What’s The Deal With All Those Chemicals???

Last week I wrote about losing five poounds instantly by ditching chemical laden skin care products and replacing them with natural, organic, paleo products. This blog will define what these chemicals are and how they can, do and will affect our bodies and the bodies of the children we are raising. Here is the low-down!

Studies show most Americans have somewhere between 400 and 800 chemicals stored in their bodies, typically in fat cells!!!

According to the Natural Products Association (NPA), prohibited ingredients include:

Parabens- synthetic preservatives and potential endocrine disrupters that can mimic estrogen in the human body.

Research show that parabens have been found in human breast tissue.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a cleaning agent that can irritate skin and strip hair and skin of their natural, protective oils.

Petrolatum, mineral oil, and paraffin, which are nonrenewable by products of crude oil. Petrolatum can be contaminated with endocrine disruptors and carcinogens called polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Glycols, petroleum derived synthetics that may draw other chemicals into the bloodstream.

Phthalates, synthetic fragrances that can be toxic and have been linked to developmental problems and birth defects.

Sodium myreth sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and ethanolalmines, all of which may be carcinogenic.

These Volitile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are found in cosmetics, deodorants and skincare products. VOCs can cause cancer, eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment.

Since most chemicals negatively effect the endocrine system, a review of the endocrine system may be helpful here (this is the nurse in me!): What the heck is the endocrine system anyway?
Although we rarely think about the endocrine system, it influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, and sexual function and reproductive processes.

In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. Faster processes like breathing and body movement are controlled by the nervous system. But even though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems, they often work together to help the body function properly.

The foundations of the endocrine system are hormones and glands. Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers and they transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Many different hormones move through the bloodstream, but each type of hormone is designed to affect only certain cells.
A gland is a group of cells that produces and secretes, or gives off, chemicals. A gland selects and removes materials from the blood, processes them, and secretes the finished chemical product for use somewhere in the body. Endocrine glands release more than 20 major hormones directly into the bloodstream where they can be transported to cells in other parts of the body.
The major glands that make up the human endocrine system include the:

Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Thyroid
Parathyroid
Adrenal glands
Pineal body
Reproductive glands (which include the ovaries and testes)

That’s it in a nutshell! Wow! It’s mind blowing to think of all of the chemicals we come in contact with everyday. There really is no need to consciously add more fuel to the fire… Or should I say chemicals to our body. After all, it has been proven that everything (lotion, cream, serum, cleanser, toner) that we apply topically is absorbed and does affect our well being. Next week I will further discuss what these chemicals do to our bodies, our unborn children, and how they effect our youth.

As always, Primal Life Organic’s products never contain ANY of these life altering chemicals.