I’m talking about the chemicals that could be lurking in the popular food, health and beauty and household products in your home. Some of these “bad guys” not only cause cancers and chronic illness, but also contribute to depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, and behavior problems. To understand how, First lets take look at main systems of the body. Stay with me. This foundation is important!
NERVOUS SYSTEM
The nervous system is a network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body. It includes both the Central nervous system and Peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. It controls thought process, movement, and registers sensations in the body. According to Johns Hopkins, a CNS disorder can affect either the brain or spinal cord, resulting in neurological or psychiatric disorders.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Our immune system protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms. An important part of this system is the lymphatic system. Basically, an autoimmune disorder is when the body attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Some common autoimmune disorders are: rheumatoid arthritis; lupus; inflammatory bowel disease; multiple sclerosis; Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis; type 1 diabetes, cancers and others.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The endocrine system affects almost everything in the body. It is the collection of glands that produce hormones which regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep and mood, among other things. The endocrine system is made up of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries and testicles.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The respiratory system is in charge of the intake of oxygen and output of carbon dioxide from the body. Common Disorders of the respiratory system include: influenza, pneumonia, asthma, and COPD.
Breaking Down the Bad Guys
Here is some information on common “Bad Guys” where they are found and how they impact the body. Often, we hear something is an “endocrine disrupter” or a “neurotoxin” but what does that mean?
NEUROTOXINS
Neurotoxins are any substance that is poisonous or destructive to the nervous system and nerve tissues. There are various classes of neurotoxins: heavy metals; polychlorinated biphenyls; pesticides; herbicides; organic solvents; environmental tobacco smoke; radiation and endotoxins.
Found in metals, (especially Mercury, Manganese and Lead), pesticides, solvents, food additives, preservatives, and cosmetics.
Some common symptoms or reactions from exposure to neurotoxins include;
- SENSORY: (taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing) loss of smell; a sensation of tingling or pricking “pins and needles” in the feet, fingers, and toes; extreme sensitivity to light; involuntary eye movement; reduced or limited vision; tinnitus; perceptual dysfunctions and pseudo-hallucinations.
- MOTOR: weakness in limbs: paralysis, incoordination, involuntary muscle movements; dizziness; fatigue; tremor; convulsions; hyperactivity; and slurred speech.
- AFFECT: (emotional) nervousness; irritability; agitation; euphoria; psychosis; apathy; lethargy; depression; compulsive behavior.
- COGNITION: impaired short term memory, long term memory, confusion, and disorientation.
- PHYSIOLOGICAL: disrupted sleep wake cycles; hypothermia; hyperthermia; sweating; loss of appetite; loss or gain in body weight
PESTICIDES
Pesticides are any substance or mixture of substances intended for eliminating “pests”. The term also applies to Herbicides (weed killers), fungicides, and various other substances used to control “pests”
Pesticides are neurotoxins; Side effects from pesticide exposure range from “mild symptoms of dizziness and nausea to serious, long-term neurological, developmental and reproductive disorders.” Children are at greater risk because their organs are still developing and because they eat more, relative to their body weight (EPA, 2002).
Numerous studies link pesticide exposure to: Asthma; Birth and Fetal defects; Cancers (Brain Cancer; Breast Cancer; Leukemia; Lymphoma; Prostate Cancer; and other); developmental and learning disorders; ADHD; Autism; Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s; Diabetes (especially type 2). They are known to affect the endocrine system, which helps guide developmental growth, reproduction and behavior. Pesticide poisoning accounts for a significant number of deaths worldwide.
changing to an organic diet significantly decreases pesticide exposure.
GLYPHOSATE
Chemical Watch Factsheet published by Beyond Pesticides has some great information about Glyphosate aka Roundup:
People exposed to Glyphosate are 2.7 times more likely to contract non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Agricultural Health Study found that Glyphosate had a suggested association with multiple myeloma. It has also been found to contribute to non- alcoholic fatty liver disease. Glyphosate and its formulated products adversely affect embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells, and impacts fetal development. Pre-pregnancy exposures to Glyphosate were found to moderately increase the risk for miscarriages in mothers exposed to Glyphosate products.
Glyphosate is also linked to genetic damage and endocrine disruption, as well as environmental damage and water contamination. It is one of the most widely used and well-known herbicides in the world.
GMO FOODS
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have had DNA, artificially manipulated, spliced, rearranged or eliminated through genetic engineering, not occurring in nature or through traditional crossbreeding or selective methods.
Almost all GMOs are “Roundup-Ready”- meaning they are made to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or produce an insecticide.
GMOs have been connected with health problems, environmental damage, and violation of farmers’ and consumer rights. Please see LIVING NON GMO, NON GMO Project’s website for more and CARE2 Health Living website. Their article on GMOs and The Four Potential Health risks of GMO foods is summarized below:
If your reading this from the US, you may have been eating GMO foods for years. Much of the field corn and soybeans produced (ones fed to livestock or used to provide fillers in processed foods), contain some portion of GMO material. It is also found in sugar produced from sugar beets and vegetable oils.
GMOs are often found in cereal, crackers, baking mixes, veggie burgers and even dairy. GMOs have infiltrated our store shelves with minimal study on the long-term health effects. Environmental Working Group estimates that each American consumes about 190 pounds of GM foods each year.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Allergies: Genetic engineering can increase levels of naturally occurring allergens, or create brand new allergens. I often wonder if this has something to do with the increased gluten insensitivity. What has been done with wheat?
Antibiotic Resistance:
Pesticide Exposure: Most of GM crops are engineered to contain a gene for pesticide resistance. Most are “Roundup Ready,” meaning they can be sprayed with Monsanto’s glyphosate herbicide Roundup without being harmed.
Unknowns; Foreign material can genetic material in a host to behave erratically. Genes can be suppressed or overexpressed. One consequence of overexpression, for example, can be cancer. Nutritional problems can also result from the transfer. GM crops have been linked to health problems as diverse as reproductive damage, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. Concerned scientists have been outspoken about these risks. (Mother Earth News 7/12)
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION:
Although choosing NON-GMO is good, there is an important distinction which I recently discovered. I was shopping at a specialty food store and I noticed that some products were labeled ORGANIC and some were only labeled NON-GMO. I stood there; Which to choose, which to choose, and does it matter? YES!
All food that has a label ORGANIC is also NON-GMO.
Only the ORGANIC label is certifying that there are NO pesticides; Roundup Herbicides; no sewer sludge (commonly known as bio-solids); no antibiotics, and humanely treated animals. However, not all food with the NON-GMO label is organic. Non-GMO crops can be grown in the same manner as conventional crops.
PETROCHEMICALS
Petrochemicals are found in our everyday products. They are made from crude oil and natural gas. The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers trade association lists some very useful and important products. There are some things I am sure you will be surprised and perhaps a bit frightened to find out. One thing for sure, petrochemicals are everywhere. However,
I don’t want them on my body or in my food.
We need to find ways to reduce our exposure as much as possible.
Petrochemicals are classified in three categories based on chemical structure.
Watch for these words on ingredients in products and food!
OLEFINS: (industrial chemicals – plastic products; synthetic rubber)
- PROPYLENE: adhesives; appliances; battery cases and parts; carpeting; coatings; cups; containers; caps/closures; crates; diapers; fixtures; housewares; film and sheet packaging; fibers and filaments; furniture; insulation; laminates; paints.
- BUTADIENE: automotive bumper bars; automotive trim components; keyboard keys; golf club heads; tires; hoses and belts; latex paints; kitchen appliances; rubber; toys.
- ETHYLENE: artificial joints; bags; bearings; clothing; credit cards; detergent bottles; electrical cables; engine coolant; film; gears; milk jugs; pipes; polyester; siding; signs; tubing; IV/blood bags.
AROMATICS: (dyes, synthetic detergents, plastics and synthetic fiber)
- BENZENE: automotive headlamps; cutlery; computer cases; instrument stings; nylons; phones; packaging material; petri dishes; rope; safety glasses; sunglasses; tents; test tubes.
- XYLENE: automotive applications; beverage bottles; carpets; fabrics; electronics; lumber; photographic film; solvents; sportswear textiles.
- TOLUENE: bedding; boats; fabric; food casings; furniture; nylon textiles; clothing; upholstery; varnish.
SYNTHETIC GAS. Mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Used to make amonia (fertilizer) and methanol (solvents)
Petrochemicals are also found in: food; pharmaceuticals; health and beauty products; household products; household cleaners; cars; computers; cell phones; children’s toys; pesticides; fertilizers.
Choosing organic products helps reduce your petrochemical exposure.
Petrochemicals and their bi-products, are known to cause serious health problems. Although they are an important part of our lives, (depending on how they are used), they can also hazardous to our health and to the environment. Since these chemicals can be absorbed though the skin and ingested, they can accumulate in the tissues and organs causing brain, nerve and liver damage, birth defects and cancer, asthma, hormonal disorders and allergies. ( Shukla 2010)
FOOD ADDITIVES AND PRESERVATIVES
In 2008, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) in Washington DC petitioned the FDA to ban artificial food dyes because of their connection to behavioral problems in children. CSPI has concluded that there are nine artificial dyes used in the US that are carcinogenic and cause hypersensitivity reactions and behavior problems.
Food additives and preservatives are chemicals added to our food. Artificial dyes are derived from petroleum and are found in thousands of foods and other products. For years, there has been evidence linking artificial food dyes to behavioral problems and hyperactivity in children. Adults are also affected. Some of the immediate effects may cause headaches, alter your energy level, or they may affect your mental concentration, behavior, or immune response. Those with long-term effects could increase your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other degenerative conditions.
MONOSODUIM GLUTAMATE
MSG is a popular preservative and is found in many food items. When considering if a product has MSG or not, labels are often misleading and confusing. If a label on a product states that there is no MSG, one would think they were safe. However, there are over forty food ingredients besides “monosodium glutamate” (MSG) that contain MSG or create MSG during the ingredient’s production.
Because of FDA regulations, they are called by their common name such as “autolyzed yeast,” “maltodextrin,” “sodium caseinate,” and “soy sauce”. They are so common that the consumer has no clue that there is MSG in the ingredient. (Truth in Labeling).
The FDA admits that “short term reactions” known as MSG Symptom complex, effects certain groups of people. These symptoms include: numbness, burning, tingling, facial pressure or tightness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, nausea, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and weakness. (Mercola)
ARTIFICIAL SWEETNERS
Aspartame, aka known as NutraSweet (often in sugar free or diet products), is found in over six thousand products ranging from foods, beverages, laxatives, vitamins and pharmaceuticals. Reports have linked the use of aspartame to birth defects, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, seizures and emotional disorders. (Mercola)
FRAGRANCE
The International Fragrance Association, published a list of chemicals that its members use in their products. 3,163 chemicals were reported. An analysis of these chemicals showed cause for concern. Many are highly hazardous and contain hormone disrupters. (Frack, Sutton, 2010).
There are not only health concerns but environmental concerns, as fragrances are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well, which add to indoor and outdoor air pollution. Synthetic musk compounds are persistent in the environment and contaminate water and aquatic life. There is little governmental regulation of fragrance (Bridges, 2002).
Fragrance is in most everything from personal care products, household products, air fresheners, and children’s products. Fragrance is also used in food, beverages and flavorings.
Health concerns related to fragrance are found to impact the skin, respiratory, and neurological areas. Olfactory pathways are the most direct connection to the brain of any of our senses and provide a means of toxin materials entering the brain. Fragrance has been cited as a trigger for conditions such as asthma, allergies and migraine headaches.
The individual fragrance ingredients have been associated with neurotoxicity, cancer and other adverse health effects. (Suzuki).
Air Fresheners contain VOC’s and often formaldehyde. Most are neurotoxins.
PHTHALATES
Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid and are mainly used to make fragrance products last longer, make plastics flexible, and act as lubricants in cosmetics. They are also in additives to hairsprays, wood finishers and lubricants.
Phthalates are widely known as endocrine disrupters – hormone disrupters.
Phthalate exposure has been linked to early puberty in girls, reduced sperm count in men, birth defects in the developing male fetus, obesity and insulin resistance in men, and Health Canada notes that exposure may cause liver or kidney failure in young children when products are sucked or chewed for extended periods.
Stay away from fragrances/perfume, and if you must have a scent, choose organic essential oils. Beware! Natural Vanilla Fragrance does not mean “safe”. It means chemicals were used to produce the vanilla smell!
For more information, see; – Why Are People Turning Green.
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