Not all poisons have cross-bones on the label. Some have clouds, happy people or flowers, and we may not realize that, pretty pictures aside, what’s in the bottle is bad stuff.
First, some background.
The incidence of thyroid disease doubled in the last thirty-or-so years. Auto-immune diseases, which relate to the endocrine system, are skyrocketing. So, too, are diseases of the brain, such as autism, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer Disease.
A significant part of the problem lies in the dangers that lurk all around us as part of everyday life nowadays. Most were created by people–and can be changed by people if we make enough noise about what they’re doing to us.
Today, let’s talk about parabens. I know, I know. Almost everybody reading this will say ‘para what” So don’t feel left out if you’ve never heard the word before.
Manufacturers of lotions, potions and cosmetics add parabens to their wares to extend shelf life. There’s methyl paraben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, propelparaben, and so on.
Oh, yes, the lotions glide on so very smoothly. And they smell so wonderful. Kinda makes you sigh with pleasure. That’s why I call them ‘pleasant poisons.’
Well, if we’re just putting something on our skin and not in our mouth, what difference does it make? Let me explain. Our skin slurps everything we put on it, taking it right into our blood stream!
The stuff we put in our mouth goes through the digestive system, which gives us a little buffer, but the parabens in lotions, potions, et al take the direct route to making trouble.
Parabens, like soy, are estrogenic. That is, they imitate estrogen in the body. They bind to our estrogen receptors, keeping real estrogen at bay. With estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in an uproar, things go south. Waaay south.
Men may grow breasts, little boys will take a lifetime hit in their testosterone levels, little girls can experience an early puberty that may coincide with potty training and women get into all kinds of grief: PMS, menopause woes, etc. And everybody’s endocrine system takes a hit from parabens–which increases the chances of breast and prostate cancer.
So what to do? Well, you could read labels. You’ll need a magnifying glass and a lot of patience, but that’s one choice.
Or you can patronize companies that don’t use parabens. If manufacturers who make a point of not using parabens make big bunches of money, other companies will see the light. Your choices and your dollars have power.
Avalon makes a wide range of great products; I particularly like their lotions and shampoo.
Organix Cosmetix produces good facial care products. I use their face creams.
And there are others. Be aware, though, that while some companies advertise their products as good-for-you, their labels may tell a different story.
Anytime a label includes ‘paraben,’ put the bottle back on the shelf and walk quickly away.
Why should you give money to companies who don’t care what they do to you?
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I agree with you 100% the more we avoid these products that contain these harmful ingredients and concentrate on products that these are not added the better for our health, that is right, money talks and when they are not making money maybe they will get the message, good article and to the point. JAM
Also, question whether you even need a product in that category.
For instance, why do you even need plastic cups in your home? A clean glass, made from GLASS, has no impact on your health unless it breaks and cuts you. I made it well into my teens safely without plastic cups, thank you very much.
Tim
Not all poisons are external either. Candida Overgrowth produces toxins. I ended up with Grave’s Disease and no Thyroid. No lotions, perfumes involved. Had a Thyroid cyst, and then it burnt out. Had intestinal damage, spleen, liver, prostate, brain, and gland problems. Before that I was healthy! Did not see a doctor from age 30 to 42. Did not start having problems until I started taking Antibiotics!
So, yes we have to avoid external poisons as well as things that cause internal toxic conditions. That means also clean air and water! You talk about lotions being absorbed into the skin. Well, air pollution is doing the same thing. So are toxins in Bath water. I filter my bath and drinking water at least.
We must avoid all toxicity where possible. I suppose the dyes in our clothes get absorbed too, a bit at a time. There are house products, things at work, the cars we drive. I guess in order to protect our selves we not only need to EAT LIKE A CAVEMAN, WE SHOULD LIVE LIKE A CAVE MAN. No cooking in caves, the smoke is toxic and causes respiratory problems. So only non-cooked meals. No latrine in the cave either.
So there we are, naked, in a cave, sitting on a rock, eating an apple chilled in the creek. Welcome to Gilligan’s Island. No phones, no lights, no motorcars, not a single luxury. No electricity, (smelting for wires, and processing of plastic parts.) No wood articles, (goes against “nature”.) No medicine, some are toxic. No computers, some parts contain toxic substances. No batteries, no radios. No metal, smelting produces toxins, and pollution. In other words, no civilization. But there is plenty of entertainment, if you throw an apple in the back of the cave and let the kids fight over it!!!!
Be well and happy!
Steve
One of the biggest problems with these types of products is that they’re cheap (affordable) and found in the big box discount stores where just about every cosmetic item sold is toxic. I’ve seen young girls in “dollar” stores stock up on this stuff. Online and in-store coupons generally favor these products, and it’s hard to find discounts on Avalon and other more quality lines (although vitacost has some decent prices). This is why the less informed, general public continues to buy them. And then there’s still the attitude (which I hear almost daily) that our gov’t wouldn’t allow something on the market that would harm us. But, of course, our gov’t wouldn’t say these chemicals are harmful because American’s would soon realize that they’ve been duped (you know, pesky lawsuits and all).
But Americans need to understand that cosmetic industry is the least regulated under the FDA, that pre-marketing safety testing of ingredients is not required, and that, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, over 800 (!!) available cosmetic chemicals are considered toxic.
So the next time you’re in the grocery line and the woman in front of you has bathed in perfume, she’s not only killing herself but you too.
BTW – coconut oil makes a great body moisturizer!
Boomer12k, I’m not a gambler, but I’d be willing to bet those antibiotics were fluoride-based. Cipro is one example. Those misbegotten meds can literally murder you, but thousands of prescriptions fly out of doctors’ offices daily.
Lori, people trust the medical profession, Big Pharma and the FDA, but think people like you and me are nuts. It’s hard to make progress in that environment.
On those rare occasions anymore when I go into a conventional grocery store, and I see shoppers loading their carts with toxic foods and cosmetics, I sometimes ask people if they know what they’re buying. “Did you know that steak you’re buying is loaded with growth hormones and antibiotics?” “Did you know that shampoo in your cart contains SLS, which can damage your brain and eyes?” Sometimes people don’t care or tell me it’s all they can afford, and I don’t argue with them. But I’ve planted some seeds, and, sometimes, those seeds take root. And I’ve found that most people have NO IDEA about these things, and are thankful or at least open to the information.
What causes the tendon injury that I sustained after 1 dose of Cipro? Is it fluoride based? Are there underlying causes with those who suffer this?