Even though we may think we’re avoiding toxins, doing this is much easier said than done.
That’s because we’re literally swimming in a stream of chemicals.
So we can’t avoid toxic compounds entirely. But we can greatly limit our exposure. Especially if we know what to look for.
We need to go beyond the obvious. It’s not just household cleaners clearly labeled “poison” that pose a hazard to our health.
It’s common everyday products. Such as that heavenly smelling scented candle you like to burn just before company comes over.
It makes your home smell fresh and clean.
However, it’s also pumping poisons into the air. (Keep reading and I’ll tell you all about paraffin-based candles.)
Also, some natural healthy foods contain a chemical known for promoting inflammation. (Many holistic health experts consider chronic inflammation the root cause of disease.)
Everyone has a certain level of inflammation. But too much inflammation can apparently trigger a wide range of health problems, including cancer and heart disease.
There may be hidden poisons in your home. Here’s how to spot them and root them out.
5 Household Toxins You May Not Be Aware Of
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- Paraffin Candles – Those lovely scented candles in a jar seem so inviting. They smell so good. They’re excellent at covering up unpleasant cooking odors. So we like to burn them when people visit. But I’ve thrown away all my scented candles. Because I know they’re made from paraffin. They’re not really wax, a substance produced by bees. They’re made from a petroleum byproduct. Paraffin candles are a big source of indoor air pollution. Then there’s the artificial fragrance, made with unknown chemicals. A much better option is burning natural beeswax candles, which some believe help clean the air. Instead of paraffin candles, I now use an essential oil diffuser to make my house smell better.
- Parabens – These compounds are typically used as preservatives. They’re added to a wide range of cosmetics and personal care items. In fact, you have to hunt in order to find a product that’s paraben free. Fortunately, a growing array of natural plant-based substitutes have come onto the market. These are made without parabens and they say so on the label. Typically either Vitamin E or plant based extracts are used as preservatives. The problem with parabens is that they mimic estrogen. So there’s growing concern that parabens could fuel a hormone driven cancer. Parabens have been found to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells in the lab.
- Flea Control Products – No one wants a flea infestation inside their house. But there are various steps you can take, short of dousing Fido with potentially dangerous chemicals. Flea and tick products have been known to cause animal injury and even death. It’s also known that using these products on your animals will result in human exposure. No one wants their animal to suffer from flea and tick bites. So talk to your vet about natural flea control. One thing I do is to add several drops of a special essential oil blend to my vacuum canister. Then I vacuum up any flea eggs. With the essential oils added, the canister becomes a hostile environment for fleas. Then I empty the canister into the trash and immediately take the trash out. You can also buy natural flea and tick spray, with essential oils as the active ingredients. (Insects hate essential oils.)
- Glyphosate – This is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup. It’s used on genetically modified food crops, which are bred to survive being sprayed with glyphosate. Unfortunately, glyphosate is now linked to a number of health problems. A landmark case in California resulted in a large award to a couple who believe they developed cancer because they often used a weed spray with glyphosate. The World Health Organization has labeled glyphosate as a “probable” human carcinogen. Avoiding this chemical is not as easy as it sounds. Because it’s used on genetically modified food crops. So much of our food supply is genetically modified. In our house, we avoid glyphosate by buying organic food or items that contain a Non GMO Project label.
- Carageenan – This seaweed extract is known to promote inflammation. Many people already suffer from chronic inflammation. The last thing they need is to eat something that could create more inflammation. (Everyone has a certain level of inflammation in their body. The problem is that too many of us have too much.) Even though carageenan comes from a natural source, many natural health experts consider it unhealthy. However, it’s still added to certain USDA Certified Organic foods. So read the labels carefully.
Getting Rid of Household Toxins
I’ll add another bonus toxin we should worry about. Mercury, which you can find in mascara.
That’s right. It’s legal to sell mascara that contains a bit of mercury? At least in the United States.
The problem is that mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause neurological problems. There’s really no safe level of mercury.
Mascara goes on our eyelashes. But it tends to flake and run. So the only sane solution is to use a totally mercury free mascara, such as Physicians Formula 100 Percent Natural Origin Mascara, which I first discovered years ago.
With natural mascara, you give up anything in terms of beauty. It still darkens and thickens your lashes.
For me, it flaked less than the drugstore brand I had been using. A little bit of mercury may seem like no big deal. But, remember. Most women wear mascara every day and apply it multiple times in the course of a day.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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