Here is a synopsis of some really great articles
by Dr. Mercola that he has recently published in his newsletter. I like to quote Dr. Mercola from time to time
because he is a trailblazer and "myth-buster"not afraid of challenging the status quo. The following post is an synopsis of articles from his free newsletter at www.Mercola.com
“Reading the Labels Won't Always Help
I always advocate reading the labels
on the foods and cleaning products
you buy, but in the case of household cleaners even the most meticulous eye for
labels won't get you very far.
Why?
Because
many of the most dangerous chemicals will not even be on the label. The manufacturers have
conveniently lobbied the government to exempt them from this requirement and
can omit any ingredient that is considered a secret formula from its label.
Many of these non-disclosed ingredients are actually toxic and carcinogenic.
Household goods are still very much
an unregulated market. And, cleaning product manufacturers -- even those that
claim to be "green" -- are not required by law to disclose all of
their ingredients on their labels. So while it's still better to read the label
than not, be aware that a lack of ingredient on a label doesn't necessarily
mean it's not in the product!
But most "green" cleaning products like Simple
Green are still loaded with glycol ethers, which are anything but good for your
health when inhaled or when they touch your skin. Folks, the simple truth is
that if a substance cuts through grease and dirt any faster than soap and
water, then there are chemicals in there that most likely aren't very good for
your health.
Many large corporations are chomping at the bit, eager to
reach into the wallets of modern, environmentally concerned consumers...as more and more consumers are learning about the dangers
of the products they use in their homes, "green" environmentally
friendly options have sparked an industry revolution with a growing number of
companies offering their own versions of eco-friendly cleaners. Some examples
are Clorox Green Works Natural All-Purpose Cleaner, Simple Green, and Purex
Natural Elements. Unfortunately,
the terms "green" and "natural" are nothing more than
marketing terms…
If you want a real treat, please pick up and read a
highly recommended book on this subject called Subliminal Persuasion:
Influence & Marketing Secrets They Don't Want You To Know.
This book reveals the systematic techniques used to form opinions or
ideologies, in ways that we never suspect. Multinational corporations, like big
drug companies, are using these techniques all the time to deceive you.”
Mercola goes on to list toxins as glycol ethers,
phthalates, perfumes, phosphates, and nonylpheno ethoxylates (NPEs), [which are
banned in Europe because they are thought to be xenoestrogenic, causing male
fish to become female fish in the world’s waterways.]
Other toxic chemicals found in cleaning products are formaldehyde,
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petroleum solvents, bultyl cellosolve,
ammonia, chlorine, ethanolamies, and sodium lauryl sulfate.”
Some of these chemicals are potentially carcinogenic, and some are
irritants, exacerbate asthma, and may damage the kidneys and nervous
system. Safe cleaning products are
listed as baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, liquid
castile soap—a stronger cleaning agent is vinegar combined with hydrogen
peroxide. I have done several posts that
talk about chemicals causing estrogen dominance, a new health concern for many
women, which is a hormonal imbalance leading to fatigue, low thyroid hormone,
and even possibly cancer."
Mercola has also cited research about cardiovascular exercise
that challenges the status quo that I find interesting. Check out Part II of this post that talks about the dangers of overdoing cardio and for more abbreviated articles from Mercola.
A Votre Sante, (Here's to Your Health), Alix
A Votre Sante, (Here's to Your Health), Alix
