GMO OMG

GMO OMG

Toxic Chemicals in Brazilian Blowout and Other Salon Products Increase Risk of Cancer

Toxic Chemicals in Brazilian Blowout and Other Salon Products Increase Risk of Cancer

Bloody noses. Blistering rashes. Piercing migraines. These are just a few of the symptoms veteran hairstylist Jennifer Arce experienced after she was diagnosed with chemical poisoning by her physician. The source? A product millions of women use to straighten their hair every day: Brazilian Blowout.

Arce, a stylist in San Diego for more than 18 years, used the experience to organize other affected colleagues to take their stories to California lawmakers and the Food and Drug Administration. Brazilian Blowout has since been banned in the state, but similar hair smoothing products also containing carcinogenic formaldehyde remain on the market. Her next step is distributing anew fact sheet from Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) to salon workers and clients. The fact sheet describes chemicals to avoid in hopes more salons will choose to go green for the health of their customers and stylists.

“Many of my colleagues have been bullied, threatened physically and threatened to be fired for speaking up about being sick or for not wanting their clients exposed to toxic formaldehyde,” Arce said. “Many of us don’t have health insurance. Our health and our livelihoods are being taken away from us and we are not going to let this happen without a fight.”

“We hope the fact sheet will educate consumers and workers and inspire them to work for change at the policy level,” explained Erin Switalski, WVE’s executive director. “Salon products are exempt from ingredient labeling requirements, limiting the availability of this important information on chemical exposure, so we are trying to fill in the gaps.”

Like many products containing toxic chemicals, what’s considered good enough for American consumers is banned in the European Union. A recent study by RAPEX, an EU regulatory body, discovered nine keratin hair smoothing products containing high levels of formaldehyde, which resulted in their removal from European markets. Yet they remain widely available in the U.S., and several of the products are falsely touted “formaldehyde-free.”

Under current federal regulations, it is legal for cosmetics manufacturers to use unlimited amounts of virtually any ingredient in salon and professional use products, as well as those sold to the general public,including chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental harm, hormone disruptionand other adverse health impacts, with no pre-market safety assessment.

A growing body of scientific evidence indicates there is reason for concern, showing hairdressers are at increased risk of cancers of the lung, larynx, bladder and multiple myeloma compared to the general population. One study has shown that nail salon workers have higher levels of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), a reproductive and developmental toxicant, than the general population.

Another study found that beauticians and hairdressers are likely to have significant exposure to solvents that are linked to birth defects. Other studies have found cosmetologists are at a higher risk for having spontaneous abortions and low birth weight babies.

As for Arce, she’s considering switching careers. She doesn’t want to stop being a stylist—she loves helping her longtime clients look and feel their best, but her health can’t withstand the constant exposure.

Visit EcoWatch’s HEALTH page for more related news on this topic.

How To Manage Your Stress In 76 Seconds

By: Dr. Joel Kahn

On most days, I go to work, put on my white coat, load my stethoscope in my pocket, and make visits in the hospital and my office as I've done for over 20 years. I am the “master of my domain” and it's very unlikely that anything will disrupt my calm.

This day, however, is different. I am about to walk into court as an expert witness on a billion-dollar medical patent lawsuit. Each table has 15 lawyers from the largest firms in the country. My testimony will go on for hours and will be taken by Mr. S, famous for his loud red ties, his loud mannerisms, and his ability to make witnesses shake. I know my stuff cold but I need to steady my nerves. I lean against the wall, close my eyes, and go through a breathing practice that takes under 90 seconds and has served me well to bring balance back to the moment.

It's the 4-7-8 relaxation breathing sequence. The technique shifts the autonomic nervous system away from the sympathetic predominance (which makes our hearts race and our palms sweaty when we face a stressful situation) and allows the parasympathetic nervous system to shine.

Here's how you do it:
Sit up straight in a chair.
Place the tip of your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. Keep it there through the entire breathing process.
Breathe in silently through your nose to the slow count of 4.
Hold your breath to the count of 7.
Exhale through your mouth to the count of 8, making a slight audible sound.
Repeat the 4-7-8 cycle another three times, for a total of four breathing exercises.

Does breathing really work to train our nervous system to find a calm place from which we can manage life more successfully?
Thousands of years of practice in many religious traditions say that it does. Recent scientific studies also confirm the benefits. For example, subjects taught to breathe slowly and deeply as a mind-body practice show beneficial changes in the autonomic nervous system favoring parasympathetic relaxation, document changes increases in skin temperature from better artery flow, and reveal reductions in blood pressure compared to control subjects. If you have children or teenagers, www.gozen.com has a terrific teaching video on the 4-7-8 breathing exercise that may be useful to share with them.

That day in court went well. After I used the 4-7-8 breathing sequence, I entered court, was sworn in, and performed at my peak testifying calmly for the next 5 hours. I think if you will practice, you can benefit from this important tool also.


About the Author
Dr. Joel Kahn

http://danielplan.com/blogs/dp/how-to-manage-your-stress-in-76-seconds/

Ginger for medicinal purposes

Ginger or ginger root is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family (Zingiberaceae). Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal.

Here ‘s a list of some of the amazing benefits of ginger that you may not aware of. Although some of these are still being debated, you could do your own research if you want to use ginger for medicinal purposes.

-Maintains Normal Blood Circulation. Ginger contains chromium, magnesium and zinc which can help to improve blood flow, as well as help prevent chills, fever, and excessive sweat.

-Remedies Motion Sickness. Ginger is a known effective remedy for the nausea associated with motion sickness. The exact reason is unknown, but in a study of naval cadets, those given ginger powder suffered less.

-Improves absorption. Ginger improves the absorption and stimulation of essential nutrients in the body. It does this by stimulating gastric and pancreatic enzyme secretion.

-Cold and Flu Prevention. Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a natural treatment for colds and flu around Asia. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that to treat cold and flu symptoms in adults, steep 2 tbsp. of freshly shredded or chopped ginger root in hot water, two to three times a day

-Combats Stomach Discomfort. Ginger is ideal in assisting digestion, thereby improving food absorption and avoiding possible stomach ache. Ginger appears to reduce inflammation in a similar way to aspirin and ibuprofen

-Colon Cancer Prevention. A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.

-Reduce Pain and Inflammation. Ginger contains some of the most potent anti-inflammatory fighting substances known and is a natural powerful painkiller.

-Fights Common Respiratory Problems. If you’re suffering from common respiratory diseases such as a cough, ginger aids in expanding your lungs and loosening up phlegm because it is a natural expectorant that breaks down and removes mucus.. That way you can quickly recover from difficulty in breathing.

-Ovarian Cancer Treatment. Ginger powder induces cell death in ovarian cancer cells.

-Strengthens Immunity. Ginger helps improve the immune system. Consuming a little bit ginger a day can help foil potential risk of a stroke by inhibiting fatty deposits from the arteries. It also decreases bacterial infections in the stomach, and helps battle a bad cough and throat irritation.

-Combats Morning Sickness. Ginger has demonstrated a success rate of 75 percent in curing morning sickness and stomach flu.

If consumed in reasonable quantities, ginger has few negative side effects, and is on the FDA's "generally recognized as safe" list, though it does interact with some medications, including warfarin. Ginger is contraindicated in people suffering from gallstones, as it promotes the production of bile.

Clarify Your Hair and Remove Buildup with Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used to clarify the hair when mixed with water, shampoo or conditioner. 
-Benefits: Cleans out excess product, removes impurities and cleans your hair better than many expensive products on the market. It is very alkaline pH of 9.0, which can make your hair absorb too much water causing it to weaken and break.

To counteract this, the baking soda clarifier should be followed with a more acid product such as Aloe Vera Juice or apple cider vinegar to normalize the pH of the hair.

Mix and measures:
-Shampoo: 1 tablespoon for 2 tablespoons of shampoo and leave it for 2 minutes.
-Rinse: Aloe juice, two tablespoons mixed with two cups of water.
With apple cider vinegar, 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water.

Follow with cool water rinse and your regular conditioner. Enjoy!

Amazing benefits of Witch Hazel

An astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana), which grows naturally from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada and south to Florida, and Texas in the United States. This plant was widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians. The witch hazel extract was obtained by steaming the twigs of the shrub.

The essential oil of witch hazel is not sold separately as a consumer product. The plant does not produce enough essential oil to make production viable, however, there are various distillates of witch hazel (called hydrosols or hydrolats) they are gentler than the "drug store"( alcohol- mix witch hazel).

Witch hazel is mainly used externally on sores, bruises, and swelling. The main constituents of the extract include tannin, gallic acid, catechins, proanthocyanins, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), essential oil (carvacrol, eugenol, hexenol), choline, saponins, and bitters. Distilled witch hazel sold in drug stores and pharmacies typically contains no tannin."


Many Uses for Witch Hazel

- Spot and blemish control: Witch hazel can reduce the inflammation on a pimple. Some people claim daily use helps with acne, and witch hazel can be found in many over-the-counter treatments. Application with a Witch Stick is the most convenient, but you can dab it on with a cotton ball. Ask your pharmacist before you do this, though.

- Soothe and heal diaper rash: If your baby's rash isn't healing quick enough, apply witch hazel solution with a cotton ball and you should see immediate improvement to your baby's bottom.

-Shrink bags under the eyes: Some people say that the application of hemorrhoid cream to those little baggies under your eyes can take them away. It's not an old wives' tale. One of the magic ingredients in a product like Preparation H is witch hazel, which helps tighten up the skin and reduce the bagginess.

-Soothe and reduce external hemorrhoids: Not only does witch hazel tighten skin, it's also a good anti-itch remedy. By combining witch hazel with aloe, glycerin or petroleum jelly and rub it on external hemorrhoids, you will reduce itching significantly and dry up most bleeding.

-Varicose vein relief: Soak wash cloths in witch hazel and lay on legs, which are propped straight out, to reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins. The witch hazel helps to tighten the veins, relieving the discomfort temporarily.

-Soothe poison ivy and poison oak: Just like acne and blemishes, the witch hazel reduces itching and relieves swelling. Something definitely worth packing on your next camping trip.

-Treat chicken pox blisters: A combination of aloe, honey, lavender and other essential oils create a spray that will vastly reduce the discomfort of chicken pox blisters. And it's all-natural. Here's what to do:

Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 40 drops lavender essential oil, 15 drops lemon essential oil, 15 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon carrot seed oil and 1/2 cup aloe vera gel.

Once completely mixed, and 1/2 cup distilled witch hazel and mix again. Pour mixture into spray bottle and use on affected areas (avoiding eyes). A more potent and less unsightly way to treat the chicken pox than traditional calamine lotion.

-Heal bruises faster: a thrice-daily dab of witch hazel can help speed up the healing time of the bruise.

Visit Rain On The Land for reccomended  New product!

Witch Hazel Distillate - Alcohol Free and Rose Water

http://www.rainontheland.com/rose-and-witch-hazel-water.html

BRAIN HEALTHY SHOPPING LIST

Original link: http://www.amenclinics.com/dr-amen/blog/cybcyb/foods-recipes/shopping-list/

BRAIN HEALTHY SHOPPING LIST
If you’re worried that trying to follow a brain healthy nutrition plan will restrict you to only a few foods, then I have good news for you! There are literally thousands of brain healthy foods that taste great.

To make it easier for you to start or stay on track with your brain healthy eating program, I have created a printable shopping list with nearly 200 of my favorite brain healthy foods. The items on this list are included because they meet one or more of the following brain healthy criteria:
Lean protein
Low glycemic
High in fiber
Low sodium
Healthy fats
High-quality calories
Brain healthy spices
Healthy liquids

Every time you go to the grocery store, print out this list and simply check off your favorites so you can stock up on delicious brain healthy foods. Whenever possible, I would highly recommend that you choose foods that are organic, hormone free, and antibiotic free.

*Foods with an asterisk are one of the 50 Best Brain Foods.

BRAIN HEALTHY SHOPPING LIST

Produce
Acorn squash
Apples*
Apricots
Artichokes
Asparagus*
Avocados*
Bananas*
Bell peppers (yellow, green, red, orange)*
Beets*
Blackberries*
Blueberries*
Bok choy
Broccoli*
Brussels sprouts*
Butternut squash
Cabbage
Canteloupe
Carrots*
Cauliflower
Celery
Cherries*
Collard greens
Corn
Cranberries*
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Grapefruit*
Grapes
Green beans
Honeydew*
Jicama
Kale
Kiwi*
Leeks
Lemons*
Lettuce
Limes*
Mangoes
Mesclun
Mushrooms
Mustard greens
Nectarines
Okra
Olives*
Onions
Oranges*
Papaya
Parsnips
Peaches*
Pears
Peas*
Pineapple
Plums
Pomegranates*
Prunes
Pumpkin
Radish
Raisins
Raspberries*
Plums*
Red grapes*
Snap peas
Soy beans*
Spaghetti squash
Spinach*
Strawberries*
Swiss chard
Tangerines
Tomatoes*
Turnips
Watercress
Watermelon
Yams/sweet potatoes*
Zucchini


Meats & Seafood
Anchovies
Chicken, skinless*
Chicken, ground white meat
Clams
Crab
Flounder
Haddock
Halibut
Herring*
Lobster
Mackerel
Olives
Oysters
Sardines
Scallops
Sea bass
Shrimp
Snapper
Swordfish
Trout
Turkey, skinless*
Turkey, ground white meat
Tuna*
Wild salmon*

Refrigerated Products
Cheese, low-fat*
Egg whites, DHA enriched*
Egg substitutes
Guacamole
Hummus
Salsa
Tofu
Yogurt, unsweetened*

Beverages
Almond milk, unsweetened*
Coffee
Rice milk
Soy milk
Tea, black
Tea, green*
Tea, herbal
Water*

Beans
Black beans*
Black-eyed peas
Fava beans
Kidney beans
Pinto beans*
Garbanzo beans*
Lentils*
Lima beans
Navy beans
Soybeans (edamame)
Split peas
White beans


Breads, Cereals & Grains
Brown rice
Bulgur (cracked wheat)
Oats*
Quinoa
Whole cornmeal
Whole wheat bread*
Whole wheat flour
Whole wheat tortillas

Nuts & Oils
Almonds, raw*
Canola oil
Canola oil spray
Cashews
Flaxseed oil
Hazelnuts
Olive oil*
Olive oil spray
Peanut butter
Peanuts
Pecans
Pistachios
Pumpkin seeds
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts*

Spices, Seasonings & Dressings
Balsamic vinegar
Balsamic vinaigrette, low-fat/low-sugar
Basil
Cinnamon
Curry/turmeric
Garlic
Ginger
Marinara sauce, low-fat/low-sugar
Marjoram
Mustard
Oregano
Rosemary
Saffron
Sage
Thyme

Snacks & Health Foods
Applesauce, unsweetened
Dark chocolate, low-sugar
Dried fruit, unsweetened
Dried veggies, no added oil
Stevia (natural sweetener)
Trail mix (nuts & dried fruits)
Turkey jerky
Whey protein
Xylitol (natural sweetener)

Frozen Foods
Fruits
Chicken breasts
Seafood
Turkey burger patties
Veggie burger patties
Veggies