How Many Harmful Chemicals are in Your Home?

June 21st, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

There are dangerous chemicals everywhere these days. Some companies have been in trouble for polluting our waters with harmful chemicals. Farmers are realizing how harmful the chemicals they use on their crops can really be. Landfills have become hazardous waste zones because of the amount of dangerous chemicals dumped in them each year. Your home is another place where there are probably quite a few harmful chemicals.

You should keep products with harmful chemicals locked up and away from small children in your home at all times. Even if you and your family do not ingest these dangerous chemicals, you can still have health problems from exposure. Just being around some of the harmful chemicals in your home can be bad for you. Repeated exposure to these chemicals in cleaners and other products in your home is very likely to cause health problems for you and your family.

The following are some harmful chemicals commonly found in your home:

  • Acetone - Acetone is in many types of nail polish remover. If you inhale products with acetone, you can develop lung, throat and nose problems, as well as headaches and a increased heart rate. Serious health problems like going into a coma or damage to the liver, nerves or kidneys can also occur.
  • Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APEs) - This is a chemical that is commonly used in cleaning products for the home. It is thought that this chemical affects the endocrine system because it acts like a hormone. Exposure can lead to reproductive problems, immune system problems, ADHD and cancer.
  • Benzene - This chemical is in everything from hygiene products to pesticides. If inhaled, it can cause headaches, increased heart rate, shaking, loss of consciousness and possibly be fatal. There may be an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with exposure to benzene.
  • BHA and BHT - These chemicals may be in the cans of food you have in your kitchen cabinets. They are also in some hygiene products. While they are thought to to be to dangerous for human use in some countries, they are allowed to be used in manufacture in the United States.
  • Formaldehyde - You will probably see formaldehyde as an ingredient in some of your cleaners, bath products, hygiene products and nail polish and remover despite it being a known carcinogen and neurotoxin. Exposure can result in mucus membrane issues, spasms, edema and other health issues.
  • Hydroquinone -This chemical is in products used to color hair and lighten skin. This is a dangerous chemical that affects skin structure and increases skin cancer risks.
  • Phthlates - This chemical can be a variety of products including plastics, perfumes, and lotions. Exposure could result in thyroid problems, hormonal issues, kidney damage, birth defects and reproductive system issues.
  • Tolulene - This chemical is in many home cleaning products and in nail care products. It can damage the lungs if inhaled and is linked to liver and kidney problems, increased cancer risks, hallucinations and bone marrow problems.

This is just a sampling of the many harmful chemicals that you might have in your home right now. You can’t completely get away from all harmful chemicals in today’s society but you can try to buy products for your home that are as healthy and chemical free as possible. All you have to do is look at the ingredients on the cleaners and other household items you buy regularly.

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Detox Supplements: The Vitamin D Cure by James Dowd and Diane Stafford

June 20th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Nutritional Supplements Book Reviews

The Vitamin D Cure51Pp%2Bth3-TL._SL160_ Detox Supplements: The Vitamin D Cure by James Dowd and Diane Stafford

Vitamin D deficiency is responsible for a broad array of health problems.  In this book, rheumatologist Dr. James Dowd explains how vitamin deficiency happens and presents a simple five-step program that can help you achieve optimum health.  The regimen can cure or alleviate diseases such as arthritis in less than two months.

Learn how to:

  • Determine how much vitamin D you need
  • Use the sun and nutritional supplements to raise your vitamin D levels
  • Determine your blood acidity and change your diet accordingly
  • Achieve the best state of health possible by with all-around supplementation
  • Use exercise to its best effect

Take control of your health by following this program.  You will free yourself from a host of health problems you may have thought to be incurable and ensure a longer and healthier life.

About the Author

James Dowd, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Michigan State University.  He specializes in arthritis and is a widely published and highly respected authority on the subject.

Diane Stafford has authored and assisted with the writing of over a dozen books, such as Migraines for Dummies and No More Panic Attacks.

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The Natural Way to Cure Anxiety

June 17th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

Because of popular media, you might think that chemicals are the only solution to treating anxiety problems. Then again, there are still a good number of us who prefer the natural ways to curing illnesses. Allergies and other side effects are a result for taking in herbs and drugs. There is still another option proven to be effective: meditation.

For such a long time, meditation has been practiced for religious and spiritual purposes. Recently, there are a lot of studies being done how meditation can be a solution for treating health problems. The results are positive: it affects metabolism, heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and brain chemistry. In simple terms, it creates what we call “relaxation response.”

This relaxation response is very helpful to those who suffer from anxiety disorders. It places the patient into a more serene state of mind and battles distress. It gives a sense of peace and relief.

Not only does it provide immediate comfort but it gives us the awareness we need that helps us be aware of our mental functions that causes anxiety. Because it gives us greater control of our thoughts, it helps us combat negative ideas that stimulate anxiety. Because of such, meditation is there for the long term aid.

Different Kinds of Meditation to Control Anxiety

Different types of meditation exists and all of them can be categorized into two:

  • Meditation based on concentration - This kind of meditation focuses on that which does not need conscious thought. The main objective is to clear the mind from everything and to concentrate on breathing patterns, a tangible object or do chants.
  • Meditation that fills the mind - Mindful meditation on the overhand focuses on one’s thoughts and emotions without being overcome by them. It’s objective is to make the mind at peace. This kind of meditation is very good at treating obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Both kinds of meditation is effective to people with anxiety. A lot of people will find that both methods, especially alternating between them, produces the best results.

Meditating 101

There are those who go to mentors to learn how to meditate. This is especially good for people who have difficulty focusing or needs to have outside motivation to complete the sessions. Some resort to audio or video materials readily available so that they could learn at the comforts of their own home.

The good thing about meditation is that it doesn’t carry any health risk. It is a good alternative for anyone who has anxiety. It can be used on top of other treatments or just by itself. Whether you have a serious anxiety disorder or just simply stressed, meditation is there to help.

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Lawn Chemicals and Your Pet — A Bad Combination

May 24th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

You don’t have to be a scientist to figure out that there are a lot of dangerous chemicals out there. The warning labels on chemicals in your home tells you all the things you should not do with the product. If you are smart, you will follow their recommendations. What you might not think about is how these chemicals affect your pets.

Most household chemicals are not in areas accessible to your pets but the chemicals you use on your lawn definitely are. Chances are your dogs or cats go out to your lawn and play every so often. The chemicals on your lawn can be dangerous for your pets.

Dangerous Pesticides

Lawn chemicals used to kill bugs and other pests are called pesticides. A lot of people use insecticides and herbicides and both are dangerous to your animals. Insecticides work so well because they damage the nervous system of the insects. In most cases, the insecticides you put on your lawn are not going to be deadly for you or your animals but they can be dangerous to the nervous system. Most of the time, we do not get pesticides close enough to us to be harmed but don’t forget your pets roll and play in your lawn so they are exposed to a lot more of the pesticides.

You may use herbicides to kill the weeds in your yard and keep it looking good. The herbicides work so well on weeds because of the active ingredient which is 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2-4-D). Agent Orange, which was used in previous wars like the Vietnam War, also had this dangerous chemical in it. The veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange often have severe health problems. Dogs are especially susceptible to the dangers of 2-4-D and it may increase their likelihood of developing cancer.

Inert Ingredients

While we know that the active ingredients in pesticides can do harm to humans and animals, we sometimes forget about the inert ingredients. Things like cadmium, toluene and hydrocarbons found in pesticides can be left of pesticide labels so some people do not know that they are even in there in the first place.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers are usually safer than pesticides when it comes to your animals. While fertilizers are without the dangerous chemical ingredients, they do have a lot of heavy metals like iron which can be dangerous for animals.

Products like “weed and feed” are a combination of fertilizers and pesticides. This combination holds a particularly large danger for your animals because a lot of people are not aware of the presence of dangerous chemicals. You need to carefully study the ingredients of anything you apply to your lawn to avoid hurting your pets.

Pets really need a natural lawn with no pesticides or other dangerous chemicals or metals. If you have to use these products, make sure you find one that is relatively safe for animals and make sure your pets do not go on the lawn for a few days after you treat it with any sort of chemical product. You want a nice lush green lawn but you also want healthy pets so you need to be careful what products you use.

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Getting Started with an Exercise Program

January 24th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Exercise is something every should be doing, regardless of age. As you age, though, it is even more critical that you workout daily in order to maintain a strong body and a strong mind. If you aren’t currently exercising, you may be wondering where or how to start. If you have failed at exercise programs in the past, you may think it is impossible. No matter what is holding you back, you can get back into exercising by following a few simple steps.

Visit Your Doctor

Every exercise program comes with the standard warning to see your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. Don’t ignore this warning, especially if you are advanced in years. Many older people participate in very strenuous physical activity but not all of us are capable of these things. So visiting a doctor before starting an exercise program may just prevent you from causing yourself serious health problems. Your doctor can help you exercise in a way that will be safe and effective. He  can help you design an effective exercise program that’s appropriate for your age and your current health condition.

Joining a Gym

Gyms are a great place to start your exercise program, no matter what your age or fitness level. Many gyms are moving away from focusing only on the young and fit and are offering programs, classes and encouragement to people of all ages. Gyms are aware that not everyone has the same mobility; they are beginning to offer programs designed for those who need additional assistance. You can find a lot of great advice from gym employees who have a lot of experience with developing exercise programs for people of all ages and abilities.

Fitness Clubs

One option if a gym membership isn’t for you is to find a fitness club in your area. There are many different type of fitness clubs including walking clubs, biking clubs, hiking clubs and even swimming clubs. These clubs have a lot of advantages; they offer opportunities for you to meet new people and network with others who can help you in other areas of your life. You can even find clubs for people who prefer to walk inside like mall walking clubs.

Get Your Friends Involved

You are much more likely to keep up with an exercise program if you have people to keep you motivated. Find out if any of your friends are active in any exercise programs that you would be interested in joining. If your friends aren’t active, get them involved with a fun exercise program with you. Everyone will love working together to be physically fit. The more people you have to support you and that you can support, the better you all will do.

Make sure that whatever activity you choose, it is one you enjoy doing. You’ll have much more success at exercising if you love what you are doing.

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Common Food Allergy Myths

January 23rd, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

There is a lot of confusion about food allergies. A lot of what people think they know about food allergies are actually food allergy myths. The following are some of the most common food allergy myths and the real facts you should know.

Myth 1: You don’t need to see a doctor; just avoid those foods to which you are allergic.

You cannot properly diagnose a food allergy by yourself. You may end up thinking you are allergic to one thing but it really is another. Also, what you are calling a food allergy could be a more serious digestive condition. A doctor will be able to tell you what your problem is and how to treat it.

Myth 2: Every food that makes you sick is one you are allergic to.

Not all food related health problems are actually food allergies. Some digestive problems have other sources. For example, people who are lactose intolerant are not allergic to milk; they just cannot digest the sugars in milk and dairy products causing them to feel poorly. If you were actually allergic to milk, you could have a very serious immune response. You should see a doctor about all food related issues just to be safe.

Myth 3: You can grow out of food allergies you develop as a child.

While food allergies often show up in children, it is not unusual for adults to develop food allergies as well. Sometimes, children will outgrow food allergies but it doesn’t always happen. Often, food allergies will go away or improve for awhile but then come back later on in life. Because of the danger, you should never assume that a food allergy has completely gone away.

Myth 4: You don’t have to completely avoid a food to which you are allergic.

You may think a little bit of the food you are allergic to won’t hurt you but you could be wrong. A dangerous reaction could occur if you try to eat something you are allergic to even in small amounts. Sometimes, you can have a reaction just by being in the same room as the food you are allergic to.

Myth 5: Food allergies always require a visit to the hospital.

Every time you have an allergic reaction to a food, you may not need medical treatment. It may just cause you to feel ill for awhile. Not every reaction is going to be a serious one, but you shouldn’t ignore minor allergic reactions. Because your allergies might change, you don’t want to take them lightly. Getting treatment for even minor allergic reactions can help you learn more about your condition.

Myth 6: Food allergies are very common.

Everyone probably has some foods they can’t eat because they don’t agree with them. Not everyone who has a reaction to a food has actual food allergies. The only way to determine if you have a true food allergy is to see your doctor.

Having a Plan to Treat Food Allergies

It is frightening for parents of children with food allergies to send them out into the world where they may be exposed to things that could harm them. If you have an allergy plan for your child, which spells out how to avoid a problem and what to do if one happens, you will feel better and worry less. You can know your child will be OK even if she has a reaction.

Of course, you want to stress avoidance in your food allergy plan. If your child can avoid the foods that cause her problems, it will be better for everyone. You’ll need to teach your child what she can and can’t eat and make sure she has food that is OK for her to eat at all times.

You and your child will have to become experts at decoding the labels on the food you buy. It is not always obvious what foods are in products so you’ll need to know what else a food might be called so you can make sure you avoid it.

Since there is always the possibility of a food allergy reaction happening, make sure you and your family are prepared. You should have a medicine kit specifically to deal with the food allergies. If you can treat the reaction right away, the situation will be less stressful for everyone. Things you might include are an epi-pin and antihistamines, both commonly used to treat food allergy reactions. Make sure you know how to use the treatments properly and ask your doctor about what he thinks you need in your kit.

Anyone else who is responsible for your child like teachers, babysitters and grandparents should all know what your food allergy plan includes and how to implement the plan. You will not have to worry nearly as much if you know caregivers will take care of your child the way you would. You can’t be with your child all the time so make sure everyone else in her life understands her food allergies.

Medical alert bracelets are available for food and other allergies. These life-saving bracelets will tell emergency personnel what your child is allergic to and how to treat it in case no one else is around to answer their questions.

You will need to put a lot of time and effort into gathering the supplies for your food allergy plan and making everyone aware of the plan but it is worth it. If you have a good plan in place, you won’t have to worry about no one being able to help your child if she has a reaction and help her avoid a reaction as well.

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Understanding Your Food Cravings

January 17th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

We all start a diet with the best intentions. Unfortunately, our plans are often derailed by our cravings. We start longing for a salty or sweet snack that we know isn’t good for us and eventually, we just give in to the cravings and eat that fattening food. If you understand your food cravings, you can resist them so that you’ll finally be on your way to losing those unwanted pounds and becoming  the healthy person you’ve always wanted to be.

Sometimes, your food cravings is your body’s way of telling you that it needs a nutrient that it is lacking. You can give your body the nutrients it is craving for in a healthy form or in an unhealthy for full of fat and calories. It is important to give your body the best foods and these are not always the ones that taste the best and that we crave. Understanding what nutrients your body is missing can help you replace them in the best way possible. You can take a supplement or you can made some changes in your diet.

You can often figure out for yourself what nutrients your body is missing. It doesn’t hurt, though, to see your doctor for regular check ups and blood work. Your doctor can tell you what nutrients you might need more of and how you can best replenish them. Your doctor can also make sure you don’t have any underlying health problems.

Sometimes when you think you are hungry, you are actually thirsty and your body is getting dehydrated. It is easy to mistake the craving for hydration for a craving for food. Before you give into that craving, try hydrating yourself with a glass of water and see if the hunger feeling goes away.

You shouldn’t have too many cravings if you eat good, healthy food everyday. Sometimes, your cravings might be all in your head, not your stomach. Sometimes you crave food not because you don’t have enough nutrients but because of psychological or emotional triggers. Maybe being around a certain group of people or in a certain place or just being in a bad mood is causing your cravings. You need to figure out in what situations your cravings occur to help you resist them. Avoiding situations or people that trigger cravings will help you lose weight since you can make more sound decisions.

It may be helpful to write down where you are when your cravings occur, what you are doing and who is around you. This way you can look for patterns that stand out and will help you recognize triggers. If you are going into a situation where you know you will have cravings, prepare ahead of time by having a small, healthy snack. It’s hard, but you can resist your cravings. You can also give in once in awhile to give your self a treat, just not too often.

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Colon Cleansing, Weight Loss & You!

January 7th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Many people swear by colon cleansing to feel better, lose weight and stay healthy. It is becoming more and more accepted as a health treatment. Here is some information about colon cleansing and how it can help you lose weight.

The colon’s purpose is to remove waste from the food that we eat. Most people’s diets these days include a lot of processed foods. These foods make it much more difficult for the colon to do its job. Much of the toxins and waste products accumulate in the colon; they petrify and eventually cause health problems. What colon cleansing does is get rid of the leftover waste and toxins from the colon so it can work more efficiently, encouraging the body to process food in a more efficient manner.

Most people notice an immediate weight loss when they start with colon cleansing. This is because colon cleansing is able to flush out most of the waste matter that as accumulated in the colon.  After you have been on a colon cleansing routine for a while, you will continue to lose weight because you will be absorbing more nutrients and less waste will be left in the colon. A colon that is working well helps with weight loss.

Most people don’t think about their digestive system as it relates to weight control; we often associate weight control with exercise and diet.  A typical diet where you eat less and exercise more doesn’t take into consideration that your metabolism will usually decrease to make up the difference. Treating your digestive system so it is at its healthiest is a good way to lose weight.

One of the benefits of colon cleansing is increased stamina and energy. If you want to work on shedding off those unwanted pounds, you can take that extra energy and turn it into exercise. You will wake up feeling better every day and have a better outlook on life when you are not feeling tired and sluggish. Also, some of the added energy comes from your body being able to get more nutrients out of the food you eat.

Colon cleansing is a great tool for improving your health and even losing weight. It is just one tool in the toolbox, though! You need to have a well balanced diet and exercise in order to feel your best. You also need to make sure you cut back on processed foods and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.

Like any medical treatment, you need to do some research about colon cleansing and make sure you know what you are doing and that you use a safe product or program. Also, talk to your doctor about your plans and get his or her advice.

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