Coming Soon…
Parabens
I am sure everybody has heard of parabens, but what are they? I heard the word for years, but just didn’t care to listen. But guess what, a life with cancer has me listening now!!! For some of you lucky individuals that have never been affected by cancer or don’t care, you’re welcome to keep ingesting and using products loaded with chemicals, but you may want to start hoping and praying for good health. With the cancer statistics these days the odds aren’t in anybody’s favor!!! Parabens (an endocrine-disrupting chemical with a structure similar to estrogen) is used as a common preservative to prevent microbes from growing. They can be found in processed meats, pastries, make-up, face wash, toiletries, shampoos, and even the contraceptive pill. According to the the American Chemical Society parabens are in about 85% of our personal care products… SCARY! A recent study even showed parabens can spur the growth in certain types of breast cancer cells. So what to do? Read labels, read labels, read labels!!! Look for products that are “paraben free.” OR you can choose to do nothing like I did for 20 years and hope for the best, but that didn’t work out so well for me smile emoticon Common Names to Avoid: parabens, methyparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isopropylparaben, or any ingredients ending in –paraben So today’s project: clean house. Oh… Em… Gee. I couldn’t believe how many products I was previously using or had in guest bathrooms. Seriously…. was shocked and I didn’t even look in the pantry! I was even more shocked to learn Weight Watchers and Archer Farms even...
Potassium Bromate
Did you know that potassium bromate is banned in the United Kingdom, China, Brazil, Peru and many other European countries, BUT NOT THE UNITED STATES? I found that quite interesting and since I have been fighting cancer for over 20 years, I thought it was about time I learn what I have been eating most of my life. So today I bring you a little information on potassium bromate, another food additive that makes the EWG’s “Dirty Dozen.” Considering I previously consumed a diet high in baked goods, processed food and fast food, my guess is I have likely consumed tons of potassium bromate in my lifetime. So what is potassium bromate anyways??? Bromated flour contains potassium bromate, an oxidizing agent commonly used in commercial baking to promote rising, improve and strengthen dough. In the U.S., the FDA has encouraged bakers to voluntarily stop using bromated flour, but shouldn’t we be doing more? At least California is doing something… they are the only state to have potassium bromate on their Proposition 65 list (which warns residents of danger associated with the chemical by requiring a cancer warning on their labels). Thank you California!! Only 49 more states to go unsure emoticon You can also read more at the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) which found that this chemical appears to be “formally identified” as causing cancer. I also included a link with the awesome Proposition 65 list for those interested in avoiding potentially dangerous and toxic chemicals. If that’s not convincing enough, potassium bromate is labeled as a category 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research...