What Toxins Are Hiding In Your Everyday Products?
Generally speaking, the public is becoming more aware that toxic substances are hidden in the products they use every day. We hear people talk about it, but how often do we stop and think about how it may apply to the products we have in our home right now - or even the products that we used just this morning? Here are a few examples of common products that contain harmful chemicals.
1. Makeup
Believe it or not, cosmetics in the U.S. are some of the most poorly regulated ones in the world. Many of the chemicals and substances used to make American cosmetic products have actually been outlawed in several other countries due to their carcinogenic properties. Many of these chemicals are less well-known, but some of them are incredibly common (lead, mercury, arsenic are good examples).
2. Bug Spray
Does your insect repellent contain DEET? When you spray insect repellent on your skin, it is absorbed into the bloodstream. DEET has been linked to a vast array of negative health effects, including motor deficits, memory dysfunction, and lack of muscle coordination. If you must use a bug spray containing DEET, we recommend wearing long pants and sleeves and applying the spray to your clothing rather than your skin.
Many commercial brands of sunscreen contain several harmful chemicals, such as oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate, and octinoxate. Oxybenzone can be particularly dangerous, as it tends to behave somewhat like estrogen when absorbed by the body and has been shown to alter sperm production. It has also been linked with endometriosis in women.
4. Laundry Detergent
We all want our clothes, sheets, and towels to smell clean and fresh, but unfortunately many of the laundry products we use on a daily basis contain chemicals that have been linked to everything from skin and throat irritations to cancer. Many of the chemicals are designed to stay in the clothes after they have been washed, which means they come into direct contact with the skin. They also have difficulty biodegrading and can be harmful to the environment.
5. Antiperspirants
Any antiperspirant you apply is absorbed directly into your bloodstream via the sweat glands. Many common antiperspirants are aluminum based. Aluminum has been linked to several different health issues, including bone disorders, kidney problems, breast cancer, and Alzheimer's Disease. You'll be better off using an antiperspirant that does not contain aluminum - or, better yet, using a natural deodorant and foregoing antiperspirants altogether.
Attend Our Healthy Living Expo For More Information!
The fact that these (and countless other) everyday products contain harmful chemicals is unavoidable, but you can reduce your exposure to them by educating yourself on their dangers and how to avoid them. If you would like to learn more about lessening your use of toxic chemicals in your daily life, join us for our Healthy Living Expo on Saturday, February 27th. The event will be held out our Lake of the Ozarks pharmacy from 2:00-3:30 PM. Many health professionals will be here providing valuable insights and tips for promoting healthy living. Admission is $5 per person. Click here to register!
Feel As Good On The Inside As You Do On The Outside!
111 Crossings West, Suite 6
PO Box 2145
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 964-6786
Hours:
Monday-Thursday
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
