cosmetics – F.I.G.H.T for your health!

Curcuma’s anti-parasite usage

Linda — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:07:09 +0000

Link: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=21104602&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

Members of the CURCUMA plant species (Zingiberaceae) have been used for
centuries in cooking, cosmetics, staining and in traditional medicine as
“omnipotent” remedies. Herbal preparations made with, and molecules
extracted from, CURCUMA have been shown to possess a wide variety of
pharmacological properties against malignant proliferation, hormonal
disorders, inflammation, and parasitosis among other conditions. This review
evaluates CURCUMA and its associated bioactive compounds, particularly
focusing on studies examining the parasiticidal activity of these components
against the tropical parasites PLASMODIUM, LEISHMANIA, TRYPANOSOMA,
SCHISTOSOMA and more generally against other cosmopolitan parasites
(nematodes, BABESIA, CANDIDA, GIARDIA, COCCIDIA and SARCOPTES). (c) Georg
Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart .
New York.

Can Progesterone Cream Work?

Linda — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:41:55 +0000

Since I like topical Progesterone, I thought this rather balanced review might be interesting to all.

Garry F. Gordon MD,DO,MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
www.gordonresearch.com

Excerpt:

Can Progesterone Cream Work?

By ROBERT J. DAVIS
Special to THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
August 30, 2005; Page D5

Concerns about the safety of hormone-replacement therapy have prompted many women to seek alternatives. One option, “natural” progesterone cream sold over the counter, is gaining in popularity among women looking for relief from symptoms of menopause or PMS. While some doctors recommend the creams, many others question their effectiveness and worry that unsupervised use could pose long-term risks.
Most of the creams contain progesterone derived from soybeans or Mexican yams. In contrast, the most commonly prescribed hormone-replacement medications, which are taken orally, contain synthetic progesterone, known as progestin. Because progesterone in creams comes from plants and is structurally identical to the human hormone, it is often called “natural.” But like progestin, it is synthesized in a lab.
The creams, which are sold in health-food stores and over the Internet, are classified by the Food and Drug Administration as cosmetics, not drugs. Therefore, manufacturers aren’t permitted to claim their products can treat or prevent conditions. But some do anyway. Most, however, make vague promises to promote “healthy hormone balance” or “balance and harmony within the female body.”

The leading proponent of natural progesterone, the late physician John Lee, argued that in premenopausal women, too much estrogen relative to progesterone can lead to weight gain, bloating, irritability, fatigue, uterine fibroids, endometriosis and lumpy and tender breasts. Correcting the imbalance with progesterone cream, he said, can alleviate such problems. Likewise, he claimed creams reduce symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, memory loss and decreased bone density.

Top 5 Suspected Everyday Carcinogens

Linda — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:30:25 +0000

Full article: a new report

Excerpt:

Some carcinogens you already know and fear: cigarettes, asbestos, smoked meat.

But what about the ones you’ve never even heard of? That’s the crux of a new report from theAmerican Cancer Society (ACS), which rounds up 20 “suspected carcinogens” the organization would like to see studied more extensively.

Of course, that research, if it happens, will come after the chemicals, ingredients — and even lifestyle choices — are already embedded into the bedrock of our 24/7 economy.

“The objectives of this report are to identify research gaps and needs for 20 agents prioritized for review based on evidence of widespread human exposures and potential carcinogenicity in animals or humans,” Elizabeth Ward, the co-author of the report, said.

So just what are these potential cancer causers lurking in our everyday environs? Surge Desk runs down five (not so awesome) favorites.

1. Styrene

Styrene, and its chemical compound colleague styrene-7,-8-oxide, threaten to be a stoner’s worst nightmare. Although only weakly linked to cancer in humans, there’s enough evidence in animal studies to earn the compounds a spot in the top 20.

Where will you find it? Cigarettes, marijuana and leeching into your midnight munchies via foam food packaging.

How can you avoid it? If you eat, this is one urine test you’re doomed to fail. Styrene was detected in the urine of 87 percent of study participants during a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention trial last year.

A note from Linda

Linda — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:12:22 +0000

A note to my readers from Linda…..

I thought you might be interested in this alert from the Organic Consumers Association (November 13, 2009):

A major reason why consumers shop for products that are certified organic is to avoid the hazardous and unlabeled Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), toxic chemicals, and now the most recent, and likely most dangerous hi-tech poison of them all: nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is now a multi-billion dollar Frankenstein monster industry churning out a vast menu of untested and unlabeled products containing tiny nanoparticles including non-organic vitamin supplements, food packaging, processed food, cosmetics and sunscreens.

Over the objections of the OCA and thousands of our members, on November 5, 2009, the National Organic Standards Board decided to table a recommendation to prohibit nanotechnology in organic. The NOSB member who fills the scientist slot, Katrina Heinze of General Mills, delayed the process by insisting that the Board consider a compromise position that wouldn’t exclude nanotechnology from organic altogether, but would classify it as a “synthetic” that could be petitioned for use in specific instances. Please write to the NOSB and tell them to ban untested, unlabeled and hazardous nanotechnology products and ingredients in organic.

Nanotechnology is inherently dangerous. Mounting scientific evidence indicates that nanomaterials produce dangerous “free radicals” which can destroy or mutate DNA and can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Nanotech particles not only injure and kill lab animals–they can kill you as well.

Please click the link below to tell the USDA that you want the National Organic Standards Board to take a strong stand against the use of nanotechnology in organic.

Click on this URL to take action now
http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/utr/2/?a=13948781&i=1234&c=&u=capwiz.com%2Fgrassrootsnetroots%2Fissues%2Falert%2F%3Falertid%3D13948781

If your email program does not recognize the URL as a link,
copy the entire URL and paste it into your Web browser.

A note from Linda

Linda — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:09:39 +0000

A note to my readers from Linda…..

I thought you might be interested in this alert from the Organic Consumers Association (November 13, 2009):

A major reason why consumers shop for products that are certified organic is to avoid the hazardous and unlabeled Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), toxic chemicals, and now the most recent, and likely most dangerous hi-tech poison of them all: nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is now a multi-billion dollar Frankenstein monster industry churning out a vast menu of untested and unlabeled products containing tiny nanoparticles including non-organic vitamin supplements, food packaging, processed food, cosmetics and sunscreens.

Over the objections of the OCA and thousands of our members, on November 5, 2009, the National Organic Standards Board decided to table a recommendation to prohibit nanotechnology in organic. The NOSB member who fills the scientist slot, Katrina Heinze of General Mills, delayed the process by insisting that the Board consider a compromise position that wouldn’t exclude nanotechnology from organic altogether, but would classify it as a “synthetic” that could be petitioned for use in specific instances. Please write to the NOSB and tell them to ban untested, unlabeled and hazardous nanotechnology products and ingredients in organic.

Nanotechnology is inherently dangerous. Mounting scientific evidence indicates that nanomaterials produce dangerous “free radicals” which can destroy or mutate DNA and can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Nanotech particles not only injure and kill lab animals–they can kill you as well.

Please click the link below to tell the USDA that you want the National Organic Standards Board to take a strong stand against the use of nanotechnology in organic.

Click on this URL to take action now
http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/utr/2/?a=13948781&i=1234&c=&u=capwiz.com%2Fgrassrootsnetroots%2Fissues%2Falert%2F%3Falertid%3D13948781

If your email program does not recognize the URL as a link,
copy the entire URL and paste it into your Web browser.

Obama’s biotech strategy – letter from Linda

Linda — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:24:20 +0000

Dear Lyme friend,

On September 21, 2009, President Obama outlined his innovation strategy in
a speech in Troy, N.Y., after touring the technology classrooms of Hudson
Valley Community College.

“From biotechnology to nanotechnology, from the development of new forms
of energy to research into treatments of ancient diseases, there is so
much potential to change our world and improve our lives,” Obama said.

I feel that it is very irresponsible for the President to promote
nanotechnology when there are serious concerns about its safety and there
is virtually no regulation of the industry.

Last December, a report by the National Research Council found serious
gaps in the government’s plan for determining if nanomaterials pose a risk
and called for an effective national plan for identifying and managing
potential risks.

In a March 2009 commentary, a Lloyd’s of London analyst drew parallels
between the global financial meltdown and risks from nanomaterials. The
financial collapse reflected “blithe acceptance of complex products that
many didn’t understand.” With regard to nanomaterials, he commented that
“the importance of getting to grips with and quantifying complex sources
of risk has never been more obvious.”

I understand the EPA is considering taking a more precautionary approach
to nanomaterials. In the mean time, all consumers can do is try to avoid
them, especially the many nanotech foods and cosmetics. The problem is
that they are not labeled.

That is why I am happy to hear that the United States Department of
Agriculture’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is considering an
official ban on nanotechnology in organic.

I am writing to the NOSB in support of the ban on nanotechnology. If they
pass it, I hope that you will ensure that the USDA’s National Organic
Program acts quickly to enforce it.

Sincerely,

Linda Heming

GO GREEN IN THE BATHROOM

Linda — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:45:30 +0000

Linda’s comments: What we use on our bodies is extremely important. As we all know it is very important to reducing our exposure to pathogens, toxic toxins and other chemicals used in our bathrooms. We are being slammed with way to many chemical today, which doesn’t help those of us with Chronic illness. Plus, Lyme patients don’t need to be feeding the critters, which LOVE these toxic chemicals.

Full article: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_20531.cfm

Excerpt:

Is it time to put your skin on an organic diet? Soap, shampoo, lotions, toothpaste, cosmetics and other personal care items are full of chemicals, some of which are toxic. Absorbed through the pores, these chemicals enter the bloodstream.

Genuinely organic products, though, are hard to find. While the federal government enforces strict standards for organic food, it has no guidelines for “organic” personal care items.

That means the word “organic” on a label is often “meaningless marketing shtick,” said David Bronner, president of Escondido-based Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.

Womens’ products and toxins

Linda — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:06:35 +0000

Linda’s comment: Yikes….the Brits are as careless as the Americans!!?? I’m hoping that everyone will read this article closely, and I mean close….facial moisturizers, perfumes, deodorants and various other make-up products are made up of hundreds of chemicals that we are putting on our bodies daily…this must stop and each and everyone of us needs to make a pack with yourself to try and get at least one person a day to stop dosing their bodies with these toxic chemicals….Ladies need to think about their lungs, breast and ovaries, while men need to think about their lungs and prostate. This isn’t to say that these chemicals will not attack other places in our bodies, but those seem to stand out in the news today when talking about Cancers.

“Moisturizer can contain over 30 different chemicals and perfume up to 400,it added.” This is a scary statement but TRUE….then you walk out your door in the morning and proceed to get slammed with hundreds more environmental chemicals and toxins….how much can our bodies take…well sorry to say not much folks, However, we CAN neutralize these assults as I have done by using the lifelong daily detox program called FIGHT. You can use anything you choose, but I found after trying many many different protocols and programs the FIGHT program was the best for me. I know the products are balanced and not full of garbage….you can find the FIGHT webinar on www.gordonresearch.com …It will open up your eyes and might scare some of you….although I don’t like scare tactics, I’m hoping that your toxic bodies are paying attention. Give it 90 days and you will be as grateful as I am for finally finding something that worked for me…

Learn to READ labels and BEWARE and very CAUTIOUS when purchasing these toxic products…

Regards,
Linda

Thur Nov 19, 2009 10:46am EST
LONDON (Reuters Life!) – The average British woman “hosts” 515 chemicals on
her body every day, according to a new study.

The poll of 2,016 women by deodorant-maker Bionsen said most of the
pollutants are self-inflicted by women who sprayed on deodorant, slapped on
body moisturizer and applied lipstick each morning.

Today’s average British woman uses body and facial moisturizers, perfumes,
deodorants and various other make-up products which leave them unknowingly
carrying hundreds of chemicals on their bodies throughout the day, Bionsen
said.

Moisturizer can contain over 30 different chemicals and perfume up to 400,
it added.

More than a third of the women who took part in the study were unaware of
the key ingredients in their toiletries, with only nine percent aware of
most of the ingredients in the cosmetics they put on each day.

More than 70 percent of the women polled said they were not concerned about
the number of chemicals they put on their skin and only one in 10 opted for
chemical-free toiletries when shopping.

“Women have never been more image-conscious and their beauty regimes have
changed dramatically over the years, from a simple ‘wash & go’ attitude, to
daily fake tan applications, regular manicures, false lashes and hair
extensions,” Bionsen’s Charlotte Smith said in a statement.

“Lots of the high-tech, new generation cosmetics and beauty ‘wonder’
treatments naturally contain more chemicals to be able to achieve even
better results, which, of course, means that women now carry more chemicals
than ever before.”

Eight out of the 12 areas on the body highlighted by Bionsen as places where
women used cosmetic products containing chemicals were on the face or head
and included moisturizers, foundation, blush, eye make-up, hair spray and
perfume head or face.

(Reporting by Paul Casciato; Editing by Steve Addison)
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE5AI3M820091119

Formaldehyde Facts

Linda — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:56:10 +0000

Formaldehyde Facts

=================

Angel P. wrote:

DOn’t forget …from the Formaldehyde Institute other names it is known

as:

“…. Ivalon, Quaternium-15, Lysoform,

Formalith, BVF, Methylene oxide, Formalin, Morbicid, Methanal, Methyl

aldehyde, Oxomethane, Formic aldehyde, Fannoform, Fyde, Lofol,

Oxymethylene, Formol, and Superlysoform…”

Quaternium-15 is in almost EVERY cosmetic and hair care product

When we pick up a product at the local grocery store, most of us like to think we are getting something that has been tested and proven to be safe. After all, we have laws to protect our health and safety, don’t we? Actually, the government has very limited power to regulate manufacturers, or require testing of their products.

Here are some disturbing facts:

A product that kills 5-% of lab animals through ingestion or inhalation can still receive the federal regulatory designation non-toxic . Of the 17,000 chemicals that appear in common household products, only 30% have been adequately tested for their negative effects on our health; less than 10% have been tested for their effect on the nervous system; and nothing is known about the combined effects of these chemicals when mixed within our bodies. No law requires manufacturers to list the exact ingredients on the package label.

Personal care product refers to just about anything we use to clean our bodies or make ourselves look or smell good. The closest thing to a regulatory agency for the personal care industry is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and their power is extremely limited.

Here are more unsettling facts regarding personal care products:

The FDA cannot regulate a personal care product until after it is released into the marketplace. Neither personal care products nor their ingredients are reviewed or approved before they are sold to the public.

The FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing on their personal products before they are sold to the public.

The FDA cannot require recalls of harmful personal care products from the marketplace.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and health (NIOSH) analyzed 2983 chemicals used in personal care products. The results were as follows:

884 of the chemicals were toxic

314 caused biological mutation

218 caused reproductive complications

778 caused acute toxicity

148 caused tumors

376 caused skin and eye irritations.

Warning: You Can’t Trust Warning Labels!

You may think you know what is in a product and its potential harms by reading ingredient and warning labels. Think again. Manufacturers are not required to list the exact ingredients on the label. Also, chemical names are often disguised by using innocuous trade names.

So, even if the chemical is listed on the label, you may not recognize it for what it is. Even if the harsh and dangerous active ingredients are listed on a package, often time the remainder of ingredients are lumped into a category known as inert (not active) ingredients.

This term may lead you to believe that these chemicals are not toxic or hazardous. In fact, many of the 1,000 different chemicals used as inert ingredients are more harmful than the active ingredients. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not require manufacturers to identify most inert chemicals, or disclose their potential harmful effects. Even suspected carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) are used as inert ingredients in household products.

Regarding warning labels. One New York study found that 85% of products they examined had incorrect warning labels. Some were labeled poisonous, but weren’t; others were poisonous but weren’t labeled as such; others gave incorrect first aid information. And there are absolutely no warnings on products about possible negative effects of long-term exposure. This is unfortunate because most diseases linked to chemical exposure are the result of long-term exposure.

If we don’t know what is in it, and we don’t know if it can hurt us, how are we supposed to make an intelligent decision about whether or not to bring this product into our home?

Cleaning products (just a few that I know are used in house cleaning)

Air freshener- toxic; may cause cancer; irritates, nose, throat, and lungs.

Disinfectant- very toxic; causes skin, throat, and lung burns; causes coma.

Drain cleaner- toxic; causes skin burns; causes liver and kidney damage.

Oven cleaner – toxic; causes skin, throat and lung burns.

Window Cleaner- toxic; causes cns disorders; causes liver and kidney disorders.

Floor/Furniture polish – toxic causes cns disorders, may cause lung cancer Spot remover- toxic; may cause cancer, may cause liver damage.

All Purpose Cleaner – causes eye damage; irritates nose, throat and lungs.

Toilet bowl cleaner – very toxic; causes skin, nose, throat and lung burns.

Chlorinated scouring powder- toxic; highly irritating to nose, throat and lungs.

Dishwasher Detergent – toxic; causes eye injuries, damage to mucous membranes and throat.

As I said just a few.

One Common Ingredient Although it would take a second book to cover all the ingredients commonly used in the products above, I want to let you know about one, formaldehyde, as an example. Formaldehyde is used frequently in both cleaning and personal care products because it is a cheap preservative. The following information is taken from a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which , by law, must be supplied to anyone who uses any chemical product in the workplace. The MSDS for formaldehyde warns: Suspected carcinogen; may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin; causes burns; inhalation can cause spasms; edema (fluid buildup) of the larynx and bronchi, and chemical pneumonitis, extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous membrane. All these symptoms and more are caused by formaldehyde. Yet manufacturers can put formaldehyde in shampoo and not list it as an ingredient! You will be shocked to learn that formaldehyde is a common ingredient in baby shampoo, bubble bath, deodorants, perfume, cologne, hair dye, mouthwash, toothpaste, hair spray and many other personal care items.

Formaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen. If all cancers start with the abnormal growth of just one cell, then why allow any amount into or onto your body?

Toxic Chemicals and the Human Body Your body is a very complex, very fragile system of chemical reactions and electrical impulses. When you consider a single cell breathes, uses energy, and releases waste much like your whole body does, you can begin to understand how even small amounts of harmful chemicals can affect the performance of the body’s processes. Chemicals enter the human body in three ways: ingestion, inhalation, and absorption.

Ingestion brings to mind the image of a young child opening the cabinet under the sink and drinking something deadly. Well, each year nearly 1.5 million accidental ingestion’s of poisons are reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers. The majority of the victims are under the age of twelve and have swallowed a cleaning or personal care product.

It amazes me how many deadly chemicals are stored under sinks or on bathroom counters and bathtubs within easy reach of young children.

Inhalation It may surprise you to learn that poisoning by inhalation is more common and can be much more harmful, than ingestion. When something harmful is swallowed, the stomach actually begins breaking down and neutralizing the poison before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.

However, when you inhale toxic fumes, the poisons go directly into the bloodstream and quickly travel to organs like the brain, heart, liver and kidneys. Many products give off toxic vapors which can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and give you headaches, muscle aches, and sinus infections. The process of releasing vapors into the air is called out gassing. Out gassing occurs even when a chemical is tightly sealed in its container. If you doubt this, simply walk down the cleaning aisle at your local grocery store, and notice how strongly it smells of toxic vapors, even though the containers are sealed tight.

Absorption Most people never guess this.

Finally, you need to realize the potential threat absorption poses.

One square centimeter of skin (less than the size of a dime), contains 3 million cells, four yards of nerves, one yard of blood vessels, and one hundred sweat glands. We’ve all heard the ads for nicotine patches and analgesic creams. These medicines work by being absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. Even some heart medicines are administered through transdermal (through the skin) patches. Any chemical that touches the skin can be absorbed and spread throughout the body. This can even happen when you come in contact with a surface that was treated with a chemical days or even weeks earlier. I had no idea that my children could be harmed by crawling across the kitchen floor we had just cleaned. I thought that we were being conscientious, not reckless.

Helping One Family at a Time…=)

Thank you Angel Para for your outstanding comments.

Nina Beinhorn “If you want something you’ve never had- you’ve got to do something you’ve never done!”

What Is Formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas compound (HCHO) that can irritate eyes, mucous membranes and the upper respiratory system. It can be inhaled or absorbed by the skin. Formaldehyde is also a metabolic product of normal living cells. Formaldehyde is an excellent resin and binding agent and is very inexpensive to produce which contributes to it’s wide usage (approximately 6 billion pounds are produced each year). The only way for you to know how much formaldehyde may be in your home is to test.

Where Can Formaldehyde Be Found?

Formaldehyde is found virtually everywhere, indoors and out, naturally occurring and man-made. It is a combustion product found in cigarette and wood smoke, natural gas, kerosene, exhaust from automobiles, incinerators and power plants. It is also widely used in building materials especially glue, Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation and pressed-wood products such as plywood, particle board, paneling and wood finishes. Many floor coverings contain formaldehyde such as carpet as well as furnishings. Also used in paper products, cosmetics, deodorants, shampoos, fabric dyes and permanent-press fabrics, inks, and disinfectants. Another common place to find formaldehyde that seems out of place is in products that are supposed to make our homes smell better such as air and carpet deodorizers. Mobile homes, motor homes, and travel trailers are known for high amounts of formaldehyde since so many of their components may be made from particle board or pressed-wood products. The number of products that contain formaldehyde are as astounding as it is depressing.

Why Is Formaldehyde Dangerous?

Even in small amounts formaldehyde can cause serious health problems and unfortunately takes years to finally dissipate after being used in manufactured products. In some cases, exposure to formaldehyde can increase a persons sensitivity to other irritants or chemicals that were never a problem in the past, making them allergic to almost anything. For some people, past exposure to formaldehyde has permanently impaired their health and well being for the rest of their lives.

What Are The Health Effects Of Formaldehyde?

Symptoms of low-level exposure include; runny nose, sore throat, cough, dermatitis, sleeping difficulties, headache, fatigue, breathing difficulties, sinus irritation, chest pain, frequent nausea, bronchitis, and decreased lung capacity. Signs of acute exposure include; abdominal pain, anxiety, coma, convulsions, diarrhea, and respiratory problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia or pulmonary edema.

How Do I Test For Formaldehyde?

A Do-It-Yourself Test Kit is available from Professional House Doctors, Inc. that measures concentrations as low as 0.02 ppm, is easy to use, with complete instructions, and contains enough solution to run 3 separate tests.

If There Is A Problem How Do I Fix It?

Finding and removing the source is the most effective, but can be costly. Reducing the temperature and lowering the humidity level to approximately 35 percent can also help to diminish the effects. Formaldehyde tends to double its level of outgassing for every 10°F increase in temperature. There are also some surface barriers available to cover and reduce the formaldehyde outgassing from some components. Many other methods are available depending upon the source and amount of formaldehyde present. Further details are included with each test kit.

For more information on formaldehyde problems and how to deal with them, or other indoor environmental/building science concerns, testing or consulting services, E-Mail us at info@prhousedr.com Professional House Doctors, Inc., Environmental & Building Science Specialists, providing scientific solutions to today’s most challenging problems.