The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that for every tenfold increase in PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether) levels in the mother’s blood, there was a 4.1 ounce drop in the baby’s birth weight. Lead researcher Kim Harley, from the University of California, Berkley’s School of Public Health, stated, “What we saw was a shift toward lighter babies among women with higher PBDE exposure rather than a dramatic increase in the number of low birth weight babies.” For babies already at risk for low birth weight for other reasons, 4.1 ounces would make a big difference.

The PBDEs tested for in the study were actually phased out of use in 2004, but because they are found in many household items, their persistence is still widespread. These chemicals leach from furniture, upholstery, carpet, electronics and more (even baby products and children’s pajamas!), and are stored in fat cells. Flame retardants have been linked to reduced fertility and thyroid dysfunction in women.

How do we get out of this toxic soup? Well, we can’t. But the researchers do recommend wet mopping when dusting since flame retardants are concentrated in dust, and frequent hand washing to avoid ingesting these chemicals.

Workplace manganese exposure has been known to have neurotoxic effect, but this is the first study to look at lower concentrations of manganese from drinking water and food sources and its effects on cognitive function.

Manganese is a naturally occurring toxin found in soils in certain regions, which can then leach into groundwater sources.  This is especially true in parts of Canada where this study took place.  Hopefully more studies will be done and awareness will be raised about filtering this toxic element out of our drinking water.

Our Dirty, Not-So-Little Secret

Not even the traditional medical community would disagree that our increasingly polluted environment is exposing us to more dangerous toxins than ever before. Chemical pollution is an unavoidable reality—from air pollution to the chemicals present in our homes, the goods we consume, and our water supply. Our lungs, digestive system, kidneys, liver, lymphatic and vascular systems are now working overtime to filter and eliminate contaminants from our body to keep us healthy. Even a top-notch cleaning crew needs support.

Natural + Natural = Big Benefit

This common sense formula refers to the combination of natural colon cleansing herbs with your body’s natural cleansing processes. Ancient Chinese medicine has long used herbs that support bodily functions to help restore balance and health. The medical community, however, largely ignores herbal remedies. This simply isn’t their arena and they have no power of regulation over natural supplements.

Colon Hydrotherapy and Colon Cleansing

Colon hydrotherapy is the process of safely irrigating the colon with warm water to remove fecal matter and gas. Colon hydrotherapy can be an excellent jumping off point for initiating healthy weight loss and detoxification. Seek out an experienced and trained colon hydrotherapist and rest assured that prescription devices are required in the U.S. for this procedure.

Herbal colon cleansing through the use of carefully formulated supplements helps extend the cleansing cycle, flush toxins and waste from the body, and boost energy. The ingredients in these formulas are selected for their time-honored detoxification actions, vital organ support, and their safe, established use among the public.

Do Your Herbal Homework

The more you learn about natural herbs the better informed you’ll be when considering a cleanse. The FDA requires that each herbal ingredient be listed on supplement packages in their specific amounts. A wealth of information exists online and in print detailing these ingredients’ natural sources and health benefits.

The national news article that debunks colon cleansing as “not so healthy” spotlights extreme, uninformed cases. The reality is that cleansing very rarely produces any “side effects” and has a long history of safe and effective use.

The researchers found that stainless steel and/or co-polyester lined aluminum bottles did not release BPA, but aluminum bottles lined with epoxy-based resins did. “[BPA] is used extensively in the production of consumer goods, polycarbonate plastics, in epoxy resins that are used to coat metallic food and beverage cans and in other products. There is a great concern regarding the possible harmful effects from exposures that result from BPA leaching into foods and beverages from packaging or storage containers,” the study stated.

All bottles used in the study were obtained from retail stores and were made from polycarbonate, co-polyester, stainless steel, aluminum with co-polyester lining or aluminum with epoxy resin lining.

Detectible levels of BPA leaked from polycarbonate bottles, though the aluminum bottles lined with epoxy resins leached the most BPA. So if you switched your reusable water bottle to a metal one, be sure it’s not lined with epoxy resin. Aluminum bottles lined with EcoCare™ did not leach BPA. It’s good to know there are safer alternatives out there.

Buying organic is the healthiest choice but with limited supply and high prices, purchasing all organic produce may not be possible for the average shopper. Luckily we now have some perspective on the world’s most polluted produce with the annual “dirty dozen” list.

For the past 7 years the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit environmental health organization, has helped consumers who are concerned about pesticides on produce. Each year EWG scientists test conventionally grown (not organic) produce samples for pesticide residues and use data collected from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. Analysts assemble a ranking of the fruits and vegetables that contain the greatest amount of pesticide residues called the “dirty dozen.” This inventory helps consumers decide which organic fruits and vegetables to splurge on when they’re shopping for produce. Similarly, a separate list is released of the non-organic produce with the least accumulation of potentially harmful pesticide residues called the “clean fifteen.”

Dirty Dozen 2011 (buy organic when possible)

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

Clean Fifteen 2011 (lowest amounts of pesticides)

1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplants
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms 

You may be thinking that you’re in the clear because you wash all of your fruits and veggies. While it’s true that washing non-organic fruits and vegetables helps remove some chemical residues, washing produce only goes so far. Pesticides are also absorbed through the roots of plants so washing won’t remove all risk of pesticide exposure. Plus, before the EWG tests any fruit or vegetable for pesticides, samples are washed and peeled. Produce is evaluated just as it would be consumed, making the “dirty dozen” and “clean fifteen” lists even more accurate.

But don’t let the dirty dozen scare you. The health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh any pesticide exposure risk. It’s always best to choose organic when possible to limit your exposure to harmful levels of pesticides, but now you can choose your produce wisely and not break the bank in the process.

Since we’re all exposed to harmful chemicals like pesticides, remember to do a total-body cleanse 2-4 times each year to help keep your detoxification processes in tip-top shape.

CleanseSMART is the smart solution for the busy lifestyle, which requires no need to figure out complicated mixes and measurements.  It’s a simple morning and night formula that combines deep-acting herbal extracts and a potent colon cleanse to help eliminate harmful toxins and promote vibrant health and energy.

Brenda Watson, ReNew Life’s President says, “We are humbled by the Industry’s acknowledgement of our product.  We feel it’s a testament to our unmatched level of commitment, service and dedication to the Natural Products industry.”

Visit this link to learn more about CleanseSMART.

Hundreds of animal studies link exposure to BPA with a multitude of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. While it’s not clear how and to what extent these chemicals affect humans, scientists know that BPA leaches estrogen-like chemicals into food and water and has the potential to disrupt hormonal balance. BPA has been identified as a toxin and it has since been banned for use in baby bottles in the European Union and Canada, but the US has yet to follow suit.  Many manufacturers are now marketing to health conscious American consumers by offering up plastics that are labeled as “BPA free”, but watchdog organizations like the Environmental Working Group believe more governmental regulation limiting the toxin is required.

Unfortunately, the result of a new study suggests that simply avoiding BPA may not be enough.  The journal Environmental Health Perspectives, published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, conducted a test on plastic items most commonly found in the home, including those advertised as “BPA free”.  Scientists tested hundreds of these everyday plastic items, exposing them to either alcohol or saltwater to determine whether they emitted toxins with estrogenic activity. The assessment concluded that over 70% of the plastic products, both regular and “BPA free”, released chemicals that acted like estrogen. After simulating real-world conditions like sunlight and the extreme heat of a dishwasher, over 95% of the products released the toxins.

The alarming results of the study will likely bolster sales of stainless steel containers and other products made from plastic alternatives, but consumers who continue to use plastics are urged to avoid microwaving or subjecting plastic items to extreme heat or cold. Those concerned about the health effects of chemicals due to past exposure should consider a round of detoxification programs. Cleansing kits such as Renew Life’s CleanseSMART, Liver Detox, and Total Kidney Detox can help support the natural elimination of chemicals such as BPA and other chemicals from your body.  It’s also very important to increase fiber during these programs because fiber is known to bind to toxins and help with their elimination.

For more information on CleanseSMART, America’s No. 1 internal body cleanse 7 years running, check out the following link.

These toxins can pass right through the placenta and into the fetus. In fact, a previous study, done by the Environmental Working Group, found that unborn babies carry over 200 different chemicals in their bodies, even before they are born.

The study in pregnant women looked for 163 different chemicals, so it only scratches the surface, because over 80,000 new chemicals are introduced each year. The chemical bisphenol A (BPA) was found in 96 percent of these women. Prenatal BPA exposure has been linked to adverse health outcomes, affecting brain development and susceptibility to cancer in later life.

Certain chemical levels found in these women were at levels known to be harmful to children. While concerning, this does not even take into account the additive effect that chemicals have, which is considered to be more dangerous because new chemical compounds can be formed when chemicals mix, and little is known about the possible consequences of this.

Toxins are everywhere. We live in a toxic soup. We can reduce our exposure, but we cannot prevent it. That’s why a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and supporting the health of the body’s channels of elimination (colon, liver, kidneys, lymph, blood, lungs and skin) are so vital to reducing the harmful effects that toxins can have on our health.

Brenda was one of the main contributors of Suzanne’s new book, helping her understand the complexities of the gut as it pertains to weight loss. Like most of Suzanne’s other books, this is sure to be a New York Times best seller (already at #15 on Amazon).

Look for Brenda in the second segment, right after Dr. Andrew Weil. For more information, here’s a link to Joy’s show: http://joybehar.blogs.cnn.com/

It is sure to be a fun, exciting and eye-opening evening for all. Don’t miss it!