Dr. Oz & Environmental Toxins

I'm going to interject this post between my "How can you assess the quality of a good essential oil?" blogs. I couldn't resist...seeing as I receive posts from Dr. Oz in my inbox. This particular one refers to a topic so dear to my heart: toxins in personal care products.

This particular Oz post is from his Real Age website; and is titled, "Breast Cancer Risk May Be Linked To Toxic Environmental Factors." There's a heading to catch your eye. Even though heart disease is the #1 killer of women in North America, women are understandably, and intelligently, concerned with the risk of breast cancer.

The 300 page report from the Institute of Medicine suggests we should avoid environmental toxins from all sources. There ARE things you can do. Minimize exposure to environmental toxins, and, of course, get screened for breast cancer at the appropriate age/time and as recommended by your physician. Here are 4 things you can do:

(1) Don't breathe in toxic fumes (tobacco smoke, car exhaust, gasoline fumes)
(2)Keep toxic vapours outdoors (for example, paint thinner.) Air out newly dry cleaned clothes outside before wearing and consider using filters on your tap water if solvents are in your water supply
(3)Avoid hormone disruptors - the most common being BPA. Although now out of plastics, it still is in the majority of  canned goods, in the lining on the inside of the can, and, on many thermal receipts.

I am going to quote #4 in it's entirety: "Be choosy about personal care and household products. There's plenty of carcinogen controversy about certain chemicals in cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, and more. The Environmental Working Group has a cosmetics database of worry free products, and Green Seal is one good guide to choosing nontoxic cleaners (try baking soda and vinegar, too)."

Other things in your control include staying active, keeping yourself at a healthy weight, with your waist measurement under 33 inches.

If you want to read the entire article, the link is here:  

http://www.realage.com/womens-health/breast-cancer-risk-may-be-linked-to-toxic-environmental-factors?eid=1010677252&memberid=27848315

I do not like to make people anxious.....but, personally, I always feel empowered when I learn of small things I can do to improve my health and minimize risk.