Tag Archives: chiropractic and health

Natural Beauty

Posted by Dr. Kristen in Health, Products and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

Do you really know what’s in the bath and beauty products you’re using? What if I told you many of the popular brands you’re using are made with harmful toxins that are not only wrecking havoc on your health, but also the environment.  The scary truth is that the government does not require health studies or pre-market testing for these products. On average, consumers use about 10 personal care products containing 126 ingredients per day.beauty products have toxinx

Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are used as preservatives and antibacterial agents in many of the lotions and soaps we buy. We use these products externally, on our skin, and the rest is washed down the drain. These chemicals have been found to accumulate in our waterways. Scientist at the John Hopkins Center estimate that these chemicals are among the top contaminates in our nation’s water. Not only that, these chemicals are toxic to aquatic animals.

These hazardous toxins are also finding their way into our food supply, which, when ingested can cause the development of resistance to antibiotics against the microorganisms that are meant to protect us. Several chemicals that occasionally crop up in personal care products have been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and a host of other health effects. Beware of: lead, mercury, Nitromethane, Methyl cellosolve (or methoxyethanol).

Shopping Strategies:

Buy organic bath and beauty products whenever possible.

Read labels. It can be daunting to scan the long list of unpronounceable ingredients for harmful ones. Instead think about just switching to safer, organic brands.  Consider the toothpaste you use, the fragrance you wear and the sun screen you  put on. Most nail polish is also full of toxic stuff, including formaldehyde or formalin.  In your cosmetics, watch out for parabens (used as preservatives) and silver nanoparticles (found in sunscreens).

Try making your own, using herbs and natural ingredients. It’s easier than you think! Check out DIYnatual.com for an easy recipe for homemade, biodegradable laundry soap and add your favorite essential oils for fragrance.

To learn more:
organic soaps

Visit EWG.ORG, an online safety guide for cosmetics and personal care products, launched in 2004 to help people find safer products, with fewer ingredients that are hazardous or that haven’t been thoroughly tested.  This database provides easy-to-navigate safety ratings for thousands of personal care products. Search for all your favorite products and find out how they’ve been rated. I found it to be very informative and useful!

So many of us have already hopped aboard the “green” wagon with our household cleaning products and grocery bags, so why not do so with the personal care products your use daily? Let’s better our health and our planet by being conscious consumers and using natural organic products.

Wine and Chocolate: A Happy Easter Indeed!

Posted by Dr. Kristen in Nutrition and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

health benefits of red wineThe festive holidays that mark the beginning of spring come with many temptations. Choosing to live well is to take these temptations and turn them into healthy treats that celebrate the season. Wine and chocolate can be good for you- or evil.

A glass of red wine is packed with powerful antioxidants that have been found to reduce the risk or heart attack and stroke, all while improving brain function, increasing lifespan, fighting cancer and decreasing the effects of aging. Phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and resveratrol, act as antioxidants and prevent “free radicals” from causing cellular damage in the body.

The benefits of red wine (and dark beer like Guinness) favor the cardiovascular system by relaxing the blood vessels and inhibiting the oxidation of unhealthy cholesterol. In moderation, alcohol can raise your good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and thin your blood, preventing clotting and lowering the risk of heart disease.

When it comes to chocolate, the darker the better!

On a month where multitudes of chocolate bunnies fill the grocery store shelves, it’s easy to feel like a kid in a candy store. It’s O.K. to give in to temptation, just be smart about it.chocolate is good for you

The benefits of chocolate have been known for thousands of years and some native tribes who regularly consumed cocoa showed very low rates of cardiovascular disease. Epicatechins, the natural compound found in cocoa, may offer significant benefits to those who’ve previously suffered from a stroke by its ability to restore function to blood vessels. Chocolate even contains chemicals associated with happy emotions.

Remember that not all chocolate is created equal. The more processing, like heat and light, chocolate is subjected to, the less antioxidants it has. Added ingredients like sugar and dairy can turn the otherwise beneficial treat into something quite the opposite; the milk in milk chocolate interferes with the absorption of beneficial antioxidants. Consuming a moderate amount of an organic, unprocessed, dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa is ideal.

Limiting alcohol to one glass per day is recommended for optimal health benefits. Keep in mind that drinking heavily can lead to weight gain; one bottle of wine is about 480 calories (that’s the equivalent of two 20-ounce Cokes!) For some, sulfates and tannins in wine can even trigger migraine headaches.

So indulge on these plant phenol-rich super foods during this holy season… but keep well by indulging in moderation. Happy Easter, everyone!