Let’s begin by talking about mercury, so it’s clear why this information is so important. Mercury is a neurotoxin. It can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in small children and pregnant moms. In a child’s developing brain, mercury can obstruct nutrient absorption, causing learning disabilities and developmental delays. (NOTE: There is an excellent table in the article that spells out recommended servings of tuna.)
In fetuses and infants, high amounts of mercury can not only lead to cognitive problems, but cerebral palsy, deafness, and blindness. In adults, mercury poisoning can affect fertility and blood pressure. It can also cause memory loss, tremors, vision loss, and numbness of the extremities. Now, what about tuna? Mercury is an industrial chemical that can get released into the environment and settle in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Bacteria in those waters absorb it, small fish consume the bacteria, bigger fish eat the smaller fish, and so on up the food chain. Large fish, like tuna, can have dangerously high mercury concentrations. However, they can still be safe to eat in certain amounts. There are two main types of canned tuna. Chunk light comes from skipjack tuna, a smaller species, and typically contains 0.12 parts per million (PPM) of mercury. Albacore is a larger species and has higher mercury levels, about 0.32 PPM. There is an excellent table in the article that spells out recommended servings. Safer fish that have good amounts of protein and omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, herring, sardines, and anchovies. They contain less mercury as they are lower in the food chain. It is best to avoid exposure to mercury as much as possible, but if you already have symptoms of mercury poisoning, there are safe ways to naturally detoxify your body. These include supplements that can support the body’s detoxification pathways and help pull heavy metals out of the body, homeopathics that support detox pathways, treating any constipation, and more. Read the article here.
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Inflammation is our body’s natural response to infection and injury. It means that our immune system is protecting us by sending cells to fix the problem. The process often involves warmth, swelling, and redness. Once the problem is resolved, the inflammation disappears. However, chronic inflammation is like an ongoing state of emergency and can lead to long term damage to the heart, brain, and other organs as well as conditions like arthritis.
Some of the common signs of chronic inflammation include constant fatigue and insomnia; depression, anxiety, and mood disorder; constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux; weight gain; frequent infections. That’s why it’s important to get control of chronic inflammation. However using anti-inflammatory drugs—whether prescribed or OTC—are not safe long term, leading to potential damage to organs and blood vessels. This article describes 8 natural supplements and herbs that reduce chronic inflammation. The list includes omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, zinc, cat’s claw and more. I do recommend consulting with a doctor prior to trying the recommended supplements. While not in the article, dietary improvements can also make a big difference. Foods that cause inflammation include sugar of all kinds, processed meats, and processed grains (pasta, pastries, white bread, breakfast cereals, snacks, sodas, etc.). Anti-inflammatory foods include green leafy vegetables, fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines, nuts like almonds and walnuts, fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges. Read article here. Glyphosate was declared a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization in 2015. However, it continues to be used in massive quantities on our food supply. A child would only need to eat 2 ounces of Cheerios to ingest the maximum amount deemed safe. (The level deemed safe is 160 parts per billion, or ppb. Cheerios had 729 ppb.) The toxic chemical was detected in every sample of oat-based cereals and snack products from General Mills. Most of the Nature Valley products, including granola and snack bars, tested high in the herbicide as well.
This most recent round of laboratory tests was commissioned by the Environmental Working Group. The article lists the amount of glyphosate in each General Mills product tested. All but four of the 21 General Mills products tested contained high levels of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Bayer-Monsanto’s Roundup. The highest levels of the weed killer were detected in Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch at 833 ppb. Read the article here. Did you ever wonder what was in the dust that winds up in your vacuum bag or on your dusting tool? Since we spend about 90% of our time indoors, scientists did, too. And after some recent research studies, we’re finding out some rather disturbing news about it.
A third of household dust is generated inside the home. The researchers found chemicals, pet dander, skin cells, decomposed insects, food debris, and fibers from carpets, bedding and clothes. Two thirds came from outdoor particulates such as pollen, dirt, silt, and even lead. One worrisome finding was that clothing—including children’s sleepwear—and furniture used to be chemically treated with flame retardants and other chemicals by law. But then researchers started identifying those same flame retardants and chemicals in human blood and tissue. Even newborns showed evidence of exposure in utero. How did these molecules end up in people’s bodies? Mostly via inhalation or ingestion of indoor dust. And then there is lead. To prevent lead poisoning, we have focused on sources like peeling paint and lead water pipes. Lead exposure from soil and dust is less well known. It can get carried by the wind into our homes through open windows and tracked in from our shoes. One point is crystal clear: no outdoor shoes in the house. The research showed that 96% of shoes have traces of fecal bacteria on their soles, including the antimicrobial resistant C. diff, and over 90% of these bacteria are transferred to floors. In addition, they found cancer-causing toxins from asphalt road residue and endocrine-disrupting lawn chemicals. Since all of these toxins and chemicals can make you sick, besides the no outdoor shoes rule, keeping surfaces and floors clean—using safe, natural cleaning products—is very important in keeping you and your family healthy. Read the article the post is based on here. RESEARCHERS UPEND STEREOTYPES ABOUT PEOPLE WITH AUTISM BEING UNINTERESTED IN SOCIAL CONTACT8/22/2019
The familiar stereotypes about social aversion do people with autism a great injustice." This quote from a recent study reveals a great deal about the damage that misunderstanding can cause. It comes from a recent study by two professors of psychology who decided to question the assumptions about how much people with autism want to interact with others. Interestingly, they did something not included in typical studies. They actually asked people with autism what they thought. The study reveals that many of the behaviors common to autism, such as low eye contact, repetitive movements, and the verbatim repetition of words and phrases, are misinterpreted as a lack of interest in social engagement. The authors found that many people with autism express a deep longing for social connection. The study shows that for people with autism, low eye contact can help them focus their attention, which actually enhances social engagement. Also, repeating phrases may also be a behavior designed to connect with others. Repetitive movements may simply be comforting. Here is a quote from one of the people in the study: "You might have been told that people with autism do not want social or romantic relationships, but this is a myth. While it is true that many of us struggle to create or maintain them, this does not mean that we do not want them." It is clear from this research that people with autism—like all human beings—want and need social connection. They express frustration that their behavior is misinterpreted. The authors conclude that, "The familiar stereotypes about social aversion do people with autism a great injustice." Read the article here. |
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