Natural Health Ezine » Health Dangers

Symptoms Of Low Vitamin D Levels

Terrie — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:16:31 +0000

There are a massive amount of nutrients that people need in order to stay healthy. One of the more important vitamins that we need is vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for cell growth. Vitamin D helps to maintain the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, and also helps with the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Adequate amounts of calcium is essential for strong and healthy bones, as well as protecting again osteoporosis, cancer, hypertension, and many autoimmune problems.

There are two forms of Vitamin D that are essential to people. Vitamin D2, otherwise known as ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 comes from plants whereas vitamin D3 comes from the human skin. The foods that you see in the grocery stores that say they are fortified with vitamin D are fortified with both types of the vitamin.

Symptoms Of Low Vitamin D Levels

There are many symptoms that can indicate low levels of vitamin D. These symptoms range from mild to severe.

Rickets
Osteomalacia
Brittle bones or loss of bone strength
Greater risk of developing cancers including lung, breast, colon, and ovarian cancer
A lower functioning immune system
Increased chance of getting asthma, colds, and the flu.
Certain types of depression (seasonal affective disorder)
Cavities and periodontal disease
Muscle fatigue
Body aches
Osteoporosis
High blood pressure
Cardiomyopathy
Heart failure
Multiple sclerosis

In early childhood, one of the first signs that a young person is not getting enough vitamin D is the development of a condition called rickets. Rickets causes the bones to get weaker and often causes the legs to give out under the pressure of the person’s weight. Rickets can cause a child’s legs to bow outward. Not only can rickets cause bowed legs, the condition can also have the same impact on the arms, causing them to bow at an odd angle.

A condition similar to rickets is osteomalacia. This deficiency disease affects older people, making their bones softer and more prone to breaks. The person’s overall skeletal structure weakens drastically.

Who Is At Risk For Low Vitamin D Levels?

As with any condition, certain people are more prone to have a vitamin D deficiency. These people include:

People who are obese
Elderly people
Infants who are exclusively breast fed
People who get a limited amount of sun exposure
People who live farther from the equator
Individuals with a dark complexion
People who have inflammatory bowel disease

How Do You Get The Right Amount Of Vitamin D?

It’s recommended that you get anywhere from 200 to 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D every day, depending on your age. Many Americans don’t get enough sunlight because of the potential threat of sun damage and skin cancer. The less sunlight we get, the lower our vitamin D levels get. Luckily there are solutions to get more vitamin D in our diets.

Sunlight: Vitamin D is sometimes known as the sunshine vitamin. There’s a chemical in the skin that turns into an active form of vitamin D when sunlight hits it. There are lots of opinions on how much sunlight is needed to get an adequate amount of vitamin D through sunlight. Typically, the amount ranges from 5 to 30 minutes, two to three times a week The best time for sun exposure is from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Foods: There are several foods you can add to your diet to boost your vitamin D levels. Fish such as salmon, mackerel, or tuna are good options. Fortified milk, eggs, and cod liver are other great addition to your diet.

Supplements: You can get vitamin D in supplemental form. This is probably the easiest way to boost the amount you get. In fact, if you were to get all of your vitamin D from drinking milk, you’d have to ultimately drink about one liter of milk per day. That’s a lot of milk. If you’re sensitive to sunlight, or you sunburn easily, you may not want to risk the amount of time in the sun it would take to get the recommended amount That’s why it’s important to get vitamin D from several other sources. Doctors suggest to get a supplement with both vitamin D and calcium, as the vitamin D helps the body to absorb the calcium easier.

Photo by bernat…

How To Remove Chlorine From Tap Water

NHE — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:12:26 +0000

Water is absolutely essential to human life. People are urged to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. Bottled water can get expensive over time, but water directly from the tap may sometimes be harmful to your health. Chlorine is added to the water to kill off bad bacteria. If you’ve ever gone swimming and your eyes turn red and sting after a while, that’s due to the chlorine. Chlorine has a harsh smell that can irritate the nose and throat. Of course, you don’t get that large of an amount of chlorine in your tap water, but it’s still there. There are several ways on how to remove chlorine from tap water. Some ways are not possible to do yourself, and others are simple fixes you can do at home. We’ll look into the ways you can do this process yourself.

A filter

Probably the most economical way of getting chlorine out of tap water is to use a filter. There are several filters on the market today that can filter your tap water to make it safer. There are various brands of pitchers that have built in filters. Just fill the pitcher up with tap water and stick it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to drink it. These pitchers, or water basins, come in all shapes and sizes. You pour tap water into the top portion of the pitcher, and the water runs through the filtration device into the main part of the pitcher, and it’s ready to go. Water filters can also be added to your sink faucet and even to tub faucets and shower heads. The initial price of water filtration systems isn’t all that expensive. They’re not cheap, but over time, they’d cost you less money than continuously buying bottled water.

It seems absolutely ridiculous to have to buy water at the store. Water is the most common liquid found on earth, and to have to spend money for it when you can get it for free through your tap seems silly. But, if you’re in a pinch, and want to be sure you’re drinking clean water, then buying bottled water from the store is an option. If you’re waiting for your water filtration system to be delivered, then bottled water can tide you over.

Boiling

Boiling tap water is a way to remove chlorine also. After a natural disaster such as a hurricane, people are urged to boil water before drinking it. Water pipes can be damaged in disaster cases, and it’s safer to boil off any contaminates. Protozoan parasites and bacteria form quickly and get into the damaged water supply and make you sick. Boiling water can also cook off any chlorine that may be present. Bring the water to a roiling boil, and let it boil for three to five minutes. Leave the lid on the pot as you boil so the water doesn’t evaporate too fast.

Homemade Filters

Another way is by filtering the water using filters from homemade products. Coffee filters, paper towels, and cheesecloth can all be turned into filters to strain your water, possibly getting rid of chlorine. These homemade filters can catch larger debris and only let the pure water flow through. Coffee filters and cheesecloth may work a bit better as they have smaller pores, whereas paper towels tend to have bigger pores and may let more contaminates through than desired.

These are some ways as to how to remove chlorine from tap water. These are all doable fixes to ensure that you’re drinking pure uncontaminated water. So, drink up. Get that recommended amount of water in every day. When you use filtered water, you can rest assured that you’re not drinking anything you shouldn’t be.

Photo by dibytes

Food Storage And BPA – Which Containers Are Best?

Terrie — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:22:12 +0000

I bet you don’t think twice about the type of food storage you use. It’s not usually something that causes a lot of people to think twice about. However, more and more stories are coming about on the news regarding plastic water bottles leaching substances into the drinking water. We all know that water bottles from the store are made from plastic. And what are most food storage containers made from? That’s right….plastic. The substance in question is a chemical called bisphenol A, or BPA for short. Here, we’ll take a look at what BPA is and figure out which containers are best for storing food.

What Exactly Is BPA?

BPA is a chemical substance produced in massive quantities that is used in the manufacturing of epoxy and polycarbonate plastics. Epoxy resins are made into lacquers that coat metal objects. Products with epoxy resins include bottle tops, food cans, and water supply pipes. Products that include polycarbonate plastics are water bottles, baby bottles, and some food and drink packages. These coatings of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics are used to prevent corrosion and bacterial contamination.

How BPA Can Get Into The Body?

People get the majority of their BPA intake through drinks and food. BPA can seep into the foods we eat from the “protective” epoxy resin coatings that cover food cans, and on certain types of tableware. Babies and infants consume BPA through their bottles that are coated with epoxy resins. When the coatings are made, some bits and pieces of the molecule don’t form correctly, and they can leach into food and drinks. This leaching action can be sped up by microwaving food storage containers. The molecules can also break down with age and leach into food that way. It’s best to replace these types of food storage containers often and avoid microwaving them. It’s best to avoid putting them in the dish washer because this can speed up the break down rate of these molecules.

What Can BPA Do To You?

Although BPA testing hasn’t been done on humans, several studies have been done on animals. BPA can show up in the blood and in the urine. The results of these tests have shown that very low amounts of BPA can increase the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and Type II Diabetes

We only get very small doses of BPA every day, but as time goes by, those small doses can add up. The results of the animal testings should be a warning sign. If these diseases are popping up in animals through BPA exposure, then they could probably pop up in humans as well.

How To Tell If Containers Have BPA?

Give the container a squeeze. If the plastic is pliable, it probably doesn’t have BPA in it. If it’s hard, it most likely contains BPA. Look at the bottom of the container and check the number located there. If the number is 7, it means it has BPA.

Which Containers Are Best

So, what storage containers are best to use? Look for labels on the packages that say “BPA Free”. Any containers that are labeled as “BPA Free” will be safe. You can also opt to use glass bowls with BPA Free lids. More environmentally friendly products are coming out for the specific use of food storage, such as storage bags. These bags come in all shapes and sizes and are made organically.

Food storage and BPA concerns are real, and it’s best to take care when picking out containers to store leftover food. There are healthier alternatives out there, and it may be in your best interest to look around and find them.

Side Effects Of NutraSweet And Its Health Risks

Terrie — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 09:51:07 +0000

If you’re the type of person who needs to add sugar or other sweetener to your drinks, then you’re probably familiar with the little pink blue packet called NutraSweet. NutraSweet is one of many artificial sweeteners on the market today. But do you know what’s in this pink blue packet? The side effects of NutraSweet and its health risks will be examined in this article. It may have you thinking twice about adding it to your coffee or tea next time.

What Is It?

The main ingredient that makes up NutraSweet is aspartame. Aspartame is comprised of three chemicals. These chemicals are methanol, phenlylanine, and aspartic acid. Methanol, which is a wood alcohol, makes up just 10% of aspartame, but it’s very toxic in small doses.

How Can It Affect Me?

Just two teaspoons of methanol can be lethal to an adult. Phenylaline is naturally found in the brain, but it can be dangerous if high amounts are present. Large amounts of this chemical can lead to depression and schizophrenia. High levels can also make a person’s chance of having a seizure increase dramatically. Aspartic acid makes up 40% of aspartame. Usually, aspartate functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain, but too much of this chemical can actually kill off brain cells through over-stimulation. The slow process of destroying brain cells can bring on memory loss, Parkinson’s Disease, and other neurological issues.

A person’s metabolism can be affected by consuming NutraSweet. Some people can experience weight gain, while others can experience weight loss. Women can experience hair loss and disruptions in their menstrual cycle as a result of consuming this product.

There is a long list of side effects from using NutraSweet. There are at least 92 adverse effects, both immediate and long terms problems. Just a few include the following:

Anxiety attacks
Abdominal pain
Asthma
Arthritis (natural cures for arthritis)
Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
Bloating or other fluid retention problems
Brain cancer
Burning urination
Breathing difficulties
Chest pain
Chronic fatigue
Chronic cough
Confusion
Death
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Depression (natural cures for depression)
Insomnia
Joint pain
Memory loss
Menstrual problems
Migraines
Muscle spasms
Nausea
Rapid heartbeat
Seizures
Slurring of the speech
Swallowing pain
Tinnitus
Vision loss

You get the idea…

There are many more side effects, but it would all day to go through them. NutraSweet also mimics symptoms that occur with variety of diseases. In these cases, NutraSweet has to be consumed on a regular basis. The disease symptoms occur only after long term usage. These diseases include the following:

Lupus
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Multiple Sclerosis
Diabetes
Parkinson’s
Epilepsy
Birth defects
Alzheimer’s
Lyme Disease

Again these are only a few of the diseases that the effects of NutraSweet can mimic. The diseases that are listed are quite severe and devastating, not only to the person it effects, but their loved ones as well.

If someone uses NutraSweet long term, meaning every day for years on end, that’s when the diseases listed above can be mimicked. Sometimes, when the NutraSweet is cut out of the person’s diet, these symptoms will stop.

NutraSweet can actually put toxins into the blood stream. In today’s society, the popular thing to do is to cleanse the body of toxins. When toxins are deliberately put into the blood stream, serious side effects can happen, such as depression, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, birth defects, brain damage, and even death.

The side effects of NutraSweet and its health risks should be of major concern to anyone who uses artificial sweeteners. There have been many news stories over recent years indicating that people do get sick from using these types of products. If you absolutely need to add sweetener to your drinks, opt for raw honey, or try to ween yourself off of sweeteners if you can.

Photo by Joits

More pesticides for strawberries

NHE — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:52:05 +0000

I have long known about the high levels of pesticides used on conventional pesticides – and in fact I remember one article that claimed that conventional strawberries had as much as 10x as many pesticides as some of the other fruit they were sharing shelf space with.

A friend recently passed along an article to me that suggests the pesticide usage on strawberries is about to become worse.

According to the article…

… And in Sacramento, a pesticide so cancer- Geneva Conventions apply to them. And in Sacramento, a pesticide so cancer- causing that it’s often used specifically to create cancer in rats for medica experiments was just proposed for approval for use on the state’s strawberry crop.

And…

The state’s own Department of Pesticide Regulation had advised in a report against approving the gas, methyl iodide. And several Nobel prize winners asked the U.S. EPA not to approve it. (It did.) According to farmers, there are a number of alternatives to the stuff, alternatives to the stuff, including solarization, anaerobic soil disinfestation and natural pesticides. And it’s especially important to use safe materials only in strawberries, which hold the chemicals they’re treated with.

Okay there you have it. Just another reason to go organic, especially with strawberries.

NVEY ECO Organic Make-Up Review

NHE — Sat, 29 May 2010 10:35:21 +0000

I’ve recently heard that women absorb many harmful toxins through make-up each year and it got me thinking about how much make-up I actually wear and if I should stop. For me, I don’t think going bare-faced is a real option, but I recently got some samples of organic make-up from NVEY ECO. I’ve been using their blush for about a month now and haven’t had any kind of breakouts or any other problems – and I have sensitive skin!

Here are some of the wonderful things about them:

They’re Talc Free and Paraben Free
They’re Preservative Free
Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS) Free
Propylene Glycol Free
No ingredients are derived from genetically modified crops
Their products are not tested on animals
They have no petroleum based ingredients
No Nanotechnology based ingredients
They’re certified organic

They’re prices are a bit more expensive than some you’d find at make-up counters, but still comparable to others. Also, this would be an exceptional product if you’re conscious of your health and the toxins from most other make-up.

Since you can’t try the products on before you buy, I asked how they tell people what shades to get. They gave me a celebrity comparison to help:

Fair – Cynthia Nixon / Ann Hathaway / Naomi Watts / Nicole Kidman
Light – Sarah Jessica Parker / Sandra Bullock / Alyssa Milano / Jessica Simpson
Medium – Jennifer Lopez / Jessica Alba / Eva Longoria
Deep / Dark – Gabrielle Union / Jennifer Hudson / Oprah

NVEY ECO has generously offered a 20% discount to NHE Readers, so if you’d like to try these products out, this is the time! Type in “NHE-20” when you check-out.

Chemicals Used In Dry Cleaning & Their Dangers

NHE — Sun, 23 May 2010 09:41:43 +0000

Dry cleaning has been around for many decades. Dry cleaning involves cleaning clothes with an organic solvent rather than with water. Certain clothing fabrics can only be washed by dry cleaning. People don’t usually think about what kind of chemicals are being used in the process of dry cleaning. You just walk into a store, hand over your clothes, and come back a few hours later to pick them up. You don’t think about the dangers certain chemicals can have. People that work in a dry cleaning business are faced with hazards every day. Chemical fires are a risk, as well as chemical spills that can get on the skin, in the eyes, or inhaled. Here, we’ll discuss the chemicals used in dry cleaning and their dangers.

Perchloroethylene, otherwise known as perc, is a dormant chemical solvent that is used in dry cleaning. It’s possible to experience certain symptoms after being exposed to high levels of perc, even for a brief period. Symptoms that perc exposure can cause include headache, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and irritation of the eyes, mucus membranes, and lungs. Longer exposure to perc can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and mouth. It can also cause damage to the liver and might even cause respiratory failure.

Another solvent that is used in dry cleaning is carbon tetrachloride. This solvent can cause health issues if exposed to it for a long time. Damage to the liver, central nervous system, and kidneys can occur if this substance is ingested by accident, if it gets onto the skin, or is breathed in.

Trichloroethylene is yet another solvent that has been used in the dry cleaning process. Exposure to trichloroethylene for short periods of time can irritate the throat, nose, and nervous system, as well as depression, headache, dizziness, and loss of coordination. Exposure to trichloroethylene for longer periods can cause reduced eyesight, numbness, facial pain, irregular heartbeat, and even death.

Clothing is often pre-cleaned with certain agents. Alkaline spotting agents such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide are used to clean off any water soluble stains from clothes. Being exposed to ammonia for a considerable amount of time can lead to throat and nose irritation. When exposed to wet skin, airborne ammonia gas is mildly irritating. When liquefied ammonia gas comes into direct contact with the skin, it can cause corrosive burns, or frostbite.

Sodium hydroxide exposure can have detrimental effects to a person as well. Along with irritation of the throat, eyes, and skin membranes, it can also cause labored breathing, abdominal pain, skin burns, shortness of breath, and swelling of the larynx that can get so bad it could lead to suffocation.

Exposure to potassium hydroxide can be pretty bad as well. Symptoms of prolonged exposure can include severe abdominal pain, severe mouth pain, severe throat pain, a rapid drop of blood pressure, vision loss, diarrhea, collapse, and swelling up of the throat that can hinder breathing.

As a consumer at a dry cleaning facility, you may be exposed to very low levels of these chemicals. Not very much to cause you any concern. However, if you or someone you care about works in the dry cleaning business, you can be a little more concerned. Now that you know about the chemicals used in dry cleaning and their dangers, you can make the decision whether to continue using these services or hand wash your clothing items. Any clothing that says “dry clean only” can usually be hand washed with no problem. It may be worth it to use dry cleaning to save on time, but on the other hand, being exposed to these chemicals, even for a little bit, can have serious consequences.

Photo by zoomar

Teflon Coated Skillets: Are They Dangerous?

NHE — Wed, 05 May 2010 10:09:10 +0000

It can be rather annoying to cook a meal and have food get stuck to the bottom of the skillet. People who do a lot of cooking, prefer their food to slide off of the skillet with ease. No one wants to scrape food off the bottom of a pan. A few ways to combat this problem is to coat the skillet with oil or butter, or use a Teflon coated skillet. By adding oil or butter to your skillet, you’re adding extra fat and calories to the foods you’re eating. However, using Teflon coated skillets may not be much healthier. In fact, Teflon coated cookware can be a lot worse.

What Is Teflon?

Teflon is the DuPont company’s trade name for polytetrafluoroethylene. Teflon is a synthetic fluoroploymer, which has a high resistance to acids, solvents, and bases. In other words, Teflon allows the food to slide easily from the pan or skillet onto a plate. Teflon is a “heat-resistant plastic” that was approved by the United States Food And Drug Administration (FDA) in 1960. Nearly 60% of all the pans and pots in America are coated with this substance. This does not include Teflon coated cookie sheets, muffin pans, cake pans, or any other non stick cookware.

Teflon Coated Skillets: Are They Dangerous?

The melting point for this plastic is around 327° Celsius (621° Fahrenheit). At this temperature, harmful toxins are released called perfluorochemicals (PCFs or PFOAs). Studies have been performed that revealed that at least six toxic gases are released at high temperatures. Gases that include two carcinogens. These fumes can lead to a condition known as polymer fume fever, which presents symptoms of influenza. Some signs of polymer fume fever include headaches, chills, nausea, and fever. Normally this condition goes away in a couple of days. People who get polymer fume fever often mistake it for the flu.

There have been several instances of pet birds being killed due the fumes from Teflon coated cookware. It has been recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that bird owners avoid using non-stick cookware and appliances due to so many reported bird deaths.

The toxins may spread faster and easier, if the Teflon coating has been scratched. It’s easy to scratch this coating during cleanup, but the coating may also scratch or chip during the cooking process. It’s easy to scratch when a metal spatula is used to flip food to the other side. The coating can wear away over time as well. The compounds of the coating can start to break down, or wear away, and can present itself as scratches. It’s best to throw any non-stick cookware away when scratches appear. Some Teflon skillets can last a long time without any scratches, but there are also those that can get scratches easily.

It’s true that it’s more convenient to cook on Teflon coated skillets. It’s easy to clean up after cooking, food doesn’t get stuck on the bottom, and you can use a lot less oil and butter. But the question remains about Teflon coated skillets: are they dangerous? In the end, it’s up to the individual person. If you have any concerns at all, then a good option would be to go with a cast iron skillet. Especially if you have any pet birds.

Cast iron cookware is less expensive, it’s easier to brown foods, and when the cast iron is properly seasoned, it can be as good as a Teflon non-stick skillet. Another plus for cast iron is that there’s a chance of iron being added into the foods you’re cooking. Better to have iron leached into your food than harmful toxins from the non-stick coating of Teflon.

Photo by Martin Cathrae

What happens if you leave a Happy Meal sit out for a year?

NHE — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:58:55 +0000

I just found this amazing article that someone wrote about an experiment they did. They bought a happy meal, took a picture of it. Then left it out on the counter for a full year! One would think that the meat (if it still even resembled meat) would spoil and stink pretty bad. The author said that never really happened at all. In fact, if you look at the before and after pictures, you really can’t tell that much difference between the “fresh” happy meal and the year old one.

Oh, and the kicker is that the ants and mice didn’t bother with it either.

Year old happy meal

I knew that Twinkies didn’t expire – but a hamburger and french fries? Something is just wrong with this picture.

What is a gluten free diet?

NHE — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:47:36 +0000

A gluten free diet is a diet that is recommended for those suffering from Celiac’s Disease. Celiac’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder involving the small intestine. Individuals with this disease have an allergic reaction to the gluten that is naturally found in wheat, barley and rye products. A gluten free diet may also be needed for those suffering from a condition known as Dermatitis Herpetiformis in which the skin becomes irritated when gluten is consumed. A gluten free diet will help eliminate the symptoms of Celiac’s disease. One such symptom is chronic diarrhea. Fatigue and a failure to thrive in children are also common. Bowel inflammation is normally the cause of chronic diarreah.The use of a gluten free diet is essential and medically necessary for those who have been diagnosed with Celiac’s Disease.

Gluten is found in many foods either naturally or added as a filler. To follow a gluten free diet, one must be very conscious of the ingredients in the food products they purchase. Gluten is found in almost all cereals, wheat breads, pasta and many ready-made products. Many individuals that have been diagnosed with Celiac’s Disease may choose to begin a vegetarian diet. This should not be done without speaking to a physician or nutritionist first.

Most physicians and nutritionists recommend avoiding all foods that contain gluten, including whole wheat pasta and other wheat products, rye, barley and often times oats as well. There is some disagreement as to whether oats are safe to use in a gluten free diet. There are currently a much wider range of foods available then in the past, for those following a gluten free diet. Specialty foods include bread mixes, cookies and snacks, cake mixes, pasta products and flour.

Many patients with Celiac’s Disease show an almost immediate response when changed to a gluten free diet. Symptoms usually lessen quite quickly and may reverse completely if the gluten free diet is continued on a regular basis. Most food items that are gluten free are low in protein so it is very important to speak with a dietician to make sure the individual is consuming an adequate amount of protein and other necessary vitamins and minerals. More protein can be added to a gluten free diet by including eggs, milk and cheese products. Protein is especially important for a child that has to be on a gluten free diet. Once diagnosed with Celiac’s Disease it is recommended that the individual stay on a gluten free diet for life. Since it is proven to almost always alleviate most of the worst symptoms of Celiac’s Disease, many people find it quite easy to change to a gluten free diet.

Photo by Whatsername?