Topic: toxins

Johnson & Johnson Promises To Remove All Those Dangerous Chemicals They’ve Been Using

Fresh on the heels of a lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson announced yesterday that they’d be removing potentially harmful chemicals from all of their beauty and personal care products. To be axed? Formaldehyde, phthalates, and parabens–all of which have been linked to cancer, but aren’t considered dangerous enough to be banned by the FDA. Which is a huge step toward making products that we all rub on our faces and heads safer and less toxic…but is also a reminder that a lot of products (including the Johnson & Johnson ones in your shower right now) still have all that crap in them. More »

Study: Artificial Butter Flavor Isn’t Just Gross, It’s Actually Bad For Your Brain

Popcorn is often touted as a low-calorie, not-that-bad-for-you snack for those looking to lose weight. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly a health food…and, in some cases, may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s. According to researchers at the University of Minnesota, diacetyl, the ingredient in that greasy, yellow artificial butter flavor may actually be harmful to your brain. More »

2012 Dirty Dozen Updates: The 12 Fruits & Vegetables Highest In Toxic Pesticides

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released 2012 updates to the Dirty Dozen—a list of the 12 most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables—adding cucumbers to the list, in addition to a new “plus” category to indicate produce that didn’t meet the Dirty Dozen criteria, but are still contaminated with organophosphate insecticides, which are toxic to the nervous system. Most of the list is the same as in years past, but this year the EWG says to watch out for cucumbers, leafy greens like kale and collard greens, and green beans. More »

Study: Increase In Cancer, Fertility Problems Driven By Common Chemicals

Fifteen years worth of research has made it clear that chemicals common in cosmetics, household products and medicines are wreaking havoc on our bodies, the European Environment Agency says. In a study published yesterday, the agency warns of “strong evidence” linking these “endocrine disrupting chemicals“—substances (like phthalates, bisphenol A and parabens) that disrupt the hormone system—to cancer, obesity, neurological problems and reduced fertility. More »

8 Things That Can Boost Or Wreck Your Fertility…Now Or Later

Whether you’re currently trying to get pregnant or don’t want a baby for at least another decade, the habits you cultivate now could affect how easily you conceive. Infertility, of course, has many causes, most of which are out of our control (or at least irreversible, like age). But personal habits, environmental exposures and other “lifestyle factors” also play a role. Check out the following 8 fertility factors that can boost or wreck you chances of getting pregnant. More »

BPA Exposure Leads To Obesity, Says Biologist

Even limited exposure to bisphenol-A can program a developing fetus for childhood or adult obesity, says Frederick vom Saal, a biologist who has been studying the plastic additive for two decades. The results of his latest research mirror that of other recent studies, which have given new credulity to the link between BPA and obesity. More »

Popcorn As Good For You As Veggies? Not Exactly (But It’s Full Of Antioxidants)

If recent headlines are to be taken at face value, you can skip the apples, carrots or kale: A few cups of popcorn a day will keep the doctor away, or at least give you a fruit-and-vegetable-size serving of antioxidants. That last part is true (and awesome)—a recent University of Scranton study found that popcorn has as much or more of a type of antioxidant called polyphenols than fruits and vegetables. But that doesn’t exactly mean you should “forget your five-a-day” in favor of Orville Redenbacher’s. More »

7 Things You Didn’t Know Could Poison You

Today in awareness-themed periods of time, we bring you the 50th Anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week. So we decided to take some time out of our busy schedule to make you aware of some common plants, chemicals, and even foods that, in some circumstances, can actually be quite toxic. More »

Forever 21 Is Trying To Kill You: Costume Jewelry Found Full Of Toxins

Are you a fan of cheap, trendy jewelry? Do you stock up each season with dangly earrings and bangle sets from Forever 21? Have you ever owned anything from Claire’s? Me too! But bad news, ladies: Our costume jewelry could be killing us, or at least poisoning us slowly. A new study from Michigan-based nonprofit The Ecology Center found much of it contains unsafe levels of toxins such as chromium, nickel and lead. More »

What We're Reading:

Natural Lipsticks Like Burt’s Bees Can Still Contain Lead

I fell for the natural= nontoxic fallacy. But being labeled natural doesn’t necessarily mean makeup that’s free of lead or carcinogens. More »

Lead-Free Lipstick: 6 All-Natural, Affordable Brands

A recent FDA study found lead in 400 different types of lipstick. The worst offenders were common drugstore brands like Maybelline, Cover Girl and L’Oreal. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics wants lead banned from makeup, but the FDA says lead, a neurotoxin, is only dangerous to children (women, don’t let your daughters near the Caboodle …). But there are reasons to be concerned about lead exposure yourself, especially if you’re pregnant. So why take chances? There are plenty of non-toxic, natural lipsticks that cost no more than your average drugstore or Sephora brand. Here are six, recommended by Spirit Demerson (founder of online organic beauty boutique Spirit Beauty Lounge) and your Blisstree editors. More »

FDA Finds Lead In 400 Lipsticks, Proving Toxic Cosmetics Are A Legit Health Concern

A new FDA study reports that lead was found in 400 kinds of lipstick. The fact that lead, a known neurotoxin, is in a common product that’s sold and used by women and girls in droves should concern all of us. And yet…concerns over toxic cosmetics is still sidelined by many as a concern for reactionary hippies who believe bunk research. We hope the FDA’s evidence that beauty products contain toxins like lead will get all women thinking harder about what they slather on their face and body. More »

Keep It Clean: The Top 7 Ingredients To Avoid In Beauty Products

Bookmark this page, print out our handy PDF—whatever you do, keep this graphic guide to toxic ingredients in makeup, soaps and other beauty products on hand. We’ve got more info these comm chemicals like lead, triclosan, formaldehyde, phthalates and others other toxins below. But the graphic above provides an easy reference for what to avoid next time you’re shopping for lipstick, shampoo or moisturizer (or, like, a million other things—it’s amazing how prevalent some of these toxins are in personal care products). More »

Too Much Beer Last Night? Try Parivrtta Utkatasana

If you’re like many Americans, you probably woke up this morning wishing you didn’t consume quite so much beer–or chips or dip or chicken wings–during last night’s Super Bowl. If you did, no worries. You can use today to detox your body and flush out some of those toxins. And that starts with cleansing your liver and other internal organs with a few simple yoga moves, like Parivrtta Utkatasana or twisting chair pose. More »

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