Squeaky-Clean Living -- It's Important to Your Health?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines Clean-Living, as "used to describe someone who lives in a healthy and morally acceptable way." Over the last 35 years, I have suffered from numerous medical conditions, including infertility, thyroid disease, psoriasis, cortisol imbalance, and digestive issues. I was continually being prescribed drugs that only masked my symptoms. There were even times where a doctor would tell me it was all in my head and suggested antidepressants or counseling. Just in the last fifteen years, several thousand dollars, and several naturopathic doctor visits later did I finally find out I had several auto-immune conditions, including cortisol imbalance, SIBO, and hypothyroidism. Finally, the answer for even after going to Orange Theory 3-4 days a week, eating low fat, I still gained 50 pounds.

How anyone ends up with an autoimmune disorder still remains a mystery. I began searching the world wide web for anything related to my long list of complaints. I was very surprised to find that there were a lot of resources available that answered many of my questions. My frustration still is that many doctors are still joined at the hip with pharmaceutical companies and are more often than not inclined to prescribe a drug rather than look for a resolution. And, now we also have to contend with insurance companies acquiring medical practices to further interfere with patient-doctor relationships.

My research has led me to conclude that exposure to toxic ingredients found in our food, our environment (water, air), and the personal care products we use on a daily basis have a compounding effect on our health. Of course, that doesn't take into account any genetic predispositions. It wasn't until my youngest daughter almost died from undiagnosed celiac that I knew this was the time for me to make a 100% commitment to changing my lifestyle and embrace a cleaner lifestyle with respect to what I put in and on my body.

First, I started looking into the products I was currently using, which included air fresheners, fabric softeners, scented candles, face wipes, deodorant, shampoo, nail polish, toothpaste, and cosmetics, to name a few. I was quite shocked by what I found on the labels -- so many chemicals. My next step, look for products free of as many toxic ingredients as possible while also looking for products that are also eco-friendly.

Our body is wonderfully made and it will tell you when you introduce it to something that it doesn't like. The increase in food allergies can be linked back to the processed food industry, and harmful pesticides used in farming practices. The increase in asthma and other health conditions have been linked to the fragrances that are in the household and personal care products we use. A few products to watch out for are Parabens, PFAS, and Phthalates. And, let's not forget the term "Fragrance" which could mean a combination of any number of over 3,000 different chemicals. Bottom line, exposure to these toxic class of chemicals has been directly linked to breast cancer, thyroid disease, hormone disruptors in men, and liver problems.

As a new mom or about-to-be new mom, you are concerned with all aspects of great prenatal care, including the foods you consume. Did you consider what personal care, baby care products or household products you are using that might be toxic to you and your baby?

FDA has limited authority over cosmetics

Consider the fact that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not passed any legislation concerning safety in cosmetics or personal care products in over eighty years. FDA does not require companies to submit their product formulations and they are not required to register any products they import. Instead, the FDA encourages companies to voluntarily participate in the VCRP (Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program). Recalls of questionable personal care/cosmetics are solely the responsibility actions of companies to voluntarily remove products from the marketplace that they deem hazardous or defective.

A non-profit organization called EWG.org was established over 20 years ago, dedicated to consumer safety in the products we use on a daily basis. "EWG is educating and empowering consumers to make safer and more informed decisions about the products they buy and the companies they support."

EWG.org released an article on February 7, 2019, entitled "Chemicals in Cosmetics Linked to Lung Damage in Children." This study conducted by a team of European scientists found that babies exposed to chemicals found in cosmetics and other personal care products (Parabens, Phthalates, and PFAS to name a few) resulted in babies suffering from diminished lung conditions which showed up around ages 6 and 12.

Even more shocking, the scientists found that the exposure was both in utero and shortly after birth. That meant the skincare products and body lotions you might be using during your pregnancy may be absorbed into your skin, then into your bloodstream, and then passed along to your baby. It is not just enough to eat healthier, getting enough exercise, but you now have to consider what you are putting on your skin -- the largest organ in your body.

EWG.org also released an article on February 2, 2020, "Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act Would Ban Cosmetics Linked to Cancer or Reproductive Harm". California's Toxic-Free Cosmetic Act, AB 2762, if passed would ban 12 toxic ingredients from the beauty and personal care products used by Californians. Albert Y. Muratsuchi, a co-sponsor of this bill commented, "I want my daughter growing up...where I don't have to be an expert toxicologist to know the soaps, face creams, and toothpaste that is safe for her to use."

Be sure to check out my earlier blog post, EWG Today's Watchdog for Everything Clean." I had the pleasure of meeting some of the EWG staff at a pop-up event last April in Portland, Oregon. It is good to know that EWG is stepping in and keeping the consumer informed when the FDA does not. Hopefully, the legislation will begin to listen to those pushing for change, like the CEO of Beautycounter, Gregg Renfrew. On December 4, 2019, Gregg went before the House Energy and Commerce Committee to demand that the FDA put consumers first and enact legislation to demand cleaner products. To date, Beautycounter has voluntarily removed over 1,800 questionable toxic ingredients from their personal care products called the "Never List."

So are you ready to make the swap to more eco-friendly, toxic-free products for your home?

Initially, I started my search for cleaner products by breaking them into categories:

Household Cleaning Products This includes multi-purpose cleaners/hard surface cleaners, laundry soap, fabric softeners, air fresheners, dishwashing detergents, hand cleanser, and glass cleaner. Be sure to check out my earlier blog posts - "Clean Laundry Smell With The Laundress" and "Branch Basics - Household Cleaner Even Your Fur Baby Will Love." Both The Laundress and Branch Basics offer enzyme-based products. Branch Basics is scent-free, while The Laundress offers both unscented and fragranced products using essential oils.

Organic Food & Spices

Removing all processed foods from my diet and taking the time to prepare meals from scratch. This allowed me to make better food choices and avoid foods that I had allergies to, i.e. dairy and gluten. I absolutely love Primal Kitchen products with their low sugar content. Be sure to check out my blog post - "Primal Kitchen - Eat Like Your Life Depends on it."

Personal Care Products

This includes hair care products, oral hygiene products, body lotions, bath products, deodorant, facial products, baby care products, sunscreen products, bug sprays, and medicinal products. Be sure to check my blog post, "Eco-Friendly Ways to Remove Makeup."

Ditch Single-Use Plastic. This includes storage bags, water bottles, sandwich bags, garbage bags, straws, food storage containers, and pet poo bags. Be sure to check out my earlier blog post, "We Are a Throw-Away Culture - Stop Single-Use Plastic."

I also looked for ways to reduce my usage of paper towels and look for products that were more environmentally sustainable like microfiber washable cloths and mops.

Other items in your home to consider going forward -- switching to LED lightbulbs, more sustainable paper products like bamboo, reusable facial wipes, and reducing what you are putting in the landfill -- like composting!

Stay tuned to future blog posts --- I will share products that I found that are amazing and well worth considering for your home.

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