Expectant moms have a lot to think about when it comes to their babies’ health, like eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and making sure they avoid things like smoking and alcohol. But what if something you couldn’t even see was affecting the healthy growth of your baby while it was still in the womb?

Experts at the University of California, Berkeley recently found that exposure to flame-retardant chemicals called PBDEs (polybrominated diphenylethers) could significantly affect the healthy brain development of babies in utero. Used in countless consumer products such as electronics, building materials, carpet and upholstery, motor vehicles and more, PBDEs have also been linked to increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth.

So what’s the connection? Researchers looked at more than 250 pregnant women and found that exposure to PBDEs may result in reduced levels of specific thyroid hormones necessary for healthy fetal brain development, and that higher levels of PBDEs in the mother’s blood were linked to lower levels of important thyroid-stimulating hormones.

The study, which will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, underscores the danger of our modern environment and the thousands of toxins to which we are exposed daily. Curious about how toxic you are? Visit Brenda Watson’s Detox Strategy today and take the quiz! Plus, learn Brenda’s simple tips on how to reduce toxic exposure and eliminate stored toxins from your body.

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A study published recently in the British Medical Journal revealed some eye-opening facts about statins—mainly that the highly-touted cholesterol-lowering drugs end up doing more harm than good when taken as directed.

Statins work by blocking cholesterol production in the liver, which in turn causes the liver to create a type of protein that helps eliminate bad cholesterol (LDL) from the body. Unfortunately, results of the study—which included more than 2 million participants—show that statins help only a very small percentage of those who take them, but that twice as often they result in serious health problems, including liver damage, acute kidney failure, extreme muscle weakness and cataracts, as well as an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Not only that, but statins, like all synthetic drugs, are chock full of chemicals that can wreak havoc on the body and overall health.

Omega-3s: A Natural Alternative to Statins

Decades of research regarding the natural health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids has shown that a diet rich in Omega-3s helps prevent a wide range of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure, prompting experts like the American Heart Association to recommend between 1 and 4 grams (1,000-4,000mg) of combined EPA and DHA daily for people with known heart problems.

Because the standard American diet is severely lacking in beneficial Omegas, a daily Omega-3 supplement can help provide safe and effective natural support for a healthier heart. In addition, fish-derived Omega-3 fats have been shown also to improve brain, eye, and immune function, as well as promote healthy skin, bones, joints and mood.

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