Lifestyle
THREE (3) Ingredients You Should Be Cautious of, When Buying Household Items.
Nov
Non toxic living is all the rage now; and I have interacted with many who want to know how to do it and not get overwhelmed. I believe in doing the best you can, the best way you’re able to… and then leaving the rest to God.That being said, knowledge is indeed power. And we could all make better choices once we know better. So, today, I’m sharing 3 ingredients you should be cautious of, when purchasing household items.
Fragrance
“Fragrance” is an umbrella term that companies use to hide the synthetic chemicals many are trying to avoid. Fragrance is not just one thing; it’s a combination of many chemicals. So while a product label may read “fragrance,” the product could be comprised of lots of different compounds. This is a reason why people who often experience allergic reactions to fragrances are unable to identify which particular scent triggers a reaction because there are so many. These fragrance chemicals can lead to conditions such as allergies, asthma, migraines, burning in the throat, nausea, etc. When purchasing household or personal care items, be sure to take a look at the ingredients. ‘Parfum’/‘Fragrance’ is always a red flag. Some brands offer ‘unscented’ versions of their products. Other ‘non toxic’ brands use essential oils in place of Parfum or Fragrance. You can look into these, when searching for less toxic options.
Triclosan
Triclosan is a chemical with antibacterial properties. For decades, triclosan has been added to personal care products, such as hand soaps and cosmetics, and materials ranging from athletic clothing to food packaging.
Research has however shown that triclosan:
- Alters hormone regulation in animals
- Might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs
- Might be harmful to the immune system
When you use a product containing triclosan, you can absorb a small amount through your skin or mouth.
Research has shown that continuous use of triclosan:
- Alters hormone regulation in animals
- Might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs
- Might be harmful to the immune system
Triclosan is a known endocrine disruptor and a suspected carcinogen. There is good reason to believe that the overuse of products with triclosan has contributed to bacterial resistance, in the same way we are cautioned against the use of antibiotics.
In a culture that has become more germ-obsessed than ever, companies have marketed products of all kinds to keep germs at bay. While Triclosan is a (synthetic) chemical with antimicrobial properties which destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi, the rapid increase in the use of triclosan products, has led to the chemical becoming ubiquitous. There’s said to be no evidence that antibacterial soaps and body washes containing triclosan provide any benefit over plain soap and water, according to the FDA.
A study led by Haixia Yang, a postdoctoral food science researcher at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, discovered that the guts of triclosan-fed mice were particularly depleted of Bifidobacterium, a strain that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.
In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration in the US reviewed the evidence against triclosan and imposed a partial ban on its use. Countries in the EU have issued a complete ban, following research results showing the toxicity of the chemical. Remember, many companies prey on consumers who are unaware, so it is important you read the label of the products you purchase.
Natural flavors:
Since everyone is looking to go natural and live naturally, you may be lured into thinking ‘natural flavors/flavoring’ are exactly what you need to see in your products, right? Well, not exactly.
The official (USA) FDA definition of a natural flavor is “the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating, or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit, or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
That’s a lot to take in, I know. But take a look at these keywords:
“extractive”, “or similar plant material, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.“
This definition does not restrict the dozens of other ingredients like preservatives and solvents that can go into a so-called natural flavor. While food processors must list all of the ingredients on a food label, did you know that flavor manufacturers do not have to disclose their ingredients. They can add synthetic solvents, preservatives, emulsifiers, carriers and other additives to a flavor that qualifies as natural under current regulations.
This makes naturally flavored foods a lot closer to artificially flavored ones than you might think. Flavors can be used to replace taste lost in processing or pasteurizing, to make foods taste fresh when they aren’t (for example juice, ‘fruit’ yogurts), to create a certain flavor or aroma to entice the eater or to make a fleeting flavor that the consumer will want more (and more) of.
Remember, the essence of all this information isn’t meant to scare, but only to remind you to be cautious of certain ingredients on your personal care/household items, and how you may not really be buying ‘natural’ products after all. Knowledge is wealth.
We do better when we know better.
In Love and Health,
Nana.
SOURCES:
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/news/20100512/does-perfume-have-hidden-health-risks#1
https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-triclosan-cancer-risk-20180531-story.html
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/news/20180705/banned-from-soap-triclosan-in-toothpaste
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6126357/