If you are committed to taking the best care possible of your body, you’ll want to know about some common household items that
you probably don’t even realize are hazardous to your health. These
items create health risks that accumulate over time. When they
eventually affect you, you and your doctor may not even suspect them.
Better to get rid of them now.
Here are 5 items to toss:
1: Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose (Splenda) actually trick your body into storing fat and increase your risk of diabetes. You will find them in the little packets to sweeten drinks, and in food and beverages such as diet soda. They have even been implicated in heart attacks, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Plastic Food Containers and Bottles
Plastic food containers and bottles expose you to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Your endocrine system is vital to mood regulation, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, sexual functioning and reproduction. They can cause hypertension, cancer, and in children, reduced IQ and hyperactivity.
It is best to forgo all plastic containers, and replace them with glass.
3: Non-Stick Cookware
Most of us own some non-stick cookware. The coating is made with a chemical called PFOA, that has been labeled a “likely” carcinogen. PFOA is fluoride-based. When the pan is heated, the fluoride vaporizes into the air, where it can harm your family.
Replace your non-stick cookware with ceramic or glass.
4: Air Fresheners
Room deodorizers often contain a chemical that has been implicated in early puberty and other health problems, including cancer. Some of these fragrances also contain the endocrine-disrupting phthalates.
If there are unpleasant smells in a room, a better idea is to find and correct the root cause. It’s is also a good idea to open your windows and let the breeze blow through.
If you just enjoy scents, then opt for high-quality essential oils, which are made with natural ingredients and actually aid health.
5: Antibacterial Soaps and Detergents
Overuse of disinfectants promotes the growth of drug-resistant bacteria in the environment. The antibacterial compounds contained in these products have also been linked to a variety of health problems, including interfering with fetal development, allergies, thyroid dysfunction, endocrine disruption, weight gain, and increase in inflammation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said “there is currently no evidence that [antibacterial soaps] are any more effective at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water.” In fact, soap and water are often the very best way to clean at home.
You can also use a homemade disinfectant for kitchen counters, cutting boards, and bathrooms. That is 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Just put them in separate spray bottles, then use first one followed by the other. These have tested as more effective in killing bacterial than either chlorine bleach or commercial antibacterial cleansers.
Modern technology has brought us an array of household conveniences. Now our challenge is to closely consider which chemicals may be damaging our health. It is time to throw out some of those, and look for common-sense, non-toxic replacements.
Here are 5 items to toss:
1: Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose (Splenda) actually trick your body into storing fat and increase your risk of diabetes. You will find them in the little packets to sweeten drinks, and in food and beverages such as diet soda. They have even been implicated in heart attacks, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Plastic Food Containers and Bottles
Plastic food containers and bottles expose you to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Your endocrine system is vital to mood regulation, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, sexual functioning and reproduction. They can cause hypertension, cancer, and in children, reduced IQ and hyperactivity.
It is best to forgo all plastic containers, and replace them with glass.
3: Non-Stick Cookware
Most of us own some non-stick cookware. The coating is made with a chemical called PFOA, that has been labeled a “likely” carcinogen. PFOA is fluoride-based. When the pan is heated, the fluoride vaporizes into the air, where it can harm your family.
Replace your non-stick cookware with ceramic or glass.
4: Air Fresheners
Room deodorizers often contain a chemical that has been implicated in early puberty and other health problems, including cancer. Some of these fragrances also contain the endocrine-disrupting phthalates.
If there are unpleasant smells in a room, a better idea is to find and correct the root cause. It’s is also a good idea to open your windows and let the breeze blow through.
If you just enjoy scents, then opt for high-quality essential oils, which are made with natural ingredients and actually aid health.
5: Antibacterial Soaps and Detergents
Overuse of disinfectants promotes the growth of drug-resistant bacteria in the environment. The antibacterial compounds contained in these products have also been linked to a variety of health problems, including interfering with fetal development, allergies, thyroid dysfunction, endocrine disruption, weight gain, and increase in inflammation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said “there is currently no evidence that [antibacterial soaps] are any more effective at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water.” In fact, soap and water are often the very best way to clean at home.
You can also use a homemade disinfectant for kitchen counters, cutting boards, and bathrooms. That is 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Just put them in separate spray bottles, then use first one followed by the other. These have tested as more effective in killing bacterial than either chlorine bleach or commercial antibacterial cleansers.
Modern technology has brought us an array of household conveniences. Now our challenge is to closely consider which chemicals may be damaging our health. It is time to throw out some of those, and look for common-sense, non-toxic replacements.
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