Choices For Better Health Rotating Header Image

Do Cosmetics Increase Cancer Risk?

by Linda.

Dr. Emily Barrett, a reproductive epidemiologist at the University of Rochester in New York, recommends avoiding cosmetics that have some of these ingredients:

1. phthalates It is used in perfumes, nail polishes and shampoos to preserve scent and color. Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and can even interfere with the development of male fetuses and infants. Look for products that are labeled “phthalate-free” or “DEHP-free”

2. parabens This is a preservation found in conditioners, hair gels, makeup and sunscreen. Parabens have been linked to increased breast cancer risk. Look for products that are labeled “paraben-free”

3. fragrance A catch-all term for thousands of chemicals used in scented cosmetics. They can disrupt hormones, or cause allergy symptoms or skin irritation. Look for products that are labeled “fragrance-free”

The products I use? These are safe and chemical free.

Posted in: nutrition.
Tagged: · ·

No comments yet

Are Your Supplements Tested for Purity?

by Linda.

I use supplements from a company that I know and trust – a company that does clinical studies on their products and performs rigorous quality controls.

I know their products are pure, safe and effective…

BUT…I bet you have all seen supplements when you are out shopping that cost just a couple of dollars.

Are these supplements good? and Safe?

How bad can they be?

The answer is – pretty bad!

The events of  a couple of months ago illustrate just how bad.

On March 2nd, 2010 the makers and sellers of fish oil supplements were sued by the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation in California for not telling consumers that their products contained toxic levels of PCBs.

It is somewhat scary, I think, that the FDA did not initiate this action and force the manufacturers to take their contaminated products off the shelves.

Instead an environmental consumers group sued them for not including PCBs on the label! California proposition 65  requires a warning label whenever a product contains toxic ingredients.

The defendants in this lawsuit were Omega Protein, a Houston-based company that is the world’s largest producer of omega-3 fish oil, and the many companies that they produced fish oil for – companies like Rite Aid, CVS, GNC, Now Health Group, Pharmavite, Solgar and Twinlab.

And those aren’t the only ones. The Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation only tested 10 omega-3 supplements manufactured by Omega Protein to date and have found PCBs in all of them. They plan to continue testing and to add other companies to the lawsuit if their products are also contaminated.

Even scarier is that many of the labels on these products said that the omega-3 supplement was treated to reduce or remove PCBs. As a consumer you were lead to believe that they were safe!

The bottom line is that the manufacturer probably didn’t test for PCBs and neither did the companies selling their omega-3 supplements to the consumer.

The alternative – that they tested the products, knew that they were contaminated with PCBs and sold them to the public anyway – is even worse.

So what can you do as a consumer?  There are 3 things:

1) Choose an established company that has a reputation for quality and integrity.

2) Make sure the company requires pharmaceutical grade quality controls.

3) Make sure the company has many published clinical studies on their products that prove both safety and effectiveness.

One company that meets those qualifications is Shaklee.  Shaklee runs rigorous quality control tests on every one of their ingredients and on their finished products.  They also have published over 70 clinical studies on their products in peer-reviewed scientific journals. They are unique in the industry.

Posted in: nutrition.
Tagged: · ·

8 comments

Could Your Health Problems Be Caused By A Lack of Fiber?

by Linda.

We all know that fiber is important in our diet. Did you know that there are different kinds of fiber? Yes – there is soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. So does it make any difference which kind of fiber we eat? YES!

When toxins are dumped from our cells into the blood they are carried to the liver for removal. The liver removes the toxins from the blood and sends them to the intestine in what is called bile. In the intestine the toxins get attached to the soluble fiber and is carried out of our bodies.

In the article “Fiber, Why It Matters More Than You Think”, it states:
“If we don’t eat enough soluble fiber, our bile, instead of being ushered out of the body and then replaced with fresh bile produced by the liver, is repeatedly recirculated in our system. In the process, it becomes more concentrated with toxins, which, in turn, can lead to all sorts of inflammatory diseases such as gallbladder disease, intestinal inflammation, and even skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis.”

So if you have a low fiber (soluble fiber) diet it can increase the toxicity of your body.

This article shows why some people get gallstones, why you may have high cholesterol – and the importance of soluble fiber.

One of the problems in getting soluble fiber is that many products do not differentiate between soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Often times they just put on their label “fiber” so you don’t know what kind you are getting!

Here is a great source for soluble fiber – Just one delicious shake has more soluble fiber in it than 6 bowls of Kashi!

Posted in: nutrition.
Tagged: · · · ·

No comments yet

The Latest News on Fish Oil – Good or Bad?

by Linda.

Fish oil is one of the MOST IMPORTANT things you could do for your health.

Research shows you should take them every day. Multiple studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish-oil) can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 68% and are also effective at fighting other inflammatory diseases like Alzheimer’s and Arthritis.

Remember… it’s all about inflammation!

Most fish-oil supplements contain toxins, however, and should be avoided.

Good Morning America had a report showing that the top 10 selling fish-oil supplements were tested and found to contain elevated levels of PCB’s, including: GNC, Solgar, Rite Aid, Nature Made, Walmart, Walgreens, and others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xyMx8qNmeA

Why is that important? Because PCB’s were outlawed decades ago.

Why? Because PCB’s cause cancer!

Lawsuits have been filed against these manufacturers.

The “experts” on the show recommended you choose the one with the least amount of PCB’s!

What? Why not choose one with NO PCB’s?

Many of these fish-oil products contain mercury as well.

That’s why I totally trust the  science behind this company

If you want all the benefits of fish-oil without the dangerous toxins this is your best option.

Here are five good reasons why:

  • First, they go to the deepest waters off the coasts of Japan to find the purest fish possible
  • Then, they use a TRIPLE MOLECULAR DISTILLATION process to REMOVE ALL IMPURITIES
  • This unique process actually CONCENTRATES the beneficial Omega-3’s, making them even more potent.
  • This fish oil contains ALL 7 Omega-3’s (no other product does)
  • You get 1000 milligrams of important EPA and DHA in a single serving

What are the Health Benefits of high-dose fish-oil?

  • Reduces inflammation – which leads to heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Arthritis, and more
  • Makes blood and blood vessel walls ‘slippery’ to prevent
  • build-up of plaque
  • Helpful for those with ADD and ADHD (DHA is an omega-3
  • that is critical for proper brain function)
  • Reduces dangerous triglycerides
  • Aids in weight-loss
  • Balances hormones

What about Fish?
Fish contain a lot of toxins. For this reason, higher amounts of fish-oil are not possible through fish alone.

Also — fish ‘muscle’ (what we eat) does NOT contain a high concentration of omega-3s. That’s why supplements are the best option –but you should also try to get fish twice a week — it’s a great source of low-fat protein.

What about Flaxseed?
Flaxseed and other plant sources of omega-3s are not as concentrated. They offer a fraction of the amount that marine sources offer. In addition – it is a complicated process for the body to ‘convert’ the plant fatty acids into omega-3’s.

Diabetics cannot make this conversion at all.

How much is enough?
The experts recommend 2.5 grams per day as maintenance. Those with chronic illness would bump up to 5+ grams per day (always start small and build up slowly).

What if I’m on Blood Thinners?
Studies show that adding fish-oil when already taking blood thinners – does NOT change the time it takes for blood to clot. However, you should consult your doctor

So – take your fish oil – but beware of where you buy it.  I highly recommend getting your fish oil here.

Posted in: nutrition.
Tagged: · ·

10 comments

7 Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol

by Linda.

There are several things you can do naturally to lower your cholesterol –basically lose excess weight, get more exercise and make changes to the way you eat.

Here are some steps to take to lower your LDL cholesterol
1. Limit saturated fats (from meats and full-fat dairy)
2. Avoid trans fats (found in many margarines, commercial baked goods, and fast foods.
3. Get your oats or other soluble fiber. Soluble fiber blocks the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine into the bloodstream. Other great sources of soluble fiber include barley, beans, peas, eggplant, apples, and citrus fruit.
4. Eat nuts. Nuts lower both total and LDL cholesterol. They also contain an amino acid – arginine – that makes blood vessels more flexible. Watch out how many you eat, tho. Nuts are high in calories.
5. Choose olive oil. It is rich in monounsaturated fats which lowers LDL and may also raise HDL when used in place of saturated fats. Olive oil may be one reason why people who eat a Mediterranean diet – loaded with this healthy oil, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and seafood – have lower rates of heart disease.
6. Exercise – aim for 30 minutes a day.
7. Have a little dark chocolate. It’s rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that help keep bad LDL cholesterol from forming plaque in your arteries. Select dark chocolate with the highest percent cocoa and for the most benefit, look for cocoa that is not Dutch or alkali processed.

Posted in: nutrition.
Tagged: · ·

No comments yet
← Earlier Posts