.
Watch/listen to her TEDX talk: http://youtu.be/fWXrRftyOMY
[Paperback]:http://bit.ly/theunheathlytruth
==========
Crisps, fried processed products, heated oils
Realfarmacy.com/cancer-in-a-can-the-shocking-true-story-of-how-pringles-are-made
Realfarmacy.com/top-10-inflammatory-foods-to-avoid-like-the-plague
9 Things Everyone Should Know About Farmed Fish
Aquaculture Ocean Issues from the Seafood Watch program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Aquaculture Ocean Issues from the Seafood Watch program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium
How Tumors Use Meat to Grow
about the inflammatory role Neu5Gc may play in stimulating breast cancer growth,
For those of you who have been following my work since the beginning,
you’ll remember back in 2003 I covered a landmark paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences entitled “Human intake and incorporation of an immunogenic nonhuman dietary sialic acid.”
They took autopsy samples and discovered proof of Neu5Gc in human tumors.
In my video The Inflammatory Meat Molecule Neu5Gc you can see it stained brown
in human breast cancer, melanoma, brain tumors, and ovarian cancer.
The presence of Neu5Gc in human tumors mystified researchers,
because human beings are genetically unable to produce this substance.
But other animals can. Maybe, the researchers proposed,
human beings absorbed it from eating these other animals? So they put it to the test.
Because Neu5Gc is found in animals and animal products, the researchers had to first eat vegan for a few days to clear their system (including no animal-derived ingredients in foods or drugs or shampoo),
and then they basically drank a glass of diluted pig mucous.
Within days this invading meat molecule could be found
oozing from their bodies, in their saliva, urine—even their hair clippings. They concluded:
“Because NeuGc-type compounds are not found in plants, and Neu5Gc is not synthesized by microbes,
the dietary source of Neu5Gc must be foods of animal origin.”
They proposed that the metabolic incorporation of this molecular “Trojan horse” from animal products
may be contributing to the higher rates of cancer and heart disease in those that eat meat and dairy.
Why heart disease too? If you check out my 3-min video Nonhuman Molecules Lining Our Arteries,
you’ll see that this foreign meat molecule tends to accumulate not only in the lining of hollow organs (where carcinomas like breast cancer develop inside your glands), but also in the lining of blood vessels.
This may be contributing to the hardening of our arteries, the #1 killer of men and women in the United States.
My exploration into Neu5GC spanned a seven video series (starting with Cancer as an Autoimmune Disease). If you’d rather these more extensive probes than my one-off videos,
I’ve done similar in-depth series on reversing cancer cell growth, why animal products cause inflammation, changing vitamin D recommendations, arugula athleticism,
why nuts don’t appear to cause expected weight gain,
as well as the latest dietary guidelines.
-Michael Greger, M.D.
PS: If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my videos for free by clicking here
and watch my 2012 year-in-review presentation Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death.
Nutritionfacts/plant-based-diets
♥♥♥
about the inflammatory role Neu5Gc may play in stimulating breast cancer growth,
For those of you who have been following my work since the beginning,
you’ll remember back in 2003 I covered a landmark paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences entitled “Human intake and incorporation of an immunogenic nonhuman dietary sialic acid.”
They took autopsy samples and discovered proof of Neu5Gc in human tumors.
In my video The Inflammatory Meat Molecule Neu5Gc you can see it stained brown
in human breast cancer, melanoma, brain tumors, and ovarian cancer.
The presence of Neu5Gc in human tumors mystified researchers,
because human beings are genetically unable to produce this substance.
But other animals can. Maybe, the researchers proposed,
human beings absorbed it from eating these other animals? So they put it to the test.
Because Neu5Gc is found in animals and animal products, the researchers had to first eat vegan for a few days to clear their system (including no animal-derived ingredients in foods or drugs or shampoo),
and then they basically drank a glass of diluted pig mucous.
Within days this invading meat molecule could be found
oozing from their bodies, in their saliva, urine—even their hair clippings. They concluded:
“Because NeuGc-type compounds are not found in plants, and Neu5Gc is not synthesized by microbes,
the dietary source of Neu5Gc must be foods of animal origin.”
They proposed that the metabolic incorporation of this molecular “Trojan horse” from animal products
may be contributing to the higher rates of cancer and heart disease in those that eat meat and dairy.
Why heart disease too? If you check out my 3-min video Nonhuman Molecules Lining Our Arteries,
you’ll see that this foreign meat molecule tends to accumulate not only in the lining of hollow organs (where carcinomas like breast cancer develop inside your glands), but also in the lining of blood vessels.
This may be contributing to the hardening of our arteries, the #1 killer of men and women in the United States.
My exploration into Neu5GC spanned a seven video series (starting with Cancer as an Autoimmune Disease). If you’d rather these more extensive probes than my one-off videos,
I’ve done similar in-depth series on reversing cancer cell growth, why animal products cause inflammation, changing vitamin D recommendations, arugula athleticism,
why nuts don’t appear to cause expected weight gain,
as well as the latest dietary guidelines.
-Michael Greger, M.D.
PS: If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my videos for free by clicking here
and watch my 2012 year-in-review presentation Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death.
Nutritionfacts/plant-based-diets
♥♥♥
Disease/cancer is mostly caused by an imbalanced digestive system
Warning re taking antacids
"This is a serious issue because acid stopping drugs promote bacterial overgrowth,
weaken our resistance to infection, reduce absorption of essential nutrients,
and increase the likelihood of developing IBS, other digestive disorders, and cancer.
The pharmaceutical companies have always been aware of these risks.
When acid-stopping drugs were first introduced, it was recommended that they not be taken for more than six weeks. Clearly this prudent advice has been discarded, as it is not uncommon today to encounter people who have been on these drugs for decades – not weeks."
chriskresser.com/heartburn
Antacids damage the stomach, and the truth is -we actually need more acid to digest food,
especially as, the older we age the stomach makes less digestive acid.
So for heartburn, nausea, take aloe vera juice or 1-2 tspn applecidervinegar in 1/2 glass of water,
add 1/2 tspn baking soda and drink as it fizzes.
Also begin the day with half lemon juice in water, (lemon is closest ph to how stomach should be.)
Take probiotic just before bed with a Tblspn aloe vera juice in cup of filtered water.
Probiotics in some form are essential for stomach flora.
Fermented veg is actually highest/best probiotic.
Slippery elm (from health shop) is also good for tum ache, drink a heaped tspn in hot water.
Click Health / Food for more helps and recipes.
MISO is also excellent as a probiotic source, ie fermented rice or soy - in health shop, use it in soups, casseroles
New 3D Mammography is NOT the Solution for Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Prevention Strategies
Cancer screening does NOT equate to cancer prevention, and although early detection is important, using a screening method that in and of itself increases your risk of developing cancer is simply not good medicine...
Preventing breast cancer is far more important and powerful than simply trying to detect it after it has already formed, which is why I want to share my top tips on how to help prevent this disease in the first place.
Warning re taking antacids
"This is a serious issue because acid stopping drugs promote bacterial overgrowth,
weaken our resistance to infection, reduce absorption of essential nutrients,
and increase the likelihood of developing IBS, other digestive disorders, and cancer.
The pharmaceutical companies have always been aware of these risks.
When acid-stopping drugs were first introduced, it was recommended that they not be taken for more than six weeks. Clearly this prudent advice has been discarded, as it is not uncommon today to encounter people who have been on these drugs for decades – not weeks."
chriskresser.com/heartburn
Antacids damage the stomach, and the truth is -we actually need more acid to digest food,
especially as, the older we age the stomach makes less digestive acid.
So for heartburn, nausea, take aloe vera juice or 1-2 tspn applecidervinegar in 1/2 glass of water,
add 1/2 tspn baking soda and drink as it fizzes.
Also begin the day with half lemon juice in water, (lemon is closest ph to how stomach should be.)
Take probiotic just before bed with a Tblspn aloe vera juice in cup of filtered water.
Probiotics in some form are essential for stomach flora.
Fermented veg is actually highest/best probiotic.
Slippery elm (from health shop) is also good for tum ache, drink a heaped tspn in hot water.
Click Health / Food for more helps and recipes.
MISO is also excellent as a probiotic source, ie fermented rice or soy - in health shop, use it in soups, casseroles
New 3D Mammography is NOT the Solution for Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Prevention Strategies
Cancer screening does NOT equate to cancer prevention, and although early detection is important, using a screening method that in and of itself increases your risk of developing cancer is simply not good medicine...
Preventing breast cancer is far more important and powerful than simply trying to detect it after it has already formed, which is why I want to share my top tips on how to help prevent this disease in the first place.
- Avoid sugar, especially fructose.
- Optimize vitamin D.
- Get plenty of natural vitamin A. eg organic egg yolks,9 raw butter/milk, beef or chicken liver.
- Lymphatic breast massage
- Avoid charring meats and starchy foods.
- Avoid unfermented soy products.
- Improve insulin receptor sensitivity.ie avoid sugar and grains, do more exercise,
- Maintain healthy body weight. because fat produces estrogen.
- Drink 2-4 cups organic green vegetable juice daily. review juicing instructions
- Eat high quality animal-based omega-3 fats, eg krill oil. ie prevent Omega-3 deficiency
- Curcumin. in turmeric - absorption tips here.
- Avoid drinking alcohol,
- Breastfeed exclusively for up to six months.
- Avoid wearing underwire bras.
- Avoid electromagnetic fields as much as possible. Even electric blankets
- Avoid synthetic hormone replacement therapy. hormone replacement therapy. (also risky to use oral contraceptives. Birth control pills,
- Avoid BPA, phthalates and other xenoestrogens. - estrogen-like compounds.
- Make sure you're not iodine deficient,
- read more -Dr Mercola.com/-mammography
undergroundhealthreporter.com/cancer-prevention-in-your-home-six-ways
Edible Harmony
It is just common sense that an ounce of cancer prevention is worth a pound of cancer cure.
There are many steps you can take – in your home, your lifestyle and your body –
to drastically reduce your lifetime cancer risk.
Clean-Sweep Your Cleaning Products
Toxic cleaning products in your home drastically increase your cancer risk –
especially breast cancer risk for the females who tend to use them most often.
Women have been shown to absorb as much as five pounds of toxins through the skin each year.
Bleach-based products kill the most germs but the fumes alone are not worth the danger. Ammonia-based products are practically useless for killing certain bacteria so you are risking your overall health for no reason at all.
undergroundhealthreporter.com/cancer-prevention-in-your-home-six-ways
Edible Harmony
It is just common sense that an ounce of cancer prevention is worth a pound of cancer cure.
There are many steps you can take – in your home, your lifestyle and your body –
to drastically reduce your lifetime cancer risk.
Clean-Sweep Your Cleaning Products
Toxic cleaning products in your home drastically increase your cancer risk –
especially breast cancer risk for the females who tend to use them most often.
Women have been shown to absorb as much as five pounds of toxins through the skin each year.
Bleach-based products kill the most germs but the fumes alone are not worth the danger. Ammonia-based products are practically useless for killing certain bacteria so you are risking your overall health for no reason at all.
undergroundhealthreporter.com/cancer-prevention-in-your-home-six-ways
Green Tidings
A new study shows that just one 12-fl oz. can (355 ml) of diet soda daily leads to:
- 42 percent higher leukemia risk in men and women (pooled analysis)
- 102 percent higher multiple myeloma risk (in men only)
- 31 percent higher non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk (in men only)
"If previous research on the subject was not enough, there is now undeniable evidence that suggests we should not be consuming aspartame at all in our diet. Switching over to sugar sweetened soda is also not a good alternative as this study also found that men consuming one or more sugar-sweetened sodas daily saw a 66 percent increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has become clear that having no soda at all in our diet is the ideal way to go. This would not only remove the aspartame and sugar risks, but it will also help in keeping your body in a more alkaline state."
endalldisease.com/aspartame-linked-to-leukemia-lymphoma-in-groundbreaking-study
A new study shows that just one 12-fl oz. can (355 ml) of diet soda daily leads to:
- 42 percent higher leukemia risk in men and women (pooled analysis)
- 102 percent higher multiple myeloma risk (in men only)
- 31 percent higher non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk (in men only)
"If previous research on the subject was not enough, there is now undeniable evidence that suggests we should not be consuming aspartame at all in our diet. Switching over to sugar sweetened soda is also not a good alternative as this study also found that men consuming one or more sugar-sweetened sodas daily saw a 66 percent increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has become clear that having no soda at all in our diet is the ideal way to go. This would not only remove the aspartame and sugar risks, but it will also help in keeping your body in a more alkaline state."
endalldisease.com/aspartame-linked-to-leukemia-lymphoma-in-groundbreaking-study
Cancer Prevention Begins with Lifestyle Choices
I believe the vast majority of all cancers could be prevented by strictly applying basic,
common-sense healthy lifestyle strategies, such as the ones below:
I believe the vast majority of all cancers could be prevented by strictly applying basic,
common-sense healthy lifestyle strategies, such as the ones below:
- Avoid sugar, especially fructose. All forms of sugar are detrimental to health in general and promote cancer. Fructose, however, is clearly one of the most harmful and should be avoided as much as possible.
- Optimize your vitamin D. Vitamin D influences virtually every cell in your body and is one of nature's most potent cancer fighters. Vitamin D is actually able to enter cancer cells and trigger apoptosis (cell death). If you have cancer, your vitamin D level should be between 70 and 100 ng/ml. Vitamin D works synergistically with every cancer treatment I'm aware of, with no adverse effects. I suggest you try watching my one-hour free lecture on vitamin D to learn more.
- Limit your protein. Newer research has emphasized the importance of the mTOR pathways. When these are active, cancer growth is accelerated. The best way to quiet this pathway is by limiting your protein to one gram of protein per kilogram of lean body mass, or roughly a bit less than half a gram of protein per every pound of lean body weight. For most people this ranges between 40 and 70 grams of protein a day, which is about 2/3 to half of what they are currently eating.
- Avoid unfermented soy products. Unfermented soy is high in plant estrogens, or phytoestrogens, also known as isoflavones. In some studies, soy appears to work in concert with human estrogen to increase breast cell proliferation, which increases the chances for mutations and cancerous cells.
- Improve your insulin and leptin receptor sensitivity. The best way to do this is by avoiding sugar and grains and restricting carbs to mostly fiber vegetables. Also making sure you are exercising, especially with Peak Fitness.
- Exercise regularly. One of the primary reasons exercise works to lower your cancer risk is because it drives your insulin levels down, and controlling your insulin levels is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your cancer risks. It's also been suggested that apoptosis is triggered by exercise, causing cancer cells to die. Studies have also found that the number of tumors decrease along with body fat, which may be an additional factor. This is because exercise helps lower your estrogen levels, which explains why exercise appears to be particularly potent against breast cancer.
- Maintain a healthy body weight. This will come naturally when you begin eating right for your nutritional type and exercising. It's important to lose excess body fat because fat produces estrogen.
- Drink a pint to a quart of organic green vegetable juice daily. Please review my juicing instructions for more detailed information.
- Get plenty of high quality animal-based omega-3 fats, such as krill oil. Omega-3 deficiency is a common underlying factor for cancer.
- Curcumin. This is the active ingredient in turmeric and in high concentrations can be very useful adjunct in the treatment of cancer. For example, it has demonstrated major therapeutic potential in preventing breast cancer metastasis.9 It's important to know that curcumin is generally not absorbed that well, so I've provided several absorption tips here.
- Avoid drinking alcohol, or at least limit your alcoholic drinks to one per day.
- Avoid electromagnetic fields as much as possible. Even electric blankets can increase your cancer risk.
- Avoid synthetic hormone replacement therapy, especially if you have risk factors for breast cancer. Breast cancer is an estrogen-related cancer, and according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer rates for women dropped in tandem with decreased use of hormone replacement therapy. (There are similar risks for younger women who use oral contraceptives. Birth control pills, which are also comprised of synthetic hormones, have been linked to cervical and breast cancers.) If you are experiencing excessive menopausal symptoms, you may want to consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy instead, which uses hormones that are molecularly identical to the ones your body produces and do not wreak havoc on your system. This is a much safer alternative.
- Avoid BPA, phthalates and other xenoestrogens. These are estrogen-like compounds that have been linked to increased breast cancer risk
- Make sure you're not iodine deficient, as there's compelling evidence linking iodine deficiency with certain forms of cancer. Dr. David Brownstein,10 author of the book Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It, is a proponent of iodine for breast cancer. It actually has potent anticancer properties and has been shown to cause cell death in breast and thyroid cancer cells. For more information, I recommend reading Dr. Brownstein's book. I have been researching iodine for some time ever since I interviewed Dr. Brownstein as I do believe that the bulk of what he states is spot on. However, I am not at all convinced that his dosage recommendations are correct. I believe they are too high.
- Avoid charring your meats. Charcoal or flame broiled meat is linked with increased breast cancer risk. Acrylamide – a carcinogen created when starchy foods are baked, roasted or fried – has been found to increase cancer risk as well.
- Ignore This Medical Test, and Your Health May Actually Improve
Count the cost before making this costly medical mistake. A positive diagnosis has a 99% chance of leading to follow-up surgery, and a host of other health risks. - The guidelines changed three years ago, but that hasn't stopped them, so be aware...
- Mammograms are portrayed as the best form of "prevention" a woman can get.
But early diagnosis is not the same as prevention.
And cancer screening that does more harm than good can hardly qualify as the best you can hope for...
Melanoma Risk May Be Genetic for Redheads
Has the sun been unfairly used as a scapegoat for causing melanoma in redheads when another variable was the true culprit all along?
7 Ways to Cancer-Proof Your Home
Story at-a-glance
- Seven important steps to removing the most obvious cancer risks from your home include checking for and removing: radon, nonstick-coated pots and pans, makeup and personal care products with toxic ingredients, BPA-lined cans and plastic containers, cleaning products and air fresheners, toxic building materials and household cleaners, as well as common pesticides and weed killers
- Avoiding canned foods is perhaps your best way to avoid the hazardous plasticizing chemical bisphenol A, as research has revealed canned foods can increase your BPA levels by 1,000 percent in a mere five days. Research has also shown fermented foods can help break down BPA and reduce your intestinal absorption of it
- Research has found that breast-cancer risk is twice as high among women who report the most use of household cleaning products and air fresheners, compared to those who rarely use such products. Women who use make-up on a daily basis can absorb almost five pounds of potentially toxic chemicals each year.
- read more below
By Dr. Mercola
7 Causes of Cancer- Lurking in Your Home (And How to Remove Them)
When it comes to cancer, you probably want to do what you can to avoid it.
But how do you do that when it seems like everything around you poses a cancer risk?
Here are seven important steps to removing the most obvious cancer risks from your home.
They include checking for and removing: radon, nonstick-coated pots and pans, makeup and personal care products with toxic ingredients, BPA-lined cans and bottles, cleaning products and air fresheners, toxic building materials, furnishings and household cleaning supplies, as well as common pesticides and weed killers.
1. Check Your Home for Radon
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that is formed from the natural breakdown of uranium in the earth.
Though you can't see it or smell it, radon can enter your home through cracks in your foundation, well water, building materials and other sources, where it can contaminate the air you breathe.
Because radon is radioactive, it's also carcinogenic; radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer
in the United States, second only to smoking.
Any home, whether new or old, with a basement or without, well-insulated or drafty, can have a radon problem;
the EPA estimates that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes has elevated levels.
Radon is measured in "picocuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L." Outdoor air generally has radon levels of about 0.4 pCi/L, whereas the average radon level indoors is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L. While the U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal stating that indoor radon levels should be no higher than outdoor levels, the EPA recommends taking action only if your home's levels exceed 4 pCi/L.
This does not necessarily mean that 4 pCi/L is "safe," however, as there really is NO safe level for radiation. Even the EPA admits that lower levels can still pose a health risk, and you may want to take precautions to further reduce the amount of radon in your indoor space even if it's at or below 4 pCi/L.
Radon Testing and RemediationFortunately, testing your home for radon is simple, and if levels are elevated there are ways to reduce them to protect your health. There are a number of resources for test kits:
Finally, Kansas State University maintains national radon hotlines:
About 70 percent of cookware sold in the United States contains a non-stick coating that contains PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which are used to make grease-resistant food packaging and stain-resistant clothing as well. Even though there are many names,
if the item in question is "non-stick" or "stain/grease resistant,"
it will have some type of fluoride-impregnated coating that is best avoided.
Remember that non-stick cookware is perfectly safe to have in your home
as long as you decide never to heat the pan.
At room temperature there is virtually no release of fluoride into the air.
But of course the purpose of non-stick cookware is to heat it and cook food, and that is the problem.
It's well documented that when non-stick pans are heated the coating begins breaking down,
releasing toxins into the air in your kitchen. When the pan reaches 680 degrees F
(which takes about three to five minutes of heating),
at least six toxic gases are released. At 1,000 degrees F,
the coatings on your cookware break down into a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB.
Research has revealed that these toxins can accumulate in your blood
at an alarming rate and may lead to chronic disease over time. You can keep your exposure as low as possible
by avoiding (or getting rid of) products that contain PFCs.
This includes:
Non-stick cookware (choose either ceramic or glass instead)
Microwave popcorn
Packaging for greasy foods (including paper and cardboard packaging)
Stain-proof clothing
Flame retardants and products that contain them
Stain-resistant carpeting, and fabric stain protectors
3. Clean Up Your SKIN/HAIR Regimen
Men keep reading past the make-up,
as you use soap, shampoo, deodorant, after shave and toothpaste
Be aware that your skin absorbs more toxins than your stomach
Women who use make-up on a daily basis can absorb almost five pounds of chemicals
into their bodies each year, so this is not a matter to take lightly.
Putting chemicals on your skin is actually far worse than ingesting them,
because when you eat something the enzymes in your saliva and stomach
help break it down and flush it out of your body.
When you put these chemicals on your skin however, they're absorbed straight into your blood stream without filtering of any kind, so the toxic chemicals from toiletries and beauty products
are largely going directly to your internal organs.
There are literally thousands of chemicals used in personal care products,
and only a tiny fraction of them have ever been tested for safety.
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health,
nearly 900 of the chemicals used in cosmetics are known to be toxic.
It's impossible to list them all, but some of the most common culprits to avoid include:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) Musks, Mercury,
Paraben1,4-Dioxane Lead Phthalates, including dibutyl phthalate (DBP),
dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum
Nano particles, Antibacterials, Hydroquinone, Formaldehyde
Please note that in order to avoid formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, you need to know what to look for as they're typically NOT listed on the label; at least not in those words.
Organic Care is about the only safe supermarket shampoo
Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include:
To avoid 1,4-dioxane, watch out for these ingredients, which create 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct:
Quaternium-15
PEG-100 stearate
DMDM hydantoin
Sodium laureth sulfate
Imidazolidinyl urea
Sodium myreth sulfate
Diazolidinyl urea
Polyethylene Ceteareth-20
Fortunately, there are more natural cosmetics available today than in years past.
When it comes to personal care products,
I like to use this rule -- If you can't eat it, don't put it on your body.
Ideally, you'll want to look for the USDA's verified Organic seal.
I also highly recommend using the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database7
where you can look products and brands to find out what they're really made of, and whether or not they're safe.
Skin Care
Hair care
Cleaning-vinegar-lemons-soda-salt
7 Causes of Cancer- Lurking in Your Home (And How to Remove Them)
When it comes to cancer, you probably want to do what you can to avoid it.
But how do you do that when it seems like everything around you poses a cancer risk?
Here are seven important steps to removing the most obvious cancer risks from your home.
They include checking for and removing: radon, nonstick-coated pots and pans, makeup and personal care products with toxic ingredients, BPA-lined cans and bottles, cleaning products and air fresheners, toxic building materials, furnishings and household cleaning supplies, as well as common pesticides and weed killers.
1. Check Your Home for Radon
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that is formed from the natural breakdown of uranium in the earth.
Though you can't see it or smell it, radon can enter your home through cracks in your foundation, well water, building materials and other sources, where it can contaminate the air you breathe.
Because radon is radioactive, it's also carcinogenic; radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer
in the United States, second only to smoking.
Any home, whether new or old, with a basement or without, well-insulated or drafty, can have a radon problem;
the EPA estimates that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes has elevated levels.
Radon is measured in "picocuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L." Outdoor air generally has radon levels of about 0.4 pCi/L, whereas the average radon level indoors is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L. While the U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal stating that indoor radon levels should be no higher than outdoor levels, the EPA recommends taking action only if your home's levels exceed 4 pCi/L.
This does not necessarily mean that 4 pCi/L is "safe," however, as there really is NO safe level for radiation. Even the EPA admits that lower levels can still pose a health risk, and you may want to take precautions to further reduce the amount of radon in your indoor space even if it's at or below 4 pCi/L.
Radon Testing and RemediationFortunately, testing your home for radon is simple, and if levels are elevated there are ways to reduce them to protect your health. There are a number of resources for test kits:
- If you'd like a certified technician to measure the radon levels in your home or other indoor environment, you can contact the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists.1 Testing costs from $100 to $300.
- You can also obtain information on certified technicians and do-it-yourself testing from the EPA.2 State and regional information can be found there.
- The National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University offers discounted test kits available to purchase online.3
- Other do-it-yourself test kits for radon run between $20 and $30 and can be purchased online and at your local hardware store.
Finally, Kansas State University maintains national radon hotlines:
- National Radon Hotline: Purchase radon test kits by phone.
1-800-SOS-RADON (767-7236) - National Radon Helpline: Get live help for your radon questions.
1-800-55RADON (557-2366) - National Radon Fix-It Line: For general information on fixing or reducing the radon level in your home.
(800) 644-6999
- Sealing cracks in floors and walls
- Increasing ventilation through sub-slab depressurization with pipes and fans
- Removing granite countertops if they are emitting high levels of radon
- Replacing ionization smoke detectors with the photoelectric type
About 70 percent of cookware sold in the United States contains a non-stick coating that contains PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which are used to make grease-resistant food packaging and stain-resistant clothing as well. Even though there are many names,
if the item in question is "non-stick" or "stain/grease resistant,"
it will have some type of fluoride-impregnated coating that is best avoided.
Remember that non-stick cookware is perfectly safe to have in your home
as long as you decide never to heat the pan.
At room temperature there is virtually no release of fluoride into the air.
But of course the purpose of non-stick cookware is to heat it and cook food, and that is the problem.
It's well documented that when non-stick pans are heated the coating begins breaking down,
releasing toxins into the air in your kitchen. When the pan reaches 680 degrees F
(which takes about three to five minutes of heating),
at least six toxic gases are released. At 1,000 degrees F,
the coatings on your cookware break down into a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB.
Research has revealed that these toxins can accumulate in your blood
at an alarming rate and may lead to chronic disease over time. You can keep your exposure as low as possible
by avoiding (or getting rid of) products that contain PFCs.
This includes:
Non-stick cookware (choose either ceramic or glass instead)
Microwave popcorn
Packaging for greasy foods (including paper and cardboard packaging)
Stain-proof clothing
Flame retardants and products that contain them
Stain-resistant carpeting, and fabric stain protectors
3. Clean Up Your SKIN/HAIR Regimen
Men keep reading past the make-up,
as you use soap, shampoo, deodorant, after shave and toothpaste
Be aware that your skin absorbs more toxins than your stomach
Women who use make-up on a daily basis can absorb almost five pounds of chemicals
into their bodies each year, so this is not a matter to take lightly.
Putting chemicals on your skin is actually far worse than ingesting them,
because when you eat something the enzymes in your saliva and stomach
help break it down and flush it out of your body.
When you put these chemicals on your skin however, they're absorbed straight into your blood stream without filtering of any kind, so the toxic chemicals from toiletries and beauty products
are largely going directly to your internal organs.
There are literally thousands of chemicals used in personal care products,
and only a tiny fraction of them have ever been tested for safety.
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health,
nearly 900 of the chemicals used in cosmetics are known to be toxic.
It's impossible to list them all, but some of the most common culprits to avoid include:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) Musks, Mercury,
Paraben1,4-Dioxane Lead Phthalates, including dibutyl phthalate (DBP),
dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum
Nano particles, Antibacterials, Hydroquinone, Formaldehyde
Please note that in order to avoid formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, you need to know what to look for as they're typically NOT listed on the label; at least not in those words.
Organic Care is about the only safe supermarket shampoo
Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include:
To avoid 1,4-dioxane, watch out for these ingredients, which create 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct:
Quaternium-15
PEG-100 stearate
DMDM hydantoin
Sodium laureth sulfate
Imidazolidinyl urea
Sodium myreth sulfate
Diazolidinyl urea
Polyethylene Ceteareth-20
Fortunately, there are more natural cosmetics available today than in years past.
When it comes to personal care products,
I like to use this rule -- If you can't eat it, don't put it on your body.
Ideally, you'll want to look for the USDA's verified Organic seal.
I also highly recommend using the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database7
where you can look products and brands to find out what they're really made of, and whether or not they're safe.
Skin Care
Hair care
Cleaning-vinegar-lemons-soda-salt
4. Avoid Canned Foods and Plastic Containers
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used component of plastic containers and food packaging,
such as the inner lining of cans, despite the fact that more than
200 research studies show BPA is harmful to human health.
The use of BPA is so pervasive that scientists have found that 95 percent of people tested
have dangerous levels of BPA in their bodies.
Avoiding canned foods is perhaps your best way to avoid BPA.
Recent research from the Harvard School of Public Health8revealed that canned foods and beverages can increase your BPA levels by a staggering 1,000 percent in a mere five days!
The lead researcher noted that given this new finding,
canned goods may be an even greater contribution to your BPA levels than plastics.
Interestingly, research has shown that you can help protect yourself from the adverse effects of inevitable BPA exposure by eating traditionally fermented foods,
such as raw grass-fed organic kefir, fermented veggies,
or taking a high-quality probiotic supplement.
These foods contain "friendly bacteria," some of which have the ability to break down BPA,
as well as reduce your intestinal absorption of it.9 Naturally, avoiding sources of BPA is your best bet.
Here are 10 tips to help reduce your exposure to BPA around the house:
-Only use glass baby bottles and dishes for your baby
-Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel travel coffee mugs rather than plastic or Styrofoam coffee cups
-Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass varieties
-Avoid using plastic wrap (and never microwave anything covered in it)
-Give your baby natural fabric toys instead of plastic ones
-If you opt to use plastic kitchenware, at least get rid of the older, scratched-up varieties,
avoid putting them in the dishwasher, and don't wash them with harsh detergents,
as these things can cause more chemicals to leach into your food
-Store your food and beverages in glass containers
-Avoid using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead
-IF you choose to use a microwave, don't microwave food in a plastic container
-Before allowing a dental sealant to be applied to teeth, ask your dentist to verify that it does not contain BPA
-In the event that you do opt to use plastic containers for your food or beverages,
be sure to avoid those marked on the bottom with the recycling label No. 7, as these varieties may contain BPA.
Containers marked with the recycling labels No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 do not contain BPA
(however they may contain other unsavory chemicals
that you're best off avoiding by using glass instead).
5. Clean Out Your Cleaning Products
Research has found that breast-cancer risk is twice as high among women who report the most use of cleaning products and air fresheners, compared to those who rarely use such products.
While it is very difficult to prove that a person's exposure to household cleaners
over the course of 10, 20 or 30 years is what caused their cancer diagnosis,
it is well known that commonly used household chemicals do, in fact, cause cancer,
along with other serious health effects like reproductive and developmental problems in developing children.
Mold and mildew cleaners and air fresheners have shown the greatest correlation with breast cancer.
Some of the chemicals of greatest concern that you'll want to avoid include:
Synthetic musks
Phthalates1,4-diclorobenzene
Terpenes
Benzene
Styrene
Phenol
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
Formaldehyde
Petroleum solvents
Butyl cellosolve
Triclosan (antibacterial)
My top list of cancer prevention strategies has always included reducing
your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, household chemical cleaners,
and synthetic air fresheners. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy task to accomplish.
For those times when you need to do a bit of cleansing,
one of the best non-toxic disinfectants is plain soap and water.
You can use this for washing your hands, your body and for other household cleaning.
Another all-purpose cleaner that works great for kitchen counters,
cutting boards and bathrooms is 3% hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.
You can also keep your home very fresh and clean by making your own natural cleaning products
using items you probably already have around your home.
Some more tips for making simple and effective all-natural cleansers:
If you really want to use a commercial product, look for one that uses a natural base.
To find out about the ingredients in common household products, there's a searchable database you might find helpful from Environment, Health and Safety Online (EHSO)10.
6. "Green" Your Building Materials and Furnishings
The building materials used in your home can be a major source of toxic exposures of multiple kinds, from formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products, to VOC's from carpets and paints, just to name a few.
Your furnishings can also harbor toxic chemicals.
While paints have gotten a lot less toxic over the past 25 years, most paints still emit harmful vapors,
such as VOC's, formaldehyde and benzene.
These types of fumes can be released daily for about 30 days after application.
Low levels can continue to leak into the air for as long as a year afterward,
so you'll want to make sure you ventilate the area repeatedly.
Another danger is lead-based paint, which can be found in many homes built before 1978.
Once the paint begins to peel away, it releases harmful lead particles that can be inhaled.
In 1991, the U.S. government declared lead to be the greatest environmental threat to children.
Fortunately, it's getting easier to find high-quality non-toxic paints,
also known as "low-VOC" or "no-VOC" paint.
Both large paint companies and smaller alternative brands now offer selections of such paints.
For a list of distributors and manufacturers, check out healthyhomeplans.com11.
Also limit or eliminate exposure by carefully selecting non-toxic carpeting, such as those made of wool,
or opt for non-toxic flooring like solid wood or bamboo instead.
One of the primary hazards when it comes to furnishings is flame retardants: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These are commonly found in:
Other animal studies have indicated that PBDEs could be carcinogenic in humans,
although that has not yet been confirmed.
Your mattress may be of particular concern, as many contain not only PBDE's,
but also toxic antimony, boric acid, and formaldehyde.
Shopping for a safe mattress can be tricky, as manufacturers are not required to label or disclose which chemicals their mattresses contain. However, some manufacturers now offer toxin-free mattresses,
such as those made of 100% wool, which is naturally fire resistant.
There are also mattresses that use a Kevlar, bullet-proof type of material in lieu of chemicals for fire-proofing. These are available in most major mattress stores, and will help you to avoid some of the toxicity.
7. Eat Organic and Tend Your Garden Without Harmful Chemicals
Many pesticides and herbicides are potentially carcinogenic,
and you may be exposed to them either via the foods you buy, or in your own garden.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 60 percent of herbicides,
90 percent of fungicides, and 30 percent of insecticides to be carcinogenic,
and most are also damaging to your nervous system as well.
Some of the pesticides/herbicides classified as probable or possible human carcinogens
by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include:
Chlordane
Heptachlor
Tetrachlorvinphos
Carbaryl
Propoxur
Lindane
Dichlorvos
Phosmet
Permethrin
The answer, of course, is to opt for organically-grown produce and organically-raised, pastured animal products, and using organic or non-toxic gardening methods around your own home.
It's well known that conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are often tainted with unacceptable levels of pesticide residues, but you're also exposed when you eat animal products.
Animals raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's) eat feed full of pesticides,
and these toxins accumulate in their flesh and fat over the course of their lifetimes.
When you eat factory-farmed meat, you then ingest these accumulated pesticides.
As for fresh produce, certain fruits and vegetables tend to be far more contaminated than others,
simply because they're more susceptible to various infestations and therefore sprayed more heavily.
Some foods are also more "absorbent," with thin, tender skins.
Such foods would be high on your list for buying organic.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) produces an annual shopper's guide to pesticides in produce12
that you can download. It lists the produce with the highest and lowest levels of pesticide residue,
which can help save you money if you can't afford to buy everything organic.
Fermented foods can be helpful here as well,
as some of the beneficial bacteria produced in fermented foods have been found to help
detoxify organophosphorus insecticide.
A 2009 study 13 showed that during the fermentation of kimchi,
the insecticide degraded rapidly until day 3, and had degraded completely by day 9.
Four lactic acid bacteria were identified as being responsible for the effect.
Finally, do not use synthetic pesticides in your home or garden,
or in the form of insect repellant, lice shampoo, pet sprays or otherwise.
There are safe and effective natural alternatives for virtually every pest problem you come across.
For instance, boric acid powder is a very effective deterrent to roaches and ants.
Sprinkle some in the inner corners of your cabinets and in the corners under your cabinets.
Pests will carry it back to their nests on their feet and kill the remainder of the infestation.
Boric acid is non-toxic for animals and only kills the insects.
Or, for a homemade garden spray that will discourage most pests,
use some mashed garlic paste combined with a little cayenne pepper or horseradish.
Add a small amount to a gallon jug of water and let it sit for a day or two, shaking it occasionally.
Just spray a small amount onto a few leaves first to make sure it's not so strong that it will burn them.
For more details on these types of natural solutions to pests of all kinds,
I recommend the book Dead Snails Leave No Trails by Nancarrow and Taylor, or visit the website BeyondPesticides.org14.
They have a section on do-it-yourself natural solutions to a wide range of pest problems
along with a resource to find pest management companies that use non-toxic products.
7 Cancer-causes Lurking in Your Home (And How to Remove Them)
Worldtruth.tv/proof-that-the-cancer-industry-doesn't-want-a-cure-2
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used component of plastic containers and food packaging,
such as the inner lining of cans, despite the fact that more than
200 research studies show BPA is harmful to human health.
The use of BPA is so pervasive that scientists have found that 95 percent of people tested
have dangerous levels of BPA in their bodies.
Avoiding canned foods is perhaps your best way to avoid BPA.
Recent research from the Harvard School of Public Health8revealed that canned foods and beverages can increase your BPA levels by a staggering 1,000 percent in a mere five days!
The lead researcher noted that given this new finding,
canned goods may be an even greater contribution to your BPA levels than plastics.
Interestingly, research has shown that you can help protect yourself from the adverse effects of inevitable BPA exposure by eating traditionally fermented foods,
such as raw grass-fed organic kefir, fermented veggies,
or taking a high-quality probiotic supplement.
These foods contain "friendly bacteria," some of which have the ability to break down BPA,
as well as reduce your intestinal absorption of it.9 Naturally, avoiding sources of BPA is your best bet.
Here are 10 tips to help reduce your exposure to BPA around the house:
-Only use glass baby bottles and dishes for your baby
-Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel travel coffee mugs rather than plastic or Styrofoam coffee cups
-Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass varieties
-Avoid using plastic wrap (and never microwave anything covered in it)
-Give your baby natural fabric toys instead of plastic ones
-If you opt to use plastic kitchenware, at least get rid of the older, scratched-up varieties,
avoid putting them in the dishwasher, and don't wash them with harsh detergents,
as these things can cause more chemicals to leach into your food
-Store your food and beverages in glass containers
-Avoid using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead
-IF you choose to use a microwave, don't microwave food in a plastic container
-Before allowing a dental sealant to be applied to teeth, ask your dentist to verify that it does not contain BPA
-In the event that you do opt to use plastic containers for your food or beverages,
be sure to avoid those marked on the bottom with the recycling label No. 7, as these varieties may contain BPA.
Containers marked with the recycling labels No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 do not contain BPA
(however they may contain other unsavory chemicals
that you're best off avoiding by using glass instead).
5. Clean Out Your Cleaning Products
Research has found that breast-cancer risk is twice as high among women who report the most use of cleaning products and air fresheners, compared to those who rarely use such products.
While it is very difficult to prove that a person's exposure to household cleaners
over the course of 10, 20 or 30 years is what caused their cancer diagnosis,
it is well known that commonly used household chemicals do, in fact, cause cancer,
along with other serious health effects like reproductive and developmental problems in developing children.
Mold and mildew cleaners and air fresheners have shown the greatest correlation with breast cancer.
Some of the chemicals of greatest concern that you'll want to avoid include:
Synthetic musks
Phthalates1,4-diclorobenzene
Terpenes
Benzene
Styrene
Phenol
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
Formaldehyde
Petroleum solvents
Butyl cellosolve
Triclosan (antibacterial)
My top list of cancer prevention strategies has always included reducing
your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, household chemical cleaners,
and synthetic air fresheners. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy task to accomplish.
For those times when you need to do a bit of cleansing,
one of the best non-toxic disinfectants is plain soap and water.
You can use this for washing your hands, your body and for other household cleaning.
Another all-purpose cleaner that works great for kitchen counters,
cutting boards and bathrooms is 3% hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.
You can also keep your home very fresh and clean by making your own natural cleaning products
using items you probably already have around your home.
Some more tips for making simple and effective all-natural cleansers:
- Use baking soda mixed with apple cider vinegar to clean drains and bathtubs, or sprinkle baking soda along with a few drops of lavender oil or tea tree oil (which have antibacterial qualities) as a simple scrub for your bathroom or kitchen.
- Vinegar can be used to clean almost anything in your home. Try it mixed with liquid castile soap, essential oils and water to clean floors, windows, bathrooms and kitchens. It can even be used as a natural fabric softener.
- Hydrogen peroxide is safer to use than chlorine bleach for disinfecting and whitening.
- Vodka is a disinfectant that can remove red wine stains, kill wasps and bees and refresh upholstery (put it into a mister and simply spray on the fabric).
If you really want to use a commercial product, look for one that uses a natural base.
To find out about the ingredients in common household products, there's a searchable database you might find helpful from Environment, Health and Safety Online (EHSO)10.
6. "Green" Your Building Materials and Furnishings
The building materials used in your home can be a major source of toxic exposures of multiple kinds, from formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products, to VOC's from carpets and paints, just to name a few.
Your furnishings can also harbor toxic chemicals.
While paints have gotten a lot less toxic over the past 25 years, most paints still emit harmful vapors,
such as VOC's, formaldehyde and benzene.
These types of fumes can be released daily for about 30 days after application.
Low levels can continue to leak into the air for as long as a year afterward,
so you'll want to make sure you ventilate the area repeatedly.
Another danger is lead-based paint, which can be found in many homes built before 1978.
Once the paint begins to peel away, it releases harmful lead particles that can be inhaled.
In 1991, the U.S. government declared lead to be the greatest environmental threat to children.
Fortunately, it's getting easier to find high-quality non-toxic paints,
also known as "low-VOC" or "no-VOC" paint.
Both large paint companies and smaller alternative brands now offer selections of such paints.
For a list of distributors and manufacturers, check out healthyhomeplans.com11.
Also limit or eliminate exposure by carefully selecting non-toxic carpeting, such as those made of wool,
or opt for non-toxic flooring like solid wood or bamboo instead.
One of the primary hazards when it comes to furnishings is flame retardants: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These are commonly found in:
- Mattresses
- Upholstery, drapes and curtains
- Television and computer casings and circuit boards
Other animal studies have indicated that PBDEs could be carcinogenic in humans,
although that has not yet been confirmed.
Your mattress may be of particular concern, as many contain not only PBDE's,
but also toxic antimony, boric acid, and formaldehyde.
Shopping for a safe mattress can be tricky, as manufacturers are not required to label or disclose which chemicals their mattresses contain. However, some manufacturers now offer toxin-free mattresses,
such as those made of 100% wool, which is naturally fire resistant.
There are also mattresses that use a Kevlar, bullet-proof type of material in lieu of chemicals for fire-proofing. These are available in most major mattress stores, and will help you to avoid some of the toxicity.
7. Eat Organic and Tend Your Garden Without Harmful Chemicals
Many pesticides and herbicides are potentially carcinogenic,
and you may be exposed to them either via the foods you buy, or in your own garden.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 60 percent of herbicides,
90 percent of fungicides, and 30 percent of insecticides to be carcinogenic,
and most are also damaging to your nervous system as well.
Some of the pesticides/herbicides classified as probable or possible human carcinogens
by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include:
Chlordane
Heptachlor
Tetrachlorvinphos
Carbaryl
Propoxur
Lindane
Dichlorvos
Phosmet
Permethrin
The answer, of course, is to opt for organically-grown produce and organically-raised, pastured animal products, and using organic or non-toxic gardening methods around your own home.
It's well known that conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are often tainted with unacceptable levels of pesticide residues, but you're also exposed when you eat animal products.
Animals raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's) eat feed full of pesticides,
and these toxins accumulate in their flesh and fat over the course of their lifetimes.
When you eat factory-farmed meat, you then ingest these accumulated pesticides.
As for fresh produce, certain fruits and vegetables tend to be far more contaminated than others,
simply because they're more susceptible to various infestations and therefore sprayed more heavily.
Some foods are also more "absorbent," with thin, tender skins.
Such foods would be high on your list for buying organic.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) produces an annual shopper's guide to pesticides in produce12
that you can download. It lists the produce with the highest and lowest levels of pesticide residue,
which can help save you money if you can't afford to buy everything organic.
Fermented foods can be helpful here as well,
as some of the beneficial bacteria produced in fermented foods have been found to help
detoxify organophosphorus insecticide.
A 2009 study 13 showed that during the fermentation of kimchi,
the insecticide degraded rapidly until day 3, and had degraded completely by day 9.
Four lactic acid bacteria were identified as being responsible for the effect.
Finally, do not use synthetic pesticides in your home or garden,
or in the form of insect repellant, lice shampoo, pet sprays or otherwise.
There are safe and effective natural alternatives for virtually every pest problem you come across.
For instance, boric acid powder is a very effective deterrent to roaches and ants.
Sprinkle some in the inner corners of your cabinets and in the corners under your cabinets.
Pests will carry it back to their nests on their feet and kill the remainder of the infestation.
Boric acid is non-toxic for animals and only kills the insects.
Or, for a homemade garden spray that will discourage most pests,
use some mashed garlic paste combined with a little cayenne pepper or horseradish.
Add a small amount to a gallon jug of water and let it sit for a day or two, shaking it occasionally.
Just spray a small amount onto a few leaves first to make sure it's not so strong that it will burn them.
For more details on these types of natural solutions to pests of all kinds,
I recommend the book Dead Snails Leave No Trails by Nancarrow and Taylor, or visit the website BeyondPesticides.org14.
They have a section on do-it-yourself natural solutions to a wide range of pest problems
along with a resource to find pest management companies that use non-toxic products.
7 Cancer-causes Lurking in Your Home (And How to Remove Them)
Worldtruth.tv/proof-that-the-cancer-industry-doesn't-want-a-cure-2