Last week in Part 13, I discussed the infamous Southampton Seven (six toxic colorings and one preservative). The seven toxic additives are included by the drug industry in most over-the-counter medicines for children, and others in their processed foods (cereals, M&M…). After the Southampton study revealed them to be associated with hyperactivity in children, the British Food Standards Agency (BFSA) issued a ban on their use in drugs and foods for children under-three. The Southampton Seven are: Tetrazine (E102), Quinoline yellow (104), Sunset yellow (110), Carmoisine (E122), Ponceau 4R (E124), Allura red (E129), and the preservative Sodium Benzoate (E211). There are 19 others, which hopefully will be banned, too (read Part 13 for more details).

European countries preceded them with the ban. I trust the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) will also demand the pharmaceutical and food industries to remove such toxic additives found in babies and children’s food, drinks and drugs to prevent the undesirable side effects we know as well as the ones that have not been revealed yet.

Roundup, the weedkiller, manufactured by Monsanto should also be addressed by the SFDA, due to its neurotoxic effect on babies who develop autism, according to scientist Professor Stefanie Seneff of MIT, MA. Read about it in Part 12 for more details. Banning it will reduce the grief, dilemma, and costs for parents of autistic children. I know parents who had to leave the country to find the right help for their autistic children, as we do not offer proper assistance and education for such children.

Today I will discuss other commonly used chemicals by the industry in sunscreens, toothpaste, soaps, moisturizers, shampoos, and other body care products, which seem innocuous to the consumer.

This group of harmful chemicals are known as benzophenone-type. They are used as ultraviolet filters by the cosmetic industry to protect the hair from ultraviolet damage and skin from cancer. The two chemicals (BP-2 and 40H-BP) are found in sunscreens, shampoos, and moisturizers. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that these chemicals could disrupt the reproductive systems in males and decrease fertility by 30 percent in men who frequently use them. Newborn baby boys could have their fertility compromised through the use of sunblocks, shampoos, and creams by their mothers during the pregnancy.

On the other hand, researchers say that baby girls’ fertility was neither affected by the chemicals nor pregnancies were a problem for women. It turned out that only male fetuses were more at risk of being born with compromised fertility. Probably because the chemicals (BP-2 and 40H-BP) in the body-care products mimic estrogen once they enter the body, becoming xenoestrogens, which disrupt hormone and endocrine systems. In earlier studies, the chemicals found in plastics and plastic water bottles, phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA), were found to jeopardize male fertility in newborns as well due to their similar actions in the body.

In order to protect their own and male newborns’ fertility, men of a reproductive age and mothers-to-be should keep away or minimize such products. In studies, the most affected were the ones who were most exposed to the chemicals found in ultraviolet filters and the other products. The more estrogen accumulates in the male body; the more disrupted the endocrine system becomes, especially when the male fetus’ reproductive system is still getting formed inside the mother’s womb.

One other culprit is the chemical, triclosan, which is used as a preservative in cosmetics, antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizers, and even toothpaste. The last one incurs greater damage in children than in adults, because little children are more likely to ingest it when brushing their teeth. Triclosan is also used in the manufacturing of kitchen cutting boards, mattress pads, and more to prevent bacterial development. Unbeknownst that the very chemical, which is used in home products since 1972, causes damage to children and adults. According to deputy director of the American FDA Sandra Kweder, “…We don’t have evidence that that [Triclosan] is really the case over simple soap and water” to protect from infections and illnesses.

Heavy use of antibacterial soaps and antibiotics has also led to the mutation of bacteria, which have learned to resist triclosan. Antibiotic resistance has been spreading fast in hospitals due to the intensive use of the drug. Antibacterial soaps and antibiotics have become ineffective against certain strains of dangerous bacteria such as MRSA.

Triclosan in antibacterial soaps also mimics hormones in the body. It was seen to disrupt the endocrine systems in lab animals and interfering with the function of the thyroid glands. We are witnessing the escalation of infertility recently; the frequent occurrence of very early puberty in children; and the spreading of obesity and cancers. The FDA found the results of the animal studies “a concern” and triclosan is not worth the risk. Scientists believe that common bacteria “could be necessary for proper immune system functioning and development.”

What is concerning about triclosan is that by penetrating the skin, it finds its way to the bloodstream. It has been detected in urine samples in most individuals tested. In lab animals, it showed interference with muscle cell contraction as well. Apart from harming humans, triclosan has been detected in water bodies (through drainage and sewage systems) and in the environment, going straight to plants and tissue of animals and sea creatures, which end up in our food chain and on your plate and your child’s.

I would like to commend the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) for its vigilance and awareness to ban certain harmful chemicals, which are included in everyday cosmetic and body-care products. One of them is the above-mentioned preservative, triclosan.

Hydroquinone is another harmful chemical found in cosmetics that has been also banned in such products by the SFDA. Otherwise, the product would have to be registered as a medical preparation and would not be allowed to be sold over-the-counter.

Alcohol based mouthwashes have also been banned as alcohol-free equally effective alternatives are available in the local markets.

Kohl containing lead is also banned. Lead is a health hazardous heavy metal. Other brain harmful heavy metals are mercury (in vaccines), arsenic (found in chicken feed), cadmium, and others as they cross the blood-brain barrier in new-borns and babies, causing a series of neurodevelopmental, nervous system, and behavioral disorders. The SFDA has set up laboratories to test for the banned toxic chemicals and heavy metals. I salute the diligence and swift action of the agency.

I am still hopeful that the SDFA would put a ban on fluoride in bottled and public drinking water due to the toxicity of the chemical (read Part 4 of this series of articles). A study sponsored by UNICEF showed as little as 0.88mg/l of fluoride in drinking water can lower intelligence quotient (IQ). Other studies link it to fetal brain damage and altered neurobehavioral function. Most European countries have banned fluoride from drinking water. Before we protect children’s teeth and bones, we should care for their brains and mental states.

References:

• Why the manufactured food supply is designed to keep you addicted, not nourished by Mike Adams

http://m.naturalnews.com/news/045514_food_addictions_chemical_ingredient...

• Four most dangerous toxins to the brain by Derek Henry

http://www.naturalnews.com/045510_brain_toxins_fluoride_heavy_metals.htm...

• Chicken feed contains cancer-causing arsenic: www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com

• Meat Companies Go Antibiotics-Free as More Consumers Demand It, by David Kesmodel

• http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jul2014/niehs-08.htm

• http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/09/06/red-bull-c...

• www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/formaldehyde

• Nick Meyer, althealthworks.com

• http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2807%2961...

• http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2843940/Could-SUNSCREEN-stop-m...

• http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2014/01/five-reasons-why-you-sho...


N.B.:

Individuals with medical conditions or on medication should consult their physicians when they decide to introduce anything new in their diet even if it is natural.

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