Most Harmful Ingredients in Health & Beauty Products

Q. What are some of the most harmful ingredients in products?

A. Mercury, (often listed as thimerosal on ingredient labels) found in some eye drops, ointment and deodorants; lead acetate, found in some hair dyes and cleanser; formaldehyde and toluene, found in nail products; petrochemicals, found in some hair relaxers, shampoos, mascara, perfume, foundation, lipstick and lip balm; coal tar, found in dandruff shampoos, anti-itch creams and hair dyes; placenta, found in some hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners,;and phthalates, found in some nail polish, fragrances and hair spray.

All of these ingredients can be found in the brochure, Unmasked: 10 Ugly Truths Behind the Myth of Cosmetic Safety.

see http://www.safecosmetics.org/

Poison in our Lipstick

Take a look at this important report on lead in lipstick:

http://www.safecosmetics.org/docUploads/A%20Poison%20Kiss.pdf

1, 4 Dioxane

A hidden cancer-causing petrochemical has been found in dozens of children’s bath products and adults’ personal care products, at higher than acceptable levels.

The compound is not intentionally added to products; it is a byproduct of a process used to soften harsh detergents.

It is formed when foaming agents, or surfactants, are processed with ethylene oxide or similar petrochemicals.

it's nearly impossible for buyers to know whether the ones they use contain 1,4-dioxane because the chemical is not listed on ingredient labels. Products most likely to contain the compound usually list polyethylene glycol or compounds with the syllables PEG, short for polyethylene glycol, -eth or -oxynol-,according to the FDA.

1,4-Dioxane has been found in popular products like:

• Hello Kitty Bubble Bath
• Huggies Baby Wash
• Johnson’s Baby Wash
• Scooby-Doo Bubble Bath
• Sesame Street Bubble Bath
• Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo
• Olay Complete Body Wash
• Some Method products sold at Target

1,4-Dioxane

1. Petroleum-derived contaminant considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2. An animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program.
3. Is on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or birth defects.
4. Not required by the FDA to be listed as an ingredient on product labels

Related Book: “Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save the Planet Earth from the Global Warming Meltdown,” by David Steinman.

See http://www.safecosmetics.org/

Here are some brand names that do not contain 1,4 Dioxane

*Aubrey Organics
* Dr. Hauschka
* Nourish Food for Your Healthy Skin
* EO
* Avalon Organics
* Burt's Bees
* Desert Essence
* ZiaS
*Dr. Bronner's
*Sensibility Soaps (Nourish)
*Terressentials

See article at http://www.naturalnews.com/

More info at http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm

"A study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association analyzed many of the most popular "natural" and "organic" personal care products for the presence of a carcinogenic substance called contaminant 1,4-Dioxane.

The research was conducted by a reputable third-party laboratory.It was discovered that Some supposedly natural products contain this disease causing ingredient.1,4-Dioxane is a by-product of cheap, short cut compounds, and is considered a chemical "known to the State of California to cause cancer."

It is also suspected as a kidney toxicant, neuro-toxicant and respiratory toxicant, among others, according to the California EPA, and is a leading groundwater contaminant.

While previous studies have revealed the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in conventional personal care products, it is assumed that organic products do not contain these types of chemicals, and that some companies have most likely intentionally deceived their customers.

None of the brands that were found to contain this ingredient are certified under the USDA National Organic Program."

Avoid any products with ingredients that have the following in their names:

Myreth, oleth, laureth, cetereth, any other "eth,"
PEG
Polyethylene, polyethylene glycol
Polyoxylene
Oxynol.

Results Of Testing For 1,4-Dioxane
Results of the study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), and overseen by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman, analyzes leading "natural" and "organic" brand shampoos, body washes, lotions and other personal care products for the presence of the undisclosed carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane. A reputable third-party laboratory known for rigorous testing and chain-of-custody protocols, performed all testing.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/DioxaneResults08.cfm

Start with Lavender Essential Oil

If you have never used essential oils, you may want to start with Lavender. It has so many wonderful uses and can be used straight out of the bottle or mixed in water to make Lavender Water.

From http://www.aromatherapythymes.com/:

Lavender is one of the top 7 essential oils.
Lavender for everyday use is simply the most widely recommended oil for therapeutic benefits and for personal enjoyment.
After a demanding day reach for the floral sweet smell that calms the nerves and relaxes the mind.
This wonderful balancing oil will treat skin burns, soothe menstrual cramps and add to your overall sense of facing new challenges with anticipation and sensitivity.
Can be used throughout the day to relieve stress and headaches.

Using Lavender

Unlike most essential oils, lavender can be applied undiluted (termed "neat"). It may be used alone or in combination with most other oils.

Essential oils are generally applied with a carrier oil to massage into the skin.

Add 3-5 drops of oil to bath water for a relaxing bath.

• For anxiety use 1-3 drops, inhale and apply to temples.


• Blend a small amount with almond oil or Jojoba Oil for use as a skin moisturizer or massage oil.


• Add the oil to a diffuser, vaporizer, or candle lamp to spread the scent and healthful benefits throughout the room.


• You can spray a lavender mist on your pillows and linens to promote peaceful sleep.


• When washing bedding and linens, add some lavender water to the rinse cycle. Your bedding will have a light lavender scent


• Lavender water is a disinfectant and Air Freshener. It is perfect for garbage cans and pet bedding.


• If you use vinegar as a disinfectant, mix Lavender Water with the vinegar to give it a sweeter scent.


• Foot bath – add 10-15 drops of Lavender Essential Oil to warm water and soak!


• Hair Conditioner – Mix 2 Tbs cold-pressed Coconut Oil with 10 drops of Lavender. Apply to damp hair and scalp and cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse well. For oily hair avoid the scalp and apply to the ends only.


• Lavender is actually an insect repellant and can be applied to insect bites.
  
  Lavender Water recipe:
  Pick up a small spritzer bottle at your drug store or dollar store, fill it with water and add 2 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake well and spray liberally!
  


• To Order Lavender Essential Oil please visit my website:

It benefits so many of the body's systems:

Digestive - Stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile, aids digestion, increases intestinal mobility. Used to treat dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, nausea, diarrhea.

Circulation - Lowers blood pressure, used for hypertension

Muscles/joints - Reduces muscular tension, relieves pain, used to treat muscular aches, rheumatism, lumbago, sprains.

Skin - Antiseptic, controls the production of sebum, stimulates circulation in the skin. Assists in the healing of wounds (aids in the formation of scar tissue) and helps to rejuvenate the skin. Used to treat acne, cuts, burns, sunburn, inflammation, psoriasis, wrinkles.

Emotions - Calming, refreshing and relaxing, used to treat depression, headache, insomnia, headache, nervous exhaustion, restlessness, moodiness. Clears the head, increases mental alertness.

Other - Used to treat insect bites and nettle stings. Repels moths.

http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/eo_lavender.html

Do You Eat Processed Meats - ??? You Won't Now!

By Mike Adams
http://www.naturalnews.com/

http://www.naturalnews.com/022001.html

Have you ever wondered what processed meats look like up close?

You may not want to know... especially after you view the photos we've released today of some popular processed meat products. These macro photos, taken with a Canon Digital Rebel XT and a specialized high-end macro lens, show processed meats from Jimmy Dean and Oscar Mayer in jaw-dropping detail. You'll see blobs of fat, stringy textures, curious color variation of meat parts and black chunks of something we cannot yet identify.

They're all available for viewing right now on NaturalNews.com as part of our Photo Tours feature.I took these pictures in my own kitchen (which turned out to be a problem because my kitchen soon reeked of processed meat odors).

Click here to view the photos now.

• My aim in doing this is to show people exactly what they're eating, up close, if they eat processed meats.
• Processed meats are linked to an increase in various cancers, including pancreatic cancers, brain tumors and colon cancers.
• Feeding hot dogs to children, in my opinion, is a form of child cruelty.
• Allowing these products to remain in the national food supply is, in my opinion, a form of mass chemical poisoning of the public.

This macrophotography project is intended to show consumers exactly what they're really swallowing when they eat these processed meat products.

WARNING: The detail in these photos is astonishing, and many people will likely be grossed out or sickened by viewing them. Do not view them if you've just eaten processed meats!

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Nothing in these photos is intended to imply that these processed meat products do not meet FDA or USDA regulations. I have no doubt these products meet all minimum government requirements for human consumption. Then again, the USDA openly approves the use of chicken poop as cattle feed, so you can't exactly say that USDA regulators are really interested in food regulations that most intelligent consumers would agree with. In any case, these photos do not show any evidence whatsoever that Jimmy Dean or Kraft Foods are violating food safety regulations. They merely show these foods at great magnification where visual details are much easier to study. The salami product, in particular, is made with beef hearts!Here are the three products viewed in this Photo Tour (along with their ingredients):
Oscar Mayer Cotto Salami ingredientsMechanically separated chickenBeef heartsPorkWaterCorn syrupBeefContains less than 2% of:SaltSodium lactateFlavorSodium phosphatesSodium diacetateSodium erythorbate (made from sugar)DextroseSodium nitriteSoy lecithinPotassium phosphatePotassium chlorideSugarClick here to view macro photos of Oscar Mayer salami.
Jimmy Dean Original Fresh Pork Sausage Links ingredientsPorkWaterContains 2% or less of:Corn syrupSodium lactateSaltSugarMonosodium glutamateFlavoringsBHABHTCitric acidBeef collagen casingsClick here to view macro photos of Jimmy Dean sausages.
Oscar Mayer Smokies Coarse Ground Wieners ingredients(Front label claims "Quality Meat, No Fillers")PorkWaterBeefContains less than 2% of:Corn syrupSaltSodium lactateFlavorSodium phosphatesMonosodium glutamateSodium diacetateSodium erythorbate (made from sugar)Sodium nitriteSoy lecithinClick here to view macro photos of the Oscar Mayer SmokiesIf you would like to be kept informed of future Photo Tours as they are released, be sure to subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter which brings you these announcements as they are posted.

###About the author: Mike Adams is a holistic nutritionist with a passion for sharing empowering information to help improve personal and planetary health He has authored more than 1,500 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2007, Adams launched EcoLEDs, a maker of energy efficient LED lights that greatly reduce CO2 emissions. He's also a successful software entrepreneur, having founded a well known email marketing software company whose technology currently powers the NaturalNews email newsletters. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and regularly pursues cycling, nature photography, Capoeira and Pilates. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org

Turmeric - The Wonder Spice

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that is a staple in many Indian dishes. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, a natural ingredient in turmeric provides many health benefits.



It has anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural brain booster.



A study tested the brain power of more than a thousand Asian people aged between 60 and 93 using a standard test called the Mini Mental State Examination. Those who ate curry even just once every six months had better results than those who said they "never or rarely" ate it.
Previous research has suggested that curcumin inhibits the build-up of the harmful protein deposits called amyloid plaques that occur in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Curcumin is also reputed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that are still being investigated.
Sources:
American Journal of Epidemiology July 26, 2006
New Scientist August 4, 2006
The Scotsman August 3, 2006


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Here are 19 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:


1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.


2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.



3. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.


4. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.


5. Is a natural liver detoxifier.


6. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.


7. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.


8. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.


9. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.


10. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.


11. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.


12. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.


13. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.


14. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.


15. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.


16. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.


17. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.


18. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.


19. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.


http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html



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Numerous studies have found that curcumin suppresses the proliferation of cancer cells.


* In one recent study on hamsters with chemically induced tumors, subjects receiving topically applied and orally ingested turmeric and/or curcumin developed significantly less tumors than the control group. Researchers concluded that turmeric or curcumin may have a chemopreventive effect on precancerous lesions of the mouth.


* A second study found that daily turmeric intake for 9 months contributed to regression of precancerous lesions in the mouths of humans. Thus, curcumin may be especially beneficial for smokers.


* Curcumin supplementation inhibited carcinogenesis in the stomach and colon, in mice, in another study.


* Other research showed that curcumin inhibited the growth of estrogenpositive, human breast cancer cells. The researchers asserted that including turmeric in the diet might help prevent hormone-related cancers resulting from environmental pesticide exposure. There's more than one theory on how curcumin protects against cancer. It may encourage apoptosis of cancer cells - in other words, getting the nasty cells to kill themselves off. Curcumin's powerful antioxidant ability is also attributed with the compound's anti-tumor activity. This makes sense, considering that antioxidants scavenge harmful free radicals that can lead to cancer-cell proliferation.
Cholesterol/heart disease


* Turmeric extract may help manage heart disease by decreasing cholesterol levels and other disease risk factors. Animals supplemented with turmeric extract had lower total cholesterol than controls.

In a similar study, diabetic rats fed curcumin for 8 weeks experienced decreases in LDL cholesterol, blood triglycerides and phospholipid levels., A higher rate of cholesterol breakdown in curcumin-supplemented rats may help explain the cholesterol-lowering effects.


Besides adding Turmeric to your food, supplements are also available. A standardized formula providing 400 to 600 mg of curcumin taken three times daily is typically recommended.



Note: Turmeric is contraindicated for pregnant women and people with hepatitis.


REFERENCES
Babu P.S., Srinivasan K. "Hypolipidemic action of curcumin, the active principle of turmeric (Curcuma longa) in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats," Mol Cell Biochem, 166(1-2):169-175, 1997.
Barthelemy S., Vergnes L., et al. "Curcumin and curcumin derivative inhibit Tat-mediated transactivation of type 1 human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat," Res Virol, 149(1):43-52, 1998.
Copeland R., et al. "Curcumin Therapy in HIV-Infected Patients," Int Conf AIDS 10, 216 (abstract no PB0876), 1994.
Huang M.T., et al. "Inhibitory effects of curcumin on tumorigenesis in mice," J Cell Biochem Suppl, 27:26-34, 1997.
Krishnaswamy K., Goud V.K., et al. "Retardation of experimental tumorigenesis and reduction in DNA adducts by turmeric and curcumin," Nutr Cancer, 30(2):163-166, 1998.
Krishnaswamy K., Raghuramulu N. "Bioactive phytochemicals with emphasis on dietary practices," Indian J Med Res, 108:167-181, 1998.
Mehta K., Pantazis P., et al. "Antiproliferative effect of curcumin (diferuloylmethane) against human breast tumor cell lines," Anticancer Drugs, 8(5):470-481, 1997.
Ramirez-Tortosa M.C., Mesa MD, et al. "Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits LDL oxidation and has hypocholeterolemic effects in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis," Atherosclerosis, 147(2):371-378, 1999.