Mercola Myth-Busters

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