These chemicals are known to exhibit various harmful effects on human biology, potentially putting people at risk of anything from neurological problems to cancer and hormonal disorders.
Of course this doesn't just apply to pregnant women, but everyone. But during pregnancy it is even more important to try to avoid any excess chemical influence to ensure healthy growth and development of the baby.
Now, this isn't one of those articles telling you to stop doing anything, anywhere, anytime, and to sit in a corner, shaking scared to so much a breathe in fear of ingesting a chemical! We live in a modern world, and the body is very adaptive, otherwise we wouldn't exist in today's world :). However we shouldn't also become accepting and complacent about what our bodies can and can't handle. It is all about balance between the two. Not extremes.
So, how do we ingest all these chemicals? Pesticides may be sprayed on crops, so buying organic wherever possible can be helpful to try to avoid this, also growing own foods where time allows.
Phthalates are chemical plasticizers used in the plastics of children's toys, medical devices, personal care products, sunscreens, perfumes, eye shadow, liquid soap, nail polish and hair spray...
Phthalates are known as endocrine disruptors, because they interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system. This can potentially lead to obesity and birth defects.
The list is endless, but there is a point to this. What can we do about it??
With potential chemicals at every turn, it is of course no wonder that anyone, pregnant women included, will show some kind of contamination with some kind of toxin, no matter at what minor level. We can't get away from it, it is the world we live in. In most parts, where these toxins are in low concentration, there is no real threat to general health. However, we can make an effort ourselves to try to help avoid excessive or prolonged exposure that may result in health degeneration.
Below are just a few basic areas that you can address to help protect yourself and your family. This is just the tip of the iceberg, designed to get you thinking and perhaps just a little more aware. I hope this helps to start you off....
1. Don't put anything on your skin you wouldn't eat! Sounds odd maybe, but this is a good rule of thumb. One of the things we say on our website about our Skincare range is that if it were not in a cream, gel, or lotion form, we could indeed eat it! All ingredients are good enough to eat in our range! So, try to avoid all mainstream industrial consumer skin care, cosmetics and personal care products as much as you can. Where you need something that perhaps we don't yet do at Xtend-Life (watch this space, we are always expanding! :), go for natural brands.
2. Where at all possible try not to ingest over-the-counter drugs or prescription pharmaceuticals. If you do need to use medication for short-term emergency use, of course your doctor's advice should be followed. But try to keep this to a minimum, and be sure to detoxify your liver afterwards with some simple Milk Thistle, vegetable blends and water, and Total Balance and Omega 3/DHA.
3. Drink more water. Most people simply don't consume enough water to effectively remove toxins from their bodies or rehydrate their tissues. Enough water is essential to ensure that your body functions properly. If you don't like water by itself, drink blended vegetable juices such as celery or cucumber for example (which are actually structured water).
5. Don't fill your home with products that give off chemicals. These can include air fresheners, perfumed candles.
7. Don't cook on non-stick cookware. Invest in quality copper-clad stainless steel pans and use those. They'll last a lifetime and they don't contaminate your body.
These are just a few examples of what you can do around the home and in your day to day life. Take a step back at other things you are using and things you are doing in your lifestyle, and perhaps see if there is some way that you can better it to be more healthy for you. Remember this isn't about becoming obsessed, but simply becoming more aware and informed about your day to day living to make the most out of the best of health for you and your family.
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