Permaculture

The word permaculture is a portmanteau of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture and is an approach to designing human settlements, in particular the development of perennial agricultural systems that mimic the structure and interrelationships found in natural ecologies.

Permaculture design principles extend from the position that the only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children. The intent was that, by rapidly training individuals in a core set of design principles, those individuals could become designers of their own environments and able to build increasingly self-sufficient human settlements — ones that reduce society's reliance on industrial systems of production and distribution that are fundamentally and systematically destroying the earth's ecosystems.

Modern permaculture is a system design tool. It is a way of:

1. looking at a whole system or problem
2. seeing connections between key elements (parts)
3. observing how the parts relate,
4. planning to mend sick systems by applying ideas learnt from long-term sustainable working systems.

In permaculture, we are learning from the working systems of nature to plan to fix the sick landscapes of human agricultural and city systems. We can apply systems thinking to the design of a kitchen tool as easily to the re-design of a farm. In permaculture we apply it to everything we need in order to build a sustainable future. Commonly, initiatives that are taken tend to evolve from strategies that focus on efficiency (for example, more accurate and controlled uses of inputs and minimisation of waste) to substitution (for example, from more to less disruptive interventions, such as from biocides to more specific biological controls and other more benign alternatives) to redesign -- fundamental changes in the design and management of the operation. Permaculture is about helping people make redesign choices: setting new goals and a shift in thinking that affects not only their home but their actions in the workplace, borrowings and investments. Examples include the design and employment of complex transport solutions, optimum use of natural resources such as sunlight, radical design of information-rich, multi-storey polyculture systems. This progression generally involves a shift in the nature of one’s dependence -- from relying primarily on universal, purchased, imported, technology-based interventions to more specific locally available knowledge and skill-based ones. This usually eventually also involves fundamental shifts in world-views, senses of meaning, and associated lifestyles. My experience is that although efficiency and substitution initiatives can make significant contributions to sustainability over the short term, much greater longer-term improvements can only be achieved by redesign strategies; and, furthermore, that steps need to be taken at the outset to ensure that efficiency and substitution strategies can serve as stepping stones and not barriers to redesign...

Core Values

Permaculture is a broad-based and holistic approach that has many applications to all aspects of life. At the heart of permaculture design and practice is a fundamental set of ‘core values’ or ethics which remain constant whatever a person's situation, whether they are creating systems for town planning or trade; whether the land they care for is only a windowbox or an entire forest. These 'ethics' are often summarised as:

Earthcare – recognising that the Earth is the source of all life (and is itself a living entity) and that we recognise and respect that the Earth is our valuable home and we are a part of the Earth, not apart from it.

Peoplecare – supporting and helping each other to change to ways of living that are not harming ourselves or the planet, and to develop healthy societies.

Fairshare (or placing limits on consumption) - ensuring that the Earth's limited resources are utilised in ways that are equitable and wise.

Everyone needs to eat and drink, and it is the issue of food production where permaculture had its origins. It started with the belief that for people to feed themselves sustainably they need to move away from reliance on industrialised agriculture. Where industrial farms use fossil fuel (gasoline, diesel, natural gas..) driven technology specialising in each farm producing high yields of a single crop, permaculture stresses the value of low inputs into the land and diversity in terms of what is grown. The model for this was an abundance of small scale market and home gardens for food production with food miles being a primary issue.

The Permaculture Design Innovation

The core of permaculture has always been in supplying a design toolkit for human habitation. This toolkit helps the designer to model a final design based on an observation of how ecosystems themselves interact. A simple example of this is how the Sun interacts with a plant by providing it with energy to grow. This plant may then be pollinated by bees or eaten by deer. These may disperse seed to allow other plants to grow into tall trees and provide shelter to these creatures from the wind. The bees may provide food for birds and the trees provide roosting for them. The tree's leaves will fall and rot, providing food for small insects and fungus. There will be a web of intricate connections that allow a diverse population of plant life and animals to survive by giving them food and shelter. One of the innovations of permaculture design was to appreciate the efficiency and productivity of natural ecosystems and seek to apply this to the way human needs for food and shelter are met.

O'BREDIM design methodology

O'BREDIM is a mnemonic based on Observation, Boundaries, Resources, Evaluation, Design, Implementation and Maintenance.

Observation allows you to first see how the site functions within itself, to gain an understanding of its initial relationships. Some people recommend a year-long observation of a site before anything is planted. During this period all factors, such as lay of the land, natural flora and so forth, can be brought into the design. A year allows the site to be observed through all seasons, although it must be realised that, particularly in temperate climates, there can be substantial variations between years.

Boundaries refer to physical ones as well as to those your neighbours might place on you, for example.

Resources would include the people involved, funding, as well as what you can grow or produce in the future.

Evaluation of the first three will then allow you to prepare for the next three. This is a careful phase of taking stock of what you have at hand to work with.

Design is always a creative and intensive process, and you must stretch your ability to see possible future synergetic relationships.

Implementation is literally the ground-breaking part of the process when you carefully dig and shape the site.

Maintenance is then required to keep your site at a healthy optimum, making minor adjustments as necessary. Good design will preclude the need for any major adjustments.

Patterns

The use of patterns both in nature and reusable patterns from other sites is often key to permaculture design. This echoes the pattern language used in architecture which has been an inspiration for many permaculture designers. All things, even the wind, the waves and the earth on its axis, moving around the Sun, form patterns. In pattern application, permaculture designers are encouraged to develop: 1. Awareness of the patterns that exist in nature (and how these function) 2. Application of pattern on sites in order to satisfy specific design needs. The application of pattern on a design site involves the designer recognising the shape and potential to fit these patterns or combinations of patterns comfortably onto the landscape. We can use branching for the direction of our paths, rather than straight paths with square angles. Or we may use lobe-like paths of the main path (these are known as keyhole paths) that minimise waste and compaction of the soil.

Permaculture zones

Permaculture zones are a way of organizing design elements in a human environment based on the frequency of human use. Frequently manipulated or harvested elements are located close to the house in zones one and two, while less frequently manipulated elements of the design are farther away from the house.

Links and connections

Also key to the permacultural design model is that useful connections are made between components in the final design. The formal analogy for this is a natural mature ecosystem. So, in much the same way as there are useful connections between Sun, plants, insects and soil there will be useful connections between different plants and their relationship to the landscape and humans. Another innovation of the permaculture design is to design a landuse or other system that has multiple outputs. A useful connection is viewed as one that maximises power: that is, maximizes the rate of useful energy transformation. A comparison which illustrates this is between a wheat field and a forest. “It is not the number of diverse things in a design that leads to stability, it is the number of beneficial connections between these components.”

Layers/'stacking'

In permaculture and forest gardening, seven layers are identified:

The canopy
Low tree layer (dwarf fruit trees)
Shrubs
Herbaceous
Rhizosphere (root crops)
Soil Surface (cover crops)
Vertical Layer (climbers, vines)
The 8th layer, or Mycosphere (fungi), is often included in layering.

A mature ecosystem such as ancient woodland has a huge number of relationships between its component parts: trees, understory, ground cover, soil, fungi, insects and other animals. Plants grow at different heights. This allows a diverse community of life to grow in a relatively small space. Plants come into leaf and fruit at different times of year.

For example, in the UK, wild garlic comes into leaf on the woodland floor in the time before the top canopy re-appears with the spring. A wood suffers very little soil erosion as there are always roots in the soil. It offers a habitat to a wide variety of animal life which the plants rely on for pollination and seed distribution. The productivity of such a forest in terms of how much new growth it produces exceeds the most productive wheat field. It is in this observation of how more productive a wood may be on far less input of fertilizers that the potential productivity of a permaculture design is modelled. The many connections in a wood contribute together to a proliferation of opportunities for amplifier feedbacks to evolve that in turn maximise energy flow through the system.

Polyculture

Polyculture is agriculture using multiple crops in the same space, in imitation of the diversity of natural ecosystems, and avoiding large stands of single crops, or monoculture. It includes crop rotation, multi-cropping, and inter-cropping. Alley cropping is a simplification of the layered system which typically uses just two layers, with alternate rows of trees and smaller plants.

Guilds

Permaculture Guilds are groups of plants which work particularly well together. These can be those observed in nature such as the White Oak guild which centers on the White Oak tree and includes 10 other plants. Native communities can be adapted by substitution of plants more suitable for human use.

The Three Sisters of maize, squash and beans is a well known guild. Guilds can be thought of as an extension of companion planting.

Increase edge

Permaculturists maintain that where vastly differing systems meet, there is an intense area of productivity and useful connections. The greatest example of this is the coast. Where the land and the sea meet there is a particularly rich area that meets a disproportionate percentage of human and animal needs. This is evidenced by the fact that the overwhelming majority of humankind lives within 100 km of the sea. So this idea is played out in permacultural designs by using spirals in the herb garden or creating ponds that have wavy undulating shorelines rather than a simple circle or oval. Edges between woodland and open areas have been claimed to be the most productive.

Perennial plants

Perennial plants are often used in permaculture design. As they do not need to be planted every year they require less maintenance and fertilisers. They are especially important in the outer zones and in layered systems.

Animals

Many permaculture designs involve animals. For e.g., chickens can be used as a method of weed control and also as a producer of fertiliser. Agroforestry combines trees with grazing animals. The animals should be treated as friends, co-habitators and co-workers of the site.

Annual monoculture (anti-pattern)

Annual monoculture such as a wheatfield can be considered a pattern to be avoided in terms of space (height is uniform) and time (crops grow at the same rate until harvesting). During growth and especially after harvesting the system is prone to soil erosion from rain. The field requires a hefty input of fertilizers for growth and machinery for harvesting. The work is more likely to be repetitive, mechanised and rely on fossil fuels.

No pattern should be hard and fast and depending on the design considerations they can be broken. An example of this is broadscale permaculture practiced at Ragmans Lane Farm, which has a component of annual farming. Here the amount of human involvement is a key factor influencing the design.

Energy

Applying these values means using fewer non-renewable sources of energy, particularly petroleum based forms of energy. Burning fossil fuels contributes to greenhouse gases and global warming; however, using less energy is more than just combatting global warming. Food production should be a fully renewable system; but using current agricultural systems this is not the case. Industrial agriculture requires large amounts of petroleum, both to run the equipment, and to supply pesticides and fertilizers. Permaculture is in part an attempt to create a renewable system of food production that relies upon minimal amounts of energy.

For example permaculture focuses on maximizing the use of trees (agroforestry) and perennial food crops because they make a more efficient and long term use of energy than traditional seasonal crops. A farmer does not have to exert energy every year replanting them, and this frees up that energy to be used somewhere else.

Traditional pre-industrial agriculture was labor intensive, industrial agriculture is fossil fuel intensive and permaculture is design and information intensive and petrofree. Partially permaculture is an attempt to work smarter, not harder; and when possible the energy used should come from renewable sources such as wind power, passive solar designs or alternative fuels.

Toxic Fertilizers

The recycling of hazardous industrial wastes into fertilizers introduces several dozen toxic metals and chemicals into the nation's farm, lawn and garden soils, including such well-known toxic substances as lead and mercury. Many crops and plants extract these toxic metals from the soil, increasing the chance of impacts on human health as crops and plants enter the food supply chain. The steel industry provided 30% of this waste. Used for its high levels of zinc, which is an essential nutrient for plant growth, steel industry wastes can include lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and dioxin, among other toxic substances. With little monitoring of the toxics contained in fertilizers and fertilizer labels that do not list toxic substances, our food supply and our health are at risk. Because fertilizer labeling laws only require beneficial nutrients, like zinc or phosphate, to be listed, fertilizers are sold directly to the public and farmers without warnings or information that informs consumers about the presence and quantity of toxic metals. Inadequate labeling requirements mean consumers do not have the necessary information to make informed decisions about products at the time that they are purchased to best protect the health of their families.

Each of these metals is suspected or known to be toxic to humans and the environment. Nine metals, like arsenic and lead, are known or suspected to cause cancer and ten metals, like mercury, are linked to developmental effects. Beryllium is a suspected carcinogen, chromium and arsenic are known to cause cancer and barium can cause kidney and lung damage. Three of the tested metals – lead, cadmium and mercury – are also persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs). PBTs persist for long periods of time in the environment – some indefinitely – and they can accumulate in the tissues of humans and wildlife, increasing the long-term health risks at even low levels of exposure. These three metals cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive problems. Children are most susceptible to the toxic effects of most metals, especially lead, which has been the subject of intense government efforts to reduce lead exposure to children. Products like fertilizer are of great concern as children spend more time on or near the ground and are often exposed to ground level substances through hand-to-mouth behavior.

Toxins in fertilizers accumulate in agricultural soils, become available for plant uptake, and run off into waterways.

AGRICULTURAL SOIL QUALITY
Farming, especially single-crop farming, requires consistent and dependable soil conditions. The introduction to farm soils of toxic substances like lead and cadmium can adversely affect growing conditions and result in increased toxic accumulation as these metals are highly persistent in soils. This can negatively affect critical growing requirements, such as soil acidity or the solubility of beneficial metals like zinc in the soils.

PLANT UPTAKE
Some crops are more likely than others to absorb non-nutrient toxic substances from soils. For example, fruits and grains can absorb lead, and lettuce, corn and wheat can absorb cadmium from soils. This means that our food supply is at risk of contamination by toxic substances that could threaten human health.

WATER QUALITY
The overall health of waterways has declined dramatically over the last quarter-century. Most of our rivers, lakes, and estuaries are still too polluted for safe fishing or swimming. Agricultural runoff is a common cause of waterway pollution. A recent report found that metals are the second most common pollutants found in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and estuaries. In fact, agriculture is the industry most responsible for lake pollution. The introduction of toxic substances from fertilizers to agricultural environments will only add to their concentrations in waterways.

Toxic fertilizers must be banned.

War On Plastics

A host of poisonous chemicals are imbedded in plastic that are unstable, causing genetic damage and resultant disease. As it is hard to attribute environmental diseases to specific chemicals or products, industry gets a free ride in killing people and the planet for profit. The reductionist approach of science, and the domination of research by corporations and corrupt government agencies, tricks citizens into ceding their power to specialists wedded to the economic/academic system and its inherent flaws.

Here are a few of the critical, insurmountable challenges from plastic's production and disposal:

1. Clear plastic food wrap contains up to 30% DEHP [di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate]. This substance is also in intravenous blood bags. This poison was identified by the State of California for its Proposition 65 list of carcinogens and mutagens, but industry pressure got the listing weakened;

2. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it was found that 1,000,000 times more toxins are concentrated on the plastic debris and plastic particles than in ambient sea water;

3. Six times as much plastic per weight than zooplankton is in any given amount of sea water taken from the middle of the Pacific Ocean;

4. Triclosan, in plastics as well as antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, and fabrics, is shown to cause health and environmental effects and compound antibiotic resistance. Researchers found that when sunlight is shined on triclosan in water and on fabric, a portion of triclosan is transformed into dioxin;

5. Migration from all seven categories of plastic designated with numerals on packaging, including the recyclable types 1 and 2, are (partial list): Acetaldehde, antioxidants, BHT, Chimassorb 81, Irganox (PS 800, 1076, 1010), lead, cadmium, mercury, phthatlates, and the acknowledged carcinogen diethyl hexyphosphate;

6. Many more such additives are often present, creating in our bodies synergisms that can be 1,600 times as strong as an estrogen imitator/endocrine disruptor/single chemical may be;

7. The main issue surrounding the use of polyvinylchloride (PVC) is the impact of toxic pollutants generated throughout its life cycle. A Greenpeace (UK) study from October 2001 stated in its headline, "UK Government report on PVC misses the point, but still condemns PVC windows and floors." Unfortunately, Greepeace did not quite get it either when it advocated for plastic replacements seemingly less poisonous: "PVC should be phased out and replaced with non chlorinated materials - timber, linoleum, polyethylene, PET, polypropylene and others." Will Greenpeace declare War on Plastic?

The hard truth is that all plastics must be banned forever.

Pure Vegetarianism

The following article lists many benefits of vegetarianism. Other than the fact that non-vegetarianism habituates an entire society to cruelty, there are profound health benefits of vegetarianism:

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in vegetarian diets. Today there are countless books, cookbooks, and magazine articles promoting vegetarian diets and providing guidance for those who wish to follow a meatless diet.

In the past, many viewed vegetarianism as strange and faddish but appropriately planned vegetarian diets are now recognized by many, including the Dietetic Association, as being nutritionally adequate, and providing healthful benefits in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

Choosing a nonvegetarian lifestyle has a significant health and medical cost. The total direct medical costs attributable to meat consumption were estimated to be $300-600 billion a year, based upon the higher prevalence of hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, gallstones, obesity and food-borne illness among omnivores compared with vegetarians.

A large body of scientific literature suggests that the consumption of a diet of whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits, with the avoidance of meat and high-fat animal products, along with a regular exercise program is consistently associated with lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less obesity and consequently less heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and mortality. The frequent consumption of nuts, fruits and green salads was associated with 35-44 percent lower risk of overall mortality.

Distinguishing Feature
A vegetarian diet is distinguished from an omnivorous diet by its content of dry beans and lentils. These take the place of meat and fish as the major source of protein. And there are so many different kinds of beans you can choose from - kidney, lima, pinto, cranberry, navy, Great Northern, garbanzo, soy beans, and black-eyed peas. These can be served with rice, added to soups, stews, and salads or a variety of casseroles, and made into different ethnic dishes.

Tofu, or soy bean curd, can be used in dips and spreads, or served with pasta or stir-fried vegetables. Soy protein contains isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, that act as phytoestrogens and inhibit tumor growth, lower blood cholesterol levels, decrease the risk of blood clots, and diminish bone loss. These benefits clearly translate into a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and osteoporosis.

Cancer Protection
A major report published by the World Cancer Research Fund in 1997 recommended we lower our risk of cancer by choosing predominantly plant-based diets rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits, legumes and minimally processed starchy staple foods, and to limit the intake of grilled, cured and smoked meats and fish. These methods of preparing meat produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines which are carcinogenic.

Over 200 studies have revealed that a regular consumption of fruits and vegetables provides significant protection against cancer at many sites. People who consume higher amounts of fruits and vegetables have about one-half the risk of cancer, especially the epithelial cancers. The risk of most cancers was 20-50% lower in those with a high versus a low consumption of whole grains.

About three dozen plant foods have been identified as possessing cancer-protective properties. These include cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower), umbelliferous vegetables and herbs (carrots, celery, cilantro, caraway, dill, parsley), other fruits and vegetables (citrus, tomatoes, cucumber, grapes, cantaloupe, berries), beans (soybeans), whole grains (brown rice, oats, whole wheat), flaxseed, many nuts, and various seasoning herbs (garlic, scallions, onions, chives, ginger, turmeric, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, and basil).

These foods and herbs contain of host of cancer-protective phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, isoflavones, ellagic acid, glucarates, curcurmins, liminoids, lignans, phenolic acids, phthalides, saponins, phytosterols, sulfide compounds, terpenoids, and tocotrienols. These beneficial compounds alter metabolic pathways and hormonal actions that are associated with the development of cancer, stimulate the immune system, and have antioxidant activity.

Heart Disease
Regular fruit and vegetable consumption reduces the risk of ischemic heart disease. A recent survey of 47,000 Italians found that persons in the highest tertile of vegetable consumption had a 21and 11% reduced risk of myocardial infarction and angina, respectively, compared with those in the lowest tertile of vegetable consumption.

A British study found that daily consumption of fresh fruit was associated with a 24 percent reduction in mortality from heart disease and a 32 percent reduction in death from cerebrovascular disease, compared with less frequent fruit consumption. Daily consumption of raw salad was associated with a 26 percent reduction in mortality from heart disease.

In another study, lifelong vegetarians had a 24 percent lower incidence and lifelong vegans (those who eat no eggs or dairy products) had a 57 percent lower incidence of coronary heart disease compared to meat eaters. Healthy volunteers who consumed a vegetarian diet (25% of calories as fat) that was rich in green, leafy vegetables and other low-calorie vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, celery, green beans, etc.), fruits, nuts, sweet corn and peas experienced after two weeks decreases of 25, 33, 20 and 21 percent in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total/HDL cholesterol ratio, respectively.

Various factors exist in fruits and vegetables that provide possible protection against cardiovascular disease. These factors include folic acid, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, carotenoids, phytosterols, flavonoids, and other polyphenolic antioxidants. Typically, vegetarian diets are also somewhat lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. Vegetarians typically have lower blood cholesterol levels. Plant diets rich in soluble fiber (such as found in dry beans, oats, carrots, squash, apples, and citrus) are useful for lowering serum cholesterol levels.

The many flavonoids in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains, have extensive biological properties that reduce the risk of heart disease. Flavonoids are among the most potent antioxidants. They protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation; inhibit the formation of blood clots; and have hypolipidemic effects and anti-inflammatory action. European studies found that those who had the highest consumption of flavonoids had 60 percent less mortality from heart disease and 70 percent lower risk of stroke than the low flavonoid consumers.

The yellow-orange and red carotenoid pigments in fruits and vegetables are powerful antioxidants that can quench free radicals and protect against cholesterol oxidation. Persons with high levels of serum carotenoids have a reduced risk of heart disease. The recent EURAMIC study found that a high intake of lycopene (the red pigment in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and watermelon) was associated in men with a 48 percent lower risk of a myocardial infarction compared with a low intake of lycopene. Cholesterol synthesis is suppressed and LDL receptor activity is augmented by the carotenoids beta-carotene and lycopene, similar to that seen with the drug fluvastatin.

Berries, Beans and Grains
Anthocyanin pigments, the reddish pigments found in fruits, such as strawberries, cherries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, and black currants, are very effective in scavenging free radicals, inhibiting LDL cholesterol oxidation and inhibiting platelet aggregation. Various terpenoids in fruits and vegetables, and tocotrienols in nuts and seeds facilitate lower blood cholesterol levels, by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase. Garlic, onions and other members of the Allium family, contain a variety of ajoenes, vinyldithiins, and other sulfide compounds that have antithrombotic action and may lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

A number of studies have shown that legumes lower blood cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar control, and lower triglyceride levels. Since beans are good sources of soluble fiber, vegetable protein, saponins, phytosterols and polyunsaturated fat, consuming a diet rich in legumes will lower risk of heart disease. In the Nurses' Health Study, the highest consumption of whole grains was associated with about a 35-40% reduction in risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. In the Adventist Health Study a regular consumption of whole wheat bread was associated with a 40 to 50% reduced risk of fatal and non-fatal heart disease.

Nut Studies
Epidemiological studies have consistently reported that frequent nut consumption is associated with a 30-60% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease. A number of clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of diets containing almonds, pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, or walnuts to significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels by 7 to 16 percent, without much change in HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

While nuts are high in fat, they are naturally low in saturated fat and most are quite rich in monounsaturated fat. Nuts also contain a number of vitamins, minerals and other substances important for cardiovascular health, such as potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, folic acid, copper, and dietary fiber. In addition, most nuts contain phytosterols, tocotrienols, and protective polyphenolics such as ellagic acid and flavonoids.

Stroke and Diabetes
Data from two prospective studie supports a protective relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of ischemic stroke. Cruciferous and green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits were the most protective. Data from the NHANES study revealed that consuming fruit and vegetables three or more times a day compared with less than once a day was associated with a 27% lower incidence of stroke, a 42% lower stroke mortality, a 27% lower cardiovascular disease mortality, and a 15% lower all-cause mortality. In the Adventist Health Study, non-vegetarians had a risk of fatal stroke that was 20-30% higher than the vegetarians. Data from population studies and human trials provide evidence that vegetarian dietary patterns lower blood pressure. Lower systolic blood pressures in elderly vegetarians has been reported to be best accounted for by their lower body weight. Vegetarians living in northern Mexico, were found to have lower body weights, higher potassium and lower sodium intakes, and lower mean blood pressures than non-vegetarians.

Higher consumption of nuts and whole grains has been associated with lower rates of diabetes. In a large prospective study, fruit and vegetable intake was found to be inversely associated with the incidence of diabetes, particularly among women. Men and women who reported seldom or never eating fruit or green leafy vegetables had higher mean HbA1C levels than those who had more frequent consumption. An increased consumption of fruit and vegetables appears to contribute to the prevention of diabetes.

Summary
The consumption of a generous supply of whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables provides protection against chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A plant-based diet is rich in its content of health-promoting factors such as the many phytochemicals.

Medical Advertising

Am back in the US and am generally apalled at the rash of pharmaceutical advertising that seems to be everywhere. It is well known to marketing professionals that pharmaceutical sales are essentially a "promotion response", i.e. there is a very strong correlation between promotional expenditure by a pharmaceutical company and the sales of the pill being promoted. The corollary is that non-promoted drugs will have very limited uptake. In addition to bribing doctors and skewing a drugs efficacy profile [most drugs provide some immediate symptomatic relief and these beneficial effects are promoted while the nasty longer term side-effects generally receive passing mention and are brushed aside] pharma companies now have medical advertising to be even more manipulative. It is clear that pharma is no different from big tobacco in its strategic approach.

Unfortunately, what's most worrying is that US consumer trends tend to get replicated all over. Well, it's the same ol' gang.

The following article provides food for thought:

Most forms of advertising, to some degree, rely on "information asymmetry," the idea that the party doing the marketing knows more about the product and how to sell it than the consumer. Information asymmetries result in higher profits for advertisers. It is, thus, in their interest to increase the divide: for them to know more, and the consumer, less. When the product is chewing gum, the imbalance is usually no big deal. But when you’re talking about something as crucial as health care–where the opportunities for information asymmetries happen to be much greater–all sorts of problems crop up.

Pharmaceutical companies argue that direct-to-consumer drug advertising "empowers" the patient to learn more about medical options. This is pretty much a joke, for these drug ads are as uninformative and image-oriented as Calvin Klein ads (although much less sexy). They’re also not geared toward educating people about medical options, which would include drug-free or otherwise unprofitable practices.

What’s more, drug companies know that high information asymmetry in health care has been well-documented since the 1960s. Drug companies also know that patients–although ignorant of professional medical standards–routinely overestimate their ability to make medical judgments. The line about advertising "empowering" thus becomes a cruel irony, encouraging patients to rely even more on their own misjudgments.

The field of optometry, which was deregulated in the 1980s, serves as a prime example. Optometry research has shown a great divide between what patients know versus what they think they know about the medical quality of eye exams. Studies have shown that many consumers (patients) believe they’ve had a medically thorough exam after simply looking at eye charts. Putting patients in rooms with "high-tech"-looking equipment also contributed to patients’ belief that they’re being properly examined.

Irrespective of the technology used, the minimum standard accepted by optometry professors and practitioners dictates that no examination can last less than twenty minutes and be medically adequate. (Short exam-based prescriptions will often improve sight in the short term but decrease visual acuity in the long run.) Yet beyond a certain amount of time, patients may erroneously infer that the service provider is incompetent. One chain firm manager explained during FTC hearings that an optometrist "could only spend ten minutes on each patient because otherwise they might think he wasn’t very good."

Similarly misguided ideas about what constitutes quality care have been found among patients with a variety of health problems. If direct-to-consumer advertising empowers anyone, it’s drug companies. Even the argument that ads encourage people to talk to their doctors is a wash. How many doctors really take the time to talk? And once patients get fixated on trying a certain medicine, chances are they’ll either pressure the doctor for a prescription or find another doctor. Medical advertising encourages such actions by hitting people when they’re ill and most vulnerable to the lure of a quick fix.

Spice Of Life

Herbs and spices have more disease-fighting antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables. Here are some benefits:

Cinnamon
Can lower blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. Aim for one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day.

Turmeric
Contains curcumin, which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Try to have 500 to 800 milligrams a day.

Rosemary
Stops gene mutations that could lead to cancer and may help prevent damage to the blood vessels that raise heart attack risk.

Garlic
Destroys cancer cells and may disrupt the metabolism of tumor cells. "Studies suggest that one or two cloves weekly provide cancer-protective benefits."

Paprika
Contains capsaicin, whose anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may lower the risk of cancer (also found in cayenne and red chili peppers). There's no specific recommended dose, but moderation is probably the best way to go.

Ginger
Can decrease motion sickness and nausea; may also relieve pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Doses used in clinical trials range from 500 to 2,000 mg of powdered ginger. (A quarter-size piece of fresh root contains about 1,000 mg.) More than 6,000 mg can cause stomach irritation. Ginger can also hinder blood clotting.

Oregano
Health Boost: A USDA study found that, gram for gram, oregano has the highest antioxidant activity of 27 fresh culinary herbs.

Berrieze

Berries are delicious gifts from nature. If you have ever had the pleasure of picking berries right from a garden or gathering wild berries in the woods, you already know how delicious berries are. The most popular berries are naturally sweet, and don't require much effort to make them into a tasty treat. Just rinse and serve them for a healthy, easy snack or dessert.

Berries in general are a good source of vitamins and phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are components of fruits or vegetables that may help to prevent diseases, and perhaps even help to treat some disorders. For instance, cranberries and blueberries contain a substance will help prevent or treat painful bladder infections. Extracts from blueberries and strawberries have been shown to have anti-cancer properties in laboratory settings. Red raspberries have also demonstrated similaranti-cancer properties in the lab. Dark colored berries like black raspberries contain powerful antioxidants which may help to slow down the aging process and keep us healthier. Berries also contain lutein, which is important for healthy vision, especially blueberries and raspberries. Hopefully, further research on the different phytochemicals found in berries will prove to be fruitful.

A cup of strawberries contains over 100 mg of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice. We need vitamin C for a healthy immune system and for strong connective tissue to keep away the wrinkles. Strawberries also add a bit of calcium, magnesium, folic acid, and potassium and only 53 calories. A cup of blueberries offers a smaller amount of vitamin C and minerals, but don't forget about the lutein and phytochemicals for only 83 calories. A cup of cranberries is similar, but with only 44 calories. One cup of raspberries offers vitamin C and potassium for 64 delicious calories. There are other berries as well that offer similar nutrition and healthful benefits, such as loganberries, currants, gooseberries, lingonberries, and bilberries

For the best berries, find berry farms that pick them fresh or allow you to pick your own. The healthiest berries would be found on farms that don't use chemical pesticides. When you buy berries in a store, look for ripe, colorful, yet firm bodies, with no sign of mold or mushy spots, and gently wash the berries before you serve them. Berries can also be found in the frozen section of the grocery store. Once they thaw, they will not be as firm as freshly picked berries, but they will still contain all the nutritional benefits of fresh berries.

Berries are fabulous when they are served whole, without anything added, but for a little flair, try serving a mixture of your favorite berries with just a touch of whipped cream and nuts. Another way to serve them is to sprinkle a bowl full of berries with granola and add a splash of half and half or an alternative such as soy or rice milk. Berries to some palates taste better with some sweetening, especially gooseberries, lingonberries, and cranberries [they are tasty, but very tart]. Berries can also be combined with other healthy foods such as whole grain muffins and bread [just add them as baking ingredients]. They can also be used to make excellent jams, jellies, pies, cobblers and other desserts.

Herbs

Astragalus - promotes resistance against disease by activating immune system; reduces blood pressure; helps treat heart disease and diabetes; increases energy and stamina

Avena Sativa (Oats) - soothes nervous system and performance anxiety; boosts fertility; strengthens heart; good for urinary organs; reduces nicotine cravings; and helps with detoxification

Bee Pollen - helps counteract effects of aging; raises mental and physical capabilities; assists in balancing endocrine system; helps chronic colitis and constipation/diarrhea

Bladderwrack - has natural iodine to promote a healthy thyroid; encourages good circulation and eases obesity; gently stimulates the metabolism

Cat's Claw - an immune system builder; cleanses and detoxifies entire digestive system, scrubs the intestinal walls and increases all nutrients' absorption

Damiana - sexual stimulant and enhances sexual performance; tonic to improve overall body function; helps relieve anxiety and promotes a feeling of well-being

DHEA - antiaging; enhanced mood, energy, and memory; improved immune system; boosted sex drive; reduced osteporosis; improved fat loss; more muscle mass; reduced autoimmune disorders; less heart disease

Dong Quai - stimulates circulation to purify and cleanse blood; nourishes brain cells; soothes central nervous system; helps relieve menopause and menstrual problems; fights colds, fever and anemia

Fo-Ti - promotes anti-aging effects of hair and muscle loss; an anti-toxic and anti-cancer tonic for the liver and blood to restore vigor and energy; anti-swelling effects ease pain, backache and constipation; tranquilizing properties aid in insomnia

Garcinia Cambogia - a natural, safe weight loss aid; helps stop and reduce production and storage of fat; inhibits conversion of carbohydrates into fat; works in conjunction with a low fat diet; suppresses the appetite; an anti-bacterial

Garlic - strengthens immune system; helps prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure & lowering cholesterol; fights infections; digestive aid; alleviates gas; anti-inflammatory

Ginger Root - promotes endurance and increases stamina; eases cold symptoms; soothes & promotes healing of minor burns & skin inflammations; digestive aid for nausea, vomiting, cramps & motion sickness

Ginkgo Biloba - improves blood circulation to the brain & other organs; aids memory loss & depression; improves short term memory & mental clarity; great antioxidant to fight free radicals and slow aging process; improves nervous system function; reduces frequncy of asthma & allergy attacks; fights heart disease

Gotu Kola - nerve tonic to promote relaxation; enhances memory; has calming effect on body; improves circulation by strengthening veins and capillaries; reduces pain and swelling; eliminates excess fluids; relieves congestion due to cold and upper respiratory infections; lowers fever

Grape Seed - a strong antioxidant; a natural diuretic; builds immune system; helps skin wounds heal faster; promotes healthy circulation; and improves skin tone and elasticity

Green Tea - powerful antioxidant; protects against digestive and respiratory infections; anti-cancer and heart disease properties; reduces cholesterol and triglycerides; enhances immune function; increases energy; and enhances weight loss by reducing appetite and fat tissue accumulation

Guarana - an energizer; increases mental alertness and fights fatigue; increases stamina and physical endurance; high energy source; helps diminish appetite

Korean Ginseng - energizer and rejuvenator; increases endurance and promotes mental & physical vigor; fights stress; increases brain and memory center function; helps relieve menopause and menstrual problems; assists in normalizing blood pressure

Licorice Root - lowers cholesterol; reduces pain, stiffness from arthritis; reduces fever and inflammation; promotes healing of wounds; prevents tooth decay; soothes stomach aches, ulcers, bladder, kidney and urinary tract ailments; cleanses colon; good for sore throats and cough; breaks up congestion

Muira Puama - a sexual stimulant and potent aphrodisiac; used as a stomach tonic and treatment for rheumatism; improves sexual desire and libido; improves circulation to prostate; helps with menstrual problems

Rehmannia Glutinosa - replenishes vital force; helps with diabetes, urinary tract problems, anemia, & regulating menstrual flow; beneficial for hypoglycemia & liver protection; helps reduce blood pressure & increase circulation; blood tonic; alleviates night sweats & fevers

Reishi Mushroom - for heart health including normal cholesterol, blood pressure, circulatory system support; for normal sleep; immune system health; cardiac and liver tonic

Saw Palmetto Berry - beneficial for the reproductive organs of both sexes; works as an aphrodisiac and tonic; used to ease swelling of the prostate and excessive urination

Schizandra - an antioxidant, protects against free radicals and against infections and stress; an energizer; helps fight fatigue, lung disease; a digestive aid; improves vision; stimulates circulation of blood; normalizes blood pressure

Shiitake Mushroom - enhances immune system's ability to fight against infection; gives nutrients to cleanse and heal; aids mineral absorption; helps prevent high blood pressure and heart disease; cancer-fighting agent; aids depression and fatigue; promotes vitality and longevity

Siberian Ginseng - stimulator of the circulatory system; a rejuvenator that increases energy and endurance; boosts the immune system; lowers cholesterol; helps prevent heart disease; raises sexual potency and vitality

Suma - builds, protects the immune system by fighting free radicals; slows aging process; boosts energy; relieves stress; promotes new cell growth and healing of wounds; enhances sexual functions; fights viral infections

Vegetable and Fiber Blend (Cruciferous Blend) - has anti-aging properties; antioxidant glutathione; free radical fighters; may help lessen the chance of colon and lung cancer and cardiovascular disease

White Willow Bark - soothes headaches; helps insomnia; relieves pain; reduces inflammation in arthritic and rheumatic joints; good for neuralgia; contains tannins which are good for the digestive system

Yohimbe - an aphrodisiac; dilates the blood vessels and brings the blood closer to the surface of the sex organs; lowers blood pressure; increases the reflex excitability of the lower region

Zhi Shi - increases metabolism and calorie expenditure; fat burner - stimulates breakdown of fat; promotes weight loss; increases energy; improves circulation and liver function; and aids in relief of chest congestion, bronchitis and indigestion

Aromatherapy

Although aromatherapy should not be considered a miracle cure for serious emotional issues, the use of essential oils may assist, sometimes greatly, with particular emotional states. Additionally, the proper use of essential oils may enhance your emotional outlook and provide support and help balance your emotions during the day. The use of essential oils for emotional well-being is what is often first thought of when someone thinks of the term "aromatherapy." Essential oils are comprised of naturally occurring chemicals that work in synergy with one another. Because essential oils evaporate quickly (known as being "volatile"), their molecules are easily inhaled. Without providing an intimidating lesson in olfaction (the science of the sense of smell), the inhalation of these naturally occurring synergistic chemicals provide triggers to our brain. These triggers effect our emotions.

Sweet orange oil is a good example. The smell of orange helps provide emotional balance and a positive outlook. Sweet orange oil is a wonderful oil to use alone or in a blend for those winter blues that often occur in the colder, grayer times of the year. The aroma of sweet orange oil also blends nicely with many oils and has the added advantage of being one of the more inexpensive essential oils.

Not all oils provide the same level of benefit for all persons. Past memories associated with particular aromas can have a positive or negative effect. Rose essential oil, for instance, is known for aiding during times of grief. Your past experiences with the aroma of rose oil, however, may impact its effectiveness for use during times of grief. If you had a loving grandmother who often smelled of rose, for instance, your reaction when smelling rose may differ than if you had an abusive grandmother who typically smelled of rose. If your rose-smelling grandma died, your reaction to the aroma of rose will be impacted by your past associations with the aroma. Do not force yourself to use an oil that elicits negative feelings or that you don't like the aroma of, even if it is one that is listed below.

Anger
Bergamot, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Anxiety
Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Confidence
Bay Laurel, Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Orange, Rosemary

Depression
Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin, Neroli, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Fatigue, Exhaustion and Burnout
Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Clary Sage, Cypress, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lemon, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Fear
Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Roman Chamomile Sandalwood, Vetiver

Grief
Cypress, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Happiness and Peace
Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Insecurity
Bergamot, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Irritability
Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood

Loneliness
Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Rose

Memory and Concentration
Basil, Black Pepper, Cypress, Hyssop, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary

Panic and Panic Attacks
Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lavender, Neroli, Rose

Stress
Benzoin, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Drink Only Distilled Water

Water pollution is a large set of adverse effects upon water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater) caused by human activities. It is a serious problem in the global context. It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of death and disease, and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. Drinking water currently available around the world is severely carcinogenic.

Principal sources of water pollution are:

1. Industrial discharge of chemical wastes and byproducts
2. Discharge of poorly-treated or untreated sewage
3. Surface runoff containing pesticides
4. Slash and burn farming practice, which is often an element within shifting cultivation agricultural systems
5. Surface runoff containing spilled petroleum products
6. Surface runoff from construction sites, farms, or paved and other impervious surfaces e.g. silt
7. Discharge of contaminated and/or heated water used for industrial processes
8. Acid rain caused by industrial discharge of sulfur dioxide (by burning high-sulfur fossil fuels)
9. Excess nutrients added by runoff containing detergents or fertilizers
10. Underground storage tank leakage, leading to soil contamination, thence aquifer contamination.

Contaminants may include organic and inorganic substances.

Some organic water pollutants are:
1. Insecticides and herbicides, a huge range of organohalide and other chemicals
2. Bacteria, often is from sewage or livestock operations;
3. Food processing waste, including pathogens
4. Tree and brush debris from logging operations

Some inorganic water pollutants include:
1. Heavy metals including acid mine drainage
2. Acidity caused by industrial discharges (especially sulfur dioxide from power plants)
3. Chemical waste as industrial byproducts
4. Fertilizers, in runoff from agriculture including nitrates and phosphates
5. Silt in surface runoff from construction sites, logging, slash and burn practices or land clearing

The Pain In Paint

Paints, the world over, are toxic. Some effects from the toxic ingredients of paints include:

1. Depression of the central nervous system,
2. Headaches,
3. Nausea and giddiness,
4. Irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory track,
5. Asthma, anaemia and bronchitis.

In 1989 the World Health Organisation reported that painting as an occupation was carcinogenic. Painters suffered from lung cancer 40% above the average and their children, too, were more prone to cancer.

In the indoor environment of buildings there is off-gassing from ingredients used in building materials, paints and furniture, and also from equipment. This may result in poor indoor air quality, particularly in a well insulated building where the drafts have been eradicated. The effect on the people using the building may be lowered vitality, more asthma and respiratory illnesses, headaches, and other symptoms of what has now come to be known as Sick Building Syndrome.

Both the production and use of paint/finishes can lead to major environmental problems. One tonne of paint can produce as much as thirty tonnes of solid waste, much of which is not degradable. Some paints may also contain heavy metals such as cadmium (a substance highly toxic to the heart, kidneys and liver and used particularly in yellow, orange & red pigments), and titanium. These often get discharged from factories into rivers and estuaries. It is estimated that over 10 million tons a year of paint are used world wide on buildings.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC's) are used by the major paint manufacturers as solvents, they evaporate very readily, entering your body through breathing the fumes, when painting and the water supply through washing out brushes and pouring the waste down the drain. VOC's react in the atmosphere leading to the formation of smog containing secondary pollutants like ground-level ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate. Many paints and treatments also include fungicides, added to them in order to prevent mould. These include tributyl tin (listed as 'highly hazardous' by the World Health Organisation), carbamates & permethrin should all be avoided.

Synthetic paints are combustible and can catch and spread fire readily from one area to the next, giving off clouds of highly toxic smoke that can asphyxiate a victim very quickly. This extra fire intensity and spread, and heavy toxic smoke, makes it very dangerous for rescuers and fire fighters.

In America where there are a lot of timber frame houses, and even masonry structures with wood stud/gypsum interiors, little time is left for escape and the structure is generally completely consumed by the fire. Major old structures, mostly built out of stone, are still subject to quick flame spread, heavy toxic smoke, and high heat when painted with synthetic products. Although more of the structure would be standing, due to its stone/masonry construction, the interior would most likely be destroyed.

What Makes Us Sick?

The FDA [Food and Drug Administration] classifies cosmetics and personal care products, but does not regulate them. In 1938, the FDA granted self-regulation to the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association [CTFA], the self-appointed industry organization. With The exception of color additives and a few prohibited ingredients, a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA ["Prohibited Ingredients", FDA Office of Cosmetics Fact Sheet, Dec. 19, 1994]. What this means is that the industry does not have to account to anyone, not even the FDA. The direct result of industry self-regulation is that all products on the market today that we use constantly--and worse, products that we UNKNOWINGLY use on our children and even babies in the womb -- are TOXIC. Wayne Stevenson of the FDA Cosmetics Registration Section says that "The cosmetic manufacturers aren't required to submit safety data to the FDA, so we don't really know what sorts of tests they run. When they run tests, they keep the results in their own files."

Some commonly used ingredients found in household products and their impact on the human body are as follows:

Alcohol: adult drink, acts as a solvent. Found in mouthwash [which may have higher alcohol content than beer or wine], astringents and facial cleansers, some toothpastes

1. Implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancers [women have 90% higher risk; men have 60% higher risk than non-mouthwash users]
2. On skin, strips away natural protecting oils [takes skin 24 hours to repair itself]
3. When ingested, makes body tissues vulnerable to carcinogens

Alkyl-Phenol Ethoxylades: Found in shampoos, bubble bath

1. Reduces sperm count· estrogen mimic

Alpha Hydroxy Acid: [said to reverse aging and renew skin] Found in skin products

1. Removes outer layer of skin and prematurely exposes new skin to damaging effects of the environment
2. Inflames skin [and so wrinkles seem to disappear]
3. Destroys skin cells; long term use results in skin cancer

Aluminum: Found in antiperspirants, some cosmetics, cans and household utensils

1. Causes Central Nervous System dysfunctions [such as Alzheimer's disease]

Bentonite: [micro-fine clay used to suffocate forest fires] Found in foundations, soaps, and other cosmetics

1. Suffocates the skin [does not allow CO2 out or O2 in; traps toxins in]
2. Scratches the skins surface

Benzoic / Benzyl / Benzene: [preservative] Found in bubble bath, shampoos, shower gels

1. Carcinogens and endocrine disruptor
2. Cause birth defects

Bronopol: [2-bromo-2-nitropropane]

1. Severely carcinogenic

Coal Tar Dye: [esp. D&C Blue #1, Green #3, Yellow#5, Yellow #6, Red #33, phenylenediamine] Found in shampoos, especially dandruff shampoos, bubble bath, toothpastes, hair dyes

1. Cause severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, headaches, nausea, fatigue, nervousness, lack of concentration
2. Increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and Hodgkin's disease

Note - The 1938 Act created a specific exemption for coal-tar dyes. The FDA cannot now ban them, even though their carcinogenicity has been recently proven.

Collagen: [makes skin feel artificially smooth] Found in creams and lotions

1. Molecules too large to penetrate skin; suffocate skin

DEA [Diethanolamine], TEA [Tea, triethanolamine], MEA Cocamide DEA; Laurimide DEA; Linoleamide DEA, Oleamide DEA: [solvent, emulsifier, wetting agent] Found in most things--shampoos, conditioners, lotions, shaving gels, bubble bath, skin creams, etc.

1. Severely carcinogenic

Dioforms: Found in tooth whiteners

1. Damages teeth enamel
2. Weakens protective shell of teeth

Elastin: [promoted as beneficial to skin] Found in creams and lotions

1. Suffocates skin, cannot be absorbed by skin [molecules too large]
2. Cannot restore tone to skin
3. Holds moisture in/out

Fluoride: [Sodium fluoride] Found in toothpaste

1. Environmental pollutant
2. May contain lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, radionucleides
3. Accumulates in body, destroying organs
4. Contributes to bone disease [American Medical Association, December, 1993]
5. Carcinogen [known since 1990: shown to not reduce cavities]

Dr. Dean Burk of National Cancer Institute: "Fluoride causes more human cancer death, and causes it faster than any other chemical"

Formaldehyde: [preservative, fixative, disinfectant] Found in shampoo, nail care, cosmetics, baby shampoo, bubble bath, deodorants, perfume, cologne, hair dye, mouthwash, toothpaste, hair spray, and many other personal care items.

1. Carcinogen
2. Neurotoxin

Note - The following information is taken from a Material Safety Data Sheet [MSDS] which, by law, must be supplied to anyone who uses any chemical product in the workplace. The MSDS for formaldehyde warns: "Suspected carcinogen; May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin; causes burns; inhalation can cause spasms, edema [fluid buildup] of the larynx and bronchi, and chemical pneumonitis; extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous membrane."

Fragrances: Synthetic fragrances are made up of hundreds of chemicals. Some, such as methylene chloride, are carcinogenic; others can cause brain damage. A scientific analysis of one very popular perfume showed it to contain a very potent neurotoxin.

Kaolin: [micro-fine clay used to suffocate forest fires] Found in facial powders and other cosmetics

1. Suffocates and weakens skin, like bentonite

Lacquer: [stops things from running] Found in mascara

1. Causes eyelashes to fall out

Lye: Found in bar soaps

1. Corrodes or dries out skin

Methyl Methacrylate: Found in sculptured artificial nails

1. May cause inflammation of fingers and nails

Mineral Oil: [makes skin feel soft and smooth] Found in liquid foundations, blush, skin creams and baby oil; derivative of petroleum

1. Suffocates and dries out skin
2. Inhibits oils you produce naturally and so increases dehydration
3. Clogs pores; locks in toxins and wastes

Phthalates: [plastic softener, solvents] Found in lipstick, hair spray, deodorant, nail polish, hair gel, mousse, hand lotion, body lotion, and perfume, as well as children's toys and PVC plastic. Usually NOT found on label of ingredients. 52 of 72 products tested contained unlabelled phthalates in concentrations up to 3%.

1. Shown to damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system, especially the developing testes
2. Accumulates in organs; women 20-50 have the highest levels in their bodies
3. Phthalates ingested as a result of lipstick use lead to breast cancer

Propylene Glycol: [humectant--prevents things from drying out] Found in deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, shaving gels

1. Implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities
2. Inhibits skin cell growth
3. Damages cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: [detergent] Found in toothpaste, shampoo, dish soap, liquid hand soap, bubble bath

1. Corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair, may cause hair to fall out
2. Builds up in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact causing organ atrophy
3. Denatures protein--impairs proper structural formation of young eyes
4. Damages immune system

Talc: [dry lubricant] Found in baby powders, feminine powders, lubricant on condoms, found in blush

1. Carcinogen when inhaled
2. Use on condoms may result in fallopian tube fibrosis [leads to infertility]
3. Linked to post-operative granulomatous peritonitis and fibrous adhesions
4. 60% increase risk of ovarian cancer when used in genital areas
5. 90% increase risk of ovarian cancer when used in feminine deodorant sprays

Toluene: Found in nail polish

1. Endocrine disruptor
2. Carcinogen
3. Causes birth defects
4. Irritates respiratory tract
5. Causes liver damage

Tyrosine: [darkens the skin] Found in tanning accelerators

1. Carcinogen

Zinc Stearate: Found in blush, powder foundations

1. Carcinogen