A Clean Swap
It was while I was having my first-ever spa experience two years ago that I had a revelation. In between the luxurious facial and the steam room, I realized that as a family, we ate organic, gluten free, dairy free and healthy, but we had not ever thought about what we put on our bodies, just in them. Thus, I began to seek God’s wisdom in this uncharted territory.
Little did I know that it was a jungle out there. There, being harmful toxins in our products, in our environment and in our water. Having eaten organic for years, I knew the importance of it, but I was beginning to see first-hand the importance of reducing our toxic load in personal care products, household products and more. I cannot change the fact that farmers in our area spray toxic chemicals, but I can change what I purchase for personal care use and for our home.
Honestly, not knowing where to begin, I fired up my computer and searched for toxic ingredients. My browser lit up. That jungle came alive with words, names and websites describing exactly what I was looking for. Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to just look at two ingredients – parabens and phthalates.
PARABENS: According to the FDA, parabens are “commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic products, which prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold.” Environmental Working Group (EWG) notes, “The concern with these chemicals is that scientific studies suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer. They can also cause skin irritation. Moreover, studies have detected parabens in nearly all urine samples taken from adults in the U.S., regardless of demographic (Ye 2006).” Parabens are commonly found in shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, shaving creams, toothpastes, makeup, and many other products. And, typically, cosmetic products contain a mixture of parabens (such as isobutyl-, butyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, to name a few) in their formulations. Continuous exposure to these preservatives could result in harm to our bodies. Companies don’t want mold, neither do consumers, in their products. But alternatives exist to inhibit mold and bacteria, to product quality, and at the same time protect the consumer. At times a decision will need to be made to purposefully choose the lesser of two evils – frequently using products containing toxic chemicals on your body or using a safe clean alternative that may have a shorter shelf life. For further study, read THIS ARTICLE by the EWG on parabens as it is very helpful and informative.
PHTHALATES : Pronounced Hal (THAL-ate), this chemical is a known endocrine disrupter. It mimics hormones in our bodies and throws out false signals our hormones are sending/receiving in our bodies. It is a plasticizer, making products more pliable, and sticky, allowing the product to adhere to its intended target (i.e., fragrance to skin, pesticides to leaves of crops). Found in beauty products, fragrance, plastic, vinyl, non-organic foods, plastic wrap, shower curtains, processed foods and even dairy products. Foods that are processed on plastic tubing will pick up the phthalates thereby contaminating food, even organic ones.
After I did a little research on parabens and phthalates, I knew I needed to begin swapping out the toxic products in our home. Because of my own personal struggle with autoimmune disease, I was aware of a condition, “toxic overload.” God designed our bodies to handle toxins. We have an immune system, lymphatic system, kidneys that filter out toxins, and our gut is the epicenter of immune response, with 80 percent of our immune cells living in our gut. Having too many toxins in and on our bodies cause toxic overload, especially continuous exposure to toxic chemicals, allergens, environmental chemicals, harmful air quality, bad drinking water, allowing disease and malfunction in our bodies. Thus, causing us to get sicker and sicker. It was time to make the swap.
Certain factors we cannot control, but we can choose foods and products without harmful toxins. But where to begin? The first step is to change what we eat and what we purchase. Eating organic has never been easier. Lists like the DIRTY DOZEN and CLEAN FIFTEEN are easily accessible online or HERE, to aid in choosing which produce to purchase or avoid.
Familiarizing ourselves on what is harmful is the second step. Beginning with the two chemicals mentioned in this article, reading labels where you do your shopping. In most cases, harmful products are next to safe ones even on the same shelf. If you cannot find a safe product at your favorite store, try shopping online.
When I began to rid our home of unsafe products, I did it in one fell swoop. Probably not the best approach, but I was on a mission and I wanted to reduce the toxic load in myself and my family, NOW. In hindsight, I would bring the entire family along, as it was hard for some family members to adjust to losing their favorite deodorant. Just ask my husband. And it is a learning process. After two and a half years, I find that while I may be adept at reading labels, buying and eating organic, purchasing safe clean personal care and household products, occasionally I will miss something. It happens. I simply make a note, and shop smarter the next time.
Disease is on the rise. Toxicity is a real thing. Because I have autoimmune disease, that I gave to all three of my children, I want us to live as healthy as we can. Not letting the disease control us, but letting God direct us in choices that we make for optimal health. Our Creator God designed our world and our bodies to function well. Choosing foods and products that help them function optimally is a personal goal. If I am already buying products and food, why not get ones that do not increase our toxic load?
