It may alarm you to realise that in countries such as Australia and America there are very limited regulations on the safety of which chemicals* are used in household and beauty products, and that this lack of protection can have a significant impact on not only your health, but also your babies and even your grand babies.

Chemicals that we are exposed to can be pass through our to offspring, and can even cross generations. This can unfortunately have a mutli-generational effect on health and fertility. Fertility rates are declining through generations and while there are many factors responsible for this, chemical exposure that passes through to our babies and affects their fertility and their children’s fertility is something that we need to become educated about and take responsibility for.

In a article I have written for Casa de Karma I discuss the benefits of reducing and removing chemical exposure from your diet and lifestyle, for both yourself and for your children. You can read a preview below, or click the link to read the full article which also discusses the relationship between chemicals and genetics, which chemicals to watch out for, the effect of chemicals of sperm health and some ways to reduce chemical exposure.

Read the full article here: http://casadekarma.com.au/why-choose-chemical-free-products-mum-baby/

Chemicals found in newborns

A study by the Environmental Working Group in 2005 examined the umbilical cord blood of 10 newborn babies and found a total of 287 chemicals, with an average of 200 chemicals present per baby. 28 of these were waste byproducts such as Formaldehyde, PCBs, Mercury, Petroleum and Dioxin 1, 4. 47 of these were consumer products such as Bisphenol A, Dioxins, Pthalates, Triclosan, Brominated Flame retardants, Pesticides and Preservatives.  Of these, 212 chemicals and pesticides had actually been banned or restricted in use 30+ years ago, giving us a scary insight into how chemicals can be stored in our bodies and be passed onto our offspring despite not having current exposure to them.

Other studies have shown that many of these chemicals were passed down the line from the grandmothers generation, however the chemicals were present in higher amounts in the children, suggesting that they are transferred across the placenta and breastmilk.

A precautionary approach

What does this mean? One of the lessons I take from this information is that chemicals which are currently viewed as safe but are not inert, are still best to avoid, as many of the harmful chemicals detected in this test were at one stage viewed as safe.

In Australia, the approach to chemical regulation is different to countries more progressive in this area – an absolute evidence of harm is required before a chemical is removed by use in Australia, compared to the EU where a more precautionary principle is in place – they believe that “When human activities may lead to morally unacceptable harm that is scientifically plausible but uncertain, action shall be taken to avoid or diminish that harm.”

In order to navigate this lack of protection we must take more responsibility ourselves.

Penelope Jagessar said in her Ted Talk: The Toxic Baby “It is only a parent’s awareness that stands between chemicals and our children”…

You can read the rest of the article here: http://casadekarma.com.au/why-choose-chemical-free-products-mum-baby/

*I would like to address the often presented argument that “everything is a chemical”. I agree that this is very close to the truth (with the exception of sound and light which is actually matter). However, in this article I am using the term chemicals for the sake of convenience, and actually referring to toxic and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, substances which are known or suspected to be capable of interfering with hormone receptors, hormone synthesis or hormone conversion which are in commercial use and have been proven or suspected of contributing to disease and dysfunction in humans, and chemicals which have shown to cause damage in ways such as mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodevelopmental toxicity, immune toxicity, oxidative stress and various levels of inflammation.

The post Why You Should Choose Chemical-Free Products For You & Your Baby appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

­

The post 7 Health Hacks To Help You Survive The Cold & Flu Season appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

The good folks at Casa de Karma have featured some more of my articles in their Spring Into Wellbeing collection.
I talk about how to improve your skin from the inside and share some DIY skin care recipes, include masks and scrubs.

Here’s a sneak preview

5 Tips To Get Healthy Skin From The Inside Out

We all want that clear, dewy complexion that some seem to be bestowed with; the glow that seems to radiant from within. Luckily, beautiful skin is obtainable for us all, here are 5 tips to get great skin from the inside out…

1. Hydrate

The top layer of your skin is about 80% water and if you’re not drinking enough fluids, this can be quickly reflected in the health of your skin. Sweating is one of our bodies natural detoxification systems, and we need to be properly hydrated for this to work properly. Find water a tad boring? Try freezing some berries, herbs or lemon wedges in ice cube trays and adding to your water for a bit of pizzazz. Alternatively, make your own flavoured water by steeping some fruit slices and herbs in water overnight.

Try these delicious naturally flavoured water combos:

• Mint, cucumber and lime
• Raspberry and mint
• Lemon and blueberries
• Blackberry and sage…

Read the rest here: http://casadekarma.com.au/heathy-skin-from-the-inside-out/

5 Naturopath-Approved DIY Skin Care Recipes

http://casadekarma.com.au/5-diy-skin-care-recipes/

Suitable for all skin types and perfect if your skin is itchy or inflamed.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of dried oats, ground
• 2 teaspoons of water, witch hazel, or chamomile tea

Method

1. Grind oats (if not already ground) and mix with desired liquid until a paste forms.
2. Apply to the face in gentle circular motions, avoiding the eyes. (For the rest of the body, make a larger quantity and apply in the same manner.)
3. Rinse off with warm water.

Read the rest here: http://casadekarma.com.au/5-diy-skin-care-recipes/

The post Spring Skin appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.