Are the Chemicals in Your Facial Moisturizer Harming You?

Don’t you love that fresh clean feeling just after you wash your face?

Then you may put on a moisturizer (especially if you are maturing like myself (:)

It makes your skin feel smoother and it may even give you a glow?

We are doing this so our skin is healthy and moisturized to keep it looking young and less wrinkled.

But do you know what chemicals you may be putting in your body? Do you know they may be doing you more harm then good?

Before getting into learning about health – I never thought about it.  I used whatever lotion I had, thinking I was doing my skin a favor.  What I didn’t know was how awful for me the chemical filled lotions were.

Here are a few examples of common ingredients in moisturizers:

• Propylene Glycol (PG) & Butylene Glycol. These are petroleum plastics that easily penetrate the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. PG is a solvent so powerful it dissolves through a stainless steel tank in 48 hours so it has to be stored in plastic drums. The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles. However, Propylene Glycol is used in some products in concentrations of up to 20%. It is also the main ingredient in certain types of Antifreeze. How’s that for good skin care?

• Mineral Oil. A petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. It interferes with the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. It slows down skin function and cell development. Note: Baby Oil is 100% Mineral Oil!

• DMDM Hydantoin. Just one of the many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep.

• Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. Do you really want to take the chance that they might do so? In the July 2002 issue of the Archives of Toxicology , Dr. S. Oishi of the Department of Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health reported that exposure of newborn male mammals to butylparaben “adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system.” If that is not enough to avoid a product that can easily be avoided, I don’t know what is! There are a lot of other reports available all over the internet, but most of them are all related to reproductive health in some way or another. Not really something to mess with, huh?

Does this information surprise you? Remember the primary reason a cosmetic company is in business is for profit. These synthetic ingredients are plentiful and inexpensive therefore allowing more room for profit. Even products claiming to be natural often bury the few natural ingredients in a long list of synthetic chemicals. There is no legal definition for the word natural, so don’t be fooled. Read the labels carefully and verify for yourself.

Why does the FDA allow ingredients like these in products that are applied to the largest organ we have – our skin?

Most consumers would be surprised to learn that the government does not require health studies or pre-market testing for cosmetics and other personal care products before they are sold. According to the government agency that regulates cosmetics, the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “…a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA” (FDA 1995).

Lovely!  Any ingredients.

The toxicity of product ingredients is scrutinized almost exclusively by a self-policing industry safety committee, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel. Because testing is voluntary and controlled by the manufacturers, many ingredients in cosmetics products are not safety tested at all. Environmental Working Group’s analysis of industry and government sources shows that:

*  Eighty-nine (89) percent of the 10,500 ingredients FDA has determined are used in personal care products (FDA 2000) have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR, the FDA, or any other publicly accountable institution (FDA 2000, CIR 2003).

The absence of government oversight for this $35 billion industry leads to companies routinely marketing products with ingredients that are poorly studied, not studied at all, or worse, known to pose potentially serious health risks.

Well they wouldn’t knowingly add harmful ingredients – right?

One of every 120 products on the market contains ingredients certified by government authorities as known or probable human carcinogens, including shampoos, lotions, make-up foundations, and lip balms manufactured by Almay, Neutrogena, Grecian Formula, and others. An astonishing one-third of all products contain one or more ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens.

Nearly 70 percent of all products contain ingredients that can be contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other health problems. Studies by FDA and European agencies show that these impurities are common, in some cases occurring in nearly half of all products tested (FDA 1996, DTI 1998). Some manufacturers buy ingredients certified by an independent organization called United States Pharmacopeia (USP). These ingredients may contain lower levels of harmful impurities, but the criteria for certification are not public. There are no federal standards for ingredient purity. While it seems likely that some companies purchase or manufacture refined, purified ingredients, it is equally likely that many do not. Consumers and government health officials have no way to know.

Facial moisturizers are put on your face 1-2 times a day!  I know I don’t want to take the chance….

For woman who are thinking of having children, according to this study,  will most likely affect your unborn children.

Look at this study:

World Wildlife Fund (UK)

• 30 new-born babies
• Blood tests taken from the umbilical cord
• Analyzed for the presence of 35 chemicals
• Every baby tested positive for chemicals
• Chemicals found have suspected links to birth defects, genital abnormalities, and certain types of cancer
• All babies contained at least 5 of the 35 chemicals
• Some contained as many as 14 of the 35 chemicals

If you want something that moisturizes and much more and it only contains three ingredients that are so natural you eat them – give Sateen Facial Oil a try!

Sateen is a proprietary, organic, and all-natural citrus blend of Orange and Lemon Oils in a base of Sweet Almond Oil that works as an effective all-in-one facial product.

You are worth it.  Your face deserves it.  Your skin will thank you.

To Your Health!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Will the Swine Flu Get You?

I sure hope not … there are some steps you can take to help lower your risk.

A really easy one that I heard President Obama say last night on TV

WASH YOUR HANDS! And like I told my daughter, DON”T PUT YOUR HANDS IN YOUR MOUTH, NOSE, Or EYES! Easier said then done I know… you get an eyelash or something in your eye – that goes out the window unless you are very conscientious about it.

Plenty of rest, eat healthy (omit sugar), drink plenty of water, and take quality supplements like KRILL OIL (for omega 3’s), and PROBIOTICS (for the ‘good’ gut flora which is a natural anti-viral)!

Sound familiar?  Same thing you hear when it is the winter ‘flu’ season.

If you’d rather not try the natural ways to avoid it and if you do end up with the Swine Flu – Plan on getting some Tamiflu?

Per Dr. Mercola’s article -

Remember, Tamiflu went through some rough times not too long ago, as the dangers of this drug came to light when, in 2007, the FDA finally began investigating some 1,800 adverse event reports related to the drug. Common side effects of Tamiflu include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Cough

All in all, the very symptoms you”re trying to avoid.

More serious symptoms included convulsions, delirium or delusions, and 14 deaths in children and teens as a result of neuropsychiatric problems and brain infections (which led Japan to ban Tamiflu for children in 2007). And that”s for a drug that, when used as directed, only reduces the duration of influenza symptoms by 1 to 1 ½ days, according to the official data.

But making matters worse, some patients with influenza are at HIGHER risk for secondary bacterial infections when on Tamiflu. And secondary bacterial infections, as I mentioned earlier, was likely the REAL cause of the mass fatalities during the 1918 pandemic!

I think I’d rather try to avoid getting it if possible.

Hoping for a vaccine in the near future?  You might not ever want a flu vaccine again after you watch this!- What Ingredients are in Your Flu Shot? You’ll Be Shocked!

So all this media coverage got me thinking… Where the heck did this come from?

Supposedly, they don’t know…. but the Health Freedom Alliance has stated -

“It appears this strain was created in a lab and “escaped.” Take necessary action now to boost your immune system.

Wondering more about this “escape” – I found more about this in Mercola’s special report -

The UN expert believes that Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and the current A-H1N1 swine flu virus are biological warfare agents.

In addition, Army criminal investigators are looking into the possibility that disease samples are missing from biolabs at Fort Detrick — the same Army research lab from which the 2001 anthrax strain was released, according to a recent article in the Fredrick News Post.¹³ In February, the top biodefense lab halted all its research into Ebola, anthrax, plague, and other diseases known as “select agents,” after they discovered virus samples that weren”t listed in its inventory and might have been switched with something else. (click here to ready the full theory.)

Wow, what a mess…

I’ll be ordering extra Vitamin C, Probiotics, and drinking a lot of water after washing my hands and not touching my face!

My best to you!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Could Taking A ‘GREENS SUPPLEMENT’ Help You?

For most people – DEFINITELY!

Why?

Because Western diets that are typically high in meat [protein] and carbohydrate consumption are highly acidic [because acid is needed to break down proteins and carbohydrates]. Greens food are plant based so they help keep the body’s sensitive pH balance in an alkaline and healthy state.

Unless most of your diet consists of vegetables and fruits with an emphasis on eating them raw – you are probably lacking some of the nutrients your body wants!

Less than 11 percent of all Americans meet the USDA minimum recommended guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption.

With our hectic lives, it’s never easy to squeeze in all of those servings of fruits and vegetables, but getting balanced whole food nutrition is vital for optimal health!

Diets high in fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of obesity and some chronic health diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Are you missing out on the health benefits of a nutritionally-rich diet?

It’s easy to increase your daily consumption of nutritious whole foods with our amazing Green Garden formula.

If you are looking for a raw vegetable blend to super-charge your diet look no further!

One of the best parts about Frequency Foods Green Garden Formula is that it comes in both powder & capsules!

There are quite a few Greens on the market – yet it is hard to find them in Capsule form for those who prefer it – especially kids!

Another reason you should choose Green Garden from Frequency Foods….

Green Garden contains NO fillers, flowing agents (many manufacturers use talcum powder…ugh!), and absolutely no synthetic additives or preservatives. All the raw materials used in Green Garden are analyzed for purity and vitality before AND AFTER manufacturing. The product quality is unsurpassed!

Why Not Give it a try – see how you feel!

To Your Health!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Is the High Fructose Corn Syrup Ad Right – Is it Harmless?

A few friends had mentioned seeing a commercial stating that High Fructose Corn Syrup was natural and harmless.  I finally saw it myself this weekend.  Wow, what I was most amazed about was the lack of information that was given.  I guess when you are trying to promote a unhealthy product, less is more.

If you haven’t seen it – a man and woman are picnicking and the woman is holding a red Popsicle.  She offers it to him and he declines because it has high fructose corn syrup in it.  When she asks him Why that is a ‘bad’ thing, he is unable to respond.  This is the crux of the commercial, he can’t verbalize WHY it has a negative effect on his health.  Because of this, she tells him that it is made from corn and it is natural.  Then finishing with something about it being OK in moderation.

The sad fact is unless you have a PhD in natural health and /or nutrition, it is hard to articulate what you’ve read and believe. I know… I still have trouble sometimes and it has been my main reading/hobby/interest/career for the last 5 years!

Having a massive interest in ‘natural’ food and ‘alternative’ health, spawned by my daughter’s miraculous recovery from JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) using these methods, I’ve removed High Fructose Corn Syrup from my family’s diet.                                                                                                                                                                   

I’m not surprised that this commercial is out… I mean the organic food movement is getting larger.  When I began eating all organic food years ago, there was not an organic piece of produce or anything in the ‘regular’ grocery store.  Now most stores at last have some sections designated for organic products.  Most of these labels state NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, which is one of the ingredients informed consumers look to avoid.  The corn syrup producers must be very unhappy about this and are trying to fight their demise.

After watching the commercial I thought about what I would have said when asked WHY is HFCS bad?

Well, what I know is that High Fructose Corn Syrup is unhealthy because it is a sweetener which raises insulin levels, which has negative effects on the body.  Just like it is a well known fact today that sugar does this and it is best to minimize or omit it from your diet.

So what makes HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP so bad?  You can read many different articles that give you the scientific breakdown of what HFCS is and why is is unhealthy.  To read specifics, check out - What is High Fructose Corn Syrup or  Six Reasons Why Corn is Making You Fat by Joseph Mercola.

But the overall picture is this.  High Fructose Corn Syrup was created by Japanese Scientists in the 70’s. (which back before this obesity rates were very low, coincidence?)

HFCS is now the prevalent sweetener used in the US for many reasons, but mostly money.  It is cheaper. (surprise surprise)

It isn’t natural because it is modified.  High Fructose Corn Syrup is made by adding enzymes to cornstarch to change the make up.

I could go on and on, but why?  You’ll forget and it really isn’t important.  Why? Because it is just as bad for you as sugar and is more prevalent in the American diet than sugar.  And no one is arguing that we need to cut back on sugar.

I mean every knows and doesn’t fight the fact that:       

Here is a list of ways sugar can affect your health:

• Sugar can suppress the immune system.
• Sugar can upset the body’s mineral balance.
• Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
• Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
• Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
• Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
• Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
• Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
• Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
• Sugar can cause kidney damage.
• Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
• Sugar can cause copper deficiency.
• Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
• Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
• Sugar can promote tooth decay.
• Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
• Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
• Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
• Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.
• Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
• Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
• High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
• Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
• Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
• Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
• Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
• Sugar causes food allergies.
• Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
• Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
• Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
• Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
• Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
• Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
• Sugar can cause depression.
• Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
• Sugar can cause hypertension.
• Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
• Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind’s ability to think clearly.
• Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.
• Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
• Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

So it seems kind of silly that this is the Pro’s list for High Fructose Corn Syrup -

The Pro-High Fructose Corn Syrup people, namely those involved in its sale, and hhmm money, say that -

• The American Medical Association (AMA) recently concluded that “high fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners.” (Well, great they all contribute so it is not worse than sugar, that is saying something)

• Research confirms that high fructose corn syrup is safe and nutritionally the same as table sugar. (Wow, it is as nutritional as sugar, great! We just read all of the great benefits of eating sugar)

• High fructose corn syrup has the same number of calories as table sugar and is equal in sweetness. It contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients

• High fructose corn syrup offers numerous benefits. It keeps food fresh, enhances fruit and spice flavors, retains moisture in bran cereals, helps keep breakfast and energy bars moist, maintains consistent flavors in beverages and keeps ingredients evenly dispersed in condiments (these are all so important to the consumer, lets have moist stuff that lasts a long time so we can be fat and sick)

Pretty silly argument huh?

My last point – if you are serious about omitting the High Fructose Corn Syrup – become a label reader. Yes, it is a pain in the ass – but your body will thank you by feeling better.  You will be amazed that all it is in.  Some examples -

bread, cereal, candy, beverages, condiments, jelly, salad dressing, sauces, snacks, soups.

Hope this helped clear some of it up for you!

To Your Health,

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Feeling Run Down this Holiday Season? Probiotics Can Help!

It is that time of year again!

The holidays, family gatherings, and parties are upon us and we find ourselves busier than ever. Unfortunately, during these times our bodies become more susceptible to illness.

To avoid colds, the flu, and viral infections, start taking Probiotics from Frequency Foods.

Why?

Because this patented friendly flora blend of Probiotics is an all-natural, non-toxic product that helps you say goodbye to viral, bacterial, and fugal infections! It kills pathogenic viruses, which lead to colds and the flu.

It is also a natural antibiotic, which kills the bad bacteria in your system without harming the ‘good guys.’

There are numerous other benefits to taking this product, but I want to tell you why Frequency Food’s Probiotics is superior when compared to other brands.

• First, it is combined with a whole food source for optimal viability and absorption.

• Secondly, most probiotics supplements on the market are improperly freeze-dried so the good bacteria are actually killed before you even take the product.

Frequency Food’s Probiotics are preserved through a proprietary and specialized technique during processing to maintain the viability.

Learn more about Probiotics from Frequency Foods at  www.GreenLifesaver.net.

Do You Have Enough Digestive Enzymes in YOUR Body? Why Should You Care?

Do you eat a large amount of raw vegetables a day? Do you juice raw vegetables regularly?

If not – you might be lacking in the amount of digestive enzymes you ingest.

Why? Many reasons such as:

• the extended time from harvest of your food to consumption (i.e. – grown & then picked in CA, packed, shipped across the country, unloaded in your grocery store, and a week to weeks later you may be eating it)
• with overworked soils – the vitamin/mineral/enzyme content is much lower
• heating food lowers and kills the digestive enzymes

Why should you care if you are getting enough digestive enzymes in your diet?

Because if you do NOT have adequate levels of digestive enzymes in your food to help break it down, you will have to take enzymes from other areas of your body.

So why is this a big deal? Because if you are taking them from other areas, those areas no longer have the enzymes they need to function.

We don’t hear a lot about enzymes or what they do, so here are a few examples of what enzymes assist with in our body:

• breaking down food
• breathing
• producing energy
• forming thoughts (Yes, the brain needs enzymes)
• they assist your cells in healing, reproducing, and staying viable.

Almost all processes in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at significant rates.

Therefore, it is apparent that ingesting enough digestive enzymes in very important.

If you do not have the time or capability to eat a diet that largely consists of organic, raw vegetables and fruits, then supplementing with a high-quality digestive enzyme is a smart choice.

Learn more about Frequency Food’s Superior Digestive Enzyme Blend.

Make sure you have all of the digestive enzymes your body needs to stay healthy!

To Your Health!

GreenLifeSaver.net!