| We've all been watching the annual parade of 'pink' | | | | · Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40) |
| - all in the name of raising money to fight breast | | | | · DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA |
| cancer! The objectives are admirable - more | | | | (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (Triethanolamine) |
| money for research for early detection and | | | | · Dioxin (not listed as an ingredient - a |
| maybe to defeat the causes of breast cancer. | | | | by-product from manufacturing) |
| AND it's important. | | | | · DMDM Hydantoin & Urea |
| Somehow, despite all the pink ribbons and | | | | (Imidazolidinyl) |
| fundraising, the disease continues to affect | | | | · FD&C Color Pigments |
| thousands of families every year. Today breast | | | | · Fragrances |
| cancer affects nearly 1 in every 6 women and all | | | | · Parabens (common xeno-estrogen |
| cancers affecting 1 in 3 women. There is no | | | | preservative) |
| family that has been left untouched by cancer. An | | | | · PEG (Polyethylene glycol) |
| astounding toll! | | | | · Phthalates (emulsifier, extender, |
| So, what's going on here? Are there ways to | | | | softener - commonly used in baby products |
| minimize my chances of getting it? | | | | bottles/etc.) |
| You know, it didn't seem like the odds of being | | | | · Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene |
| affected by breast cancer were as great when I | | | | Glycol |
| was growing up. That didn't mean I didn't see | | | | · Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium |
| loved ones affected. In fact, my mother-in-law | | | | Laureth Sulfate (SLES) |
| contracted the disease and I would massage her | | | | · Triclosan (anti-bacterial thought to |
| right arm after her mastectomy removed not | | | | create super-bugs; non-recyclable contaminant in |
| only her breast but also the lymph nodes under | | | | water) |
| her arm, leaving swelling and hard lumps. Because | | | | · Sunscreen ingredients like |
| of my mother-in-law, I also had an unusually large | | | | benzophenone, avebenzone, cinemates, PABA |
| clientele of breast cancer patients or those | | | | Begin by reading the ingredient label on every |
| recovering from breast cancer. | | | | product. Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that |
| Even with those experiences, it seemed that if | | | | many of these toxic ingredients are hormone |
| you had a relative who was affected, genetically | | | | disruptors, wetting agents that assure the |
| you had a better chance of having breast cancer. | | | | products act faster/penetrate better, and |
| In fact, a common response to the very mention | | | | preservatives known to affect health. Making a |
| of 'Cancer' was an automatic assumption that you | | | | choice to purchase products that contain NO |
| had been diagnosed and given a death sentence. | | | | xeno-estrogens or other toxins is a bold step in |
| Of course, we now know that isn't the case and | | | | the right direction! |
| much progress in diagnosis and successful | | | | I really believe that we could all begin this effort |
| intervention/treatment has occurred in the past | | | | by simply checking out the back labels in our |
| two to three decades. At the same time, we've | | | | bathrooms. While it's pretty scary to think about, |
| also seen the incidence of breast cancer | | | | experts tell us that most of us come in contact |
| skyrocket! So it's now our responsibility to find | | | | with over 200 toxic chemicals before we get |
| and practice common sense habits that will help | | | | dressed in the morning. That means we are |
| the long-term prognosis for us and for our | | | | bathing ourselves in toxins! |
| daughters and granddaughters. | | | | Whether it's the shampoo and conditioner, the |
| According to a number of research efforts at | | | | body wash, our toothpaste, deodorant, hair styling |
| major universities and research centers, there's | | | | products, or the makeup on our face, it all adds |
| ample evidence to suggest that our immune | | | | to the chemical load on our bodies. I encourage |
| systems are being weakened from exposure to | | | | you to replace just one or two products a week |
| toxins and chemical poisons. Everyday exposure | | | | with products certified ToxicFree® - your |
| to chemical poisons in our household and personal | | | | assurance the product contains no hormone |
| care products can keep the body from warding | | | | disruptors, carcinogens or other known toxic |
| off or mitigating breast cancers and other | | | | ingredients. Each step will create a safer, cleaner, |
| diseases. | | | | healthier home for you and for your family. |
| So what are everyday exposures that I might | | | | Every woman really needs to take exercise |
| have? | | | | seriously as well. Just 30 minutes of exercise per |
| We know that much of the current surge of | | | | week has been shown to return major benefits. |
| interest in natural and organic products is coming | | | | A recent study revealed that 30-150 minutes of |
| from women - fully 60-80% depending upon | | | | exercise per week greatly reduced the risk of |
| which research study you are focusing on. These | | | | developing breast cancer. |
| are women who want to improve the overall | | | | According to the lead researcher, breast cancer |
| wellness of their families and themselves. Just that | | | | rates were 50% lower in the group of women |
| fact, alone, is cause for celebration. But every | | | | who exercised - and up to 70% lower among |
| consumer also needs to realize what 'natural and | | | | African-Americans who exercised. The best news |
| organic' may be covering up in their everyday | | | | was that the risk for various types of breast |
| products! | | | | cancer was reduced - even the most aggressive |
| Not everything that carries a byline of 'natural and | | | | types. |
| organic' is free from toxic or harmful ingredients. | | | | Teaching our families how to prevent illness begins |
| Becoming educated about toxic ingredients, like | | | | with a healthy role model. READ labels, exercise, |
| the ones in the following list, is critical to your | | | | buy healthy products, do regular self-examination |
| efforts to buy products that 'Do No Harm'. | | | | - and teach your daughters the same wellness |
| Avoid these Red Flag ingredients in your products: | | | | habits! |