STUMBLE UPON

The Deadly Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill

Long-term use of birth control pills may increase artery buildups in your body that may raise your risk of heart disease, Belgium researchers found.In a study of 1,300 healthy women between the ages of 35 and 55, there was a 20 percent to 30 percent increased prevalence of plaque for every 10 years of oral contraceptive use.Though the researchers pointed out that the plaques identified were small and not large enough to block an artery, any plaque is thought to raise your risk of heart disease. Many of the women in the study had used older, first-generation birth control pills, which had twice the estrogen levels as most oral contraceptives used today.About 100 million women worldwide currently take birth control pills, and hundreds of millions of women have used them since they were first introduced in 1960.
Sources:
American Heart Association Conference November 6, 2007, Orlando, Florida
Yahoo News November 6, 2007

Do You Know the Dangerous Chemicals in Common Baby Products?

The Environmental Working Group is again sharing shocking news. After surveying 3,300 parents, comparing the baby products they use to lists of chemicals known to cause allergies, hormone disruption, damage to the nervous system, and cancer, the group found that children are exposed to 27 chemical ingredients on a daily basis that have never been assessed for safety. Not by the industry, nor by the government. Dr. Rebecca Sutton, the environmental scientist who conducted the study, points out that:
2 bromo, 2 nitropropane, and 3-DIOL create allergies and skin irritations, and in certain products can break down to form new cancer causing agents
Desitin diaper cream contains sodium borate, which can collect in your child’s brain and liver, causing detrimental health effects
Sunscreen with oxybenzone can trigger allergies, and disrupts your delicate hormone system
Surprisingly, 89 percent of products labeled “Recommended by doctor” are actually some of your worst offenders, containing what Dr. Sutton considers dangerous chemicals.
Manufacturers have responded with the following statement from the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association: "Companies utilize a complex, multi-tiered scientific approach to extensively evaluate the safety of individual ingredients and finished products. These processes can take many months to several years to complete and utilize the expertise of leading chemists, toxicologists, biologists, dermatologists and experts from other scientific disciplines and medical specialty areas."
Sources:
Environmental Working Group October 31, 2007