Reasons to Avoid Plastics

They’re made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.

Production of plastics releases toxic chemicals into the environment.

Chemicals can migrate from many plastics into food, water, air and our mouths.

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We all know that oxygen is essential for our bodies to function.  But scientific studies have shown that oxygen can produce toxic substances as well. Some examples of these toxins are peroxide, superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and something called “excited stage oxygen.”

When these substances combine with other molecules in the body, “free-radicals” are formed. These are high-energy chemical substances that can damage our healthy cells and cause diseases like inflammation and infections, degenerative arthritis, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. This free-radical damage is also known as oxidization.

Antioxidants work by preventing excessive oxidization and repairing the damage to the cells. Normally, our bodies can supply its own antioxidants. But when there is rapid production of free-radicals (from exercise, smoking, exposure to radiation or other metabolic processes like the breaking down of food), our bodies will need an additional supply of antioxidants from external sources.

Here’s an experiment you can do right in your kitchen. Cut an apple until it begins to turn brown. This discoloration is due to oxygen reacting with the apple, creating free-radicals. This is oxidization at work. Then, dip the apple in some lemon juice or orange juice, which contains vitamin C (an antioxidant), and watch the discoloration slow down. The vitamin C in the juice decreases the rate of free-radical activity taking place in the apple.

A recent study conducted by researchers from London found that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily can reduce the risk of stroke by 25 percent. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection.

Boost your body’s antioxidant level by consuming these foods. Examples of  Antioxidants   and their  Food Sources are as follows:

• Carotenoids-  broccoli, spinach, squash, melon, sweet potato,carrots
• Vitamin C- citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, tomatoes
• Vitamin E – nuts and seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and liver oil
• Vitamin A- carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, peaches, sweet potato, melon, squash, cabbage, pechay, watermelon
• Selenium- fish and shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken, garlic
• Lycopene- tomatoes, watermelon, guava
• Lutein - corn, mango, broccoli, kiwi, spinach, melon,  cabbage, egg yolks, peas
• Lignan- oatmeal, sesame seeds, cashew, broccoli
• Flavonoids/Polyphenols – coffee, tea, soy, red wine, purple grapes, onions, apples

Source:  Nestle.com

Doctors call it gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Millions of people call it heartburn, and many others have coughing, wheezing, or hoarseness without realizing that GERD is to blame. By any name, GERD is common, bothersome, and sometimes serious. But once you know you have GERD, and understand its mechanics, you can control it and prevent complications.

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For over a decade, Stonyfield Farms, Ben & Jerry’s, Whole Foods and other companies that make and sell dairy products have been allowed under federal food safety rules to label their products so consumers can choose milk produced without the genetically engineered hormone rBGH (sometimes also called rBST).

These labels are an important food safety measure, since rBGH has never been adequately tested for safety and has been linked to health problems in animals and to a potential cancer risk in humans.

Read more, click here.

The legal difference between a cosmetic and a drug is determined by a product’s intended use. Different laws and regulations apply to each type of product. Firms sometimes violate the law by marketing a cosmetic with a drug claim, or by marketing a drug as if it were a cosmetic, without adhering to requirements for drugs.

How does the law define a cosmetic? The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines cosmetics by their intended use, as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body…for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance” [FD&C Act, sec. 201(i)]. Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants, as well as any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product.

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With so many food promising to reduce cholesterol and fight disease, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. Are you getting the nutrition you need? Or are some foods tasty fakes?
What you eat affects your risk of heart disease. But you may need a little help with your grocery list to sort through the confusing health claims, food ads and false advice. We put together a line-up of heart-healthy picks, as well as some that – surprise! – aren’t all that they claim to be.

• Fatty Fish…  The real deal! Fatty fish like salmon, lake or rainbow trout, herring, anchovies, sardines, albacore tuna and tuna steaks are packed with heart-shielding omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association (AHA) advises Americans to eat fish at least twice a week. That’s because coldwater fish and their omega-3 fats reduce the inflammation that precedes heart disease, lower the risk of irregular heartbeats, make the blood less sticky and less likely to form clots, and when taken in large doses, lower triglycerides. A caution for children and women who are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant: Nearly all seafood contains some mercury, a metal toxic to the developing brain and nervous systems of unborn and young children. Too much mercury could lead to brain damage and learning impairments.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency warned at-risk groups to avoid the four fish most heavily contaminated with mercury: · Swordfish · King mackerel · Shark · Tilefish Albacore tuna and tuna steaks are fifth, so eat 6 ounces or less and feed children only one small portion weekly.

• Fat-Free Pretzels…  Imposter! Fat-free doesn’t guarantee goodness. A food earns its heart-healthy status because of the nutrients it has: fiber, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and phytochemicals (disease-fighting compounds in plant foods). Most pretzels, crackers and other snack foods have none. Pretzels made with white flour are fiber-poor and heavily salted. Scour your market’s shelves and you might find pretzels and crackers with whole-wheat flour as the first ingredient. They’ll nourish your body with more fiber and other nutrients, but you’ll probably still hit the ceiling with sodium.

The Institute of Medicine recommends an upper limit of 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day for healthy adults. An ideal amount is closer to 1,500 mg daily. When sodium in the diet increases, so does blood pressure, even in healthy people.

• Granola and Cereal Bars … Read the fine print! Granola was probably the original health food. Loaded with oats, fruit and nuts, it should be high on everyone’s list. But with our insatiable desire for food that is quick, portable and ultra-sweet, manufacturers have given us a new breed of granola and cereal bars with refined grains and added sugars as the main ingredients. Many are just candy bars in a health-food wrapper. Choose granola or cereal bars that list whole oats or another whole grain as a first ingredient, and steer clear of those with partially hydrogenated oils (also known as heart-damaging trans fats).

Scan the “Nutrition Facts” panel for a brand that has at least 3 grams of fiber per serving or a minimum of 1 gram for each 50 calories. Studies confirm that oatmeal – a breakfast favorite – can help lower blood cholesterol. It doesn’t matter if the oats are steel-cut, old-fashioned, quick or instant. All three parts of the grain – germ, bran and endosperm – remain after processing.

• Turkey Dogs and Sausages…  Imposter! They may sound more virtuous than their beef or pork brothers, but they’re still processed meats. Turkey links are bursting with sodium (think high blood pressure) and other additives. Some have less saturated fat, but many don’t. It’s okay to throw a turkey dog on the grill occasionally or to spice up dinner with some lean turkey sausage, but remember: They’re no health food.
• Beans The real deal! … When you were in grade school, you learned that “beans, beans are good for the heart.” But you probably didn’t learn why. They’re naturally chock full of blood pressure-lowering potassium and magnesium, heart-friendly folate, cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber and more.

The 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends three cups of beans and other legumes weekly. Eat at least four servings of beans weekly and you’ll lower the risk of coronary heart disease by 22%, according to a study of nearly 10,000 Americans. So fill up on those garbanzos, pintos, limas and great northern. They’re an excellent way to stay lean, increase longevity and decrease your risk of certain cancers.

• Banana Chips…  Imposter! What could be more wholesome than a fresh banana? Not much. Bananas are loaded with fiber and blood pressure-lowering potassium. But banana chips? They’re fried and full of sugar. Sure, the label says all-natural. But natural or not, the extra oils and sugars just add calories and fats. Next time you’re shopping for groceries, choose bananas that still look like bananas.
• Nuts…  The real deal! Nuts give us healthy fats, protein, fiber, minerals and vitamin E. This vitamin wedges itself in our cell membranes and offers protection from damaging free radicals – probably protecting us from heart disease and other conditions, such as cancer and eye disease. Eat nuts at least four times a week to lower your risk of developing coronary heart disease by 37%. Each extra serving drops your risk another 8%. Walnuts, in particular, pack a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids. They’re not the same powerful omega-3s found in fish, but this plant type shows promise in guarding the heart.

Nuts aren’t just a snack (or bar) food either. Add a sprinkling to salads, vegetables, rice and more. Spread peanut butter and other nut butters on whole-grain bread or crackers; dab some on banana or apple slices.

• Cholesterol-Free Shortening and Stick Margarine … Imposter! Cholesterol-free doesn’t ensure a nutritionist’s seal of approval. Cholesterol-free or not, solid fats are full of heart-harming saturated fats or trans fats or both. Each signals your liver to make more cholesterol and increases your risk of heart disease. If a label boasts “cholesterol-free,” inspect the ingredient list. Leave it in the store if the product contains any trans fats or if partially hydrogenated oil is an ingredient. Keep saturated fats to a minimum. The healthiest person should limit saturated fat to about 20 grams per day. Your best bet is a soft or liquid margarine.
• Orange Juice … The real deal! Orange juice, cheese, margarines, chocolate bars and more are fortified with cholesterol-lowering plant stanols or sterols, collectively called phytosterols. Phytosterols are the plant’s cousin to cholesterol, but are naturally present in only minute amounts. Added to food in larger quantities, they battle cholesterol by blocking its absorption, forcing the body to eliminate it. But don’t just add these phytosterol-enriched products to your diet, or you’ll probably gain weight.
• Wine…  Read the fine print! Good news for those who’d rather toss down a beer than sip a glass of wine. Researchers estimate that moderate drinking of any alcoholic beverage reduces the risk of heart disease by 30% to 50%. As little as half a drink per day lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes, a Finnish study suggests.

For women, moderate drinking equals no more than one drink per day. Men can enjoy twice that. Some experts speculate that red wine bestows extra benefits. Made from grapes with intact skins, red wine provides a variety of compounds that may aid the heart.

But be careful: Drinking too much alcohol is linked to increased risks of heart disease and diabetes, as well as diseases of the liver and pancreas, sudden death and accidents.

Source: Lifescript.com

Many of us, especially the ladies are so engrossed as to what cosmetic products to buy. … (…for the sake of vanity?)  Here is another article I came across with which I thought I ought to share. This article and other similar ones (a lot are published on the web) should help us realize that we ought to know what kind of chemicals we are pampering our body with.

Many of these ingredients are contained in “Natural” personal care products.

1. Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea. These are the most commonly used preservatives after the parabens. They are well established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals have a good antifungal, and must be combined with other preservatives. Germall 115 releases formaldehyde at just over 10°. These chemicals are toxic.
2. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben. Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with the methyl group of chemicals. Highly toxic.
3. Petrolatum. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil causes a lot of problems when used on the skin—it can produce photosensitivity (i.e., promotes sun damage), and it tends to interfere with the body’s own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. You are being sold a product that creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is very cheap.
4. Propylene Glycol. Ideally this is a vegetable glycerine mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions.
5. PVP/VA Copolymer. A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons.
6. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This synthetic substance is used in shampoos for its detergent and foam-building abilities. It causes eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation “comes from coconut”.
7. Stearalkonium Chloride. A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic.
8. Synthetic Colors. The synthetic colors used to supposedly make a cosmetic “pretty” should be avoided at all costs, along with hair dyes. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Synthetic colors are believed to be cancer-causing agents. If a cosmetic has them in it, don’t use the cosmetic.
9. Synthetic Fragrances. The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply say “Fragrance”. Some of the problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation, and the list goes on. Advice: Don’t buy a cosmetic that has the word “Fragrance” on the ingredients label.
10. Triethanolamine (TEA). Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Look for natural ingredients in the products you buy. Do not use cosmetics that are artificially colored. Is the shampoo green or blue? Very likely it contains a coal-tar color. Does the product contain a synthetic fragrance? Don’t use it. Are any of the chemicals listed above on the ingredients label? Don’t use it. You may find out that some of your allergic problems will suddenly go away when you no longer use cosmetics with synthetics and petrochemicals.

Source: HealthGoods

Each person reacts differently to different ingredients.  Some of the products that we buy ususally contain some warnings on its labels, such as:  ‘This product may cause allergic reactions to certain individuals.’ Now, perhaps it is up to the consumer to decide which product is not compatible with his or her skin or hair type or to what product he or she is allergic to.   Happy cosmetiquing

This article covers things we can all do to reduce stormwater pollution.

Develop Greener Habits

By developing “greener” habits, we can all make a significant reduction to the amount of pollution in our water systems, just by the day-to-day things we do. Here are some excellent “green” habits to develop:

• Don’t litter! Place your litter in the bin. If there is no bin handy, carry your litter until you find one. If you smoke, carry a container for your cigarette butts.
• Sweep up leaves from gutters and rake up leaves from the garden. Rake up grass clippings too. Add leaves and grass to your compost heap if you have one. Note: Don’t hose your gutters and driveway – sweep them instead.
• Wash your car on the lawn so that the water can soak into the grass (and not into the stormwater system).
• Reduce fertiliser and chemical use on your garden.
• Pick up your dog’s faeces and either flush them down the toilet or put them on the compost heap.
• Clean paint brushes over the lawn if using water based paint. If using oil based paint, keep the paint and turps clear of gutters and drains. Reuse the turps.
• Take unneeded oils and paints to a recycling facility.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is an approach to urban design that minimises the impact of stormwater on the natural environment. It refers to the way we design our houses and other buildings.

WSUD emphasises a more decentralised approach to traditional methods of collecting and managing rainwater. Using WSUD, rainwater stays on site and can be re-used, or it eventually filters through the ground and into our waterways in a more natural way.

WSUD ensures that our rainwater collection is more attuned to the natural environment.

Here are some great WSUD techniques you can use at your own home or workplace:

• Install rainwater tanks and other recycling devices. This reduces the amount of rainwater leaving your property and flowing through the stormwater system. Re-use the collected water for toilet flushing, laundry, and watering the garden.
• Use temporary storage areas to trap rainwater and prevent it from leaving your property. Storage areas could include driveways, carparks, gardens etc. This is referred to as On-site Stormwater Detention (OSD).
• Avoid using hard paving around your garden area. The more hard paving, the more water will run away from your garden and into the stormwater system.
• Recycle grey water. Washing and shower water is grey water. You can use this water to flush toilets and water the garden.

Source: Natural Environment

The Bureau of Food and Drugs covers the regulation of food, drug and cosmetic products.  When I was still working at the Bureau a long long time ago, I remember this one of a kind story.  From this tale one could tell if a personnel is working in the food, drug or cosmetic section of the agency.

One HR personnel visited the agency’s Product Services Division.  This person looked very sick and pale. Her skin is as translucent as a frosted glass window.

Product evaluator No.1   approached her and said, “Hey! Demi, you look so pale. You might have iron deficiency anemia.  Why don’t you see your physician.  He might advise you to take Iron.

Product evaluator No.2   butted in.  ” Hey! Dems, why don’t you take food rich in Iron instead.  Perhaps you could try amplaya (Scientific name: Momordica charantia);( (Ingles: balsam apple, bitter gourd o bitter melon).  Or try cooking  liver, seafood, fish, lean meat, and poultry.  These food are rich in Iron.  Or you could take Iron enriched or fortified food products.

Product evaluator No.3  came in.   “Hello Dems. Try putting on some lipstick meanwhile so you won’t look that pale.  Your appearance would improve.

So there goes the story.  Who is working in what section of the agency?  Your guess is as good as mine.

Some notes of information though.

Iron, functions primarily as a carrier of oxygen in the body.  This the mineral is necessary for the formation and function of red blood cells.  In tiny amounts, the mineral is also necessary for the chemical functioning of many of the bodies’ cells.  It also aids in immune function, cognitive development, temperature regulation, energy metabolism, and work performance. About 90% of the iron in our body is conserved and reused every day; the rest is excreted. Men are able to naturally store more iron than women. In order to maintain iron balance in the body for both men and women, dietary iron must supply enough iron to meet the 10% gap that our body has excreted or else deficiency will result.

Iron in the drug form is usually prescribed as ferrous sulfate capsule, caplet or tablet.   As there may be interaction with other drugs or food products, Iron should not be taken unless advised by a physician.

Eating a variety of foods that contain iron is the best way to get an adequate amount. Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements.  For vegetarians or vegans, it is important to consume sufficient amounts of moderately-rich iron foods, such as beans, legumes, and fortified breads, cereals, and flours.  Soy products are typically good sources of iron as well.