HEALTH NEWS
Updated: 01 Jan 2009
TOPICS
Contaminated Vegetables & Fruits
Posted 12 Nov 2007
Most of the vegetables and fruits that we consume each day contain pesticides. The NST article (4) clearly showed the level of contamination possible in our vegetables and fruits these days. Yes, pesticides that are used to control the farming process are likewise harmful to us. EWG (2) illustrated that each of us may be exposed to as much as 14 different types of pesticides per day through the food that we eat. Other EWG investigations showed that fruits are the most contaminated within the range.
It is well established that the fetus, infant, and young children are typically most vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides and toxic chemicals (NRC 1993, EPA 2003, FSA 2003). Even tiny dosages can be toxic for children. Pesticides are toxic by design. They kill bugs, weeds, fungi, rodents, and other "pests." The risks you encounter when you eat them depend on a number of factors including the toxicity of the pesticide, degree and form of exposure, your age, genetic susceptibility, and exposure to other toxics, including other pesticides. Thus, adults likewise are not sparred (3).
While normal washing and rinsing of fresh produce may reduce the amount of pesticides, it does not eliminate them entirely. Peeling also reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the peel. The best option is thus to eat a varied diet, wash all produce thoroughly, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals (1).
Therefore, switch to organic food or use vegetables / fruits detoxification to reduce our exposure to pesticides. Contact us for a demonstration on how vegetables / fruits detoxification could make a difference. See to believe!
References:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Health Hazards
Posted 14 Nov 2007
SLS and SLES are the acronyms for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate respectively. These chemicals are also known by 150 different names such as sulfuric acid monododecyl ester sodium salt (2). SLS is used around the world in clinical studies as a skin irritant (5) (7) and SLES commonly said to be contaminated with dioxane - a known carcinogen (2) (7). BreastCancer.org defines carcinogen as any substance that causes cancer. In addition, it is stated that these chemicals cannot be metabolised by our livers and our body will need time to purge them, hence they have long lasting effects within our body (2). Thus, SLS and SLES could be considered as dangerous and highly irritating chemicals.
Nonetheless, these chemicals are inexpensive and effective foamers that are found in many of our personal care and household products. In fact, it is suggested that 98% of our personal care products, including those used by babies, contain SLS/SLES. These could include shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste, soap, detergent, and skin care products
So what are some of the potential harmful effects of SLS/SLES? The following is a summary from various sources:
- Direct damaged to hair follicle (2) (5) (6) (7)
* Tangled hair
* Split and fuzzy hair
* Scalp irritation
- Skin damage (skin irritation / skin corrosion) (2) (3) (5) (6) (7)
* Eats away skin protection
- Swelling of hands, face, and arms (2)
- Hormone imbalance (2)
* Absorbed through skin
* SLS attaches to oestrogen (hormone) receptors
* Hormonal chaos - body cannot recognize
* Loses control of many endocrine functions
- Eye irritation / permanent eye damage in children (2) (5) (6) (7) (8)
* Can cause acute corneal damage
* May lead to cataract in adults
* American College of Toxicology
# "tests show permanent eye damage in young animals from skin contact in non-eye areas"
- Protein De-Naturing (2)
* Existing proteins are damaged - leading to increased amount of healing needed
* New proteins disruption whilst under construction
* These are activities leading to early stages of skin cancer
- Carcenogenicity (potential to cause cancer) (2) (5) (6) (8)
With these potential health hazards, why use SLS/SLES in our common personal care and household products? The answer is simple - it is cheap. Products free from SLS/SLES are typically more costly. In fact, the American College of Toxicology has reported that it is safe for discontinuous and brief use followed by thorough rinsing from surface of skin. However, for prolonged contact with the skin, the concentration should not exceed 1% (6).
In that case, is it really safe? Though there is no concrete evidence that usage of products with these chemicals is indeed harmful, how often can we and our family really experience "brief" and "discontinuous" with overall exposure "not exceed 1%"? In addition, how "thorough" could the rinsing be especially in young children? Consider the following as you think about its cumulative over prolong period of use:
- 98% of personal care products contain SLS / SLES such as shampoo, soap, shower gel, and toothpaste (6)
- SLS / SLES usually one of the first ingredient listed, ie high concentration (6)
- Easily penetrates the skin - enters and maintains residual levels in heart, liver, lungs, and even brains (6) (7)
- Cannot be metabolised by our body system, ie once absorbed, stays within our body for a long time (2)
References:
Potentially Harmful Chemicals In Our Common Personal & Household Products
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