Month: August 2011

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Antibacterial Cleaners: Can They Do More Harm Than Good?



The chances are that you probably own antibacterial cleaners, whether they are in the form of hand soap or cleaners for your kitchen and bathroom. But are these cleaners actually doing more harm than good?

Why Do We Need to Kill Bacteria?

It’s true that some bacteria can cause disease, illness and food poisoning. Many antibacterial cleaners promise to kill around 99% of bacteria, which helps to explain why they are so popular. After all, we all want to protect ourselves and our family from getting ill.

So Why Are Antibacterial Cleaners Bad for Our Health?

Antibacterial Cleaners: Can They Do More Harm Than Good?Unfortunately, antibacterial cleaners aren’t as good for us as they may seem. In the short term, their ingredients are known to irritate the skin (this is more of a problem with those that have been developed for cleaning purposes).

The FDA is currently looking into one of the major ingredients of antibacterial soaps: triclosan. Although the evidence isn’t yet clear, it suggests it may have a harmful effect on humans (especially children). In the past, the FDA has also stated that there are no extra health benefits to using antibacterial soaps over regular soap and water.

Another long term result of using antibacterial products is that they make bacteria more resistant. This means that, over time, these antibacterial products will no longer be able to kill the germs they set out to kill in the first place.

The truth is that you don’t need to make your home sterile to protect yourself and your family. Bacteria is all around us, and being exposed to small amounts of it is what our body needs in order to build up its defenses against stronger bacteria. Studies have shown that sterile environments in childhood can actually lead to more allergies and other problems later in life.

The American Medical Associated (AMA) has warned against extensive use of such antibacterial cleaners for these reasons. When it comes to killing germs, simple measures like washing your hands often (with traditional rather than antibacterial cleaners) are a good way to protect against germs.

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Organic Shampoo and Conditioner



Organic shampoo and conditioner are natural alternatives favored by many people. Traditional products contain many synthetic ingredients that have been linked to health problems. Some of them are derived directly from petroleum byproducts which are known to cause cancer. In addition, many people develop allergic reactions to the synthetic substances in the traditional shampoo and conditioner products found on store shelves. The organic alternatives are much safer and healthier.

Organic Shampoo and Conditioner

Organic Shampoo and ConditionerInstead of buying traditional products, you may want to consider getting organic shampoo and conditioner. Traditional products have many harmful chemicals. Many people do not realize that the scalp is able to absorb these chemicals as they use the shampoos and conditioners. Your hair is made of dead cells, but your scalp is alive and can absorb these dangerous substances. From the scalp, they can enter the body and travel to other tissues. This is how many problems begin.

Some people develop allergic reactions or are irritated by the unnatural substances in many traditional hair products. Although the FDA is aware of the carcinogens included in the hair products, they have not done anything to stop the companies from adding them. It is up to the consumer to find organic alternatives and avoid these horrible substances.

Benefits of Organic Shampoo and Conditioner

Using organic shampoo and conditioner may help prevent some forms of breast cancer. Traditional hair products contain butylparabens that have been linked to this type of cancer. They are able to confuse your body because they are so similar to estrogen. Excessive amounts of estrogen have been shown to lead to breast cancer. This is why it is important to carefully evaluate any products you place on your body. Your skin and scalp easily absorb them. You may want to carefully read all labels and avoid buying products with parabens. It is easier to prevent cancer than to treat it later.

Organic shampoo and conditioner should not have any synthetic or harmful chemicals. They should not have parabens or phthalates. These products are harmful to your body and the environment. Many people falsely believe that you cannot achieve beautiful hair without using these traditional products. You can have gorgeous and healthy hair with organic hair products.

Many shampoos and conditioners have wonderful moisturizers in them that can make your hair shiny. You also do not have to worry about how your hair will smell. Natural oils and fragrances can smell better than any synthetic shampoos and conditioners.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Allergic Reactions
  • Related Blogs on Breast Cancer
Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Fasting Tips to Ensure Success



Whether you’re fasting to lose weight, cleanse your body or for a spiritual experience, you’ll want to do what you can to ensure that the fast is successful. When a fast is successful you can see it in your eyes and skin and feel it inside your body. Your eyes will be clear and bright, inside organs will feel renewed and begin to work properly ? and your outside organ (skin) will glow. These fasting tips should lead you in the right direction, but you should also make sure you’re following the directions of the fasting plan you choose.

Fasting Tips to Ensure Success

Fasting Tips to Ensure Success

Fasting Tips to Ensure Success

One of the main ways you can ensure fasting success is to select a time to fast when your life is least demanding. Stress and a noisy and chaotic environment will keep you from focusing on the fast and how you’re reacting to it. You’ll need to slow down while you’re fasting, meditate, keep a journal and allow no distractions that will pull you away from the fasting plan.

Don’t begin with a fasting plan you can’t possibly keep up with. If you’re new to fasting, don’t begin with a strict water diet and plan to be on it for days. A better plan would be one that allows fruit juices and fruits and vegetables. As long as you’re eating something, you won’t be as apt to become discouraged and quit the fast. If you enjoyed the fast and the benefits received you can later move on to a more rigorous plan.

Is Fasting Deprivation?

Fasting is the height of deprivation for some ? and a new-found friend for others. If you tell friends and family about the upcoming fasting plan you may have a different reaction than what you think. Some might warn that you’ll become ill or a number of other reasons that you should quit the fast immediately. Others may simply be skeptical of the process. Avoid negative comments and thoughts about the fast by keeping the plan mostly to yourself. If you follow these fasting tips and the instructions for the type of fast you chose, you should do well.

Prepare your body for the fasting process by cutting down on the amount of calories you consume. If you’re used to eating lots of fast foods, carbohydrates and sugar-laden foods, cut them drastically before the fast. Your body will be more ready to accept the nutrients and vitamins contained in your new diet. Also, avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.

You’ll need a good juicer for a juice fast and then afterward for creating your own. Juices at the supermarket contain additives and preservatives that you won’t want to contaminate your newly-cleansed body. The same goes for fruits, vegetables and teas ? be sure they’re fresh and organically grown.

The most important of these fasting tips is to see your health care provider for a complete checkup before embarking on a fast plan or any other diet that might make your system react in a negative manner. If you already have a health problem, such as diabetes, it’s even more important for you to have a checkup before beginning to fast.