Cleanse Nutrition » Buyer Beware

BPA in Chinese Workers Linked to Sex Problems

elucas — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:22:54 +0000

Researchers published a study yesterday online at the Oxford journal Human Reproduction (abstract is here). They studied the effects of high levels of exposure of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) on male factory workers in China. They found that high incidence of male sexual dysfunction was strongly correlated with cumulative exposure to BPA. Reduced sexual desire, erectile difficulty, ejaculation difficulty, and reduced satisfaction with one’s sex life were all related to BPA exposure, and that it took less than a year of exposure for those effects to be measurable.

We’ve already written about the nasty things BPA can do to humans as a hormone disruptor. Add these things to the list. In the US we know that male sexual dysfunction is already a kajillion dollar industry. You only need to watch prime time TV for 15 minutes to catch some ad touting the effectiveness of some miracle erection pill. Heck, last Sunday one of the major network’s football halftime show was sponsored by Viagra! Sponsored! By Viagra! Are you kidding me? How ironic is that?!

Look, I’m not saying that as we guys get older, our bodies don’t start to slow down a bit in a lot of different ways. Of course they do. And on the other end of the spectrum, I’m not saying that BPA is the only toxic chemical in our food supply that might be negatively impacting whether you can…uh…”perform when the time is right”. Are we getting the same level of BPA exposure that the factory workers are getting in China? Heavens no. But we’re getting more than we probably realize. It’s enough to measure, and it’s enough to cause some impact (and not just to male sexual function).

So what can we do to limit our exposure to BPA? Stay away from canned foods. The insides of the cans are lined with a BPA-infused plastic coating. Try to limit your use of plastic bottles (water, sports drinks, etc.). And definitely do NOT microwave any food in the microwave in a plastic container. Extreme heat causes the plastic to develop weaknesses that accelerate the leeching of BPA into the food being contained. Stick with glass. Same thing with extreme cold, so try not to freeze anything in plastic containers either.

BPA Linked to Aggression in Young Girls

elucas — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:51:57 +0000

There is yet another study (Environmental Health Perspectives, Oct 6th, 2009) on the negative effect of Bisphenol-A (BPA), which is a hormone disrupting chemical found in plastics. It’s also in the interior can liner of practically every canned food you can buy in the grocery store.

Here’s the article at Yahoo:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20091007/hl_hsn/plasticschemicaltiedtoaggressioninyounggirls

Also remember that just because two things are proved to be related (correlation) doesn’t by itself prove that one thing causes another to happen (causality). That’s what the Yahoo article is describing when it says “not everyone agreed with the study’s conclusions”. It’s a limitation of the design of this particular study (and many other studies, actually). Proving causality is a more difficult proposition.

Of course, there continues to be a mounting body of factual and scientific evidence linking BPA with negative impacts on humans. One little puff of smoke doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a fire, but big, billowing towers of the stuff usually implies some form of combustion. Some folks believe the BPA evidence is a puff of smoke. Others believe it’s a mushroom cloud of sky-darkening proportions. What do you believe?

Toxic Plastics Chemical Found in Canned Food

klucas — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:18:19 +0000

Per www.ewg.org, “Independent laboratory tests found a toxic food-can lining ingredient associated with birth defects of the male and female reproductive systems in over half of 97 cans of name-brand fruit, vegetables, soda, and other commonly eaten canned goods. The study was spearheaded by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and targeted the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic and resin ingredient used to line metal food and drink cans. There are no government safety standards limiting the amount of BPA in canned food.”

Here’s the full report: http://ewg.org/reports/bisphenola

By the way, Bisphenol A is also the chemical in #7 plastic water bottles like Nalgene. To get informed about plastic bottles see: http://cleansenutrition.com/2009/08/e-the-environmental-magazine-looks-at-the-plastics-rumor/

E – The Environmental Magazine Looks at the Plastics Rumor

klucas — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:22:36 +0000

This is my review of an E (The Environmental Magazine) article in the January – February 2008 issue. Per the article, “most plastic bottles are safe to reuse a few times IF properly wasked with hot soapy water. However…

Lexan (#7 plastic) bottles, including Nalgene water bottles, show that food and fluids stored can contain trace amounts of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical that interferes with the body’s hormonal messaging system. The same studies found repeated re-use of #7 bottles increases the chance that chemicals will leak out of the tiny cracks and crevices that develop over time. Per the Environment California Research and Policy Center (which reviewed 130 studies), BPA is linked to breast and uterine cancer, increased risk of miscarriage, and decreased testerone levels. BPA can wreak havoc on children’s developing systems. Beware that most baby bottles and sippy cups are made of plastics containing BPA (and I understand them to leach more chemicals when heated). Most experts agree that the amount of BPA that could leach through normal handling is probably small but are concerned about cumulative effects.

Health advocates also recommend NOT using bottles made from plastics #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, a.k.a. PET or PETE), including most disposable bottles. Studies indicate they may leach DEHP (another probable human carcinogen-after repeated use). Another bad choice for water bottles is plastic #3 (polyvinyl chloride or PVC), which can leach hormone-disrupting chemicals. Plastic #6 (polystyrene or PS) has been shown to leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food and fluids as well.

Safer choices include bottles made from HDPE (plastic #2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE or plastic #4), or polypropylene (PP or plastic #5). Aluminum bottles, like those by SIGG, and stainless steel water bottles are also safe.

The article recommends these contacts: www.TheGreenGuide.com and www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org.”

I, personally, believe that a stainless steel bottle is the best choice. With #7 bottles being considered the safest choice several years ago and then to be suspected of increasing the risk for liver damage years later, I can’t help but wonder if #2, #4, #5 plastics will still be considered safe in 10 years.

Gastroenterologist, Dr. Becky Natrajan, M.D. – Importance of Cleansing

klucas — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:50:27 +0000

–Becky Natrajan, M.D. (Isagenix Advisory Board Member from 2007-2009)
Dr. Natrajan is a Gastrointestinal Specialist certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. After completing her Internal Medicine training at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, she fulfilled her Gastroenterology training at the University Medical Center of Tuscon, Ariz. For 12 years she has operated a thriving GI practice in Tuscon. As a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and an advocate for alternative health approaches, she has successfully guided many of her patients in achieving safe and effective weight loss and enhanced quality of life. Dr. Natrajan is the author of Ifs, Ands, or Butts & Guts: An Intriguing Look at Creating Optimal Health and Quality of Life Through Nutrition.

In her own words, this is is why cleansing and replenishing is critical to a healthy life:

http://www.consciousmedianetwork.com/members/bnatrajan.htm (A Must View!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzeCOAKY-Xo

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before starting an Isagenix program or any nutritional supplement program. Individual results may vary.

Why You Must Buy Organic Fruits and Veggies

klucas — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:11:38 +0000

There are reasons you should absolutely buy organic fruits and veggies in some cases. Full details explaining why are in this article: http://www.foodnews.org/reduce.php

Here’s the link to the full pesticide burden list of fruits and veggies: http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php

In reality, we should be purchasing organic foods all the time, because pesticide use has damaged our topsoil which, in turn, has damaged the organisms that break down minerals that plants absorb. Most of our food supply is void of minerals and low in nutritional value. This is the problem that Isagenix addresses head-on. It’s not a pretty picture, but it’s where we are today because corporations are choosing to placing profits ahead of health. Go here to learn more about what the use of pesticides has done to our food supply: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qckeRw7A8Jo&feature=video_response (fast forward to 5 minutes) then listen to the first couple of minutes of this continuation of the soil lecture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIHuJXdzeRc&feature=related.

Here’s more info on how pesticides can impact our children and our health http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJkegQhfKd0 and about how pesticidal impacts can be passed down from generation to generation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxPYCsgpB9I&feature=channel.

Along the same lines, when you buy meats, for your family’s sake, always buy products without nitrates, nitrites, antibiotic or hormones. And, don’t eat products made with high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. There’s a lot of info in these areas that I will detail when I can, but I had to shout them out because they are so negatively impacting our health and they are in so many products. So, read those labels!

What We Don’t Know Won’t Hurt the Cosmetic Industry

klucas — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:21:35 +0000

It’s the typical big biz focus of what consumers don’t know won’t hurt big biz. So, cosmetic companies spend a lot of time, energy and money trying to keep our attention diverted or keep us confused when they could be spending their time, energy and money on making products that won’t hurt us. Here’s are two excerpts from an article I recently read:

“ The European Union has banned 1,132 known or suspected carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins from use in cosmetics, but only 10 such chemicals are banned in the United States, leaving us with mercury in mascara, petrochemicals in perfumes, and parabens in antiperspirants. And just as none of the offending lipsticks’ labels indicated the presence of lead, the FDA allows potentially hazardous chemicals like phthalates — industrial solvents linked to birth defects in boys’ reproductive systems and premature puberty in girls — to slip into ingredient lists under the umbrella term “fragrance.”

“Ironically, the charitable cause of choice for the major cosmetics companies, from Avon to Mary Kay to Revlon, just happens to be breast cancer”

Here’s the link to this full article: http://ewg.org/node/27462

This country is built on a lot of lies and deception and it doesn’t have to be this way. Get educated and inform your friends and families of the truth.

I have to tell you that this is one of the reasons Ed and I feel so strongly about Isagenix. The products came out of a health crisis experienced by the formulator. It was an “A-ha” moment where he realize he could help others, too.

Ed and I hated (I mean groan, roll eyes, feel nauseous, etc.) the thought of a Multi-level Marketing (MLM) company, because of Ed’s experience with his Grandfather in Amway. But, after I tried Isagenix , then he tried it, then our parents tried it and our kids and friends tried it, we realized that Isagenix was special. It is a remarkable system! The system has helped us all in too numerous ways to mention here. It was then that we realized that everyone we knew needed to consume this stuff. So now what?

Well, we looked deeper at the company and found that it is based on a strong desire to do right by people nutritionally and give to deserving, meaningful organizations as well as to its associates whenever possible. ”If it’s not right for the company’s associates, then it’s not right for the company. “, per Jim Coover, CEO. It’s definitely not a Mary Kay, Avon, Pampered Chef, Tupperware or Amway, for that matter, scheme. Its pupose and products far exceed those companies from a product perspective as well as from a compensation perspective. The only real thing Isagenix has in common with these other companies is that they are all MLM companies, but that’s where the similarities end. Isagenix is in a league of its own. It’s built on a non-competitive team focus compensation plan where supportive “family” units are built.

I don’t know anyone in these other MLM companies who’ve made over $300K in 8 months by just holding tupperware parties or anyone approaching $1M by selling Avon for less than 2 years, but I do know many folks in Isagenix who have become that successful that fast. Ed once told me about the Amway compensation plan and it sounded very hard to make money. It required you to build 6 legs to make money. No wonder an Isagenix business is so easy to grow, it only requires 2 legs and you get paid on the volume from both legs. The Isagenix founders have a goal of building the most millionaires in MLM history. They’ve certainly built the right compensation plan to achieve that goal and they are enhancing it (due to associate requests) to benefit their associates all the time!

The Isagenix focus and purpose is to help or serve others. That’s what life should be about. We pray for health and wealth to come into our lives. It’s not gonna drop out of the sky. It’s gonna come to us in the form of opportunity. It’s up to each of us to recognize it and not let the opportunity pass us by.

What Are We Doing to Ourselves and Our Environment?

klucas — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:46:34 +0000

This is absolutely crazy and it’s all for the love of money. How in the world can we allow these types of things to exist? The sad thing is that most folks are blissfully unaware that these problems exist, much less run so deep.

An article from Isagenix Nutritional Sciences named “Beware Toxic Personal Care” is located at: http://www.isagenixhealth.net/?p=25

Complementary information can be found at the Environmental Working Group web site at these URLs:

http://ewg.org/featured/727 (Health/Toxics: Kid-Safe Chemicals Act)

http://ewg.org/node/8702 (USA TODAY Ad Names Cosmetics Companies That Won’t Commit To Removing Toxic Chemicals From American Products)

The www.ewg.org site has a massive amount of information in it. The above URLs provided are just the tip of the iceberg. I strongly encourage you to make some time and become familiar with the info contained within their site.

10 Things the Food Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know

klucas — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:15:40 +0000

I just “rediscovered” this article from several months ago that I had saved to my computer from US New & World Report. It’s certainly worth reading about the food marketing business. It’s just another case of buyer beware, but now marketers are targeting our children. Here’s the URL of the atricle:

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/10/17/10-things-the-food-industry-doesnt-want-you-to-know.html

We must educate our children about food to help them live happy and heathly lives. I will share with you what I’ve learned over the years and through my more intense study of food that began after I had Sydney back in 2003. Please stay turned into this blob for more.