Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Deodorants

One thing at a time ~

I was on the phone with a friend discussing healthy choices he wants to incorporate in his life promoting Longevity & wellness. We discussed Lotions, personal hygiene, hair dyes and Deodorants. I would like to elaborate the subject of Deodorants.

Toxic Ingredients in Antiperspirant, Brain Health, and Alzheimer's

Aluminum, a common ingredient in deodorant and antiperspirant, is often linked to Alzheimer's and brain disorders and is a possible risk factor in breast cancer.

In a culture where being well-groomed and attractive are almost a necessity, dependence on deodorant and antiperspirant is a must. But few know the health hazards present in the everyday underarm cosmetic. Beyond the synthetic fragrances and toxic ingredients found in most personal care products, antiperspirant and deodorant are loaded with aluminum compounds that have been linked to Alzheimer's disease and brain disorders, respiratory disorders, and possibly cancer.

What is Aluminum? Aluminum is one of the most common elements in the environment and the world's most common metal. It is used in cans and aluminum foil, as lightweight sheet metal in airplanes and other machinery, in electrical wiring - and in personal care products such as underarm deodorant and antiperspirant. Aluminum oxide, also present in deodorants, is often used as a coating and is the major compound in rubies and sapphires.

Aluminum is a Toxin

  • In 1993, the World Health Organization said, "There is a suspected link between Alzheimer's disease and the toxicity of aluminum." (2)
  • The Agency for Toxic Substances and & Disease Registry reports that "Exposure to high levels of aluminum may result in respiratory and neurological problems."

Aluminum Compounds in Deodorant and Antiperspirant – Locking Poisons In: The problem with deodorants and antiperspirants is not only the aluminum, but how it works to reduce sweat and smelly odors.

Aluminum compounds or aluminum salts, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), are key ingredients in almost every antiperspirant. They are powerful astringents that close pores, stopping sweat and odor from escaping the body.

Antiperspirants may leave the outside of the body smelling fresh and clean – but inside, the toxins that would have escaped the body in the sweat have nowhere to go. For this reason, antiperspirants have been linked to problems with the sweat glands and lymph glands in and around the underarms.

I know what everyone is thinking “that natural stuff doesn’t work.”

Not True ~ I will mention that most people who use the Crystals are very happy but they compensate by shaving under their arms. The hair holds the moisture and odor so removing it cuts down wetness and smell.

And people, you are what you eat so if you are eating sugar, processed food, drink soda, smoke you will definitely smell. Your body is trying to get rid of the poisons.
Then I read: aluminum compound, such as aluminum chlorhydrate or aluminum zirconium, which is very soluble, is used as an antiperspirant, that compound is readily absorbed. Once in the body, the aluminum portion of the molecule ionizes, forming free or radical aluminum (Al+++). This passes freely across cell membranes, and forms a physical plug, that when dissolved is selectively absorbed by the liver, kidney, brain, cartilage and bone marrow. It is this concentration of aluminum that has been the source of concern in the medical community and has prompted the research being done on ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE and BREAST CANCER victims. Potassium alum molecules have a negative ionic charge, making it unable to pass through the cell wall. THEY ARE NOT ABSORBED. This is why our deodorants are safe to use and will not cause high levels of ALUMINUM in your system. ALUM and ALUMINUM are two different substances, with distinct chemical signatures. They possess different chemical properties which create different chemical attributes.

Sources: http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/aluminum_in_deodorant#ixzz0G5hizgNA&BVictoria Anisman-Reiner, B.Sc., C.C.A., is a writer, a teacher in holistic health and energy healing, an aromatherapist, and an avid and opinionated reader.

And: http://www.ssmartco.com/deo/aluminum.htm

Saturday, May 16, 2009

You are what you EAT

Dermatology Times, March 2009 (page 71)

Eating foods rich in probiotics is a good habit to practice to ensure healthy skin, Vitamins such as C and D enhance epidermal function, and skin hydration is met through consumption of adequate amounts of water.

They go on to drive the point home by stating:
'Intestinal health is the most important instrument to ensure health of the epidermis.' say Georges Mouton, M.D., a GP who specializes in dietary and nutritional counseling in London.

Vitamin D found in fish and fortified milk improves epidermal function. While there is a concern about sun exposure and people I preach the SUNBLOCK rule every day to everyone in my path..
too little sunlight is not necessarily positive. In areas of the world where individuals experience cold winters, they are less likely to derive vitamin D from sunlight, they need to look for alternative sources of Vitamin D.

Vitamins C & A
C is rich in such foods as guava also improves epidermal functions.
Licopene, which is abundant in cooked tomatoes, is photoprotective, as is luteine, a carotenoid that is found in abundant qualities in spinach.
A confers immune support and has an antioxidizing impact.

Zinc is found in foods such as oysters but is also in many dermatologic products. Fish oils found in fish such as salmon, halibut, tuna and mackerel and anchovies possess anti-inflammatory properties. It's best to eat fish that is low in mercury... again we are back to Salmon.

I live off Salmon and Whitefish, baked (wrapped in Parchment Paper) Clean up is simple and easy It cook in it's own juices, you can add any type of spices. Basic and easy, add steamed veggies and a little brown rice, it's the perfect meal.

Selenium is good for the skin and has anti-cancer properties

With this information like any other, please do what resonates with you.
Change one thing at a time, add one thing, include it with what you are doing.

They suggest at the end of the article that every one should obtain a blood test to find out what you are deficient in. Good advice, I feel conscious healthy living and choices come from common sense
Simple: 5-8 oz of fish, a salad or steamed veggie is the meal I consume the majority of the time.
This allows me to dine out and not feel I have to count calories or deprive myself.
I will actually share a dessert

It's better to know what nutrients you are missing before spending money on supplements to improve your skin that might have no impact on you.

Common Sense and Focus is needed if you want to enjoy the final years healthy or in "care".

Do a little research yourself, you want to eat more Vitamin D
get on a search engine and type "natural foods rich in Vitamin D" and so on
I can't fix the menu for you, you need to work within your life.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Belly Fat

I was reading Better Nutrition magazine and came across this article:

Find out why your waist-to-hip ratio is more important then you think

Fat that's stored around the middle is known as VAT - visceral abdominal tissue. You may affectionately refer to it as a beer belly or love handles, but it's anything but benign and has nothing to do with love. A Substantial amount of research has shown that VAT significantly increases the risk for all kinds of problems, from high blood pressure to diabetes to metabolic syndrome. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that excess abdominal fat almost doubled the risk of death from a host of diseases, including stroke, heart disease, and cancer.

Why is belly fat so much more of a problem than regular, garden-variety fat?

The answer seems to lie in the difference in how adbominal fat actually functions. It tends to be more active in producing hormones and chemical messengers that cause inflammation thoughout the body. "Most of the research suggests that abdominal fat at least triples the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and abnormal cholesterol levels," says Dr. JoAnn Manson, a Harvard Endocrinologist.

I'm going to mention the diseases several times until you get it,
Why is health care so expensive they ask?

Subcutaneous fat- the kind that gets stored on the thighs, butt, and upper arms - is the kind you can pinch and is stored right below the skin. Unattractive and annoying, but basically harmless... except if you don't mind losing your knees or ankles due to stress and extra weight but that is going to be address in another blog.

Way to measure:

#1 measure your waist
The danger point seems to be 35 inches for women and 40 inches for the men

That's why a metric called waist-to-hip ratio may turn out to be more important than either your weight or your body mass index (BMI), the old standard wway of calculation if you are overweight.

Here's how to do it, my measurements are included:
Measure the circumference of your waist at its smallest point (30.5)
Measure the circumference of your hips and their widest point (36.5)
Divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement (= 0.83)

Women within the 0.85 and with men at 0.9 range seem to be less susceptible to all sorts of major diseases, from diabetes to heart disease to cancer.

I have one thing to say about this:

STOP EATING SUGAR, REFINED SUGAR!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Acne Study Needs Participants

SunSoul’s innovative solution to skin conditions both medical and cosmetic is responding to the growing focus on natural, convenient therapies and healthy lifestyle.

Today’s enlightened consumer wants quality alternatives and compliments to conventional drug based treatments, and costly, time consuming medical procedures.

There are currently two sites for an Acne study here in Los Angeles.

The doctors are only charging a consult fee; product will be given for FREE.

UCLA

Dr. Helen Fincher, Dermatologist

100 Ucla Medical Plaza Ste 590
Los Angeles, CA 90024

310.794.7422

Santa Monica

Dr. Karyn Grossman, Dermatologist (310) 998-0040

1301 Twentieth Street, Suite 350

Santa Monica, CA 90404

310.998.0040


For more information about Sun Soul to go: www.sunsoul.com