Are Your Cleaning Products Affecting Your Mood?

You're not going to see the same old info about cleaning products in this blog. 

There's already a lot written on the health impacts of household chemicals, cancer, asthma, and more. But how do they relate to our moods and mental health?

In this blog, you'll find"

• Household chemical use and some concerns with mood and mental health
• Some challenges in looking at household chemicals
• Already using "green"? You may be "green washed"! It's worth a deeper look.

Household chemicals and mood

A single blog can not embrace all the ways chemicals may or may not affect body and brain health. That's why taking a look at what's under my client's kitchen sink is part of my consultation process. (Click here to learn about consultations). Today, I'll consider three categories of household products that related to mood and mental health. 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s).  If the product smells, it has VOC’s, meaning it releases smelly molecules into the air that we can breath in. Examples of VOC containing products are air fresheners, dryer sheets, laundry products, scented candles, "fresh lemon scent", bleach, ammonia, vinegar, etc. Not all are harmful obviously but some are a big problem.

Researchers found air fresheners were associated with postpartum depression and the infants suffered significantly more diarrhea and earaches. If sprays were used, the babies vomited more often. HOW AWFUL!  I won't even get started on dryer sheets but to say, except for a very few brands, get them OUT of your house! 

Another VOC, bleach, is a chemical that I would not open anywhere near a child with ADD/ADHD or skin issues.

Flame retardants used in foam furniture, foamy baby and pet toys, baby clothes, electronics, TV’s, and more, were linked by scientists to anxiety and antisocial behavior in animals. That research is fairly new (2019) and human studies are rare. We do know human skin cells accumulate and breakdown these chemicals and can theorize more anxiety and antisocial behavior may occur in humans too.

Chemicals with lots of carbons and fluorine:– PFAS, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PTFE, PFTO, PFBS. These chemicals are everywhere and have been readily found in humans. Yes, you too. The chemicals are used to resist greasy absorption in microwave popcorn bags, food wrappers, stain resistant coatings on furniture and carpeting, cleaning products, cosmetics and skin care, paints varnishes, and more. Prenatal exposure to these chemicals have been linked to hyperactivity and focus and obesity. 

What to do? 

Take a look under your kitchen sink and start reading labels! 

• If any ingredients start with polyfluro (or PF..) – STOP! This site has a list of polyfluoro compounds.
• Use fragrance free products.
• Rid the house of most air commerical fresheners, candles, and dryer sheets.
• Eat less processed food so you are exposed to less food packaging.
• Let professionals handle pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Look for pest control operators who are using the most non-toxic pest control.

What about switching to "green" cleaners?
The label on your household products may say or look “green.” Are they truly better for you and for the environment? A deeper look entails these questions:

• How can you tell? I'll explain the four standards I use in just a bit.
• Why do many brands price their products high and embrace an elitist tilt?
• Why do green brands ship water all over the country and waste all those plastic bottles just to make us re-purchase them often? 
• Why do brands offer so many products? Do we really need a special cleaning for every task?

Here is what I found - my favorite green cleaners. 

I started using Get Clean when my baby started crawling on the floor. I knew she would be exposed cleaning product residues and had to do something! I love that these cleaners fit my four true green qualifications, meaning they are  non-toxic AND biodegradable AND multi-tasking, AND safely concentrated. They are also made Shaklee, totally carbon neutral since Y2K.

I hit all the questions above in one swoop - most of my cleaning is done with one product, Basic H2. I add the water at my own sink for three different dilutions. I have reused the same three spray bottles for years and I save a boat load of money. Paying 30 cents a gallon for countertop cleaner vs. $4 a 32 oz bottle for the fancy green brands is a game-changer! And the Fresh Laundry? It says 32 loads, but I get more like 45 and don't need an extra rinse.

I hope you'll enjoy saving that much too!

Thanks for reading!

Brain to Heart: It's not Heads or Tails

A healthy brain has a healthy heart to thank. Anything that diminishes the heart also diminishes the brain, with less oxygen and fewer vital nutrients getting to that great, grey-mattered energy hog.

 

Americans truly play heads or tails with heart health. Nearly half of Americans will have some sort of cardiovascular disease. HALF is a lot of Americans “losing”. 

 

In this blog, you'll see some examples of common laboratory tests your doctor likely uses to assess your heart health and help you win your health health bet.

 

Knowing your numbers and 

what they mean 

gives you great advantage 

for better heart health. 

 

This blog will help you understand 

your numbers.

 

In my next blog, I’ll share some natural solutions for better heart health numbers. Subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of my website or follow me on LinkedIn, FaceBook, or Instagram to know when I've posted.

What are some lab clues doctors use to assess heart health? 

• C-reactive Protein 
• HDL / LDL Ratio 
• Homocysteine
  
• Fibrinogen
• Sometimes electrolytes
  

C-reactive Protein is a measure of inflammation. 

When “bad” cholesterol (LDL or Low Density Lipids) stick on an artery wall, the artery becomes irritated. The immune system wakes up to battle the irritants. The "battle" process causes inflammation. Several chemical and biological reactions later, special garbage collecting cells (macrophages) are sent to encase, devour, and remove the "neutralized" LDL. But LDL is sticky! Instead of removing the waste, everything stays stuck. A plaque starts building on the artery walls causing them to "harden" (arteriosclerosis). As long as more sticky LDL particles keep coming, there's more inflammation, more macrophages, more plaque and higher C-reactive protein.

LDL / HDL ratio.  

HDL cholesterol or high density lipids are a denser, smaller type of cholesterol. HDL is “good” because it scrubs off that fatty, sticky, LDL cholesterol from arterial walls, carrying them away to the liver for removal or recycling. A lot of HDL is good! If you want to know your ratio, divide the LDL number in your lab results by the HDL number. Your lab results may already include the ratio. Look for rations under 3.6 for men and 3.1 for women.

 

Homocysteine:  

We mostly get homocysteine from the animal proteins we eat. We need this chemical to make other chemicals that help, for instance, the immune system and liver. Too much is a problem. Low B vitamins levels and excess alcohol also interfere with the breakdown of homocysteine. 

 

High levels of homocysteine (>10 mcmol/liter) indicate that we not breaking homocysteine down into the other chemicals. High levels are associated with arteriosclerosis, reduced blood flow, blood clots, stroke, dementia... not good. High levels occur most in people who eat a lot of animal meat, few fruits and vegetables, and have low nutrient levels. Homocysteine levels may not be very useful for people who already have arteriosclerosis.

Fibrinogen: Fibrinogen is produced to stop a bleeding wound. It makes the blood thicker and stickier. Click here for a Reader’s Digest article that nicely explains fibrinogen. Fibrinogen assays indicate inflammation and how likely clots might form in arteries. Levels greater then 3.43 g/L (343 mg/dl) indicate a significantly higher risk of heart disease.  

 

Electrolytes: A careful balance of ion-forming metal salts of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are key nutrients for creating a regular heart beat. Many people have very high sodium levels. Potassium though, is a common deficiency. Balance is key. Aim for the middle of the ranges. Click here to get the full story.

 

Keep your own eye on your numbers.

When your doctor orders blood tests, compare your past blood tests with your newest numbers. Look for changes. You could have “normal” numbers now, but which way are they going?

 

Ask your doctor if they have any concerns about your heart health both for now and in the future based on the trends?

When the numbers are going in a downhill trend, gear up for a call to action! My next blog will help you raise your odds for natural support for better heart health.

The Secret To Taming the Giant of Keeping Goals

Want something big or even small in your life and just can't make it happen?

There's powerful biology behind change and why change is hard.

Brains strive to keep everything safe and predictable. When propelled by something big like money, health, and relationship issues, brains accept change. But lacking serious urgency, our brains see change as a behemoth of threat. There are ways to calm the beast! 

Like so many others...

I have changes I want to make:

#1 Covid Pounds

When I switched from looser summer clothes to fall's fitted clothes, pants were tighter! Ack! A serious muffin top popped over the waistband. Ack! Ack!

 

I gained the most in the middle - a sign of imbalanced blood sugar and the slippery downward slope it means. Ack! Ack! Ack!!! A muffin top counters my LOVE of feeling and being really healthy!

#2 Stress 

I juggled many family obligations while rebranding my business Constant low-level stress hormones lead to weight gain. 

Knowing these problems will not change anything. 

What will it take to change? Magic???

Okay, maybe not magic, but there are solid steps to increase the success rate of sticking with our goals.

If you like to read, scroll down and focus on the dark print. My goals and action plan to lose the muffin, as an example, are in grey.

If you'd rather watch? 

My business mentor, Darren Hardy has a great video!

Magic Key #1 - Choose a goal that means something

• When you think about the result of that goal, you should feel really good. 
• Revisit that thought / vision daily or more.
• Post it in places you'll see and remind yourself of that goodness. (Notice any resistance to posting the vision of the goal? Do it anyway!)

Back to the muffin top:

I LOVE seeing the muffin top shrink and back to being healthy and strong!

Magic Key #2: Write out the goal and show others.

• Make the goal SMART: Smart goals work for any goal.
• Write down the goal!  (Notice any resistance? Do it anyway!)
• Show the goal to 2-3 others. Telling people raises your success rate.

Back to the muffin top:

I started this goal in October: lose 2 inches off my waist and abs during 4th quarter.

The Magic Key #3 - Make a plan of action 

Choose three small things you can do each week to move forward just a bit. Start slow and build. Too much, too fast feels like a chore and that pesky resistance giant will get nasty. But small steps build over time. Today, choose 1% better. 

Back to the muffin top: 

Here are my specific actions that are consistent with my LOVE of feeling healthy and strong.

• Take my measurements monthly- I don't like scales.
• Go to the gym 3x/week plus weekly “tree therapy” session.  and exercise is stress therapy for me. I know I can do this plan. 
• I love dessert and limit the calories with a portion-controlled piece of really good, satisfying dark chocolate. 
• New in 2022: Do a gentle cleanse in January to kill my sweet tooth.
• New in 2022: Our diet is very good. I eat extra calories by "picking" while we sit around and chat. I asked my hubby to help me and keep the dinner serving dishes in the kitchen.

Magic Key #4: Get 2-3 people to help. 

• This is "secret sauce"! We need other people to keep us going. Ask the people you told about your goal to be your accountability partners. Arrange how you will check in and how you can help them help you. 

Back to the muffin top:

• I asked a neighbor to meet me at 6:15 am to go to the gym twice a week. 
• I have 2 other buddies who expect me to be at the gym.
• I asked a friend to cleanse with me after the holidays to bust my sweet tooth. It worked!
• I review my actions weekly with my business accountability partners. 

Results?

I started in October. I've lost 7 cm (2.75 in) off my waist (my blood sugar is down!!!) and 3 cm (1.2 inch) off my abs. The success is building the actions set in October action are now easy to maintain. 

New goal: I'm ready for the next step - reduce another 2 cm by March 31.

What small changes have you been making? Please comment below.

 

Thanks for reading!

OMg! Gotta love Magnesium!

Magnesium deficiency is a big deal. Like vitamin D3, most of us are deficient.

Magnesium deficiency is linked with many health problems: diabetes, 

digestion issues, stroke, sudden cardiac death,

migraines, stress, asthma, depression, bone density, muscle cramps, kidney function, weakness, preeclampsia, eclampsia, fibromyalgia, possibly high blood and yes, there's more.

A 2018 study suggests that the role of magnesium for cardiovascular health is so important that subclinical magnesium deficiency should be declared a public health crisis. 

The NIH reports in their Aug 11, 2021 Factsheet for Medical Professionals that nearly 50% of the US population, "ingest less magnesium from food and beverages than their respective EARs" or estimated recommended allowances. Translating: 50% of Americans do not eat the minimum amount of magnesium required for even 50% of the of the requirements for healthy individuals. 

 Keep tuned for my upcoming blog: 

The FDA Has Made it Harder to Know our Nutritional Needs!" 

Enzymes, Muscles, Bones and Magnesium.

Our bodies have a check and balance system for minerals like magnesium. Eating insufficient magnesium rich foods causes a "negative magnesium imbalance. " Our bodies, therefore, pull magnesium out of our bones to satisfy our magnesium needs. Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3 and more work together to build our bone matrix and keep it strong. When we're perpetually leaching magnesium, we're left with osteoporosis in our golden years. In a small, but important study, 84% of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were found deficient in magnesium when their bone mineral content was analyzed. I'm perplexed why our doctors aren't recommending bone building mineral complexes like this one I often recommend.

Why the deficiency?

Dietary magnesium is found in dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish, beans, whole grains, avocados, yogurt, bananas, dried fruit, and dark chocolate, among other sources. Many people don’t eat enough of these foods regularly. Even with a perfect diet, magnesium is difficult to absorb. We only absorb between 20-75% of the magnesium we eat.

Other factors influencing magnesium absorption.

• We absorb less magnesium as we age.
• The type of magnesium in food may affect our absorption. For example, spinach contains magnesium oxalate, a form better absorbed cooked then raw.
•  People with digestive issues like IBD and Crohn’s disease absorb nutrients less effectively.
• Medicines used for blood pressure management and proton pump inhibitors interfere with magnesium absorption. 
• Mineral depletion in the soil from commercial farming practices reduced minerals in food.
• Other factors include: chronic stress, excess alcohol, salt, coffee, sugar, phosphoric acid (in soda), antibiotics, high levels of zinc, and diuretics (water pills). 

  An extensive list can be found in box 2 of this 2019 publication.

What to do?

• Eat more magnesium rich foods.
• Promote your digestive health. Health always starts in the gut. Connect with me for suggestions to improve digestive health at ExploringBNP@gmail.com.
• When eating magnesium rich foods, avoid excess alcohol, sodas, and coffee.
•  Bathe and relax with Epsom salts. If someone has a digestive system disease that affects nutrient absorption, magnesium can absorb through skin.
• ·Supplement your magnesium intake. Supplements are very helpful if made well. If you are just looking for a magnesium supplement, here's my usual recommendation. 

Can we get too much magnesium? Current research says, not really, but you’ll get diarrhea if you take too much. Magnesium is a laxative and the diarrhea can cause other problems. 200 mg at one sitting is enough.

Keep an eye out for my up-coming blog, Choosing a Bone Supplement That Works and learn how to choose a bone support supplement. It's more complicated than you might expect.

Thanks for reading!

Questions? ExploringBNP@gmail.com

© Susan Buta, BNP 2017, 2021