The liver is one of the most hard-working organs of the body and a healthy liver is critical to many aspects of overall wellness. Most people are aware that the liver is the main filter of the body. It is true that it plays an important role in processing nutrients and eliminating waste from the body, but did you know that this amazing organ also is a key player in the process of hormone regulation throughout the body?

Hormones are substances that are normally associated with the endocrine system, and these chemical compounds are involved in literally every metabolic process in the body both on the cellular and body tissue levels. In fact, life itself could not be possible without the presence of hormones.

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Keeping your liver healthy and strong is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain overall wellness. This critically hard-working organ, which is located in the right abdominal area, has been called the “laboratory of the body,” and for many good reasons.  Researchers estimate that the liver performs over 500 functions in the body. Some of these include:

• Filtering all food and liquids, assimilating and distributing nutrients, and removing toxins and waste products.
• Creating bile, necessary for digestion of fats and other substances
• Burning and metabolizing fat in the body
• Regulating hormones
• Purifying the blood and removes damaged blood cells
• Performing many necessary circulatory functions
• Balancing blood sugar
• Regulating fluid levels in the body
• Storing and distributing vitamins, minerals, and other crucial nutrients
• Boosting the immune system

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According to Michael O’Heaney ”the big cosmetics companies aren’t such big fans of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010—legislation recently introduced to require more strict regulation of their business—or of our new movie. The Personal Care Products Council went so far as to issue a statement calling The Story of Cosmetics a ‘repugnant and absurd…shockumentary.’”  There’s a good reason the cosmetics industry doesn’t like all the attention it’s getting:  for years, they’ve been largely left alone to decide what’s safe to put in their products. You know, things like lead in lipstick. Neurotoxins in body spray. Carcinogens in baby wash.

It’s time that consumers know exactly what is in everything that is put on or in their body.  Gone are the days when we should place blind trust and faith in huge manufacturers and corporations to give us safe personal care products and food.  We now know that their track record is not one that has come from an interest in consumer safety. 

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Summer is here, and with it comes an increased exposure to the sun for most of us. Despite the bad reputation being out in the sun has developed in recent years, when done properly it can be wonderful for your health. If you stay out of the sun during peak hours (generally 10am-4pm), and if you use safe and effective sunscreen, sunshine is the best source of vitamin D available. Vitamin D is a powerful nutrient that has many health benefits, including improving and protecting your skin and supporting your immune system so that your own body can keep itself well.

As we get out in the sun more often, many people are concerned about the drying and aging effects of sunshine on the skin. This is certainly a legitimate concern, so let’s discuss some ways to not only protect ourselves from the sun, but from other factors that can cause our skin to age prematurely as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Despite the bad reputation that fat has developed in recent years, our bodies need a certain amount of the right kinds of fats in order to function well and prevent disease. Certain oils are excellent sources of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients. Let’s take a look at several oils that can be very beneficial to our health.

A Word about Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

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We’ve all heard the statistics. America’s children are seriously overweight, and many of them are dangerously obese. This sad state of affairs has numerous causes, and opens up the next generation to a slew of health problems both now and in the future. It is time we as parents/grandparents and concerned adults take inventory of what we may be doing – or not doing – to contribute to this travesty, and even more importantly to examine how we can help to turn this trend around.

Who Is To Blame?

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There are several reasons why a boycott of major grocery producers would be a rational and appropriate response. Issues like genetically modified foods (GMO) and the mistreatment of animals bred for consumption are a couple that come quickly to mind.

However, there is currently a piece of major legislation being considered by the U.S. Senate, known as the Food Safety Modernization Act, which has drawn out the ire and political clout of the grocery industry. Senator Diane Feinstein of California is pushing for an amendment that would ban a substance called Bisphenol-A (or BPA as it is more commonly called) from use in all food and beverage containers. The scientific research is very convincing that BPA is a dangerous toxin, but groups such as the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are up in arms about the proposed amendment. The bottom line is money – to no surprise – as these groups are more concerned with profits than they are about the health of their customers. Read the rest of this entry »

The adrenals are a part of the body’s very complex Endocrine System. They are a matching pair of glands, each about the size of a walnut, that are located above both kidneys. They may be small, but the adrenals play a crucial role in our overall wellness. Their main function is to produce and regulate several key hormones. These include adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

When the adrenal glands are working properly, they help the body to healthily respond to stressful situations by temporarily releasing more hormones. The results may include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, a surge of energy, and heightened senses. This collective response is commonly called “fight or flight,” and is designed to help us manage short-term stress.

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Be aware that this documentary will most likely lean toward the side of pro-vaccination.  However, it is very important for every family to know the arguments on both sides of the coin and then make an educated choice for their own family.  Obviously there is high concern about vaccination safety, as well there should be and until we have studies that can tell us “why” children are presenting health concerns right after a vaccination or a series of vaccinations then we must continue to ask question and observe tremendous caution. 

PBS Description of the One Hour Documentary

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According to an FDA press release on April 8th, 2010 the FDA has decided to begin studies on the safety of Triclosan a common chemical ingredient in antibacterial cosmetics, soaps, body washes and other personal care products.  Triclosan is also found in products such as clothing (marketed as Microban®), socks, kitchenware, furniture, and toys. Recent research on animals suggests that Triclosan may have negative effects on the endocrine system, which is responsible for secreting hormones that help regulate growth, mood, metabolism, etc.  Past research has indicated that the chemical might help to create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

According to the FDA website, www.fda.gov, in January 2010, Rep. Edward J. Markey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, sent a letter to the FDA requesting information about the status of FDA’s ongoing review of triclosan in consumer products. In responding to the Chairman’s letter, the FDA explained that, in light of animal studies raising questions about triclosan’s safety, the agency is engaged in an ongoing scientific review to incorporate the most up-to-date data and information into the regulations that govern consumer products containing triclosan. The FDA does not have sufficient safety evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan at this time.  Studies are not scheduled to be completed until the Spring of 2011 and in the meantime Triclosan continues to be included in a growing amount of products.

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We can all rest a bit easier and breathe a bit deeper because another urban legend has been laid to rest. According to Jeffrey Smith, author of Seeds of Deception, those numerical PLU code labels stuck on grocery store produce (which we have been taught to scrutinize) do NOT indicate whether the produce has been genetically modified or not.

According to Smith’s recent blog on The Huntington Post: The 4-digit PLU codes on the sometimes-pain-in-the-neck labels glued to apples, for example, tell the checkout lady which is a small Fuji (4129) and which is a Honeycrisp (3283). She’ll know what to charge you and the inventory elves will know what’s what. If there’s a 5-digit code starting with 9, then it’s organic. These numbers, organized by the Produce Marketing Association, have nothing to do with you. According to Kathy Means, Association Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs, this is an optional convention for retailers and their supplier and is not designed as a communication tool for customers. If you want to know which items are organic, look for the word Organic; and stop squinting at tiny codes. 

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The results of continual marketing and use of harmful pesticides and herbicides on our lawns, playgrounds and golf courses are now showing up as very real health concerns for many Americans, especially children.  It seems that a beautiful lawn and the status it brings is becoming more important than our long-term safety and health.  Chemical companies continue their mantra that poisons are really safe and cause no harm to our environment or health.  We now have enough evidence that this is not what evidence is showing.  Enough is Enough.  It’s time to take a look at the real truth and not from someone trying to sell you a “green lawn.”  Try something different this year — first educate yourself about the organic lawn movement and organic gardening and then put into practice what you have learned.  I think you will find that you can still have a beautiful lawn and productive garden without the hazards of chemicals.  And when your neghbors ask — take the time to share and educate!  Most of the information below is from www.safelawns.org

Wives of Pesticide Applicators at Risk

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