CDC: Americans Carry Body Burden of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical

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A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that 97% of Americans are contaminated with a widely-used sunscreen ingredient called oxybenzone that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. A companion study published just one day earlier revealed that this chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Oxybenzone is also a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals penetrate the skin.

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Apple pectin, apple juice extracts shown to have anticarcinogenic effects on colon

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Using human fecal matter as the test substance, German researchers Dr. Dieter Schrenk, M.D. and his colleagues hypothesized that the compound butyrate could be increased in the presence of apple pectin and apple juice extracts.

Butyrate has been suggested to be a chemopreventative metabolite that might prevent the occurrence of colorectal cancer, which is very common in Western industrialized countries. It is a short chain fatty acid which is seen as a major factor contributing to healthy colon mucosa. The research notes, “Butyrate not only serves as a major nutrient for the colon epithelia but is also thought to play an important role in the protective effect of natural fiber against colorectal cancer.”

So how do apple pectin and apple juice extracts play a role in increasing amounts of butyrate" The laboratory tests performed by Shrenk found that by the increased production of butyrate via the addition of apple components, histone deacetlyases (HDAC) were inhibited. With slowed production of HDAC, there would be significantly less growth of precancerous and tumor cells.

The research, published in the April 2008 issue of Nutrition, notes, “apples are a major source of natural fiber and of low molecular weight plan polyphenols in the Western diet.” The researchers conclude, “Pectin-rich apple products can thus be expected to exert anticarginogenic effects in the colon.”
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Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

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Our understanding of how endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormones and other chemical signalers is growing rapidly. Once thought to primarily interfere with hormone receptors, we now know the culprits impact a wide range of signaling processes. They can interfere with hormone binding, transport, and production; gene expression; and a host of other cell regulatory mechanisms. These disruptions may affect the endocrine, immune and neural systems and may lead to developmental, reproductive, metabolic, brain, and behavior problems.

There is no doubt that the physical world, and a good portion of its human and animal life, is exposed to and contaminated with EDCs. Some are natural plant compounds called phytochemicals. Others are synthetic versions mostly released during human activities.

The long list of known and potential EDCs are found in:

• water, soil, and air
• plants
• processed foods
• pharmaceuticals
• personal care products
  household products
• plastics
• pesticides
• industrial chemicals
• humans and wildlife

Still, no simple conclusions about effects can be drawn. Even though exposure is widespread, we still don’t know the full extent of health risks and problems associated with EDCs.

Clearly, wildlife studies, laboratory experiments, and human experiences do provide evidence of health effects and intergenerational impacts from exposure to high concentrations of these ubiquitous substances. Male feminization, lower fertility, and other reproductive and developmental problems occur in a host of invertebrate species and wild fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Human impacts could be likely for certain individuals or populations in specific regions of the world. Attention has focused on health problems arising when EDCs interfere with estrogens, androgens, and other sex hormones and the thyroid hormones. These powerful messengers are key for proper functioning of the reproductive, immune, and central nervous systems. Health effects associated with EDCs include reproductive problems, such as reduced fertility, male and female reproductive tract abnormalities, and skewed male/female sex ratios; early puberty; brain and behavior problems; impaired immune functions; and various cancers.

Probably the most convincing evidence for human impacts comes from diethylstilbestrol (DES). DES, a strong synthetic estrogen banned since the 1970s, was given to pregnant women to prevent miscarriages. Years later, the grown daughters and sons of women who took the drug were having more reproductive problems and higher cancer rates than those not exposed to DES in the womb. Mice studies confirmed that DES caused the reproductive problems and certain cancers (including the rare rete-testicular cancer in males). More recent animal studies find granddaughters and sons may also be affected (CDC 2005).

Less clear, though, are impacts from daily, low level exposures to chemical mixtures.

Whether long-term exposure to low levels of EDCs causes health problems in adult wildlife and humans is still a question. Developing fetuses and embryos, whose growth and development is highly controlled by endocrine signals, may be the most vulnerable to and have the most lasting effects.

Many consensus statements issued and endorsed by scientists and scientific organizations echo this. The Wingspread statements, the Weybridge Report, and the Prague Declaration on Endocrine Disruption are examples.

The World Health Organization’s 2002 global report on endocrine disrupters also concluded that there is sufficient evidence of health effects from high-level exposure to EDCs in wildlife and weaker evidence for humans. Uncertainty from constant, low-level exposure “make understanding the potential effects posed by exposure to these chemicals an obvious international priority.”(IPCS 2002)
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Typical North American diet is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids

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New research from the Child & Family Research Institute shows the typical North American diet of eating lots of meat and not much fish is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and this may pose a risk to infant neurological development. Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats found in some fish such as salmon and herring and in smaller amounts in eggs and chicken. This discovery is an important step towards developing dietary fat guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Current dietary recommendations evolved from the 1950’s emphasis on reducing saturated fat intake to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The study is published March 7th, 2008 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

“Omega 3 fatty acids are important for the baby’s developing eyes and brain,” says Dr. Sheila Innis, the study’s principal investigator, head of the nutrition and metabolism program at the Child & Family Research Institute at BC Children’s Hospital, and professor, department of pediatrics, University of British Columbia.

“During pregnancy and breastfeeding, fat consumed by the mum is transferred to the developing baby and breastfed infant, and this fat is important for the baby’s developing organs. Our next task is to find out why the typical North American diet puts mothers at risk. Then we can develop dietary recommendations to help women consume a nutritious diet that promotes optimal health for mums and babies.”

The researchers found that the women who ate lots of meat and little fish were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and their babies didn’t do as well on eye tests as babies from mothers who weren’t deficient. The results were noticeable as early as two months of age.

The study is ongoing as the researchers intend to follow the children’s development until four years of age. For the study, the researchers recruited 135 pregnant women and randomly assigned them to either a group that took an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or one that took a placebo. All the women continued eating their regular diets. The supplement added the equivalent of two fatty fish meals per week, an amount that the researchers estimated would prevent deficiency. The researchers tested the women’s blood samples at 16 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and measured the amount of DHA (docasohexaenoic acid), a type of omega-3 fatty acids that’s known to be important for brain and eye function.

After the babies were born, the researchers did vision tests to evaluate the infants’ ability to distinguish lines of different widths. It’s an innovative way of evaluating neurological maturity in babies who are unable to talk. Since the eyes are connected to the brain, they reflect the brain’s development.

The aim of this study was to contribute to a growing body of knowledge that focuses on the dietary needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women. More research is needed to identify recommended daily amounts of omega 3 fatty acids.

“For better health, it’s important for pregnant and nursing mums – and all of us – to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, eggs, and fish while minimizing consumption of processed and prepared foods,” says Dr. Innis.

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Learn About Lavender

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The lavender flower is the symbol of Provence. It’s native to southern France and the Canary Islands. It’s a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), with its silvery foliage and tall purple flowers, this herb is an attractive addition to any perennial bed. It’s characteristic scent is stored in oil glands embedded among its flowers, leaves and stems, and the result is a plant that has served people functionally, therapeutically, as well as aesthetically. Lavender blooms year after year, each flower stem has to be harvested just when the flowers start to open up. At this point the essential oils are at their peak. Originally from the Latin word "lavare" that means "to wash," ancient cultures had many uses for this fragrant plant.

Throughout history, lavender oil, and lavender skin care have been prized for thier impressive healing properties. It was used by the ancient Romans for its healing and antiseptic properties, the name itself comes from the Latin "lavare" which means - to wash. It is strong cleansing and germicidal effects make it valuable in the treatment of skin disorders and injuries. The lavender plant has a long-standing history as a folk medicine, for centuries it has been used for it benefits in cosmetic, medicinal and decorative uses -
* It was used on the battle fields of World Wars I and II to prevent infection and relieve pain when other medical supplies were scarce.
* During epidemics, the Persians, Greeks, and Romans burned the aromatic lavender branches to protect themselves from "bad emanations" in the sick rooms.
* At the beginning of the century, in France, lavandières (washerwomen) used it in the washtub. They placed lavender in the laundry baskets to perfume their linens.
* In Provence, in the classrooms, when pupils were nervous and disruptive, the teachers crushed lavender seeds to calm the students.

Lavender has many benefits, here are some of them -
* Lavender is antibacterial, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, antiviral, anticoagulant, carminative, cordial, deodorant, decongestant, diuretic, hypotensive, insecticidal, parasiticidal, restorative, sedative, tonic, vermifugal, and vulnerary. It’s Good for the mind, body & soul, Lavender helps support a calm composure and reduces irritability, apprehension, stress, nervous tension, insomnia, nightmares, and is generally balancing to the psyche as well as the body.

Lavender Skin Care works well in the treatment of acne, eczema, dermatitis, fungus, burns and wounds. It makes a refreshing astringent as well as an effective Skin Care moisturizer. It can alleviate aches, pains and swelling from arthritis, injury, headache, and other maladies. Lavender can also alleviate motion sickness, and research shows that lavender is beneficial for the treatment of indigestion, hypoglycemia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, kidney stones and anemia. It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.
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