What are your personal care products doing to you?
Personal well-being goes beyond the idea of eating healthy and exercising. The products you use on a daily basis and the many foods you eat lead to toxic accumulation. Naturally, the body works to flush out these toxins so that you remain healthy, but it’s being bombarded in today’s world.
The air we breathe is filled with toxins. Foods and drinks are riddled with artificial substances that can lead to toxicity, and even the beauty products we use lead to the accumulation of toxins.
Did you know some beauty products get absorbed into the blood stream in 26 seconds?
These are chemical-ridden products that may protect you from the sun, provide a perfume scent or even make your hair shine. But, what are these products doing to you internally? This is where toxic accumulation leads to stress, anxiety, lack of energy and simply not feeling good.
Even the baby products we know and love have many of these toxins.
Symptoms of Toxic Accumulation
Every person’s body is unique, so the symptoms experienced may vary. The most common symptoms related to accumulation are:
- Anxiety
- Aches and pains
- Depression
- Forgetfulness / mental fog
- Lack of energy
- Mood changes
- Muscle weakness or tightness
- Nausea
- Problems sleeping
- Vision problems
A lot of people will also start to feel restless and nervous for seemingly no reason. The body’s immune system also suffers, but this often goes unnoticed in the early stages of toxic accumulation.
Studies Back the Growing Toxicity Problems in Society
The CDC conducted studies in 1999 to determine which substances accumulate in the bodies of Americans. The study was conducted on participants in 12 U.S. locations, and measured their blood and urine levels to determine the amount of chemical substances in the body. The study found 24 new substances in the body than previously found.
There were 4 categories tracked during the study:
- Metals: Lead, mercury and cadmium.
- Tobacco smoke
- Phthalates
- Organophosphate pesticides
The goal of the study is to determine how these levels change. While tobacco smoke levels have decreased over time, there is a surprising level of phthalates in the body. What are phthalates? These are compounds most commonly found in:
- Shampoo and conditioners
- Hairspray
- Flexible products
- Nail polish
- Beauty products
Strong correlations between breast cancer and high levels of phthalates has been found. Mercury was also found during the study and in much higher levels than expected. This metal is known to be particularly harmful to children and pregnant women.
Dr. Philip Landrigan of Mount Sinai School of Medicine said it best: “the study is a wake-up call.”
People, Americans in particular, are exposed to toxic chemicals regularly that can be avoided. Brief exposure to specific chemicals is not life-threatening and may not even pose a risk to a person’s health. Low exposure is not the major concern; long exposure where accumulation occurs is the biggest issue.
Common Toxins in Everyday Products
No one wants to create toxicity in the body, but many of us avoid the non-toxic alternatives. High prices, lack of knowledge or simply preferring a specific product over the alternatives are the main causes for people accumulating these nasty toxins in the body.
Which chemicals are causing the hidden toxicity issue?
A lot – many that you use every day – including:
BPA
Found in clear, heat-resistant plastics. BPA can be found in tableware, baby bottles, cans, lids, dental sealants and many electronics. BPA is everywhere, but it is most commonly absorbed into the body through hand-to-mouth contact. The CDC found BPA in 93% of participants.
Kaiser Permanente conducted a study that linked BPA with:
- Reduced sexual function in men
- Higher risk of cancers
- Brain and behavior disorders
- Prostate gland issues in fetuses
Phthalates
One of the chemicals I’ve talked about at length so far. This is a chemical known to bind chemicals together and softens plastics. Phthalates can be found in:
- Shampoos and conditioners
- Hairspray
- Perfume and colognes
- Soap
- Nail polish
- Vinyl flooring
- Shower curtains
Virtually everyone is exposed to phthalates. The health effects associated with phthalate accumulation include:
- Disruption in reproductive development
- ADHD
- Endocrine disruption
A major issue is companies do not need to list phthalates when used in scents. Consumers using scented deodorants or sprays will often find “fragrance” listed in the ingredients, and this is where phthalates are left out.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Found mainly in products that are water-repellent or nonstick. This means the Teflon pots you cook with or the waterproof clothing you wear may include PFOA. Inhalation is a major issue with PFOA, but nonstick pans can also contaminate food, allowing the toxin to be ingested.
PFOA is listed as an EPA, or a chemical of concern.
The health effects associated with exposure include:
- Higher risk of certain cancers
- Developmental problems
A quick way to lower exposure to PFOA is to use stainless steel or cast iron cookware, and to not overheat when using nonstick cookware to avoid the release of toxins.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Electronics are everywhere from cellphones to tablets, televisions and computers. While we may not eat these products, they do contain PBDEs. This is seen in flame retardants that reduce the chances of your favorite products from catching on fire.
What people don’t realize is that products shed PBDEs in the form of dust.
When you breathe in the dust, it collects in your fat tissues. As accumulation occurs, damage to the kidneys and liver can occur. The EPA has also suggested that brain and behavior issues may result with accumulation. The EPA considers PBDEs chemicals of concern, yet over 124 million pounds of PBDEs are manufactured annually around the world.
These are just some of the many toxins that you need to avoid to get healthy.
Personal and Homecare Products
What do I recommend? Where do you even start to try and avoid toxic accumulation?
One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of toxins is to find nontoxic products. The products that you’re willingly cleaning your home with or putting directly onto your body is a good place to start.
A healthy body starts with you.
Ditch those perfumes and hairsprays that are leading to toxic buildup in the body.
What do I recommend?
Ava Anderson Products. Ava Anderson is world-known for producing 100% safe personal and home care products. You can even see Ava talk about her line of products on TED Talk. A line of products everyone uses on a regular basis, the Ava Anderson line contains:
- Skin products
- Makeup
- Body washes
- Sunscreens
- Scented products
- Home products
- Hair products
- Products for kids
- Products for babies
- Pet products
There are even bug sprays, products for automobiles, candles, dental products, shaving products and dental products to ensure you have a glowing smile – without the toxins.
Click here to view all Ava Anderson Products.
These are products I use in my daily life. The changes we make today will reduce the toxic accumulation in the body over time, leading to an increase in energy, stress reduction and a lower risk of cancers and illness.
The small steps are the steps that matter the most
If you’re not taking an active approach to lower your risk of toxic accumulation, many of your aches, pains, problems sleeping and even depression and stress problems will get worse.