1. Shampoo
One of the most common items hiding in most people's homes are
chemical-ridden hair products, particularly shampoos and
conditioners.
Some of the typical
chemicals within conventional shampoos include,
...and more.
Parabens are a known carcinogen, as they're directly associated
with different types of cancer; for example, one study found
that 99% of breast cancer tissues tested had parabens in them.
Some common
ingredients in perfume/synthetic fragrances are,
-
benzene
derivatives
-
aldehydes
-
phthalates,
...and many other
toxins associated with cancer, birth defects, nervous-system
disorders, and allergies.
Head & Shoulders
specifically contains
fragrance, synthetic colors, and SLS, amongst a myriad of other
chemicals in the toxic cocktail that makes up their shampoos and
conditioners.
Some of their shampoo
products also contain
methylchloroisothiazolinone, a
potential mutagen.
2.
Non-Stick Cookware
When I first discovered
non-stick cookware, I
absolutely loved it!
That was, until I
found out about the potential health risks that come with
cooking with these products. The issue is that non-stick
cookware is created using a synthetic coating of
polytetrafluoroethylene, otherwise known as Teflon, a
plastic polymer that will actually release toxins when heated at
450º Fahrenheit (232º C) or higher.
One study found that heating cookware coated with Teflon for
only two to five minutes on a conventional stovetop can cause
the coating to break apart and emit toxic particles and gases.
Even just inhaling
these once can cause people to become sick with what's known as
the "Teflon flu."
Some of the chemicals within that coating are also considered
potential carcinogens.
3.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are in so many products, and one of the
most prevalent ones used is aspartame.
Aspartame is commonly thought
to only be in diet
sodas, but it's often added to
teas, energy drinks, protein shakes, milk products, juices, and
other artificially flavored beverages.
Aspartame has been
linked to numerous health problems,
including cancer.
There's been a lot of controversy surrounding the
aspartame/cancer link, and many corporations that profit off
aspartame have funded research in efforts to disprove the causal
link.
However, a study
performed in 2007 showed that aspartame can cause leukemias/lymphomas
and mammary (breast) cancer.
Instead of using artificial sweeteners, try a natural
alternative such as maple syrup, raw honey, Xylitol, Stevia,
organic cane sugar, or dates.
4. Plastic
Bottles and Food Containers
So much of our "food"
comes in plastic bags,
containers, and bottles.
Even our fruits and
vegetables are commonly wrapped in plastic. Not only is this
extremely wasteful and bad for the environment, but it isn't
very good for our health, either.
If you're drinking from a plastic water bottle, the chemicals
within that plastic that are touching your lips can literally
seep into your mouth, especially if your water has been sitting
in the bottle for a while.
Left your bottle in a
hot car? That's even worse, as the heat expedites this chemical
leaching.
You've probably noticed more and more "BPA-free" labels on
plastic bottles, and that's because people have become
increasingly aware of how using plastic containers can harm our
health, as many
contain BPA, which can cause
cancer in people.
An easy solution is to use a refillable water bottle and
glassware, which is not only better for your own health, but the
health of the environment, too.
5. Air
Fresheners
This is a big one.
Air fresheners are
all over people's houses; from bedrooms to bathrooms to cars,
people love them. Typically they're made with synthetic
fragrance, otherwise known as perfume.
Perfume is basically
a cocktail of toxic chemicals, but instead of listing all of
these chemicals on the back of products, it's conveniently
labeled as "perfume" so that companies can keep their signature
fragrance a trade secret.
Unfortunately, this also allows companies to hide harmful
ingredients, many of which are known carcinogens, in their
products without the consumer even knowing.
For a more natural alternative, try brands like
Saje Natural Wellness or
DoTerra, or make your own
using essential oils and water!
You could even use
natural disinfectants like tea tree and pine essential oils.
6.
Conventional Cleaners
Most families have an entire shelf filled with toxic cleaners
because corporations convince consumers they need different
products to clean specific surfaces.
Even though most of
these products have toxic warning signs on them that clearly
state they're poisonous and/or corrosive, people continue to,
quite literally, buy into this corporate propaganda.
Not only are they
breathing in these fumes while cleaning, but so are any of their
household visitors and/or children.
According to the
David Suzuki Foundation,
some of the common chemicals found in household cleaning
products
include,
-
2-BE (causes
reproductive problems)
-
ammonia
(associated with kidney and liver damage)
-
coal tar dyes
(causes cancer and harms nervous system)
-
the infamous
"fragrance" or perfume...
For an all-natural,
all-purpose household cleaner,
check out Dr. Bronner's...
7.
Toothpaste
Commercial toothpastes
primarily use toxic substances as a means to "clean your mouth,"
as the ingredients in regular toothpastes can cause,
-
enamel damage
-
dental
flourosis
-
stomach
ailments
-
skin rashes,
...and more.
One of the worst ingredients found in most conventional and
"dentist approved" toothpastes
is fluoride, a known
carcinogen.
Fluoride has been a
known neurotoxin for a long time, but the government claims it
benefits our teeth. In reality, it hasn't actually been proven
to prevent the buildup of harmful oral bacteria.
However, it has
proven to be toxic, with long-term ingestion linked to brain,
heart, and bone issues.
You can get fluoride
free toothpaste here.
"In point of
fact, fluoride causes more human cancer deaths than any
other chemical.
When you have
power you don't have to tell the truth. That's a rule that's
been working in this world for generations. There are a
great many people who don't tell the truth when they are in
power in administrative positions.
This amounts to
public murder on a grand scale, it is a public crime...
It is some of the
most conclusive bits of scientific and biological evidence
that I have come across in my 50 years in the field of
cancer research."
Dr.
Dean Burk
Biochemist, Founder of Biotin and Former Chief Chemist
at
the National Cancer Institute of Heal
(source)
8. Soap
Whether it's dish soap, hand soap, or body wash, conventional
soaps often contain a wide array of chemicals.
Antibacterial soaps
regularly contain
Triclosan, which is a potential
carcinogen, along with many of the other ingredients often found
in typical soaps.
Conventional soaps
also often contain perfume/fragrance.
The good news is that organic/all-natural soap is widely
available!
Dr. Bronner's
makes a great dish soap, as does Green Beaver, and there
are tons of great body products made by all-natural brands like
Andalou and Saje Natural Wellness.
9. Laundry
Detergent
Laundry detergents often contain,
phosphorus,
enzymes, ammonia, naphthalene, phenol, and sodium
nitilotriacetate,
...all of which can
cause rashes, itchiness, dryness, and sinus problems.
These chemicals are
easily absorbed through your skin from your clothes and bed
sheets.
In addition, many
conventional detergents contain artificial scents and
"fragrance," which is a code name for a sweet cocktail of
hazardous chemicals and potential carcinogens...
My favorite
all-natural detergent is
doTERRA's On Guard Laundry Detergent.
10. Baby
Powder
Many baby powders are talc-based, meaning that they contain high
amounts of talcum powder.
According to the
American Cancer Society, talc in its natural form, which
contains
asbestos, can cause cancer. One
of the most popular baby powders used produced by Johnson and
Johnson is
talc-based.
The company has been
sued many times and has paid millions of dollars to those who
claimed their baby powder caused their cancer.
A more recent case against Johnson & Johnson involved a
California woman who was awarded more than $70 million in her
lawsuit against the company, as she claimed their baby powder
caused her ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson,
like many other companies, has failed to disclose the dangers of
using their products.
Although there are
many all-natural alternatives available,
here's a link to a DIY
Natural recipe for baby powder.
