Yet another item to toss from your home is one that has become regarded as the best method of cooking out there – non-stick cookware. Using non-stick cookware sure makes cooking easier and more convenient, but is the average person aware of the harm revolving around this cookware? Unlike iron or ceramic pots and pans, this type of cooking vesicle can transmit a toxic chemical through the air that you breathe in. Before continuing to use non-stick cookware, be aware of the many non-stick cookware dangers.

Chemical Compounds: PFOS, PFOA, and PTFE

Most notable of the non-stick cookware dangers, chemical compounds known as perfluorinated compounds are emitted from using this cookware. Once the compounds become heated, they are considered to be a potentially deadly vapor gas if taken in too quickly. Perfluorinated compounds are amongst many non stick surfaces, as well as in popcorn packaging, french fry boxing, candy bar wrappers as well as  other various food items. It is best to stay away from anything that may contain perfluorinated compounds in them.

Along with PFOAs, another toxic chemical known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are actually capable of killing birds. The chemical responsible for the biological damage, which has been shown to cause many problems in animals, has been found in the bloodstream of 95 percent of Americans.

Low Birth Weight in Infants

To add to the non-stick cookware dangers, a direct correlation between PFOA and low birth-weight has been found, affecting newborns around the globe. The full effects of C8 (further abbreviated name of PFOA) exposure went under study, under the lead of a Dr. Goldman of John Hopkins University. Though the results came to be conclusive about the low birth weight and other deformations found in infant children, the Teflon chemical still persists as the prime ingredient in non-stick surfaces.

Thyroid disease, oxidization of DNA in organs

The teflon compound, when released into the air around you and integrated into the bloodstream through ingestion, can pose a serious risk for thyroid damage while also negatively impacting DNA. The results from a study taken in Tokyo have found that these chemicals are at the very least carcinogenic, if not potentially more deadly on a larger timescale. Obviously people that have been using conventional products like candy wrappers and popcorn bags for the past century are at a greater risk for toxic exposure, but it should not be overlooked as something minor by any means.

So while non-stick cookware is convenient, is it really worth exposing yourself to the many non-stick cookware dangers? As a precaution, you may want to put aside the non-stick cooking ‘essentials’ and use something tried and true as a method for cooking their foods, just as a precaution and to hopefully enrich their lives further.

Additional sources:

ABCNews

ScienceDirect

Mercola

After experiencing the traumatizing death of her daughter to kidney failure just three days after her daughter was born, Sofia Gatica from Argentina became determined to find out what killed her daughter. Her conclusion? Monsanto’s genetically modified soy fields that surrounded her neighborhood, laced with damaging insecticides negatively affecting nearby neighborhood children and adults alike. Gatica began to detail how her small town was plagued with astronomically high birth defect rates, respiratory disease, and even infant mortality. What she didn’t know was that she would later receive an environmental award for her efforts to make change.

Top Environmental Award Given to a Mother for Beating Monsanto

From this point, the courageous mother decided to take on Monsanto. Amazingly, she is not alone in her struggle against the biotechnology colossus when it comes to causing birth problems, as a large group of farmers — also from Argentina — have launched a lawsuit against Monsanto for causing ‘devastating birth defects‘ in children. Gatica was initially alone, however, when she first began her uphill battle. Forming a group of concerned mothers in her local area of Ituzaingó after hosting an event at her home to discuss her experiences, the mother would be one of the very few who has actually beat Monsanto.

After sharing her story with local mothers who were also concerned for the safety of their children and families as a whole, Gatica co-founded the Mothers of Ituzaingó — an action group of 16 mothers collaborating to end Monsanto’s rampant chemical usage. The team took to the streets, going door to door to create what was the first epidemiological study of the area, only to discover that the effects of Monsanto’s concoctions were dramatically affecting many families in the town of Ituzaingó. With cancer rates 41 times the national average, something had to be done.

As a result of the serious campaign to eradicate Monsanto, the mothers were rewarded. Argentina’s Supreme Court not only banned chemical spraying near populated areas, but demanded that the government as well as soy manufacturers now prove that these chemicals are safe. Sofia Gatica is now being honored for her great environmental work with the Goldman Environmental prize, a major environmental award given to activists. Although not everyone will receive an environmental award for creating change, this story shows just how serious activism can take down most any threat — even Monsanto.

It is no surprise that fast food is extremely unhealthy. On one level, the processed junk food lacks essential vitamins and nutrients, while they are also concocted with numerous health-hazardous substances and chemicals which should not be found in food — let alone be eaten. Knowing this information, it is no wonder why you should avoid fast food at all costs. It is safe to say that no healthy individuals would or should be consuming fast food, and certainly no sick individuals who are depleted of nutrients (as a result of avoiding real food) should be consuming it either. So what in the world are fast food chains like McDonald’s doing in places like hospital cafeterias?

One common pun states that if you want to get sick you should go to a hospital, but the fact that fast food resides in these ‘health’ institutions lends even more truth to the humorous statement. It turns out that some hospitals, such as a hospital in Des Moines, think nothing of the fast food placement. Since 1988, the Des Moines hospital has been blessed by a McDonald’s fast food restaurant, and management seems to want no change.

As expected, the hospital has undergone much scrutiny for its decision to host a McDonald’s in its institution, with some of the disapproval coming from nation-wide junk food critic Corporate Accountability International. Asking the hospital to shut down the restaurant, the group said:

“Your hospital is being used as part of McDonald’s comprehensive marketing strategy, a strategy that is clearly inconsistent with your goals as a health institution”.

In response, hospital management said:

“[McDonald’s is] an alternative to visitors and family members to dine in a familiar environment that can be a comfort, particularly for children, during stressful times. McDonald’s offers a variety of choices, including healthy foods such as salads, and provides nutrition information for its patrons”.

McDonald’s salads, often pushed as a healthier alternative as portrayed above, contain two ingredients known as cilantro lime glaze and orange glaze. Within the glaze lies propylene glycol — a chemical that is not legal to use in cat food because its safety has not yet been proven to be safe. In addition, propylene glycol is also used ”as the killing and preserving agent in pitfall traps, usually used to capture ground beetles.” The salads also contain two ingredients that divulge the presence of MSG: disodium inosinate, and disodium guanylate.

Should sick individuals really be consuming food completely void of vitamins and nutrients, containing not life energy but toxic ingredients? The mind and body operates and thrives on the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it gets from real food. Fast food will only increase your risk of depression, obesity, or potentially lead to a powerful junk addiction. Such dead foods will not aid in recovery or positively impact overall health.

In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration gained authority to regulate tobacco products, and now they will soon be exercising that ability. Already releasing preliminary guidelines for the tobacco industry that can educate consumers on exactly what is in cigarettes, the FDA is making it so tobacco companies will have to report on the amount of harmful and unsafe ingredients used in their products.

Tobacco Industry Forced to List Ingredients Used in Their Products

Within one year, the FDA plans to share information on chemical amounts, while tobacco makers will be required to report on the amount of 93 substances used in their products. This means that harmful ingredients used such as ammonia and formaldehyde will need to be made known to the public. This decision will certainly ignite a slew of ingredient-based information regarding tobacco products.

 “We are forging new territory to ensure that tobacco companies provide accurate information and do not mislead American consumers. We are committed to stopping such practices that may cause people to start or continue using tobacco products that could lead to preventable disease and death,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement.

There are over 4,000 individual compounds identified in tobacco and tobacco smoke, with at least 60 of them being known carcinogens. How would you feel after finding out that with every cigarette comes a dose of insecticide, car exhaust, gas chamber poison, ant poison, floor cleaner, mothballs, and nuclear weapon material? The fact is, there are hundreds of chemicals in tobacco products (and cigarettes especially) that people don’t even know about.

• Insecticide – nicotine
• Car exhaust – carbon monoxide
• Gas chamber poison – hydrogen cyanide
• Ant poison – ammonia
• Mothballs – naphthalene
• Nuclear power – radioactive compounds

While this kind of information won’t be responsible for ending the bad habit of smoking for the majority of individuals, it may serve to kick the habit for many. Even while smoking and tobacco use is already known to cause various cancers such as lung cancer, throat cancer, and stomach cancer, the health damaging aspects of smoking aren’t enough for people to quit. But now, seeing “formaldehyde”, “lead”, and “arsenic” on the label may just be enough to cause many people to finally quit smoking and tobacco use.

In a new study soon to be published in an edition of Science of the Total Environment, researchers found yet again that hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is causing cancer. While fracking is known to be contributing to various health problems through the contamination of groundwater, it is also important to recognize that those near the hydraulic fracturing sites are taking in an even greater dose of chemicals through the air.

Cancerous Air a Result of Hydraulic Fracturing

The process of fracking involves a number of harmful and carcinogenic substances that are helping to lead to the downfall of public health. The EPA has admitted that this method of attaining oil or gas by pumping chemicals underground is causing polluted water, which being consumed by countless number of individuals every day. Still, the process of fracking persists. The new research focusing on fracking’s negative impact on air quality is pointing out that, after three years of monitoring air quality near fracking sites, there are a number of toxic petroleum hydrocarbons in the air.

“Our data show that it is important to include air pollution in the national dialogue on natural gas development that has focused largely on water exposures to hydraulic fracturing” Lead author Lisa McKenzie, Ph.D., MPG, said

Many of the chemicals used in the fracking process are harmful by nature, and are being ingested far too regularly. You can expect to find carcinogenic chemicals such as naphthalene, diesel, formaldehyde, and lead in the fracking process, but one of the primary cancer-causing culprits eyed down by scientists and researchers is benzene. Found in gasoline, benzene has been shown to cause dizziness, weakness, and chest constriction at short-term exposure while being a major contributor to lifetime excess cancer risk.

“Our results show that the non-cancer health impacts from air emissions due to natural gas development is greater for residents living closer to wells…The greatest health impact corresponds to the relatively short-term, but high emission, well completion period…We also calculated higher cancer risks for residents living nearer to the wells as compared to those residing further [away]…Benzene is the major contributor to lifetime excess cancer risk from both scenarios,” states the study report.

Research is consistently and conclusively reporting that fracking is indeed cause for concern, and thus should be heavily investigated. Mainstream doctors are urging the United States government to actually halt fracking — what do you think?

Fracking has been known to be cause environmental and health damage. Doctors have begun warning the United States government along with gas and oil producers of the dangers revolving around fracking, with many on a quest to end fracking completely.

Carcinogenic Chemicals Contaminating Water Supply Through Fracking

Fracking, or the act of pumping water and chemicals underground in order to facilitate the flow of oil or gas, is resulting in contaminated and polluted groundwater. Environmentalists and activists alike have long been trying to force oil and gas companies to disclose which chemicals are being used for their drilling and fracking process, but efforts have been less than successful. A 2011 congressional report states that many of the chemicals being used in the fracking process do pose a health risk, and so individuals should know exactly what chemicals are being used. Another report released by the Food & Water Watch states that the process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is to become a global and environmental health threat.

Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch, states:

“Fracking is a dangerous American export that should be viewed critically by countries just starting to engage in the practice. Modern drilling and fracking have caused widespread environmental and public health problems, as well as posed serious, long-term risks to vital water resources…while the oil and gas industry is profiting off of this technology, it has been a disaster for Americans exposed to its pollution.”

Although the full list of ingredients used in fracking is not known, we do have a partial list. Here are some of the known ingredients and chemicals used in the fracking process:

• Water – Making up approximately 99 percent of fracking fluid.

• Methanol – A chemical used in antifreeze, pain solvent, and vehicle fluid, methanol can cause headaches, fatigue, eye irritation and can be fatal at high doses. Swallowing methanol could cause eye damage or even death.

• Benzene – Found in gasoline, benzene has been shown to cause dizziness, weakness, and chest constriction at short-term exposure while being a major contributor to lifetime excess cancer risk. Benzene is a known carcinogen.

• Crystalline silica – A known carcinogen, crystalline silica is harmful when inhaled over a long period of time, leading to silicosis or cancer. It can be found in concrete, brick mortar, and construction sands.

• Naphthalene  – Naphthalene is found in mothballs, can cause respiratory tract irritation, nausea, vomiting, fever, death, and is carcinogenic.

• Diesel – Another carcinogen, diesel is known to cause redness, burning, severe skin damage, and cancer.

• Formaldehyde – Ingesting one ounce of formaldehyde can cause death, while exposure over time can cause lung damage, nervous system disorders, and reproductive problems in women. The chemical is also a carcinogen.

• Lead – Previously found in 500 popular lipstick shades, and known to contaminate the water supply, lead is a carcinogenic heavy metal found in paint and building construction materials. It leads to nervous system damage, fertility problems, and brain disorders.

• Sulfuric acid – Found in lead-acid batteries for cars, sulfuric acid is corrosive to all  body tissues. At a lethal dose of between 1 teaspoonful and 1.5 ounce, it is classified as a probable carcinogen.

Many more chemicals can be found in the fracking process such as fuel oil #2, kerosene, hydrofluoric acid, and boric acid. With mainstream doctors, the EPA, and countless activists around the nation protesting the health-threatening nature of hydraulic fracking, isn’t it time that an independent investigation was conducted?

Almost four decades ago I was taught a different approach to health and healing than what is now taught at western medical practices. I was taught how to find simplicity in the complexity of life. As stated, the cure is always found in the cause. We must always seek the cause for health challenges and then the signs, signals and symptoms will simply disappear. I was also taught we must stop doing those things that contribute to dis-ease first and then start doing those things that contribute to health. As doctors or healers, we should suggest the minimum in recommendations and supplementation for the maximum result. The below is a simple ten step program continued for achieving optimum health and longevity.

The Simplicity of Complexity | Ten Steps to Optimum Health – Part 2

5. Mind - What we don’t use we lose. Reading is mentally stimulating, therefore always be reading a good book. By simply not watching TV for a couple of hours a day it will give you some time to read. Learn how to play a musical instrument. You don’t need a $10,000 Baby Grand piano. A flute, guitar, violin, or one of many other inexpensive instruments will get you in the game. If that is not interesting to you, perhaps you can learn woodworking or sewing? There are literally hundreds of hobbies or projects you can wrap your mind around. Playing chess or cards is not only challenging, but you may just develop a lifelong friendship with your “playmates.”

6. Attitude - Don’t take life so seriously. We are not here for a long time, but the time spent here should be comprised of good feelings. Learn to forgive the unforgivable. Through daily prayer or meditation and relaxation you will learn to deal with or release emotional issues, thereby creating a more peaceful life. There is nothing wrong with expressing yourself emotionally; in fact, to emote is to promote internal balance and harmony, however, emotion is Energy-in-Motion. We need to keep emotions moving. If you are angry about something, express your anger and then question why you are angry. As with all concerns, correct the cause and you will remove the affect. Emotions and/or the stress they cause should be in our control. How we emote is the key to living a less stressful life.

7. Spirituality - I am not talking about religion, I am talking about spirituality. Unless you are an atheist, seek to re-discover your own divinity or specialty. I used to be a truth seeker until I realized I am that which I am seeking. Creative consciousness develops the Law of Attraction. Setting your intention and accepting it as reality, will bring it forth. It is important to note, however,  that we do not get what we want — we get who we are. Whether for health, finances or relationships, we control our thoughts and destiny. We control our out-of-control-ness. Learn to take control of your life. The best book I have ever read on this subject is Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn. Read it and read it again. You can also read the Healing Codes.

8. Achievement/Action - Education and taking effective action are keys to health, wealth and happiness. Learn how to set a goal and achieve it. Start small and work up from there.

When I was a young boy, I was hired by one of my neighbors to pull weeds in her backyard. The entire 1/4 acre was wall to wall weeds over six inches high. I was overwhelmed. I then discovered by taking four Popsicle sticks and some string that I could rope off one square foot at a time. I only concentrated on the square in front of me and moved it one foot at a time. Before long, I had pulled all the weeds. Don’t get overwhelmed. Just attempt to do something you can handle and move on from there.

Seek and “become” peace, love, joy, prosperity, freedom and happiness, and you will find them. No one was born to hate, they had to learn how. We can therefore un-learn. We truly must be the change we want to see. Remember, we are all spiritual beings having a human experience. Teach by example by becoming who you are. We are not here for a long time, but we can be here for a rewarding time. See the rewards and be grateful. Educate yourself on the truth concerning health, wealth, relationships, the law, politics, religion and everything in-between. Screen everything you read, see and hear with your internal common sense and logic meter. After you acquire accurate information, you can then make intelligent decisions and take effective action.

9. Detoxification - There is no way around it. Even if you do everything I have suggested in the above eight points, this world is still toxic. Just driving down the street will expose you to a multitude of toxins contained in the atmosphere. Being in public will expose you to a host of germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites and other pathogenic organisms others may be carrying. If you eat or drink anything from any restaurant, you risk ingesting preservatives, toxins, dyes, hydrogenated oils, chemicals, hormones, flavor enhancers, corn syrup and a litany of other additives that are unhealthy. The bottom line: we need to detoxify on a regular basis. Just drinking charged distilled water with electrolytic minerals will start the process. Eating non-toxic, organic fresh food will help as well.

10. Supplementation - Again, there is no way around it. Our soil is thoroughly depleted of vital nutrients, specifically minerals. Mineral deficient soil produces mineral deficient crops — organic or not. Eating mineral deficient food makes us mineral deficient. And so it is with vitamins and all other nutrients. In order to truly be healthy, we must supplement our diet with whole-food nutrients, not synthetic, chemist-made pills. Always start with a whole-food mineral complex as minerals are foundational. The best minerals I have found to date are contained in fossilized stony coral. Additionally, eating concentrated whole-food supplements made from fruits and vegetables with added vitamin D3 will go a long way to achieving optimum health and longevity.

I am not going to say, “trust me, I’m a doctor.” In fact, some websites say just that. What I will say is, question everything, everyone, and do some research. If what you read, hear or see does not make sense, stop and move on to something else.

Remember this: If you don’t take the time to be healthy, you will ultimately have to take the time to be sick. It’s your choice…

Dr. James Chappell is a retired board certified chiropractic physician, traditional naturopath, clinical nutritionist, medical herbalist and master formulator with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Since 1971, he has been an avid health researcher and educator specializing in teaching and incorporating natural healing protocols for chronic, severe and so-called “terminal” illnesses. He does not treat patients or disease. He teaches those interested in advanced natural healing. His books and nutritional products are found throughout the world. His services are sought globally, as well. Contact information: calldrjim@sbcglobal.net 805-646-1193.

Read Part I of this Article

Asthma is a health ailment that strikes both children and adults with breathing and respiratory issues. Approximately 18.7 million adults and 7 million children had asthma in 2010. Causing wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, the western medical establishment suggests (as always) taking a pharmaceutical drug. But before you do, I would suggest educating yourself on not only the harms of such drugs, but also how to prevent asthma with natural solutions.

How to Prevent Asthma Without the Pharmaceuticals

Following a long line of reports finding pharmaceutical drugs to be deadlier than traffic accidents and many illegal drugs, it was uncovered that many asthma drugs are actually killing more patients than asthma itself. The use of these drugs have been shown to result in nearly 4,000 deaths per year, which is more than the disease itself. What’s worse is that the Food and Drug Administration has known about this for years. Instead of heeding the warnings of many doctors and recalling or even just ending the production of these products, a simple makeover of warning labels on the drugs were mandated.

So if you shouldn’t take the drugs, then what should you do? As always, there are things to avoid as well as many natural solutions for how to prevent asthma which can be utilized.

Due to the widespread usa of air fresheners and similar chemical concoctions such as scented candles, plug-in deodorizers, and wick diffusers, many more people are suffering fromasthma and allergies than would normally be the case. The chemicals used in these items have been shown to trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.

In addition to avoiding these aromatic products, soda consumption should be decreased. Research has pinpointed soda for upping the risk for respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After conducting a survey with nearly 17,000 individuals, researchers found that 13.3 percent of those with asthma and 15.6 percent of those with COPD drank more than two cups, or about half a liter, of soda each day.

If you’re wondering how to prevent asthma with dietary changes, here are some tips. A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine showed that adults who ate apples twice a week reduced their asthma risk by about a 1/3. Another study showed that children with mothers who ate apples during pregnancy were less prone to asthma for their first five years after being born.

In addition to apples, you may want to try a little-known herb called khella. Khella has been used to treat many conditions for many, many years. Commonly known to be a solution for kidney stones, this herb also treats asthma by soothing muscle spasms of the bronchial airways.

Even if you don’t find these solutions to help you personally, consider this before indulging in harmful medication or inhalers. According to results of a pilot study published Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine, thirty-nine asthma patients reported about as much perceived relief from a placebo inhaler and sham acupuncture as from an inhaled dose of an asthma-fighting steroid, albuterol. There have been numerous occasions where pharmaceuticals have been shown to be ineffective while placebos pave the way for your mind to ignite self-healing.

Don’t forget to share these tips on how to prevent asthma with others so that natural solutions can rise once again!

Additional sources:

CDC.GOV

Everybody loves that “new car smell.” A fresh out of the factory smell is often desired so much that artificial sprays and air fresheners are manufactured specifically to simulate the distinctive smell, long after the car is ‘fresh out of the factory.’

New Car Smell Actually Concoction of Over 275 Toxic Chemicals

While the smell is often desired, an obvious detail is often overlooked. The unique odor is the product of a chemical manufacturing process that uses a host of dangerous toxic fumes. According to recent research, this seemingly harmless enticement is actually the indicator of a health risk largely unrecognized.

Researchers tested 200 of the most popular cars in 2011 for chemicals that ‘off-gas’ from any interior car parts such as seats or the dashboard. They found that more than 275 chemicals reside in the cars, with some of them being flame retardants.

According to Jeff Gearhart, Research Director at the Ecology Center, toxic chemicals used in manufacturing car interiors are numerous, and due to their prominence, produce a level of toxic air contamination within cars.

“Research shows that vehicle interiors contain a unique cocktail of hundreds of toxic chemicals that off-gas in small, confined spaces,” said Gearhart “Since these chemicals are not regulated, consumers have no way of knowing the dangers they face. Our testing is intended to expose those dangers and encourage manufacturers to use safer alternatives.”

Some of the chemicals include bromine, chlorine and lead. These alone are known to contribute to a number of health risks, but these chemicals in tandem with high temperatures cause the chemicals to fume and affect your health more strongly. This is especially true when cars are parked in hot areas or direct sunlight.

The chemicals used in car interiors are essentially volatile, and can very easily affect your health even long after the smell has dissipated. Individual steps are not necessarily easily reached due to the nature of car manufacture, but reports such as these should compel and obligate car manufacturers to reconsider their use of these chemicals to prevent health risks to buyers.

Although a high amount of smoking bans are taking place nationwide to reduce smoke exposure indoors, the bans are having little impact on the number of cigarette butts thrown on the streets. With around 19.3% of adults 18 and older smoking cigarettes, it is no wonder that cigarette butts make up one third of America’s litter. Not only that, but they also account for about 28 percent of trash which washes up on beaches worldwide.

4.5 Trillion Cigarette Butts Littered Each Year

Of course there is no upside to this information. With about 4.5 trillion cigarette butts littered around the world each year, it is no surprise that cities started raising taxes on cigarettes to cover the costs for the mess. San Francisco is just one city which has raised cigarette taxes 33 cents per pack in 2009 to cover the $11 million spent on cleaning up cigarette litter annually. Not only are we paying out of pocket for this pollution, but every living creature as well as the environment is also suffering.

Smoking alone causes 5 million deaths per year, and the sad part is that everyone is being affected – not just the smoker. The 7,000+ individual compounds in cigarettes, 70 of which being known cancer-causing substances, are being puffed into the air at alarming rates, causing massive health problems that affect the entire populations. The chemicals are also causing complications by being present in the water, with one study finding that a single cigarette butt in a quarter-gallon of water can kill a fish in just four days. In addition, the invisible gases and particles left behind from tobacco smoke, which is known as third-hand smoke, are also fueling sickness while receiving very little recognition.

And yet all of this is only a portion of the true cost of smoking. What many smokers may not realize is that they could be spending nearly $2190/year if smoking one pack a day. This cost does not include the 55 days given up each year, or the extra money paid out to various insurances.

By quitting smoking, you will be saving more lives and more of our planet than you know.