The May Tittie Committe [Thermography RSVP]

EARLY DETECTION MEANS LIFE

Join Us for our upcoming Thermography Screening Event May 31st

Details below | Share with a bosom buddy | RSVP

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and the risk increases with age. Risk heightens when we have a close relative inflicted by this disease, in addition to women without children, and those who have had their first child after age 30.

However, in this fox trott TOX - ic world, we’re all at risk of developing cancer. Current research indicates that 1 in every 8 women in the US will get breast cancer in their lifetime.

Can we win? I believe WE CAN, and t’s all about awareness and prevention.

Learn more about Thermography and save your spot for this great opportunity - gaining sense of ease and empowerment at the same time.

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WHAT IS THERMOGRAPHY?

Thermograms are incredibly powerful and reliable for early cancer detection (and many other health nuances which you’ll see below).

Thermograms can be used for successful diagnosis, treatment, & prognosis.  They are completely painless, non-invasive and take less than 15 minutes for a thorough reading.

MAMMOGRAMS VS THERMOGRAPHY

Unlike mammograms, thermograms emit no harmful ionizing radiation.  Mammograms are one of the more dangerous medical tools due to the very high amounts of ionizing radiation. Thermograms use infrared technology that is completely safe.

They also do not compress the breast tissue like mammograms.  This compression that takes place during mammograms can cause cancer cells to break off create a malignant spread through the bloodstream.

The use of Digital Infrared Imaging is based on the principle that metabolic activity and vascular circulation in both pre-cancerous tissue and the area surrounding a developing breast cancer is almost always higher than in normal breast tissue.

Infrared cameras and sophisticated computers detect, analyze, and produce high-resolution images of temperature variations, and may be among the earliest signs of breast cancer and/or a pre-cancerous state of the breast.

Since the absolute prevention of breast cancer has not become a reality as of yet, efforts must be directed at detecting breast cancer at its earliest stage.

WHAT MAKES DIGITAL INFRARED IMAGING SO UNIQUE

While mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and other structural imaging tools rely primarily on finding the physical tumor, DII is detecting minute variations in normal blood vessel activity and may find thermal signs suggesting a pre-cancerous state of the breast or the presence an early tumor that is not yet large enough to be detected by physical examination, mammography, or other types of structural imaging.

Certain types of cancers will not be detected (approximately 20%) by mammography for various reasons, but some of these cancers can be discovered by DII.

THERMOGRAPHY IMAGE EXAMPLE

WHO REVIEWS YOUR IMAGE?
Rest assured, your image is digitally produced, and interpreted by qualified doctors. Abnormalities or changes in infrared images provide invaluable information. This is particularly true in patients with dense breasts, non-specific physical or mammographic findings, or women with a previous history of breast surgery or radiation.

BETTER TOGETHER? WHEN BREAST THERMOGRAPHY & MAMMOGRAPHY JOIN FORCES

Thermography does not replace mammography and mammography does not replace DII, the tests can greatly complement each other. Since it has been determined that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer, we must use every means possible to detect cancers when there is the greatest chance for survival. Proper use of breast self-exams, physician exams, DII, and mammography together provide the earliest detection system available to date. If treated in the earliest stages, cure rates greater than 95% are possible.

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IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BOOB

OTHER REASONS FOR USING THERMOGRAPHY

• Arthritis: Thermography can help you detect early signs of arthritis -- and differentiate between osteoarthritis and more severe forms like rheumatoid. Effective early treatment strategies can then be implemented, before you experience further degeneration.

• Neck and Back Pain: Thermal pain patterns ‘light up' white and red hot on a scan in the involved area. You can get relief faster and begin restorative care that more precisely targets the correct area.

• Dental Issues: If you have TMJ, gum disease, or an infected tooth, this will show up on a thermal scan as white or red hot.

• Sinus Issues & Headaches: Significant heat in your forehead or sinus region revealed on a thermal scan is an indicator that these systems in your body are not functioning properly.

• Immune Dysfunction, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue: The immune system correlates to the T1 andT2 areas of your spine -- high levels of heat in that region can indicate immune dysfunction. On the other hand, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and aching joints are just a few complaints that correlate to cool patterns seen at this area.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): This condition is often misdiagnosed. For instance, you may think you have CTS, yet the scan shows your neck is referring pain from a different affected area. This will help you get the most appropriate treatment.

• Digestive Disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and Crohn's disease are often visible with thermography. If you're able to address these conditions early on, you'll find that health restoration is much more likely.

• Other Conditions: Including bursitis, herniated discs, ligament or muscle tear, lupus, nerve problems, whiplash, stroke screening, cancer, and many, many others.

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NOW THAT IS EMPOWERING! IF YOU’RE READY TO GRAB YOUR SAFE SCREENING……

Next steps:

1. Please email me directly at hello@beautyecology.com - Suggest times best for you from 2pm to 8pm.

2. I will reply with available times for you to confirm.

3. I will send you all Q/A information and how to prep for your thermogram.

4. Cheers! All set. Please bring the forms when you come. You’re an incredible woman for taking your ownership of your health!

---

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FDA Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

The Tittie Committe [Thermography RSVP]

EARLY DETECTION MEANS LIFE

Join Us for our upcoming Thermography Screening Event November 2nd

Details below | Share with a bosom buddy | RSVP

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and the risk increases with age. Risk heightens when we have a close relative inflicted by this disease, in addition to women without children, and those who have had their first child after age 30.

However, in this fox trott TOX - ic world, we’re all at risk of developing cancer. Current research indicates that 1 in every 8 women in the US will get breast cancer in their lifetime.

Can we win? I believe WE CAN, and t’s all about awareness and prevention.

We hosted a Thermography Imaging event back in our old SW MPLS location - and it was a HUGE HiT. It’s now time to bring it into beautiful Wayzata. Learn more about Thermography and save your spot for this great opportunity - gaining sense of ease and empowerment at the same time.

---

WHAT IS THERMOGRAPHY?

Thermograms are incredibly powerful and reliable for early cancer detection (and many other health nuances which you’ll see below).

Thermograms can be used for successful diagnosis, treatment, & prognosis.  They are completely painless, non-invasive and take less than 15 minutes for a thorough reading.

MAMMOGRAMS VS THERMOGRAPHY

Unlike mammograms, thermograms emit no harmful ionizing radiation.  Mammograms are one of the more dangerous medical tools due to the very high amounts of ionizing radiation. Thermograms use infrared technology that is completely safe.

They also do not compress the breast tissue like mammograms.  This compression that takes place during mammograms can cause cancer cells to break off create a malignant spread through the bloodstream.

The use of Digital Infrared Imaging is based on the principle that metabolic activity and vascular circulation in both pre-cancerous tissue and the area surrounding a developing breast cancer is almost always higher than in normal breast tissue.

Infrared cameras and sophisticated computers detect, analyze, and produce high-resolution images of temperature variations, and may be among the earliest signs of breast cancer and/or a pre-cancerous state of the breast.

Since the absolute prevention of breast cancer has not become a reality as of yet, efforts must be directed at detecting breast cancer at its earliest stage.

WHAT MAKES DIGITAL INFRARED IMAGING SO UNIQUE

While mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and other structural imaging tools rely primarily on finding the physical tumor, DII is detecting minute variations in normal blood vessel activity and may find thermal signs suggesting a pre-cancerous state of the breast or the presence an early tumor that is not yet large enough to be detected by physical examination, mammography, or other types of structural imaging.

Certain types of cancers will not be detected (approximately 20%) by mammography for various reasons, but some of these cancers can be discovered by DII.

THERMOGRAPHY IMAGE EXAMPLE

WHO REVIEWS YOUR IMAGE?
Rest assured, your image is digitally produced, and interpreted by qualified doctors. Abnormalities or changes in infrared images provide invaluable information. This is particularly true in patients with dense breasts, non-specific physical or mammographic findings, or women with a previous history of breast surgery or radiation.

BETTER TOGETHER? WHEN BREAST THERMOGRAPHY & MAMMOGRAPHY JOIN FORCES

Thermography does not replace mammography and mammography does not replace DII, the tests can greatly complement each other. Since it has been determined that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer, we must use every means possible to detect cancers when there is the greatest chance for survival. Proper use of breast self-exams, physician exams, DII, and mammography together provide the earliest detection system available to date. If treated in the earliest stages, cure rates greater than 95% are possible.

---

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BOOB

OTHER REASONS FOR USING THERMOGRAPHY

• Arthritis: Thermography can help you detect early signs of arthritis -- and differentiate between osteoarthritis and more severe forms like rheumatoid. Effective early treatment strategies can then be implemented, before you experience further degeneration.

• Neck and Back Pain: Thermal pain patterns ‘light up' white and red hot on a scan in the involved area. You can get relief faster and begin restorative care that more precisely targets the correct area.

• Dental Issues: If you have TMJ, gum disease, or an infected tooth, this will show up on a thermal scan as white or red hot.

• Sinus Issues & Headaches: Significant heat in your forehead or sinus region revealed on a thermal scan is an indicator that these systems in your body are not functioning properly.

• Immune Dysfunction, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue: The immune system correlates to the T1 andT2 areas of your spine -- high levels of heat in that region can indicate immune dysfunction. On the other hand, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and aching joints are just a few complaints that correlate to cool patterns seen at this area.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): This condition is often misdiagnosed. For instance, you may think you have CTS, yet the scan shows your neck is referring pain from a different affected area. This will help you get the most appropriate treatment.

• Digestive Disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and Crohn's disease are often visible with thermography. If you're able to address these conditions early on, you'll find that health restoration is much more likely.

• Other Conditions: Including bursitis, herniated discs, ligament or muscle tear, lupus, nerve problems, whiplash, stroke screening, cancer, and many, many others.

---

NOW THAT IS EMPOWERING! IF YOU’RE READY TO GRAB YOUR SAFE SCREENING……

Next steps:

1. Please email me directly at hello@beautyecology.com - Suggest times best for you from 1pm to 8:30pm.

2. I will reply with available times for you to confirm.

3. I will send you all Q/A information and how to prep for your thermogram.

4. Cheers! All set. Please bring the forms when you come. You’re an incredible woman for taking your ownership of your health!

---

---

FDA Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

CBD and Breast Cancer [and what research says]

There’s a lot of research out there and it can be overwhelming!   I'm devoted to providing validated research that crystalizes clarity for you to get the information you need to help you and your family live healthier lives.

As you read through, I encourage you to frame this information with gratitude of the present knowledge we have available and the options from both the natural realms - and western medicine opportunities at hand when it comes to addressing cancer.   There is certainly no cure all - but as self advocates, knowledge is king ( ok...queen)!

CBD & Breast Cancer

Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. The great news is that many researchers have found evidence that CBD may be able to slow the progression of invasive breast cancer, which will affect approximately 1 in 8 U.S. women at some point in their lives.

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the stalks, seeds, and flowers of cannabis plants like hemp. 

After breast cancer is identified and diagnosed, the efforts move towards inhibiting the  spread of the cancerous tumor. When reaching beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes, it’s considered advanced, or metastatic.  

The great news is that studies over the recent years suggest that CBD may help inhibit metastasis in breast cancer cells. In 2014, researchers from the California Pacific Medical Research Center found that CBD appears to inhibit the Id-1 and Akt genes, which have been known to play a role in tumor growth.  Study: CBD Kills Breast Cancer Cells 

Here’s an excerpt from this study conducted by the  American Association for Cancer Research 

“It suggests that cannabinoid-based medicines may be useful for the treatment of most breast tumor subtypes, stating that “these compounds exert anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic [cell-killing], anti-migratory and anti-invasive actions in a wide spectrum of cancer cells in culture.” 

With a 1 in 8 stat, we all know a family who has been affected by breast cancer.   My hope is that whether we have a chronic or threatening disease, we shift to preventative care by using CBD as part of our self-care routines on a daily basis. 

The United States government has been resistant to recognizing the therapeutic properties of cannabinoids, but has now recently declared in agreement that it has medicinal benefits by creating a pharmaceutical synthetic form of CBD.  Cannabinoids vs. Cancer  

From the TOP - DOWN.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, updated its website to acknowledge the benefits of cannabinoids as a “treatment for people with cancer-related symptoms caused by the disease itself or its treatment.”

In short, the NCI describes CBD as potentially benefiting those with breast cancer in two separate capacities:

• CBD has demonstrated anti-cancer properties
• CBD can help patients manage symptoms related to cancer treatments

In Depth: The Findings of CBD’s Anti-Breast Cancer Properties

In its overview on cannabinoid research, the NCI highlights the findings of studies suggesting CBD is potentially beneficial for fighting and inhibiting the spread of breast cancer.

These anti-cancer effects may be related to CBD’s influence over the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2receptors, as one study confirmed that CB1 and CB2 receptors are potential targets in breast cancer. However, an in vitro study looking at the effect of CBD on breast cancer found that the compound effectively “induced programmed cell death, independent of the CB1, CB2, or vanilloid receptors.”

In that in vivo study, CBD was able to inhibit the survival of breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death. The higher concentration of CBD administered, the greater the anti-breast cancer effects were. At the same time, CBD had little effect on normal breast cells.

The NCI points out that other preclinical studies have found evidence of CBD’s anti-tumor effects in breast cancer. CBD has also shown to increase the uptake of traditional anti-cancer drugs to improve their efficacy for inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, according to the findings.

 “The potential benefits of medicinal [cannabinoids] for people living with cancer include antiemetic effects, appetite stimulation, pain relief, and improved sleep,” according to the NCI page.

Studies have found CBD to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by common cancer treatments like chemotherapy. In several animal models, the compound has also shown to have anxiolytic properties to reduce anxiety and regulate mood.

“CBD, in particular, is thought to have significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic activity without the psychoactive effect (high) of delta-9-THC,” reads the NCI page.

Other Groundbreaking Findings About Cannabinoids

The benefits from daily use of CBD are without bounds.  Attitudes toward cannabis are shifting as credible medical research efforts continue to reveal the plant’s exciting therapeutic potential.

Ample studies over the past decade, medical research has made intriguing discoveries about cannabis and its therapeutic effects. Studies have shown that medical cannabis:

• can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
• reduces the debilitating seizures caused by epilepsy 
• reduces spasms experienced by those with multiple sclerosis 
• minimizes the neurological damage caused by spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries
• can boost bone density and assist in healing.

 OVERCOME FEAR WITH KNOWLEDGE

In conclusion, OVERCOME FEAR WITH KNOWLEDGE and share with friends and family.  Remain updated on the available resources to help you make an informed decision.

We've listened to the many questions people have raised, and have worked diligently to supply a comprehensive cannabinoid education and purchasable phyto-cannabinoids natural and organic medicinal tincture options for you to explore and experience.

Learn how cannabinoids naturally interacts with the body’s systems, and become clear on the quality versus confusion of the array of products available. If you decide cannabinoids are right for you, feel free to reach out with any questions you may have - I'm happy to help!  

This loving plant is here to stay, and while its not the "cure all," it's synergistic value it brings to the formulated components that surround it, bring extreme bioavailability and benefits to those that believe in it.  

All my love -  Kassandra 

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This product has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Information on this website should never be used as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor, specialist or other health care professionals.

This product is not for use by or sale to persons under the age of 18. This product should be used only as directed on the label. It should not be used if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult with a physician before use if you have a serious medical condition or use prescription medications.

A Doctor's advice should be sought before using this and any supplemental dietary product. All trademarks and copyrights are property of their respective owners and are not affiliated with nor do they endorse this product. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Links from this website to any other websites do not constitute an endorsement, inferred or otherwise, of those websites or the content therein, nor do they suggest any endorsement of our website by the external website or its authors. They are provided simply as information that may be of interest to our visitors unless explicitly stated otherwise.

If Food’s in Plastic, What’s in the Food?

Reference:  By Susan Freinkel on April 16, 201In a study published last year in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers put five San Francisco families on a three-day diet of food that hadn’t been in contact with plastic. When they compared urine samples before and after the diet, the scientists were stunned to see what a difference a few days could make: The participants’ levels of bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to harden polycarbonate plastic, plunged – by two-thirds, on average – while those of the phthalate DEHP, which imparts flexibility to plastics, dropped by more than half.The findings seemed to confirm what many experts suspected: Plastic food packaging is a major source of these potentially harmful chemicals, which most Americans harbor in their bodies. Other studies have shown phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) passing into food from processing equipment and food-prep gloves, gaskets and seals on non-plastic containers, inks used on labels – which can permeate packaging – and even the plastic film used in agriculture.

The government has long known that tiny amounts of chemicals used to make plastics can sometimes migrate into food. The Food and Drug Administration regulates these migrants as “indirect food additives” and has approved more than 3,000 such chemicals for use in food-contact applications since 1958. It judges safety based on models that estimate how much of a given substance might end up on someone’s dinner plate. If the concentration is low enough (and when these substances occur in food, it is almost always in trace amounts), further safety testing isn’t required.

Meanwhile, however, scientists are beginning to piece together data about the ubiquity of chemicals in the food supply and the cumulative impact of chemicals at minute doses. What they’re finding has some health advocates worried.

This is “a huge issue, and no [regulator] is paying attention,” says Janet Nudelman, program and policy director at the Breast Cancer Fund, a nonprofit that focuses on the environmental causes of the disease. “It doesn’t make sense to regulate the safety of food and then put the food in an unsafe package.”

A complicated issue 

How common are these chemicals? Researchers have found traces of styrene, a likely carcinogen, in instant noodles sold in polystyrene cups. They’ve detected nonylphenol – an estrogen-mimicking chemical produced by the breakdown of antioxidants used in plastics – in apple juice and baby formula. They’ve found traces of other hormone-disrupting chemicals in various foods: fire retardants in butter, Teflon components in microwave popcorn, and dibutyltin – a heat stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride – in beer, margarine, mayonnaise, processed cheese and wine. They’ve found unidentified estrogenic substances leaching from plastic water bottles.

Is It Possible to Build a Safer Plastic Package?A growing number of companies are using “green chemistry” to create new polymers and additives without known hazards. But Mike Usey, CEO of a small Texas start-up called Plastipure, says there’s a simpler solution: Find the existing plastic resins and additives that don’t interfere with natural hormones. There are plenty out there, he says, but identifying them is complicated because one type of plastic can be formulated in many different ways, making some brands or grades safer than others.Plastipure was started in 2000 by George Bittner, a University of Texas neurobiologist who developed analytic methods to systematically recognize synthetic chemicals that are not estrogenically active, or “EA-free,” in the company parlance. They don’t, in other words, mimic estrogens naturally produced by the body. “We’ve taken thousands and thousands of tests on materials and chemicals and additives, so we know now what is commercially used that is EA-free and what is not,” says Usey. Their first product, released in 2008, was a water bottle they proclaimed to be entirely EA-free.

In 2011, Plastipure scientists published a study in which they tested some 500 plastic packages and products. Their results showed 92 percent were estrogenically active, even products that claimed to be BPA-free. Although the research was “obviously commercially motivated, I think they raised a very legitimate issue,” says Bill Pease, a toxicologist for GoodGuide, a group that rates the health and environmental safety of consumer products. In 2011, the National Science Foundation awarded Plastipure a $650,000 grant to further develop its EA-free technology.

But Usey says while consumers may like the idea of an EA-free plastic, it’s been a tough sell, even to well-meaning food companies. Despite interest, no one wants to be the first to adopt a new type of package. “Everybody wants … to be second,” he says with a sigh of frustration. “The companies’ first concern is liability – if we put something out that we say is safer, are we admitting what we did before is unsafe?”

Finding out which chemicals might have seeped into your groceries is nearly impossible, given the limited information collected and disclosed by regulators, the scientific challenges of this research and the secrecy of the food and packaging industries, which view their components as proprietary information. Although scientists are learning more about the pathways of these substances – and their potential effect on health – there is an enormous debate among scientists, policymakers and industry experts about what levels are safe.

The issue is complicated by questions about cumulative exposure, as Americans come into contact with multiple chemical-leaching products every day. Those questions are still unresolved, says Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, part of the National Institutes of Health. Still, she said, “we do know that if chemicals act by the same pathway that they will act in an additive manner” – meaning that a variety of chemicals ingested separately in very small doses may act on certain organ systems or tissues as if they were a single cumulative dose.

The American Chemistry Council says there is no cause for concern. “All materials intended for contact with food must meet stringent FDA safety requirements before they are allowed on the market,” says spokeswoman Kathryn Murray St. John. “Scientific experts review the full weight of all the evidence when making such safety determinations.”

Hard to measure

When it comes to food packaging and processing, among the most frequently studied agents are phthalates, a family of chemicals used in lubricants and solvents and to make polyvinyl chloride pliable. (PVC is used throughout the food processing and packaging industries for such things as tubing, conveyor belts, food-prep gloves and packaging.)

Because they are not chemically bonded to the plastic, phthalates can escape fairly easily. Some appear to do little harm, but animal studies and human epidemiological studies suggest that one phthalate, called DEHP, can interfere with testosterone during development. Studies have associated low-dose exposure to the chemical with male reproductive disorders, thyroid dysfunction and subtle behavioral changes.

But measuring the amount of phthalates that end up in food is notoriously difficult. Because these chemicals are ubiquitous, they contaminate equipment in even purportedly sterile labs.

In the first study of its kind in the United States, Kurunthachalam Kannan, a chemist at the New York State Department of Health, and Arnold Schecter, an environmental health specialist at the University of Texas Health Science Center, have devised a protocol to analyze 72 different grocery items for phthalates. Schecter won’t reveal the results before they’re published – later this year, he hopes – except to say he found DEHP in many of the samples tested.

Perhaps the most controversial chemical in food packaging is BPA, which is chiefly found in the epoxy lining of food cans and which mimics natural estrogen in the body. Many researchers have correlated low-dose exposures to BPA with later problems such as breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes. But other studies have found no association. Canada declared BPA toxic in October 2010, but industry and regulators in the United States and in other countries maintain that health concerns are overblown.

Last month, the FDA denied a petition to ban the chemical, saying in a statement that while “some studies have raised questions as to whether BPA may be associated with a variety of health effects, there remain serious questions about these studies, particularly as they relate to humans and the public health impact.”

The fact that a plastic bottle or bag or tub can leach chemicals doesn’t necessarily make it a hazard to human health. Indeed, to the FDA, the key issue isn’t whether a chemical can migrate into food, but how much of that substance consumers might ingest.

If simulations and modeling studies predict that a serving contains less than 0.5 parts of a suspect chemical per billion – equivalent to half a grain of salt in an Olympic-size swimming pool – FDA’s guidance does not call for any further safety testing. On the premise that the dose makes the poison, the agency has approved a number of potentially hazardous substances for food-contact uses, including phosphoric acid, vinyl chloride and formaldehyde.

Emerging science 

But critics now question that logic. For one thing, it doesn’t take into account the emerging science on chemicals that interfere with natural hormones and might be harmful at much lower doses than has been thought to cause health problems. Animal studies have found that exposing fetuses to doses of BPA below the FDA’s safety threshold can affect breast and prostate cells, brain structure and chemistry, and even later behavior.

According to Jane Muncke, a Swiss researcher who has reviewed decades’ worth of literature on chemicals used in packaging, at least 50 compounds with known or suspected endocrine-disrupting activity have been approved as food-contact materials.

“Some of those chemicals were approved back in the 1960s, and I think we’ve learned a few things about health since then,” says Thomas Neltner, director of a Pew Charitable Trusts project that examines how the FDA regulates food additives. “Unless someone in the FDA goes back and looks at those decisions in light of the scientific developments in the past 30 years, it’s pretty hard to say what is and isn’t safe in the food supply.”

FDA spokesman Doug Karas in an e-mail interview said that before approving new food-contact materials, the agency investigates the potential for hormonal disruption “when estimated exposures suggest a need.” But FDA officials don’t think the data on low-dose exposures prove a need to revise that 0.5 ppb exposure threshold or reassess substances that have already been approved.

Another criticism is that the FDA doesn’t consider cumulative dietary exposure. “The risk assessments have been done only one chemical at a time, and yet that’s not how we eat,” Schecter notes. (Karas counters that “there currently are no good methods to assess these types of effects.”)

“The whole system is stacked in favor of the food and packaging companies and against the protecting of public health,” Nudelman, of the Breast Cancer Fund, says. She and others are concerned that the FDA relies on manufacturers to provide migration data and preliminary safety information, and that the agency protects its findings as confidential. So consumers have no way of knowing what chemicals, and in what amounts, they are putting on the table every day.

It’s not just consumers who lack information. The companies that make the food in the packages can face the same black box. Brand owners often do not know the complete chemical contents of their packaging, which typically comes through a long line of suppliers.

What’s more, they might have trouble getting answers if they ask. Nancy Hirshberg, vice president of natural resources at Stonyfield Farm, describes how in 2010, the organic yogurt producer decided to launch a multipack yogurt for children in a container made of PLA, a corn-based plastic. Because children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of hormone disrupters and other chemicals, the company wanted to ensure that no harmful chemicals would migrate into the food.

Stonyfield was able to figure out all but 3 percent of the ingredients in the new packaging. But when asked to identify that 3 percent, the plastic supplier balked at revealing what it considered a trade secret. To break the impasse, Stonyfield hired a consultant who put together a list of 2,600 chemicals that the dairy didn’t want in its packaging. The supplier confirmed that none were in the yogurt cups, and a third party verified the information.

Originally published by the Washington Post

2

The breast cancer breakthrough thats declining mammograms

Thank you to all who came to our Women's Health and Thermography Seminar!  Great information and to follow up with another great read, take a look at Dr. Mercola and his explanation of benefits of women and thermal screening!  

The Breakthrough

Reference: Dr. Mercola

The use of mammograms has dropped following recommendations by a medical task force that women in their 40s may not need to get breast cancer screenings every year. Studies suggest that fewer physicians are recommending annual mammograms for women in their 40s, and that fewer patients in that age group are getting screened.

In November of 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a federal advisory board, said that yearly mammograms should not necessarily be automatic at age 40. They did recommend routine mammography screenings every two years for women ages 50 to 74.

CNN reports:

"Mammograms are less effective in detecting growths in younger women, whose breasts may be denser. The screening gets better with older women because breast tissues change over time. As a result, some women experience false positives, anxiety and unnecessary biopsies because of mammograms, according to data."

Meanwhile, more and more clinical studies are showing that an alternative, noninvasive breast cancer screening test – thermography – could soon become the initial breast screening tool for pre-menopausal women.

When the 16-member U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said annual mammograms weren't necessary for women under age 50, and that screenings were recommended only every two years after that, the breast cancer community all but fell apart. Protests erupted from surgeons and radiologists to cancer advocacy groups like the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Since two of the task force's members represent the insurance industry, and since the industry looks to the task force for guidance in what tests insurance will cover, critics claimed that money and conflicts of interest swayed the decision to reduce mammography screening recommendations.

I agree. Money and conflicts of interest probably are involved here – but not the way you might think.

Breast Cancer Screening is a Booming Business

According to a 2008 report by market analysts Medtech Insight, breast cancer screening is a $2.1 billion-a-year business that is projected to compound by 5.4 percent a year through 2013 as Baby Boomers start regular breast cancer screening.

The core of this market, Medtech said, centers on mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. Anticipating the surge years ago, imaging providers started spending hundreds of thousands of dollars – and in some cases, millions – on new breast radiology equipment, specialty services, and clinics.

The outlook was so good that Imaging Economics, an online economic adviser to radiologists and health care executives, was already reporting in 2003 that breast cancer screening was a "booming business." And it was: with annual mammograms recommended for everybody over age 40, the bottom line was absolutely guaranteed in the breast imaging department, from mammography, to ultrasound, to MRIs, to stereotactic biopsies, to radiographic-guided lumpectomies.

And then the Preventive Services Task Force had to go and "ruin everything." With the task force's new guidelines paradigm, the breast screening bull market was about to bust. Naturally, the imaging industry was furious:

"If the USPSTF guidelines were followed to the letter, then imaging centers would face a dramatic decrease in mammography volume across the entire age spectrum of women," Imaging Economics reported in January 2010. "For centers that focus on women's health and breast imaging, especially, this could be a devastating blow."

Of course, as is all too frequently occurs, the concern and emphasis is on loss of personal income NOT on what best serves the patient or how to adjust their business model to make it a win-win for them and the patient.  When it comes to business decisions, it seems what is best for the patient nearly always is factored out of the equation.

So what happened?

They urged breast screening specialists to work harder to keep their volume up, Imaging Economics advised them to talk to their patients and tell them about women in their 40s and 50s who have been affected by breast cancer. For example, a center in New Jersey sent out letters to all its patients stressing the importance of annual screening, despite the task force's recommendations – and it worked.

The key to keeping radiologists' doors open, Imaging Economics said, was to emulate this New Jersey center, and continually educate patients, referring physicians and the public at large about "the value of mammography as a screening tool for breast cancer."

Beware -- The Price You Pay Could be Your Life

I've shared with you on many occasions my concerns about the safety and effectiveness of mammograms. Time and again, studies published in prestigious medical journals are progressively showing that mammography isn't all it's made out to be – and the task force indicated that this is what they were thinking when they changed the screening guidelines.

I'm sure it also knew that mammograms miss up to a third or more of all breast cancers, as reported by Medscape, depending on the composition of your breast tissue and the type of cancer that might be lurking in there. And secondly, the task force certainly found that mammography and its subsequent tests, such as MRIs and stereotactic biopsies – actually can CAUSE cancer.

The task force also had to have known that false positives from mammograms – a diagnosis of cancer when it turns not to be cancer – are notorious in the industry, causing women needless anxiety, pain and, often, invasive and disfiguring surgical procedures.

It's true.

What the Imaging Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

What the imaging industry doesn't want you to know, but what the U.S. Preventive Task Force evidently saw, is that mammography not only is sadly lacking in accuracy, but it can be dangerous as well.

If you're new to the Mercola website, I urge you to click on the links above, and read this information for yourself, to get some background on what I'm talking about. You may be asked to register to read the Medscape link, but it's free and the information is priceless.

Then take a peek at some of these other sites, which show that the imaging industry is definitely downplaying the downside of mammography:

• Radiation risks from routine mammography pose significant cumulative risks (over time) of causing breast cancer , according to the Cancer Prevention Coalition
• Lower-energy X-rays provided by mammography result in substantially greater damage to DNA than would be predicted, and suggests that risk of breast cancer caused by exposure to mammography radiation may be greatly underestimated, the BreastCancerFund.org reports
• The slightest scratch can cause cancer cells to crawl to the wound – for example, the spot where a stereotactic biopsy or lumpectomy is performed, Science News Magazine writes
• Several researchers have argued that trauma to the breast – including compression from a mammogram -- can rupture cysts that can disseminate invasive cancer cells – Bnet.com

Of course, mammography proponents will argue that these findings are only theoretical. But the bottom line is they're only trying to protect their bottom lines by denying the truth – and the price you pay may be your life, if you're one of the women whose mammograms miss the cancer, or if you end up being one of those whose cancer could have been caused by the procedure itself.

The Imaging Industry Admits that Thermography is a Viable, Safe Alternative

Interestingly, in 2003, at the same time it was heralding the radiology boom in breast cancer screening, Imaging Economics also talked about thermogaphy as a safe, viable, noninvasive, pain-free alternative to mammography.

Admitting that thermography isn't a new kid on the block – the FDA approved its use in 1982 – Imaging Economics announced that several companies had new thermography products in the pipeline. "By itself, thermography is 86 to 90 percent effective for detecting breast cancer," the agency quoted one of the owners of this "new" technology. When you consider that the task force said that mammography alone can misdiagnose up to 56 percent of women ages 40 to 49, those statistics are pretty impressive.

Adding to the proof, Imaging Economics added:

"Clinical Thermography of Colorado opened its doors in July 2002 and uses Meditherm's (Lake Oswego, Ore.) Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging system. Scans (thermography) are non-invasive and complete in 15 minutes; physicians trained to read thermograms read the scans offsite.

"Marshall notes, "Physician acceptance has been higher than I anticipated." In fact, some local physicians are referring patients for thermography. One surgeon recognized the value of thermography after a patient elected a double mastectomy based on her thermogram, which revealed abnormal patterns in both breasts. After the surgery, the surgeon found that the patient's thermogram matched the pathology report.

"A number of patients are women who have had mastectomies and need to monitor remaining breast tissue, but don't want to be compressed during a mammogram. Other patients have cancer and want to monitor their condition."

And this comes from the very industry that is quaking in its shoes about mammograms going by the wayside! When you add the fact that some radiologists are now training in thermography in anticipation that in the future it may be the "first signal" for finding a developing tumor, and that thermography has become a college unto itself, it shows that maybe the U.S. Preventive Task Force knows more than the industry would like you to think.

As Usual, the FDA Stands in the Way

Aside from trade associations like the AMA, the Society for Breast Imaging, and the American College of Radiologists (ACR) – people who have lots to lose in the way of mammogram dollars – the FDA, as usual, is taking its time reviewing thermography's new evidence as a first-line defense against breast cancer. Currently the FDA classifies thermography only as a Class I medical device that can be used as an adjunct to mammography.

As a result, insurance companies and Medicare have refused to endorse and pay for thermography for breast cancer screening. They all cite numerous studies showing a presumed low effectiveness of the procedure – but those studies ARE MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD.

When you review more recent studies, you'll find that the thermography has well-known benefits.

In fact, a study published in 2009 in the Journal of Medical Systems and the National Institutes of Health's PubMed reported that thermography aided by the latest analytical software sensors is 94.8 percent accurate – or nearly twice as effective as mammography! With more and more recent studies supporting these numbers, it has to make you wonder what the FDA is thinking by refusing to admit the good that it is.

Thus, the FDA is denying women – and men, because men get breast cancer too – this potentially life-saving procedure!

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

I don't have to recite another litany of studies that show that thermography is an extremely safe and useful tool, particularly in women with dense breasts. The point is that thermography is a safe, viable alternative that can help you get reliable, accurate information for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of breast cancer.

Not only that, it can detect inflammation of other kinds in other places in your body, from your heart to your teeth to your circulatory/vascular system, and more – all in a procedure that doesn't involve touching or invading your body in any way. It's cost-effective in that it can help you make lifestyle and treatment choices you might not have with other procedures, including mammography.

And, it's risk-free and provides you with instant feedback – in other words, no need for a return appointment just to hear the results.

The important thing is that it still is an FDA-approved procedure, and you still have the choice to consider it as part of your annual health prevention plan.

Thermography - The Newest Line of Defense in Early Cancer Detection

  More women are diagnosed with breast cancer in America than any other cancer. Fortunately, treatment has come a long way, indicated by the 89% of women who had a five- year survival rate from 1999-2006 (National Cancer Institute). But early detection still plays a vital role in optimizing a breast cancer patient’s chances for full recovery. Women today understand the importance of annual mammograms and monthly self examinations, but many women have not tried or even heard of another early detection exam available to them: breast thermography.

Breast thermography, also known as Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is a simple, safe non-invasive test of the breast. Thermography can provide early detection of breast conditions beyond what is possible through monthly self-exam, doctor exam or mammogram. Thermography works by taking infrared images of the breast that detect minute temperature changes associated with breast inflammation and tumors. Having this information allows for the earliest possible intervention and treatment. It involves no radiation, discomfort or pain, and the entire thermography scan takes about 15 minutes.

What is the difference between a thermogram and mammogram?

Breast thermography plays a role in early detection and monitoring of abnormal physiology, including breast cancer, and is considered a screening device. Mammograms, on the other hand, are used to precisely locate an abnormal area and are considered a diagnostic tool. Breast thermography does not replace mammography. Rather, the two are considered complementary to each other.

Who can benefit from thermography?

All women can benefit from breast screening with thermography. It is especially appropriate for younger women (age 30-50) whose denser breast tissue makes it more difficult for mammograms to be effective. Thermography is also an ideal choice for women of any age who, for any number of reasons, are unable to undergo routine mammography. Thermography can provide a clinical marker to the doctor or mammographer, pinpointing a specific area of the breast that needs particularly close examination.

There are no conditions that make thermography inadvisable and it can be safely and effectively utilized by women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have implants. It should be noted, however, that breasts are more highly vascularized, meaning they have more blood vessels during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Such vascularization can make baseline screening through thermography more difficult. Typically, thermography will only be used on a pregnant or breastfeeding woman suffering from a specific complaint such as a lump, discomfort or infection. Baseline routine screening should ideally be done 3 months after a woman has stopped breastfeeding.

What are the early breast cancer detection guidelines?

There is no single method for the early detection of breast cancer. Using a combination of methods will increase your chances of detecting cancer in an early stage. These methods include :

• Mammography for all women who are aged 40 or older.
• Regular breast thermography (DITI) screening for adult women of all ages.
• A regular breast examination by a health professional.
• Monthly breast self-examination.
• Personal awareness of changes in the breasts.
• Readiness to promptly discuss any such changes with a doctor.

These guidelines should be considered along with your background and medical history.

Can thermography detect breast cancer?

It takes years for a tumor to grow, thus the earliest possible indication of abnormality will allow for the earliest possible treatment and intervention. Thermography can play an important role in monitoring breast health and assisting in early detection.

Breast cancer tends to grow significantly faster in younger women:

AGE AVERAGE TUMOR DOUBLING TIME

• Under 50 years old 80 days
• 50 – 70 years old 157 days
• Over 70 years old 188 days

Source: Cancer 71:3547-3551, 1993

The faster a malignant tumor grows, the more infrared radiation it generates. For younger women in particular, results from thermography screening can lead to earlier detection and, ultimately, longer life.

Doctors do not yet know how to prevent breast cancer. However, you can increase your chances of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages by understanding the need for and participating in an early detection program.

About 20% of biopsied breast lumps are cancerous. If you find a lump, act quickly–when cancer is found early there are choices for treatment, and with prompt treatment the outlook is good. In fact, most women treated for early breast cancer will be free from breast cancer for the rest of their lives. So be sure to maintain an early breast cancer detection regimen that includes annual mammograms and monthly self exams. And consider whether adding thermography to your regimen is the right choice for you.

Reference: Lauren Feder, M.D. specializes in homeopathy, pediatrics and primary care medicine. Known for her holistically minded approach and combining the ‘best of both worlds,’ Dr. Feder is a frequent lecturer for parents and professionals and is the author of Natural Baby and Childcare and The Parents’ Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations. www.drfeder.com.

Chemical Deodorants - They're the Pits

Kasia Organics-  Pure-odorant - Organic & Chemical-Free Deodorant

Minneapolis' leading and only true organic beauty salon, showcases TOP-SELLING  Pure-odorant, a chemical-free and certified organic line of women's deodorant. One of the most overlooked beauty products, in terms of its affect on your body, is deodorant. Often times, the general public is mislead or simply not informed of the health affects that can come with wearing "mainstream" deodorants. Pure-odorant comes straight from nature with a pure blend of organic hemp oil, aloe vera and mineral salts that soften skin and eliminate odor-causing bacteria for up to 24 hours.

Deodorants have become a part of everyday life for almost all of us. Antiperspirant deodorant is extremely common among women ... and unfortunately, so is breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Most commercial brands of antiperspirants and deodorants contain either aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium. These compounds are very soluble and are readily absorbed by the body. Once in the body, the aluminum portion of the molecule ionizes, forming free radical aluminum, which passes freely across cell membranes and forms a physical plug, that when dissolved is selectively absorbed by the liver, kidney, brain, cartilage and bone marrow.

New evidence to be published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology indicates that parabens, chemicals found in underarm cosmetics and other products, can be detected in human breast tumors. Previous suggestions have been made that certain components of underarm cosmetics may contribute to the rising incidence of breast cancer. Even women that wear no makeup, lip gloss or hair products invariably use deodorant products - body odor is seen as one of the seven deadly sins, whether you’re at the office or out with friends! This 'essential' part of our beauty routines may have serious health consequences for us down the track.

Ingredients to avoid in deodorants

While aluminium is the main deodorant/antiperspirant ingredient that has been studied for negative health effects, almost all of the common ingredients in supermarket deodorants are harmful to us. Here are the effects of some of the common underarm 'hygiene' ingredients:

* Aluminium chlorhydrate, aluminium zirconium tetrachlorhydrex gly, and other aluminium salts: We talked about the links between aluminium salts and breast cancer, as well as  Alzheimer's disease. There may be further links to disease that haven't yet been identified.

* Parabens (all types): These are derived from toluene, which can both cause reproductive harm and mimic the effect of estrogen in the body, driving the growth of cancerous cells.

* Triclosan: This ingredient is a common antibacterial which cause contact dermatitis in many people, and is classified as a pesticide by the FDA.

* Talc: Even the humble talcum powder has been regarded with suspicion by cancer researchers. It may contain asbestiform fibers (yes, these are related to asbestos) - the level of asbestiform fibers in talc is unregulated.

* Propylene glycol: According to the NIOSH this is a neurotoxin. The EPA admits that it hasn’t been fully investigated for cancer-causing potential, despite being in almost every personal care product on the market.

* Silica: This skin irritant is often contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is known to cause cancer

* Steareth-n: (Where n is any number) reacts with ethylene oxide in the manufacturing process. Ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen.

Enter, Kasia Pure-oderant

 

Certified Organic made with a pure blend of hemp oil, aloe vera and mineral salts that softens skin and eliminates odor-causing bacteria for up to 24 hours!

 

NO aluminum, alcohol, parabens or proplyene glycol — NO residue.

Scented with organic essential oils.

* effective using hemp oil and mineral salts that eliminate odor-causing bacteria

* soothing and healing aloe vera to softens the skin

* no aluminum chlorhydrate; no alcohol

* No tingly irritation and no staining

* We’re sure, it leaves no white residue

* hypoallergenic

* no harmful propellants, pit and ozone friendly

* no animal testing, just on hunks * no pore clogging, breathe!

Ingredients:

Ingredients: Purified water, potassium alum (mineral salts), polyquaternium-10, organic hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) extract, certified organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) extract, certified organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) oil, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract

Kassie Kuehl is a respected leader in, and advocate for, natural health and beauty care. The founder of Kasia Organic Salon, Kassie combines her experience as nutritionist and living foods educator with her ongoing Functional Medicine research to apply a whole of body “Beautiful Health’ approach to hair care and styling. Become an Informed Beauty and learn more at www.kasiaorganicsalon.com.

###

Chemical Deodorants - They're the Pits

The natural deodorant revolution helping stop breast cancer and Alzheimer's

Deodorants have become a part of everyday life for almost all of us. Antiperspirant deodorant is extremely common among women ... and unfortunately, so is breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Even women that wear no makeup, lip gloss or hair products almost invariably use deodorant products - body odor is seen as one of the seven deadly sins, whether you’re at the office or out with friends! This 'essential' part of our beauty routines may have serious health consequences for us down the track, however.

How do regular deodorants/antiperspirants work?

Deodorants and antiperspirants are two different products, and they work in different ways. Deodorants contain ingredients that kill odor-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, block the pores in the skin that move sweat to the outside of the body, from the sweat glands situated in the armpits.

The substances in deodorants that are used to kill germs include alcohol, parabens and steareth. Aluminum chlorhydrate and aluminum zirconium are the most common active ingredients in antiperspirants.

But the manufacturers must test them, right?

The continuing widespread use of deodorants by women across the world, who may have heard concerns over health risks but disregard them, comes from a common perception that because it is on the supermarket shelf, it must be okay.

We tend to believe that it wouldn’t be possible to sell something, in this day and age, that would be harmful to people. In fact, the process of proving that something is harmful to humans is quite long and rigorous, and without a carrot dangling at the end of the process (a profit or new product for a corporation), it is often difficult to get funding.

The law (in the US) allows companies to use any raw material they like in their products. Yes, some ingredients and colors have been banned. These bans were the result of indisputable evidence of harm. However, there is no requirement that companies test their products to check that they are safe. They do not even have to be tested for efficacy - the financial burden to companies would be enormous and the government is worried about that economic impact.

Even the FDA can only have a product removed from the marketplace if it can be proven harmful in a court of law. There simply aren’t the resources to do the testing necessary for these strict proof guidelines. So, the results of many smaller studies go unheeded, and the potential dangers of deodorants and antiperspirants to women are ignored.

The risks of using conventional antiperspirants and deodorants

A study of 437 females by KG McGrath, looking at the frequency of underarm hygiene linked to the age of breast cancer diagnosis found that:

• The more a woman shaves as well as applying deodorants or antiperspirants, the earlier the diagnosis of breast cancer
• The earlier in life women begin using these products, the earlier the diagnosis of breast cancer

In the 1990s, the World Health Organization released a report showing that the analyzed brains of Alzheimer's sufferers (after death) contained unusually high levels of aluminium. A report in the journal of clinical epidemiology also associated more frequent aluminum-containing deodorant use with Alzhemier's incidence.

Some health professionals also believe that preventing sweating by blocking the pores traps toxins within the body, that would otherwise have been carried out by our sweat. This toxic buildup, along with a buildup of aluminium, is thought to be another of the risk factors for breast cancer with antiperspirant use.

Ingredients to avoid in deodorants

While aluminium is the main deodorant/antiperspirant ingredient that has been studied for negative health effects, almost all of the common ingredients in supermarket deodorants are harmful to us. Here are the effects of some of the common underarm 'hygiene' ingredients:

• Aluminium chlorhydrate, aluminium zirconium tetrachlorhydrex gly, and other aluminium salts: We talked about the links between aluminium salts and breast cancer, as well as  Alzheimer's disease. There may be further links to disease that haven't yet been identified.
• Parabens (all types): These are derived from toluene, which can both cause reproductive harm and mimic the effect of estrogen in the body, driving the growth of cancerous cells.
• Triclosan: This ingredient is a common antibacterial which cause contact dermatitis in many people, and is classified as a pesticide by the FDA.
• Talc: Even the humble talcum powder has been regarded with suspicion by cancer researchers. It may contain asbestiform fibers (yes, these are related to asbestos) - the level of asbestiform fibers in talc is unregulated.
• Propylene glycol: According to the NIOSH this is a neurotoxin. The EPA admits that it hasn’t been fully investigated for cancer-causing potential, despite being in almost every personal care product on the market.
• Silica: This skin irritant is often contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is known to cause cancer
• Steareth-n: (Where n is any number) reacts with ethylene oxide in the manufacturing process. Ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen.

Natural deodorizing

The ingredients which have been found to be effective at keeping you dreamingly scented in natural deodorants include:

• Naturally occurring alum
• Cornstarch
• Lichen
• Herbs and herbal extracts
• De-ionized or distilled water
• Aloe vera
• Baking soda
• Essential oils
• Vegetable glycerin

Naturally occurring alum is related to aluminium, but the molecules are much larger and are not readily absorbed by the skin. It acts as an anti-bacterial, so while it doesn’t prevent sweating, it helps ensure that there is no strong odor from that sweat. The UN has recommended that drinking water sources in some areas of the world have an alum rock placed in them to aid with decontamination.

Natural deodorants may come in the form of a rock or crystal to be rubbed on the underarms, a non-aerosol mist, a gel, or a roll-on like many antiperspirants. These methods can actually be 3 times more effective than commercial deodorants in reducing body odor, both in volume, and over time.

There are plenty of companies recognizing the need for natural deodorants - Kasia Organic Salon is one that has recently launched a brand of natural deodorant, 'Pure-odorant'. It is certified organic & comes straight from nature with a pure blend of organic hemp oil, aloe vera and mineral salts that soften skin and eliminate odor-causing bacteria for up to 24 hours.

Kasia's Pure-odorant formulation leaves absolutely no residue and contains no aluminum, parabens, PG, alcohol or petroleum chemicals. It is scented with organic essential oils.

You can also reduce your consumption of meat, alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine to help cut down on your body odor naturally.

Naturally reducing perspiration

One of the keys to becoming comfortable without antiperspirants is realizing that it isn’t natural not to sweat. Our body uses sweat for thermoregulation, but it is also a convenient way to help spread pheromones, which help other people intuitively understand what we are feeling and our state of health. Julia Roberts went to the Notting Hill premiere without even shaving ('I don't think about my underarms on a daily basis', she said) ... you can deal with a little dark patch under your arms, for the sake of your life and health.

Some people believe that heat conditioning (using saunas or spas) is a great way to help prevent hyperhidrosis (sweating more than is necessary for thermoregulation). You can also use cold water under your arms before you hop out of the shower to help close your pores.

DIY natural deodorant

Do it Yourself!  Making your own natural deodorant is also possible by combining Cornstarch with baking soda to help sweat evaporate more readily and absorb some moisture. Mist-spray some essential oil or natural face toner over the mixture to give it a scent-boost.

You could also mix sage, coriander, lemon or rosemary tea with mineral water and a small amount of antibacterial essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree or lavender for antibacterial effect.

Ode to becoming an Informed Beauty

As the world continues to become transparent and we as communities wake up and to look around, you will be amazed to find that there are many natural substitutes to the artificial chemicals present around us. It is advisable to keep away from products or items that are tricky to enunciate or pronounce.  Become an “Informed Beaute” in how to minimize our coming close to artificial and ecological toxins, keeping you “out of the pits!”

Kassie Kuehl is a respected leader in, and advocate for, natural health and beauty care. The founder of   Kasia Organic Salon, Kassie combines her experience as nutritionist and living foods educator with her ongoing Functional Medicine research to apply a whole of body “Beautiful Health’ approach to hair care and styling. Become an Informed Beauty and learn more at www.kasiaorganicsalon.com.

Sources and Related Reading:

EMedicine from Web MD: Toxicity, Aluminum Michael R Edwards, MD, Medical Director,   Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Updated: Jun 20, 2006 (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/165315-overview)

Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. is "The Ingredients Investigator."

http://www.downwithbasics.com/deodorant.html

http://www.hyperhidrosisweb.com/natural-deodorants.html

http://www.organicmakeupandskincare.com/blog/2008/07/review-of-lafes-natural-and-organic-deodorant-stick/

http://www.ehow.com/how_4590254_increase-deodorant-effectiveness.html

http://greenlivingideas.com/topics/personal-care-and-services/natural-deodorants-and-antiperspirants

http://greenermagazine.blogspot.com/2006/02/antiperspirant-evolution.html

http://hubpages.com/hub/Natural-Aluminium-Free-Deodorant-and-Antiperspirant-Alternatives

http://www.drmilinda.com/cariboost_files/kgm_paper.pdf

http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=2226464&q=&uid=788381485&setcookie=yes