A recent study showed that pregnant women and their 3-year-old girls tested high for bisphenol A (BPA) exposure when the moms ate foods stored in containers containing BPA. Researchers found when the mothers' BPA levels were high, the girls were more likely to show signs of hyperactivity, anxiety and depression.
BPA is chiefly used in the making of plastics and is found in plastic bottles and the inside lining of canned foods. It is also used as a color developer and therefore found on store receipts, which can be transferred to our hands. BPA interferes with the normal functioning of hormones and is linked to numerous negative health effects, such as birth defects, obesity, and breast and prostate cancer.
Yet another reason to avoid BPA. This means avoiding food and drink stored in BPA plastics (usually number 3 and 7) and BPA-lined canned foods (most canned foods), as well as refraining from heating foods in plastic containers.
Finally the U.S. government realizes the toxicity of mercury and has called for a “phase down, with the goal of eventual phase out by all Parties, of mercury amalgam.” The so-called “silver” amalgams are about 50% mercury and are a major source of mercury exposure in most people. It is great news that the U.S. government now supports eliminating this source of mercury in our environment and our bodies.
Thousands of medical studies have proven the toxicity of mercury. It can cause numerous health problems, including depression, fatigue, irritability, tremors, numbness and tingling, insomnia, mental confusion, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, low immune function, etc.
The good news is that mercury toxicity can be diagnosed and treated. There are different ways of testing (blood, hair, urine, stool) and these test results mean different things. Contact me for the best method of testing that is right for you and the safest and most efficient treatment option.
A major cause of premature aging is oxidative damage, which is caused by free radicals. Oxidative damage is linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, and degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Oxidative damage is also shown in the way we look, by causing wrinkles in the skin.
Stop and reverse this damage with powerful antioxidants. Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants and protects by scavenging free radicals. It is natural within our body, but gets depleted by a nutritionally deficient diet, exposure to toxins, and poor lifestyle choices. Along with vitamin C, B vitamins and minerals, oxidative damage can be prevented.
IV administration of these ingredients is an excellent way to bring these important nutrients to the deepest part of the body for the maximal effect. Glutathione in particular is poorly absorbed when taken orally and is therefore best taken intravenously. Stop oxidative damage…..call to schedule your anti-aging antioxidant IV today.
Heartburn (aka indigestion or acid reflux) affects many Americans, so it is no surprise that medications, such as antacids, over-the-counter acid blockers, and prescription acid blockers are big sellers. These medicines either neutralize the stomach acid or decrease stomach acid production so the acid doesn’t move up out of the stomach into the esophagus where it causes the burning discomfort. The medicines do decrease the symptoms of heartburn, but what about the long-term effects of low stomach acid?
When the stomach does not have enough acid, there will be a slow decline in general health because the body needs this acid for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. This includes calcium and other minerals that are involved in bone formation. Studies have shown that heartburn medications are linked to increased fracture risk associated with osteoporosis, most likely because of this decreased nutrient absorption. One can imagine the other negative health effects that a deficiency of nutrients can cause. In addition, stomach acid kills organisms that our bodies get exposed to, so less acid means a possible overgrowth of unwanted guests in the body.
It is important not to ignore acid reflux, also called GERD, because the cells of the esophagus can be damaged, which is serious. I recommend seeking the advice of a naturopathic physician for natural treatments in order to avoid the side effects associated with long-term use of acid reflux medications.
Dollar bills have been found to be contaminated with bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disrupting chemical. Previous studies have shown that store receipts contain BPA and it is believed that the BPA is then transferred to money. This unbound BPA can then easily be transferred to the skin and get absorbed into the body in amounts nearly equal to that from exposure to drink and food sources.
BPA is chiefly used in the making of plastics and is found in plastic bottles, including baby bottles, and the inside lining of canned foods. It is also used as a color developer, that’s why it is found on store receipts. BPA interferes with the normal functioning of hormones and is linked to numerous negative health effects, such as birth defects, obesity, and breast and prostate cancer. Sadly, a Center for Disease Control study found BPA in 95% of the people tested.
While we wait for regulation of this dangerous chemical, we can do our best to avoid our exposure to it. Try limiting canned foods and drinks, avoiding plastic food and drink storage containers, and handling receipts with care. I recommend hand washing to remove BPA residue on the skin, especially after handling receipts and money.
Mercury is the most toxic, non-radioactive element. It is a known neurotoxin, thus it causes damage to nerves and thereby can be linked to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. A recent article published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (http://iospress.metapress.com/content/j33p87808363493j/fulltext.pdf) reviewed previous studies and gave warning about the potential causal link between mercury and Alzheimer’s disease. The authors recommend the removal of the use of mercury in the public, such as in the use of dental amalgams (since they are about 50% mercury), which the authors consider a main source of exposure to mercury in humans.
Besides exposure from dental amalgams, a common source is from fish consumption. In my practice, I commonly test patients for elevations in mercury and am sad to say that it is very common. I definitely recommend proper testing for mercury, followed by safe efficient removal, if indicated.
With the increasing number of airport full-body scanners at airports around the world, more people are being exposed to radiation from this unprecedented use of radiation in the general public. The dose of radiation is actually twenty times higher than originally thought and ends up concentrating in the skin. Since radiation damages DNA, the scanners can increase the risk of skin cancer.
The good news is that everybody has the option to opt out of going through the scanner. If you do opt out, you will be taken aside and patted down. In my opinion the only down side is that it will take a few more minutes of time, but you will avoid unnecessary radiation.
Indoor air pollution is due to off-gassing of furniture, flooring, paint, and other household items. Well insulated homes have worse indoor pollution because there is less dissipation to the outside air. The toxic off-gassed chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and trichloroethylene are linked to negative health effects, such as fatigue, headaches, and even cancer.
House plants have the ability to clean the air. Through photosynthesis, they absorb these toxins, removing them from the indoor air. Some of the best plants studied are: weeping fig, English ivy, gerbera daisy, tulip, peace lily, areca palm, and bamboo palm.
Disturbingly high levels of toxic metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum) were recently found in the blubber of sperm whales. The scientists were so disturbed by the alarming results that they worry about the fate of the whales, as well as the populations of people who rely on fish as a food source. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/24/tech/main6614750.shtml)
Sperm whales are on the top of the food chain, just like humans, so they can accumulate toxins. Although a good a source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids, I am concerned about the regular consumption of fish because the toxic metals, mostly mercury, can bioaccumulate in people. I believe that most fish are just too polluted and therefore can cause significant health problems when included regularly in the diet.
If you have fatigue, chronic infections, sleep trouble, blood sugar imbalance, allergies, and an overall rundown feeling, then you might have adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands can be weakened by chronic stress, thereby effecting the production of adrenal hormones and creating an imbalance.
It is ideal to have adrenal function tested with lab tests in order to get individualized recommendations and to rule out more serious adrenal disorders. In general, to help adrenal function, the cause and reduction of the stress should be addressed. In addition, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and a group of botanicals called adaptogens (like ginseng, ashwagandha, Rhodiola) support healthy adrenal function.
