You can't just be mindful about what you are putting in your body <strong>and</strong> then forget about the rest. I've seen it time <strong>and</strong> time again... people who consider themselves <strong>to</strong> be health-conscious, eating organic whole foods <strong>and</strong> then keeping <strong>to</strong>xic products in their bathroom <strong>and</strong> kitchen cabinets. The skin is the largest organ in the body. That means what you put on your skin will quickly penetrate through the skin <strong>and</strong> in<strong>to</strong> your bloodstream, free <strong>to</strong> roam about your entire body! As will the ingredients you inhale through your nose or get in your eyes. Your body is like a big sponge... absorbing everything on <strong>and</strong> around it. So, you have <strong>to</strong> pay attention <strong>to</strong> what you're exposing it <strong>to</strong>. To give you an idea of how serious the issue is, here are just some of the conditions/ issues the <strong>to</strong>xic ingredients that are found in many common everyday products can cause: qq Endocrine disruption (that's your hormones) qq Kidney damage qq Birth defects & reproductive issues qq Heart disease & heart failure qq Neuro<strong>to</strong>xins (that's your brain) qq Cancerous tumors qq And that's just the tip of the iceberg. They can also cause damage <strong>to</strong> your skin, your GI tract, cause headaches, allergies, asthma, bronchitis <strong>and</strong> more. Yes, products like <strong>to</strong>othpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, body wash, c<strong>and</strong>les <strong>and</strong> household cleaners... things you use every day... may contain some of these <strong>to</strong>xic ingredients at this very moment. So, what should you do about it? 1. BE AWARE. First <strong>and</strong> foremost, start paying attention. Remember, that you can't assume that a product is safe just because it is for sale or because it is being advertised as a "natural" product. Typically, that is more of a marketing ploy than a factual claim about its ingredients. Read your labels! Which brings us <strong>to</strong>... 2. KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. There are LOTS of ingredients out there, way <strong>to</strong>o many <strong>to</strong> remember (which is why I made a guide for you <strong>to</strong> download at the end of this post!), but you can keep an eye out for some of the "biggies": ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ ▶▶ FITNESS & BEAUTY · AUGUST 2017 BHA OR BHT - typically found in moisturizers <strong>and</strong> make-up; can cause endocrine damage <strong>and</strong> are possible carcinogens COAL TAR DYES - found in hair dyes <strong>and</strong> other colored products; can cause nervous system damage <strong>and</strong> is a possible carcinogen DEA - found in creamy <strong>and</strong> foaming products like shave gel <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong> wash; can cause asthma, skin & eye irritation <strong>and</strong> is a possible carcinogen PHTHALATES - found in nail polish, perfume, hairspray <strong>and</strong> deodorant (among others); disrupts endocrine function FORMALDEHYDE - often found in cosmetics; is an irritant <strong>and</strong> possible carcinogen PARABENS - found in cosmetics, shampoos <strong>and</strong> conditioners; are carcinogens <strong>and</strong> can cause endocrine disruption <strong>and</strong> reproductive issues TRICLOSAN - found in <strong>to</strong>othpaste, face cleanser, deodorant <strong>and</strong> antibacterial products; promotes growth of drugresistant bacteria (defeating the purpose of "antibacterial"), disrupts endocrine function <strong>and</strong> is a possible carcinogen SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLS) - found in shampoos, bubble baths <strong>and</strong> cleansers; is a skin irritant <strong>and</strong> possible carcinogen POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) - is a carcinogen often found in cosmetics ▶▶ PARFUM (OR FRAGRANCE) - found in all kinds of products (even unscented!); can casue allergies, asthma, neuro<strong>to</strong>xicity <strong>and</strong> is a possible carcinogen (Btw, if you don't already know... "carcinogen" means cancer-causing) You can also use the Environmental Working Group (EWG)'s "Skin Deep Cosmetics Database" <strong>to</strong> look up any product <strong>and</strong> find it's level of <strong>to</strong>xicity. 3. ASK QUESTIONS! Manufacturers are not required <strong>to</strong> be very clear or forthcoming about the ingredients in their personal or beauty care products, so don't be afraid <strong>to</strong> ask questions if you aren't sure! All companies have some sort of support center, whether it's a phone number or an email address, so don't be afraid <strong>to</strong> use it <strong>and</strong> ask them outright about what's in their products! 4. CHOOSE LINES THAT ARE TRULY ORGANIC AND NATURAL OR MAKE YOUR OWN PRODUCTS. Yes, there are companies that really ARE organic <strong>and</strong> natural <strong>and</strong> really do make non<strong>to</strong>xic products. Depending on how natural you want <strong>to</strong> go, you may want <strong>to</strong> check out companies like: • ZuZu Luxe/Gabriel Cosmetics • Andalou Naturals • Alterna • Dr. Bronner's • Beautycounter (which keeps a list of over 1,500 ingredients they will never use in their products) You can also make many of your own personal care products at home like deodorant, shampoo <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong>othpaste using ingredients such as baking soda, coconut oil <strong>and</strong> essential oils. Remember... you only have one body. So it's up <strong>to</strong> YOU <strong>to</strong> take care of it! Stay informed, stay encouraged <strong>and</strong> don't be afraid <strong>to</strong> take control of your health <strong>and</strong> your life! By Jenn Baxter 36 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
<strong>Healthy</strong> Food NUTELLA COVERED FROZEN BANANAS BEST COOKING CLASS I HAVE EVER HAD 36 38 "There is no diet that will do what eating healthy does."
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