More On Health...Last Post for Awhile :)

After a few months of researching things, I just thought I'd share some more findings. This will be my last post on 'health-related issues' for awhile as I've come to conclusions and have shared. For some of you, you may be thinking, "Thank goodness! Back to normal posts." However, some of us have learned some things (I know I have!) and may not be able to make every change they would like to, but we can take what we've learned and pick some things to apply to our health. God gave us these wonderful bodies and He promises us that if He lives in us, the Holy Spirit lives in us too. My body may not be perfect or 100% healthy, but knowing that I have a better knowledge and understanding about food and health in general makes me feel as though I have a healthier place for the Holy Spirit to dwell and work in me. (If you still haven't read the story of Daniel in the Bible, it's a great story.)


Harmful Chemicals
The first thing I did when I felt convicted to read labels and research more of how things were made was to look for harmful chemicals in products and foods. These are the things that I have done research on (from credible sources) and found that are bad for you...


-aluminum (found in deodorant and baking products, for example)
HERE is a great article about the dangers of aluminum.


Aluminum In the Home
'•Cookware
•Foil
•Flatware
•Cans Used for Food & Drink

Aluminum in Health & Hygiene Applications:
•Antacids
•Buffered Aspirin
•Vaccines
•Vaginal Douches
•Hemorrhoid Medications
•Anti-Diarrhea Medications
•Astringents
•Nasal Sprays
•Baby Powder
•Dentures
•Lipsticks
•Talcum Powder

Aluminum Is Commonly Added To:
•Baking Powder
•Self-Rising Flour
•Table Salt
•Pickling Salt
•Processed Cheese
•Cake Mix'



One thing I've always been skeptical about is the fact that breast cancer is SO common these days and I have reason to believe it's due to the following attributes...

*Think about what we shave ladies...our underarms. What do we put on our underarms directly after shaving? Deodorant. What does deodorant have in it? ALUMINUM. I also think that breast cancer could be linked to other things such as women not breastfeeding as many children. Your risk of breast cancer depletes with each baby that you can nurse.


-sodium laureth sulfate (there have been links to cancer and brain problems as well as reproductive problems) Sodium laureth sulfate is found in all things that fizz...toothpaste, SHAMPOOS/CONDITIONERS, cleaning products, soap *There's a great blog HERE that I found some good information on about SLS and it's many forms, also, how to aviod it. HERE is another one. SLS is basically a formula that is SUPPOSED to irritate your skin/scalp for lab testing. Now they just use it in the products!

'This inexpensive detergent is commonly used in cosmetic cleansers, hair shampoos, bath and shower gels, bubble baths, etc. - It is probably the most dangerous ingredient used in skin and hair-care products. In the cleaning industry SLS is used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, car-wash soaps, etc. It is very corrosive and readily attacks greasy surfaces.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is used throughout the world for clinical testing as a primary skin irritant. Laboratories use it to irritate skin on test animals and humans so that they may then test healing agents to see how effective they are on the irritated skin.

A study at the University of Georgia Medical College, indicated that SLS penetrated into the eyes as well as brain, heart, liver, etc., and showed long-term retention in the tissues. The study also indicated that SLS penetrated young children's eyes and prevented them from developing properly and caused cataracts to develop In adults.

May cause hair loss by attacking the follicle. Classified as a drug in bubble baths because it eats away skin protection and causes rashes and infection to occur.

Is potentially harmful to skin and hair. Cleans by corrosion. Dries skin by stripping the protective lipids from the surface so it can't effectively regulate moisture.

Another extremely serious problem is the connection of SLS with nitrate contamination. SLS reacts with many types of ingredients used in skin products and forms nitrosomines (nitrates). Nitrates are potential cancer-causing carcinogenics.

Because of the alarming penetrating power of SLS, large amounts of these known carcinogens are absorbed through the skin into the body. A variation of SLS is SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate- SLES). It exhibits many of the same characteristics and is a higher-foaming variation of SLS.'


Click HERE for a SLS free homemade laundry detergent. Basically, you take my homemade laundry detergent recipe (although I can't claim the rights because it IS someone else's!) and instead of using Dove or Ivory, use Kirk's Castle or another kind of SLS free soap. I was so relieve to find this site and learn that I could still use my recipe, just with a different soap bar.

Update: I may also look into other alternatives not having to use Borax. We shall see.


-hormones (in your dairy and meats) HERE is a website that sums up some information.

-pesticides (in non-organic foods/produce)
For information on this, just Google pesticides in food and enough said. One thing that I keep handy (sometimes in my coupon/shopping binder) is a list of produce that has the most and least amounts of pesticides in them. OR, if you can, grow your own food. Even a tomato plant on your windowsil in the middle of winter is fun! :)

At http://www.livingandrawfoods.com/ , there is a list of the best and worst foods to buy organic. (see below...I cut and pasted)

'According to the Environmental Working Group, when it comes
to conventionally-grown produce, these are the 12 cleanest
kinds you can buy:

Twelve "cleanest non-organic foods"

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Corn (sweet) AVOID: Probably Genetically Modified
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Onions
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Peas (sweet)

Tweleve "RISKIEST foods
• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Imported Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Red Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries'


-chlorine (found in feminine products)
Bing's definition describes it as this:
'Chemical used to kill germs: a gaseous poisonous corrosive greenish yellow element of the halogen group that is highly reactive and is a product of the electrolysis of sodium chloride. Use: water purification, disinfectant'.

I don't think I would want that on or in my body. There is such a thing as good bacteria and when we mess with these balances, we're fighting these good bacteria that have a purpose.

Have you ever been to a kids' water park or a swimming pool that has used way too much chlorine and you can smell it for days? Yikes. I can think of two places in particular. We used to have a small pool in our yard where we would put chlorine in it to keep it from getting algae. If we do decide to put up the pool again this summer, I may look into alternatives to keeping it clean.

Anyway, chlorine-free feminine products can be found for as low as $2.00 a box. They're not more expensive than 'regular brands'.



-alchohol (beverages, mouthwash, etc.)

If you know Rob and I well, you know that we just don't drink. Have we tried alchoholic beverages, yes. My grandma took me out to dinner when I turned 21 and she bought me a glass of red wine. Supposively, it was a good brand. It tasted terrible! (just my opinion) I also tried a margarita a long time ago, a strawberry daquaris and a medori sour (spelling?). Out of the few drinks I've tried, the medori sour was the only one I liked. Why? Because it didn't taste like alchohol. It was fruity. :) Rob has tried even less than I have. A buddy took him out once and I think it was a scotch that he offered him a sip of. He said it tasted like mouth wash. Anyway, I have nothing against those that have an occational glass of wine or something. If you like it and can drink responsibly, then hey. To each his own. :)



I was at the dentist awhile back and asked her about mouthwash and what she thought. She said that using Listerine and other mouthwashes with alchohol is not good for you. It can actually lead to cancer in the mouth. My sister was diagnosed with cancer in her mouth years ago (should I mention that she DID use Listerine?) and had to undergo surgery to get it removed. She goes for checkups often, but praise the Lord, it hasn't been back.



To sum up about alchohol, use Crest's ProHealth mouthwash (no alchohol) or another mouthwash that doesn't contain it. Limit your alchoholic intake. Remember also that little eyes are always watching. :)



Conclusion...
There's NO way to cut out all of these things and if you're that brave, please contact me and let me know how you did it!!! Pick some things that you want to personally research and change in your life. Start with a few. I'd love to hear stories on some of the changes made.