TOXIC HOME CHEMICALS

Baby care products

Flame-retardants are used in the foam found in products like cribs, high chairs, strollers and nursing pillows. The chemicals involved are PBDEs or other retardants with bromine or chlorine, which have been linked to sexual and neurological disorders.

Vinyl flooring and shower curtains

Phthalates are used to soften the plastic that goes into vinyl flooring and shower curtains. This chemical has been associated with causing harmful effects to growth and development in children, and impacting brain functions like                                                                                                learning, behavior and memory.

Nonstick pots and pans

There’s some controversy over the effects of the coating on nonstick pans, commonly known as Teflon. The Teflon chemical, PTFE, is thought to be harmless. But non-stick pans heated past 500 degrees Fahrenheit, or that have started to flake, can emit toxic byproducts of PTFE that can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.

Consumer electronics

This category can be a toxic cocktail. Phthalates are found in the power cords of devices or controller cables of game consoles. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which have been linked to impaired brain development and cancer in humans, are added to circuit boards and plastic casings.

Hard plastic bottles and containers

Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in many plastic bottles and containers. Recent studies have shown that BPA could have effects on the brain, behavior and prostrate gland in infants and young children.

                                                                                                                                                              

Insulation

BFRs are added to housing insulation materials to meet fire safety codes. These chemicals can accumulate in the body over a long period of time and have been linked to impaired brain development and cancer in humans.

Air fresheners and cleaners

Sprays or even some scented candles that “freshen” the air often use phthalates to spread the fragrance.

Cosmetics

Phthalates can also be found in perfumes, deodorants and hair sprays, as well as nail polish.

Carpets

Carpets, and some furniture, are also treated with the same non-stick chemicals, PTFE, used in Teflon. When PTFEs break down, one of the byproducts is a carcinogenic chemical, PFOA, also linked to infertility and birth defects in humans.

Personal hygiene products

The antimicrobial chemicals, such as triclocarban, added to soaps and lotions have been linked to interfering with the production of thyroid hormones, which affect neurological development in children. Some of these products also include phthalates.

Free Radicals

The human body is made up of cells. Cells are made up of molecules, and molecules are made up of atoms. Atoms contain the following components:
- a nucleus-the center of the atom
- protons-positively-charged particles in the nucleus
- neutrons-particles in the nucleus that have no charge
- electrons-negatively-charged particles circling the nucleus in layers called shells

Electrons always travel in pairs-or at least they prefer to travel that way. Occasionally, though, an atom or a group of atoms (a molecule) may lose one electron. When this happens, the atom or molecule becomes a free radical.

Like the human body in general, atoms prefer stability. An atom that's missing an electron will steal one from the nearest stable atom-turning that atom into a free radical. As you can probably imagine, this is the start of a chain reaction.

What causes free radicals?
Free radicals are created as a result of the process of oxidation, when a substance combines with oxygen. This is part of the body's normal metabolism, and does increase with age. Free radicals can also be created by the immune system to help destroy bacteria and viruses during an infection. And they can form as a result of exposure to certain chemicals, environmental toxins like pollution and radiation, and cigarette smoke.

Under normal circumstances the body can easily rid itself of free radicals. But problems can occur if the number of free radicals increases beyond the body's ability to neutralize or destroy them.

Hidden dangers of the 'Everywhere Chemicals " - The Pthalates & BPA

What is Bisphenol-A (BPA)?BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastic, a shatter-resistant and clear material used in products ranging from plastic bottles and eyeglasses to sports safety equipment.  BPA is also found in baby bottles, sippy cups, teethers, water bottles, food storage containers, and the lining of many food and beverage cans.  

C₁₅H₁₆O₂ or (CH₃)₂C(C₆H₄OH)₂  

What are phthalates?  

Phthalates  are esters of phthalic acid (or benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid). They include di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP), to name a few.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They are often called plasticizers. Some phthalates are used as solvents (dissolving agents) for other materials. They are used in hundreds of products, such as vinyl flooring, adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, automotive plastics, plastic clothes (raincoats), and personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, and nail polishes). Phthalates are used widely in polyvinyl chloride plastics, which are used to make products such as plastic packaging film and sheets, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage containers, medical tubing, and some children's toys. Also responsible for the smell of new vinyl shower curtains and  a frequent component of fragrances used in air freshners , detergents , cleaning products . They show up in cosmetics to hold color and scents and have been found in nail polish and treatments .

DBP ( dibutylphthalate)    Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP; dioctyl phthalate, DOP),   Diisobutylphthalate  BPA can leach from plastic containers into foods and beverages, especially when they are heated, or used for long periods of time. Also, when kids put toys, teethers, and other products that contain phthalates in their mouths, the chemical may leach from the product to the child.  Animal studies have shown that exposure to BPA can have developmental effects. In laboratory animals, exposure to high levels of BPA has been associated with adverse effects on reproduction. Some human studies suggest a possible effect of BPA on reproductive hormones, especially in men exposed to high levels in the workplace, but human data are not sufficient to determine if BPA adversely affects reproduction. Animal studies have associated phthalate exposure with adverse effects on the liver, kidney, and male and female reproductive system, especially when exposures occur to the developing organism. Tips to minimize exposure to BPA and Phthalates: Use refillable glass, porcelain and stainless-steel containers for food and beverages, particularly for hot foods and liquids.  When you have something plastic, look at the little triangle on the bottom of the container. Avoiding plastic containers marked with a 1 or a 7 pc and instead choosing those marked with a 2, 4, or 5 will reduce the likelihood of exposure to BPA and phthalates. Glass baby bottles are recommended for babies who don't yet feed themselves. For bottle feeding, since latex rubber nipples may contain phthalates, use of silicone nipples may reduce phthalate exposure. Do not use plastic containers in microwaves.   To minimize exposure to phthalates, avoid vinyl toys, perfumed shampoo and lotion. Choose fragrance-free products whenever possible. Companies are now making baby bottles, food containers, teethers, shampoo, lotions, and other children’s items that are "BPA-free" and/or "phthalate-free.” Always read the package label or check with the manufacturer to know what you are bringing into your home.

Is Butter Good for you ?

For decades, the food processing industry has used advertising campaigns to successfully lie about the urgent and proven need to replace “unhealthy” butter with “healthy” margarine. But now we know that this teaching was nothing more than made-up. In the battle of margarine vs butter, you may now be surprised which comes out on top.

Even back in the 60s and 70s sufficient scientific evidence indicated that butter was far better than margarine for good health. Who knew? Nevertheless, the industrial fake food industry relentlessly convinced millions of us to eat margarine for health reasons. 

The commercial processed fake food industry merged with Madison Avenue, the AMA, and mainstream media to instill a whopper of a lie by reinforcing margarine as better for you. They claimed in unison that saturated fats made you fat and promoted cardiovascular disease.

Damage from Fake Fats that Replace Favorable Fats

Partially hydrogenated fatty acids in margarine damage arteries and blood vessels. They lower good cholesterol, and raise blood levels of triglycerides and lipoproteins leading to cardiovascular damage. They also raise C-reactive protein, an inflammatory and cellular dysfunction marker. Worse yet, they inhibit the utilization of essential omega 3-fatty acids as wells a prostaglandins, which eliminate blood clots. Additionally, a diet high in partially hydrogenated fatty acids has been linked to insulin resistance and type 2 Diabetes.

The NY Times covers hydrogenated oil health issues while still promoting saturated fat nonsense. In order to function properly, your lungs, heart, immune system liver, bones, hormones and cell membranes all require high quality saturated fats - in moderation of course. Fatty acids and cholesterol are needed for healthy cell membranes, hormone and vitamin D production, and the transport and utilization of important vitamins and minerals. Now even mainstream media is spreading the truthful real news on butter. The New England Journal of Medicine recently solidified the link between trans fats and heart disease. Even low levels of trans fats consumption (1%-2%) substantially increase heart disease.

Butter vs Margarine: Butter Hierarchy: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

So what should you be looking for?

• At the top of the pyramid is organic butter made with raw milk from grass fed cows.
• The middle level is organic butter with pasteurized milk from grass fed cows and without rBGH, rBST, or antibiotics.
• The pyramid’s base is butter made from pasteurized milk from confined, grain fed, factory farmed, antibiotic and likely rBGH or rBST injected cows.

Amazingly, the butter at the bottom of the pyramid is still better for you than margarine! Margarine is merely a lab created plastic food-like substance, not by any means a real food. It’s cheap to make, lacks nutritional merit, and damages health. But it has a longer shelve life and a higher profit margin than real butter.

Five Reasons to Eat Real Butter

• 1. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) - Raw organic, pastured butter has loads of anti- tumor CLA. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells in the skin, colon, breasts and lungs. It’s anti-fungal and it stimulates muscle growth while preventing weight gain.
• 2. Butyric Acid - Butter contains 4% butyric acid – a short chain fatty acid that research indicates can inhibit tumors. It also signals the immune system into action when an infection is brewing.
• 3. Vitamin K2 - Raw, organic, pastured butter and cream contains vitamin K2 – a necessary co-factor in vitamin D synthesis. K2 also ushers calcium out of your blood stream and into bone cells which increases bone density instead of calcifying arterial and heart tissue. Check out Mike Barrett’s article on vitamin K deficiency symptoms.
• 4. Fat–Soluble Vitamins – Butter is a good source of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E. It’s also an excellent vehicle for their assimilation.
• 5. The Wulzen Factor - Raw, unpasteurized butter, cream and milk contain the “Wulzen factor” an anti-stiffness agent. It protects against calcification of the joints (osteoarthritis) as well as cataracts, and the calcification of the pineal gland. Pasteurization destroys the Wulzen Factor.

Raw, organic butter is a superfood that won’t make you fat if consumed in moderation. It fact, it consists of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and medium chain fatty acids(MCFA), which are not significantly stored as fat but easily used as energy.

This may finally be the end of the butter vs. margarine battle.

Source : http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2013/08/butter-vs-margarine-the-big-fat-butter-lie.html

Selamat Bulan Ramadhan

To all my muslim friends
Happy Fasting and have a blessed  reflective Holy Month . May God bless you all with abundant happiness and grace your homes with  joy ,warmth  and peace .

Miracle Drink — Apple, Beetroot & Carrot Juice

Miracle Drink — Apple, Beetroot & Carrot Juice

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