Category Archives: Health

Allergy or Sensitivity?

place setting

Foods, chemicals, and other substances can cause disturbing, disabling, or even        life threatening symptoms.

Something to consider when trying to determine if you have allergies or sensitivities to foods is whether or not they are organic, conventional, or GMOs. Also, as a couple of recent studies revealed, many foods are chemically contaminated with BPA and phthalates (and probably other chemicals that weren’t tested for), so if a person also has chemical “sensitivities”, getting to the bottom of what is causing any number of symptoms can be challenging, especially with the delayed symptoms that are becoming so common these days.

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“You Are a Guinea Pig”

We all are!

Three articles that crossed my path today illustrate the challenges we face (trying to stay healthy) while alive. Of course there are more issues, (like fracking, GMOs and processed food) but these three are more than enough to show us that “lifestyle choices” are not enough to keep us healthy.

This article  by David Rosner and Gerald Markowitz is a must read!

You Are a Guinea Pig

How Americans Became Exposed to Biohazards in the Greatest Uncontrolled Experiment Ever Launched

“The culprit behind this silent killer is lead.  And vinyl.  And formaldehyde.  And asbestos.  And Bisphenol A.  And polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).  And thousands more innovations brought to us by the industries that once promised “better living through chemistry,” but instead produced a toxic stew that has made every American a guinea pig and has turned the United States into one grand unnatural experiment.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-rosner/hazardous-chemicals_b_3175796.html

“The groups that produce these miracle substances — like the petrochemical, plastics, and rubber industries, including major companies like Exxon, Dow, and Monsanto — argue that, until we can definitively prove the chemical products slowly leaching into our bodies are dangerous, we have no “right,” and they have no obligation, to remove them from our homes and workplaces. The idea that they should prove their products safe before exposing the entire population to them seems to be a foreign concept.”

Please read the whole article, it’s worth it.

guinea pig

But wait, there’s more!!!

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ReBlog: Are YOU drinking the Keratin Complex Kool-Aid?

I just discovered a blog (thanks Women’s Voices for the Earth) dedicated to “create awareness, and protect people from the harmful toxins that are so regularly used in the beauty industry, most notably that of the Brazilian Blowout.”

“Pretty Toxic” was created by Jennifer Arce and Dawn Marino, two hair stylists whose lives have changed after contracting formaldehyde poisoning from the hair smoothing product known as the Brazilian Blowout being used in the salons they worked at. The site serves as an educational and informative tool for stylists, consumers and the general public in an attempt to protect others from toxic exposure to chemicals in beauty products.

From their post on the 13th Annual Stylist Choice Awards:

While Martino Cartier accepted the award on behalf of Keratin Complex he said:  

“Thank you for drinking the Kool-Aid, and thank you for believing in Keratin Complex.”

Oh Martino, Martino, Martino!! We had to rewind it to just make sure we heard him right, but yep, that’s what he said!!

“Drinking the Kool-Aid,” according to Wikipedia, “suggests that one has mindlessly adopted the dogma of a group or leader without fully understanding the ramifications or implications.” And also, “refers to a person or group holding an unquestioned belief, argument, or philosophy without critical examination.” So this made us wonder…

Did you know Coppola/ Keratin Complex has the second most injuries reported to the FDA according to documents made public in 2011? Yep, but don’t take our word for it, check it out for yourself! here:

via Are YOU drinking the Keratin Complex Kool-Aid?.

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You might be “SENSITIVE” to pollution!

Do you breathe?

sensitive to pollution 4

Are YOU “sensitive” to pollution?

Are YOU
“sensitive”
to pollution?

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Worth Reading: Other Bloggers Write About MCS/ES and ME/CFS

Worth Reading

Fergiemoto wrote about the challenges she faces due to having MCS and fragrance chemical proliferation. I love her illustrations!  See Human Canaries and Friendship.

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Sharon, a writer and service dog partner who also has Lyme Disease and other disabilities, wrote about how MCS affects her life here: How MCS Affects Sharon

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Phoenix Rising posted this great piece by Carol Schmid who examines what it is about the nature of ME/CFS that makes it likely to generate skepticism. There are many similarities with MCS/ES. See:  The ME/CFS Stigma

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Toxic Chemicals in Air “Fresheners” and Health Effects

Some people wonder what the fuss about air”fresheners”  is all about.

Air”fresheners” do not freshen the air. In fact, they make the air harmful to breathe!

Thank goodness we have people like Dr Anne Steinemann to tell us what some of the ingredients that harm our health actually are.

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UN and WHO say hormone-disrupting chemicals are a ‘global threat’

“Frankly, for BPA, the science is done. Flame retardants, phthalates … the science is done,” Zoeller said. “We have more than enough information on these chemicals to make the reasonable decision to ban, or at least take steps to    limit exposure.”

Phthalates are found in fragrances, laundry and other personal care and cleaning products, soft plastics, (PVC) and even in time released medications!!!

Exposures to these chemicals are currently very difficult to avoid, and require diligent personal effort and significant financial investments. But even that is not enough to avoid exposure.

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Guest Post: Personal Protection Against Electromagnetic Waves

Another danger from wireless technology,  discussed a bit here in the BioInitiative Report is that of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) /aka electromagnetic sensitivity, or one of the many potentially disabling “sensitivities” falling under the broader term Environmental Sensitivities (ES).

As the use of wireless technology increases, more and more people around the world are becoming disabled by, or “sensitive” to electromagnetic waves, and must find ways to survive and cope in the world, since safe sanctuaries are not yet available and life of some sort must go on. Some people are discovering special materials that can be used to make protective clothing, hoods, capes etc. Note that care must be taken to keep the waves from bouncing around inside the material.

Ryozo posted this account of what he must wear to his fb page and he agreed to share it here.

He lives in Japan and has MCS and EHS. He was a teacher by profession and now works to raise awareness about these conditions whenever he is able. He is a member of the Japanese organization CACP – Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution.

My way to protect from electromagnetic waves

by Ryozo Tamakoshi

Points to keep in mind

The causes and the conditions of chemical sensitivity or electromagnetic hypersensitivity are very various. My method is not always effective for all people. Ultimately, it may be important to find your own way. Please note that metal allergy could affect ability to use these protective clothes. Summer is so hot, this way is impossible. (This is only the protection from electromagnetic waves.)

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Hot Water Bottles

In other words, hot masons!

Non-toxic bedwarmers…

hot masons

If you have spare safe socks, you can drop the jars into socks so that in case you kick them out of bed, the glass would be contained, but I haven’t kicked one out yet! Use the 2 piece lids as they are watertight, you can shake them a bit to make sure there are no leaks when the lids are getting older.

 
Stay warm!