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Poison Preservatives & Vanishing Bees

photograph copyright dorota woOver the past several years something has come to my attention, time and again. It appears that instead of making the health and well-being of its citizens its top priority, the United States Government is bending to the will of big corporate lobbyists.

There are two examples that I would like to share with you.

1. The Vanishing Bees
In recent years, honeybees have been rapidly dying and literally vanishing from their hives. This phenomena has come to be known as Colony Collapse Disorder. A commonly used class of pesticides, known as neonicotinoids, is likely to blame.

Neonicotinoids attack the nervous system of insects, killing them off. This makes them excellent pest control—so excellent that many seeds are sold treated with neonicotinoids. The plant grows with the pesticide inside it, allowing it to kill all the insects which attack it.

Two neonicotinoids produced by Bayer, one of the world’s leading pesticide manufacturers, have already been banned in European countries. In Germany, clothianidin was banned when tests on dead bees showed that 99% of those examined had a build-up of clothianidin.

Bayer’s best selling pesticide, imidacloprid, sold under the name Gaucho in France, has been banned as a seed dressing for sunflowers in that country since 1999, after a third of French honeybees died following its widespread use. Five years later it was also banned as a sweetcorn treatment in France. A few months ago, the company’s application for clothianidin was rejected by French authorities.

Meanwhile, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has knowingly and repeatedly approved this bee-killing pesticide.  I highly recommend the documentary, The Vanishing Bees, for more on this topic.

While I have not found conclusive evidence that this pesticide is harmful to human beings, this is a pesticide that destroys the nervous system of living things. I do not want it in my body! Why does the United States government continue to approve the use of this poison? Political pressure, corruption, backwards politics.

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2. The Debate Over Parabens
There is a roaring debate over food and cosmetic preservatives called parabens. According to livestrong.com, parabens are a fungicide, which can preserve the life of a product. The HSDB states that methylparaben is quickly absorbed through the skin and the intestinal tract (when used as a food preservative). There is a great deal of controversy surrounding its use, with many reports of dangerous side effects.

One type of paraben, methylparaben, in particular has been linked to breast cancer, skin damage, eye damage, and male fertility issues.

The EPA in their report “Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment: Agents of Subtle Change?” reported that the chemical preservatives called parabens—methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl (alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates)—displayed estrogenic activity in several tests. This means that these chemicals mimic your body´s own hormones and can have endocrine-disrupting action when they are rubbed into your body or washed down the drain into your drinking water. These disruptors interfere with your body´s endocrine system: your hypothalamus, your ovaries, your thyroid—virtually every system in your body.

Parabens are estrogen mimickers. They can bind to the cellular estrogen receptor. They also increase the expression of many genes that are usually regulated by estradiol and cause human breast tumor cells to grow and proliferate in vitro.

Once again, there are conflicting opinions in the medical community about the potential risks associated with parabens; however there is research that shows that these things are potentially harmful and toxic. I do not want these things in my body! Why is the government doing little to inform the public about these dangers?

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With all of this being said, this is not a political post. While I may strongly disagree with the actions of the government in these two instances, I can appreciate the fact that many people do not want the government to interfere in their lives or dictate what they can/can not eat, use, support, etc.

Rather than making a political argument, I am sharing this information to encourage you to educate yourself and make the right decisions for your own well-being. I grew up in a culture that told me that the government was protecting me; that government bodies like the EPA and the FDA are in place to protect me and look out for my well-being. However, I now know that this is simply not the truth. These government bodies bend to the wills of big corporations. Period.

The only way to ensure my well-being is to educate myself about every choice that I make—everything that I put into and onto my body.

I do not live a radically alternative lifestyle. I do not eat a 100% organic diet or use 100% organic products. However, I am slowly moving in that direction. Recently, I have been paying more careful attention to everything that I consume and apply to my body. I am more conscious of the companies that I support and more mindful of where things come from, how they are made, and so on.

I believe in supporting local, sustainable and environmentally-friendly production practices. These things are very important to me. I am not advocating for radical or instant change. I am not suggesting that you go into your bathroom/kitchen and throw out every non-organic product that you come across. However, I do encourage you to keep these things in mind the next time that you go to the store.

The examples that I have listed above are just two out of hundreds that I have learned about in recent years. There are always multiple sides to every story. I am presenting you with some facts and sharing my own opinions.

Sadly, we live in a time and a place where sometimes, the people who should have our health in mind, are more focused on turning a profit or being re-elected than keeping people healthy. However, this is not an excuse for us to suffer. It is our responsibility to educate, protect and nourish ourselves.

In love & light,
Dena

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    3 Simple Changes That Will Save Your Life

    This post could save your life. These 3 simple lifestyle changes saved mine. Today I am going to simply share facts with you. These facts (if you let them) will dramatically improve your quality of life. Making these changes can even increase your life span.

    1. Stop Smoking

    FACTS: According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States, accounting for 440,000 of the more than 2.4 million annual deaths.

    Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer. In fact, smoking tobacco is the major risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are due to smoking. People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. The longer a person smokes and the more cigarettes smoked each day, the more risk goes up.

    Smoking also causes cancer of the voice box (larynx), mouth and throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, and stomach, and causes acute myeloid leukemia. Source.

    FACTS: One year after passing smoking bans, communities in North America and Europe had 17 percent fewer heart attacks compared to communities without smoking restrictions, and the number of heart attacks kept decreasing with time, according to a report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Source.

    FACTS: If you quit smoking, you will:

    1. Prolong your life. According to the American Heart Association, smokers who quit between ages 35-39 add an average of 6-9 years to their lives. Smokers who quit between ages 65-69 increase their life expectancy by 1 – 4 years.

    2. Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of repeat heart attacks and death from heart disease by 50 percent or more. Quitting smoking also reduces your risk of high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease and stroke.

    3. Reduce your risk of developing a variety of other conditions including diabetes, lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, ulcers, gum disease and many other conditions.

    4. Feel healthier. After quitting, you won’t cough as much, have as many sore throats and you will increase your energy.

    5. Look and feel better. Quitting can help you prevent face wrinkles, get rid of stained teeth, improve your skin and even get rid of the stale smell in your clothes and hair.

    6. Improve your sense of taste and smell.

    7. Save money. Source.

    FACTS: What Happens When You Quit:

    After 20 minutes
    o You stop polluting the air
    o Your blood pressure and pulse decrease
    o The temperature of your hands and feet increases

    After 8 hours
    o The carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal
    o Oxygen levels in your blood increase

    After 24 hours
    o Your risk of heart attack decreases

    After 48 hours
    o Nerve endings adjust to the absence of nicotine
    o Your ability to taste and smell begin to return

    After 2 weeks to 3 months
    o Your circulation improves
    o Your exercise tolerance improves

    After 1 – 9 months
    o Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease
    o Your overall energy level increases

    After 1 year
    o Your risk of heart disease decreases to half that of a current smoker

    After 5 – 15 years
    o Your risk of stroke is reduced to that of people who have never smoked

    After 10 years
    o Your risk of dying from lung cancer drops to almost the same rate as a lifelong non- smoker
    o You decrease the incidence of other cancers — of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas

    After 15 years
    o Your risk of heart disease is reduced to that of people who have never smoked

    If you smoke again (called a relapse) do not lose hope. Seventy-five percent of those who quit relapse. Most smokers quit three times before they are successful. If you relapse, don’t give up! Review the reasons why you wanted to become a nonsmoker. Plan ahead and think about what you will do next time you get the urge to smoke. Source.

    2. Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

    QUESTION: How many people get cancer by being overweight or obese? How many die?

    FACTS: In 2002, about 41,000 new cases of cancer in the United States were estimated to be due to obesity. This means that about 3.2 percent of all new cancers are linked to obesity.

    A recent report estimated that, in the United States, 14 percent of deaths from cancer in men and 20 percent of deaths in women were due to overweight and obesity.

    Colon cancer occurs more frequently in people who are obese than in those of a healthy weight. An increased risk of colon cancer has been consistently reported for men with high BMIs.
    Source.

    FACTS: Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as “overweight” and “obesity,” the risks for the following conditions also increases:

    * Coronary heart disease
    * Type 2 diabetes
    * Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
    * Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    * Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
    * Stroke
    * Liver and Gallbladder disease
    * Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
    * Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
    * Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility) Source.

    3. Eat Whole Foods, Not Processed

    FACTS: The statistics are alarming:

    – One in three people will get cancer at some time in their life

    – Heart disease is the leading cause of death

    – Poor nutrition and physical inactivity together are the second
    actual cause of preventable death in the United States

    On the other hand new evidence shows that:

    – Eating five or more fruits and vegetables per day cuts cancer
    risk in half

    – People who eat more fruits and vegetables have a 30% lower risk
    of premature heart attack than people who eat a few

    – About 25% fewer strokes are projected for adults who eat 8 or
    more servings of fruits and vegetables per day

    – Fruits and vegetables may help keep blood sugar down and control diabetes.” Source.

    FACTS: Processed meat consumption results in 67% increase in pancreatic cancer risk.
    Source.

    FACTS: Inorganic phosphates are found in a variety of processed foods, including meats, cheeses, beverages and bakery products. They are added to increase water retention and improve food texture. Studies suggests a diet high in inorganic phosphates could speed growth of cancerous tumors and contribute to the development of tumors in those predisposed to the disease. Source.

    FACTS: Carcinogens in foods that may be naturally-occurring, caused by preparing or cooking certain foods, or added to it, include safrole, estragole and benzene. Processed foods such as sausages, bacon and canned meats contain high amounts of the preservative nitrite, another known carcinogen. Other carcinogens to look for in food products include:

    * acetaldehyde
    * acetamide
    * azo color and compounds
    * benzidine
    * bis (2-Chloromethyl) ether
    * cadmium
    * chlorinated parraffin waxes
    * 3,3-dichlorobenzidine
    * dichloromethane
    * hexachlorobenzene
    * polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
    * polychlorinated dibenzodioxins
    * polychlorinated dibenzofurans
    * sillica
    * trichloroethylene

    Though it is impossible to avoid every known carcinogen, to decrease risk of cancers and other illnesses, a balanced diet with more unprocessed, whole foods can decrease risk of some cancers and other diseases such as type two diabetes and heart disease. Source.

    FACTS: Nutrients in Whole Foods that Protect Against Cancer:

    1. Vitamin A: Strengthens the immune system. Essential for mineral metabolism and endocrine function. Helps detoxify. True vitamin A is found only in animal foods such as cod liver oil; fish and shellfish; and liver, butter and egg yolks from pasture-fed animals. Traditional diets contained ten times more vitamin A than the typical modern American diet.

    2. Vitamin C: An important antioxidant that prevents damage by free radicals. Found in many fruits and vegetables but also in certain organ meats valued by primitive peoples.

    3. Vitamin B6: Deficiencies are associated with cancer. Contributes to the function of over 100 enzymes. Most available from animal foods.

    4. Vitamin B12: Deficiencies are associated with cancer. Found only in animal foods.

    5. Vitamin B17: Protects against cancer. Found in a variety of organically grown grains, legumes, nuts and berries.

    6. Vitamin D: Required for mineral absorption. Strongly protective against breast and colon cancer. Found only in animal foods such as cod liver oil, lard, shellfish and butterfat, organ meats and egg yolks from grass-fed animals. Traditional diets contained ten times more vitamin D than the typical modern American diet.

    7. Vitamin E: Works as an antioxidant at the cellular level. Found in unprocessed oils as well as in animal fats like butter and egg yolks.

    8. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Strongly protective against breast cancer. Found in the butterfat and meat fat of grass-fed ruminant animals.

    9. Cholesterol: A potent antioxidant that protects against free radicals in cell membranes. Found only in animal foods.

    10. Minerals: The body needs generous amounts of a wide variety of minerals to protect itself against cancer. Minerals like zinc, magnesium and selenium are vital components of enzymes that help the body fight carcinogens. Minerals are more easily absorbed from animal foods.

    11. Lactic Acid and Friendly Bacteria: Contribute to the health of the digestive tract. Found in old fashioned lacto-fermented foods.

    12. Saturated Fats: Strengthen the immune system. Needed for proper use of the essential fatty acids. The lungs cannot function without saturated fats. Found mostly in animal foods.

    13. Long-Chain Fatty Acids: Arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) help fight cancer on the cellular level. They are found mostly in animal foods such as butter, organ meats, cod liver oil and seafood.

    14. Co-enzyme Q10: Highly protective against cancer. Found only in animal foods. Source.

    In closing: I truly hope that you will begin living these simple lifestyle changes. If you are non-smoker, not obese, and already eating whole foods, then I challenge you to help to spread this message to as many people as you can. All of the suffering and the disease mentioned above is not necessary. It can be prevented.

6 Comments

  1. I am with you 100% on this (especially government involvement), but I think it’s worth noting that although parabens are likely bad and should be replaced they serve a function – to inhibit growth of dangerous bacteria and fungus. Natural cosmetics need to be used properly and disposed of as soon as they expire or start looking/smelling weird otherwise they can be dangerous.
    It’s also sad but true that companies often ‘greenwash’ their products. A beauty product might say “80% natural/organic” but what they don’t tell you is that the product is actually 78% water so the advertising is seriously misleading.
    The Beauty Brains website has really good information about deciphering product claims and I really recommend checking them out when product questions arise.
    thebeautybrains .com/2007/06/06/are-you-confused-by-organic-products-too/
    thebeautybrains .com/2009/12/12/beauty-news-bits-can-you-trust-cosmetic-claims/

    Reply

  2. Dena, I applaud this insightful post. Like you, I constantly struggle to try to be true to my beliefs and to good people inan increasing morass of disillusionment and disgust. All we can do is pay attention, take stands, and be true to ourselves. If the majority of people in this country do that, I can’t help but believe our leaders will be forced to listen and make radical changes in the way they govern.

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Andra!  I am so happy to have a sister-in-arms in you.  Like you, I have to believe that the radical, positive changes are coming. In the meantime, it’s just like you say: pay attention, take a stand, and be TRUE to ourselves.  <3

      Reply

  3. I really like the time/effort you put into this article, Dena. It turned out to be very informative and it is disappointing to know that the people who are getting paid to look out for the interests of U.S. citizens is not always able to do so. I also like how honest you are about yourself; it shows a level of self-awareness that is so honorable. 

    Reply

  4. And I agree with what Andie said — I have converted all of my shower products and face care to Lush in the past few years. The downside? It’s expensive & if a little bit of water gets into the jar, you will get mold within 5-7 days and have to dump 2 or 3 months’ worth of product. I have done it, so I know! As far as value, however, I think Lush is absolutely worth it. I spend $20-30/each on face wash & a mask, but they lasts for 3-4 months at a time. This makes them more expensive upfront than conventional products, but you only have to use them sparingly and be very careful about only retrieving a blob to use when your hands are dry (i.e. don’t keep them in the shower like I did the first time!)

    Reply

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