Obesity in America and Obesogens

Obesity rates in the United States have been on the rise for over 150 years, since the Industrial Revolution that brought us away from farms and into factories.  However, in recent decades obesity in America has become more of an epidemic.  Currently, about one-third of adults are obese and about 17% of children are obese, and in 1985 no state had a recorded obesity rate higher than 14%.  Check out this animated map from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for a visual representation of this change over the last 25 years.

This epidemic has been mainly attributed to poor diet and a lack of exercise, but recent research has pointed toward a third factor: obesogens.  Obesogen is the name given to a category of chemical compounds that have been shown to contribute to weight gain in children and adults.  Included on this list are bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).  All of three of these compounds are commonly used in some household items, including kitchen utensils and cookware.

Research on these and other obesogens suggests that different compounds may act differently in our bodies to produce the same result: excess weight.  For example, some compounds affect the number of fat cells, some the size of fat cells, and others affect hormones that control appetite, satiety, metabolism, and even food preferences!

BPA is an obesogenic compound that actually reduces the number of fat cells in humans; however, it programs the remaining individual fat cells to become much larger.  Infants who are exposed to BPA in the womb may be born underweight because of this effect, but eventually the child may put on weight because of enlarged fat cells.

Phthalates, another set of obesogens, are a group of compounds commonly used in plastics to make them more flexible and durable.  Recent studies have shown that increased levels of these compounds are linked to increased weight around the abdomen and a resistance to insulin.

Lastly, PFOA is a compound that potentially acts as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it interferes with our hormones, affecting our appetite, metabolism and more.  This compound lowers the surface tension of liquid, so it is used in nonstick cookware such as Teflon. 

With genetics and our cultural habits stacked against us, the last thing we need is an environment filled with obesogens.  To cut these compounds out of your environment you can start by taking the following steps:

·         BPA is found in the lining of some canned food and plastic food containers.  To reduce BPA exposure in your kitchen get rid of these items by buying fresh fruits and vegetables rather than canned, and switch to glass food containers.

·         Phthalates are also found in some food packaging and containers.  Yet another reason to switch to glass!

·         PFOA is used in nonstick cookware.  To avoid this compound switch to cast ironand stainless steel cookware.   These products produce a better cooked meal and healthier food!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.120-a62#r31

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.9882

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.HTML

Green, Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas from LiveESP.com

Essential Safe Products (ESP) is committed to helping families live a healthy and non-toxic lifestyle in the kitchen and on-the-go as well as promoting a healthy and sustainable environment. Non-toxic and eco-friendly lifestyle choices are applicable in many aspects of one’s life, including a wedding, so ESP has put together a list of eco-friendly wedding ideas to give couples creative inspiration.
Plantation, Florida (PRWEB) March 01, 2012

Essential Safe Products (ESP), a website dedicated to helping families make healthier and non-toxic lifestyle and environmental choices, has put together a list of green , eco-friendly wedding ideas to help others get inspiration for incorporating environmental sustainability into a wedding.

Planning a wedding gives couples the freedom to explore creativity, inspiration, and tradition that brings together one of the most celebrated moments in their lives. Wedding ideas, themes, and decorations are endless, so one thing to keep in mind is to create a concept that stays true the couple. Coming up with a broad concept is a great way to start the wedding planning process because it will be a solid foundation to all the little details that come up throughout the detailed process.

“I’m getting married in less than two weeks, and because wedding, wedding, wedding is always on my mind right now, I thought it would be great to share some eco-friendly wedding ideas to others planning a wedding! I have incorporated some of these ideas into our wedding, and just a few small eco-adjustments to a wedding can have a huge and positive impact on a healthy environment,” says Hannah Masimore, President of ESP.

For those interested in planning a green, eco-friendly wedding, ESP has put together a list of some green wedding ideas that can easily be incorporated into any wedding.

1. Invitations: Search for PCW or recycled paper wedding invitations. Many companies now have this type of paper an option, and the designs are just as beautiful. An even more environmentally friendly idea is to send out online invitations.

2. The Dresses: For the bridal gown, many designers are now creating hemp wedding dresses or organic fabric wedding dresses—both options that are more environmentally friendly than traditional wedding gowns. For bridesmaid dresses, a great, sustainable idea is to donate the dresses that they may “never wear again” to a charity.

3. Wedding Favors: Couples can get very creative when it comes to deciding how to thank their guests for attending the wedding. One eco-friendly idea is to give a take-home slice of the wedding cake in a recycled paper cake box wrapped in jute or hemp ribbon and accompanied by a reusable bamboo spork. The bamboo spork is great novelty gift that guests can use time and time again. A couple of other ideas for favors is to donate to a charity in honor of each guest or give each guest a seed to plant.

4. Wedding Rings: Search for jewelers who use recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds.

5. Decorations: Instead of using plastic straws or trendy striped paper straws, think about incorporating stainless steel straws or glass straws. They are reusable and great take-home gifts for guests. Another eco-friendly idea for decorations is to use organic flowers throughout the wedding décor and in bouquets.

About Essential Safe Products (ESP)
Susan Masimore, mother of 6 children, started ESP because she wanted to spread the word about toxins and give families a place where they can confidently purchase non-toxic products for the kitchen and on-the-go. Through ESP’s website http://www.LiveESP.com, families can learn about the toxic chemicals, find tips and tricks on how to avoid exposure to toxins in food and drink, and purchase kitchen and on-the-go products that are non-toxic and food safe. ESP is dedicated to promoting healthy and non-toxic lifestyles for families as well as a healthy environment.

Tips for Choosing Safe, Less Toxic Cosmetics

Since 2004, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has called for government regulation and voluntary transparency in the cosmetic and personal care products industry.  On one hand, many companies have incorrectly labeled their products as “pure”, “natural”, and “organic”, even though there have been no legal standards set for these terms with cosmetics.  Additionally, existing law doesn’t require companies to test for the safety of their products nor does the law have the power to issue mandatory recalls of products that have been proven to contain harmful chemicals.  Due to the flaws in current laws, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has made it a priority to find out what some of the most popular personal care products really have in them and the negative effects they may be causing.

Because everything seems so vague and inconclusive in the cosmetics industry, one of the best ways to stay protected from harmful chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products is to be educated on the toxic chemicals commonly found in these products.  To help you stay informed, I’ve put together a sort of “cliff notes” list for you!  Below you will find ten harmful chemicals found in many products in the cosmetics industry.  These chemicals can serve as a “red flag” if you may when looking at a product’s ingredients:

1.      Antibacterials:  Some antibacterials absorbed by the body may be toxic or carcinogenic.  They can also be killing both the “good” and harmful bacteria, increasing your susceptibility to infection.

2.      Coal tar: This human carcinogen is used to soften skin and soothe itchy skin.  Sometimes, it's even used as a colorant.

3.      1,4-dioxane: This chemical is known to cause cancer in animals and is suspected to do the same in humans.

4.      Diethanolamine:  This chemical can be absorbed into the body through the skin.  It is a hormone disruptor that acts as a carcinogen and robs the body of choline, an essential nutrient in fetal brain development.

5.      Formaldehyde:  Already banned in the European Union, it is associated with multiple health concerns including breathing issues, irritation problems, and immune system and genetic damage.  Unfortunately, formaldehyde is not always clearly mentioned on product labels, making it an even greater focal point for safe cosmetic activists.

6.      Fragrance:  This ingredient can encompass number of chemicals, most of which may be toxic.  The term “fragrance” is sometimes used in place of the term phthalate.  Phthalates are obesogens, can cause developmental defects and delays, and can disrupt normal endocrine function (including reproductive health).

7.      Lead:  Lead acetate, a neurotoxin, is an ingredient in some lipsticks and men’s hair dyes.

8.      Mercury: Although the FDA permits the use of a certain amount of mercury compounds in eye makeup, mercury has a record of causing harm to the body as it readily passes through the skin.

9.      Talc: A product used to provide an allusion of sparkle, talc acts as a human carcinogen and has been directly linked to ovarian cancer.  It can also lead to lung tumors if inhaled.

10.  Toluelene:  Used to add gloss, toluelene is a toxic chemical that can decrease a person’s fertility and can cause liver and kidney damage.

You may be asking, what products can we trust if not all are properly labeled? Since regulation for cosmetics and personal care products is currently weak, the best way to find trusted, harm-free brands is to use the companies named “champions and innovators” by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Hope this helps you find safer cosmetics! If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment in this post. 

~ Ivana

Resources

http://chemistry.about.com/od/healthsafety/tp/toxic-chemicals-in-cosmetics.htm 

http://safecosmetics.org/

New Study Finds Link between Component of Non-Stick Cookware and Lowered Immune Response to Vaccines in Children

A new study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health has found that perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), a common component of non-stick cookware with PTFE, are associated with lowered immune responses in children’s vaccines.  In the study, PFCs seemed to prevent the participants’ bodies from appropriately reacting to vaccines in order to become immunized.  This is the first study to explore the effects of PFCs on the effectiveness of vaccines.

Over the last few decades vaccines have revolutionized the way we are able to prevent diseases.  As Philippe Grandjean, the lead author of this study, explains, “Routine childhood immunizations are a mainstay of modern disease prevention.  The negative impact on childhood vaccinations from PFCs should be viewed as a potential threat to public health.”  This is all the more worrisome because PFCs are so widely used in a variety of products used on a daily basis.

PFCs are compounds with unique properties that make them stain, oil, and water resistant.  As a result, these compounds are used in thousands of products.  We are exposed to PFCs through our mothers before we are born through our environment the rest of our lives.  Due to its prevalence, most Americans have at least some levels of PFCs in their bodies.

The researchers determined the connection between PFCs and vaccines by first administering blood tests to women just before they gave birth and recording the levels of PFCs in their blood.  Then, once those children reached the ages of 5 to 7, the researchers tested their immune responses to tetanus and diphtheria and measured the levels of PFCs in their blood.  With this data, the researchers could then determine the correlation between immune responses to vaccines and levels of PFCs in children during the prenatal and postnatal stages.

The results showed that levels of PFCs during prenatal and postnatal stages were correlated to lower antibody responses to immunizations.  Without a sufficient number of antibodies, there is an increased risk that vaccines will not be able to provide the long-term protection they would otherwise be able to provide.  In some way, PFCs are preventing vaccines from doing their job.

There are several things you can do to avoid PFCs.

1.     Instead of using some non-stick cookware, which contains PFCs, opt for cast iron or stainless steel cookware.

2.     Fast food wrappers often contain PFCs, so avoiding fast food would be a good idea.

3.     Popping popcorn the old-fashioned way will help you avoid PFCs because microwave popcorn bags are often coated with them.

For more tips on avoiding PFCs check out the guide from the Environmental Working Group.

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.ewg.org/files/EWG_pfcguide.pdf

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2012-releases/pfcs-childhood-vaccinations.html

10 Products Every Non-Toxic Kitchen Needs

            Cooking meals at home, where you know the ingredients, may be your preferred method of building a healthy eating lifestyle, but eating healthy doesn’t stop with the ingredients.  It’s more than just what you are eating—it’s how you prepare and cook your food too! So take a look at the type of cookware, kitchenware, and food storage products you are using at home because hazardous chemicals may leach into your food depending on the type of kitchenware you have.  Below is a list of 10 kitchenware products every non-toxic kitchen should have, but keep in mind that there are endless non-toxic kitchenware products to choose from depending on your lifestyle choices.

1.      Bamboo Cutting Boards:  A great alternative to plastic, bamboo is an eco-friendly, renewable resource that is antimicrobial by nature.

2.      Cast Iron Pans:  These pans are resistant to breakage, are known for having great heat retention, and can come pre-seasoned for flavorful cooking.

3.     Bamboo Cooking Utensils:  Be sure to get bamboo cooking utensils made with formaldehyde-free glue and with no dyes or stains to be certain you’re choosing the best and safest alternatives for cooking. 

4.      Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls:  Made of a material that is scratch-resistant and durable, stainless steel bowls last longer than plastic bowls, are usually dishwasher safe, and free from harmful chemicals like BPA. 

5.      Glass Baking Dishes:  Unsafe products leach chemicals more quickly when exposed to extreme heat in the oven, so a material like glass is a safer choice since it is chemical free and oven-safe.  Plus, glass dishes can be used for food storage and can be safe for use in the microwave and dishwasher!

6.      Stainless Steel Bakeware:  Bakeware made only of stainless steel is BPA free and PFOA free, making it a smart choice for a non-toxic kitchen.

7.      100% Organic Cotton Oven Mitts: 100% organic cotton is grown without the use of chemicals and biologically-based fertilizers, a much safer method of producing cotton for the environment.  By using organic cotton textiles, you can still protect your hands from extreme heat with the added benefit of helping the environment.

8.      Glass Dinner Plates: Using a glass plate at the dinner table, or even to heat up your food, you’ll be safe from BPA and lead, found in some plastic and painted plates.

9.      Glass Food Storage Containers:  BPA free glass containers come in different shapes and sizes for easy storage of food in the fridge.  Many glass containers are freezer, microwave, and oven safe.  If the glass container has a plastic lid, verify that it is BPA free.

10.  Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products:  The safest and most environmentally friendly way to clean your kitchen is to use natural cleaning products and reusable cloths, like SKOY, that are 100% biodegradable, chlorine-free, and natural.

 ~ Ivana

We are going to the GRAMMYs!

Yes, we ARE going! Early December I received a wonderful, ESP-changing phone call from a lovely representative of the company Distinctive Assets.  For over 10 years, Distinctive Assets has been the official Grammy Awards Talent Gift Lounge enablers.  And after all these years, they have never had a non-toxic, eco-friendly company like ours in the mix.  That’s why they reached out to us.  This year, Distinctive Assets wanted to bring more than just products to the lounge…they wanted to bring a concept that could make a difference as well!  At ESP, we are proud to bring this to the GRAMMYs and the talent because we hope that through the power of the celebrity and media, we can reach people all over the world and introduce them to a healthier lifestyle.

So many people in this world have never even heard of toxic chemicals, let alone know what kind of negative health effects they can have on our bodies.  With this opportunity, we hope to shed light on the issue of toxins and help make a difference in the lives of others.  Maybe the next step can be more regulation!  I mean, the more people on board, the closer we can get to more stringent and safe regulations for chemicals. 

And maybe (fingers crossed) we can get some celeb backing!  I’m thinking Taylor Swift would look pretty good with some ESP in her life J…okay, I digress…

Now what’s in the gift bag you may be wondering? When figuring out which products we thought would be best to put in our gift bag, we had to take into consideration that fact that we were giving products to people who pretty much have access to everything. So, to make things a little different, applicable, and necessary for anyone, we came up with an on-the-go concept for a gift bag.  We all have on-the-go lifestyles and using non-toxic and eco-friendly products while on-the-go is a perfect combination. With the help of several brands featured on our site, we came up with this:

Reusable Produce Bag: Perfect for carrying produce at a farmer’s market or the produce section of the grocery store! It’s also made from 100% organic cotton—much more environmentally friendly than conventional cotton.

Lifefactory Water Bottle: LOVE these! They help keep water tasting fresh and completely toxin-free. Perfect for on-the-go and the gym.  Oh, and I swear they are a great conversation starter! Can’t go anywhere without mine.

ECOlunchbox ECOdipper: The stainless steel ECOdipper is great for salad dressings, snacks, hummus, and more! It fits neatly in a lunchbag or lunchbox for you and your kids…and even your purse when you’re out and about and need a quick, healthy snack.

LunchSkins Snack Bag: This reusable snack bag is not only non-toxic but also dishwasher safe! It’s another great choice for taking on-the-go or packing in a lunchbox.  Plus, the designs are too cute!

To-Go Ware REPeat Bamboo Utensils: These utensils are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and reusable.  Pack it with your lunch or keep it with you in your bag…it can come in handy anywhere and is a much better choice than those disposable plastic forks!

We also included a www.LiveESP.com gift certificate so the recipients can pick and choose non-toxic products based on their own lifestyle changes!

So that’s that! For the next three days, my fiancé and I will be meeting with the GRAMMYs talent, presenters, and media to spread the word about healthier lifestyles…wish us luck! And I will have many updates for everyone when we return…

~ Hannah

Essential Safe Products to Bring Non-Toxic, Food-Safe, and Eco-Friendly Lifestyle to the 54th Annual Grammy® Awards as the Official Featured Sponsor of the 54th Annual Grammy® Awards Talent Gift Lounge

Essential Safe Products (ESP) has announced that as the official featured sponsor of the 54^th Annual Grammy® Awards Talent Gift Lounge it will be bringing a non-toxic, food-safe, and eco-friendly lifestyle to 54^th Annual Grammy® Awards, which will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network from 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Sunday, February 12^th at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

As the featured sponsor of the 54th Annual Grammy® Awards Talent Gift Lounge, ESP hopes to spread the word about avoiding toxic chemicals in everyday kitchen and on-the-go products, promote a healthier and more chemical-free lifestyle, and encourage eco-friendly lifestyle choices to consumers. At the lounge, ESP will be showcasing non-toxic, food-safe, and eco-friendly kitchen and on-the-go products sold on their website www.LiveESP.com.  Visitors of their site can learn about toxic chemicals and purchase products for a safer, less toxic lifestyle in the kitchen and on-the-go.

“Through www.LiveESP.com our goal is to have a positive impact on consumers around the world who want to learn about potential hazards of toxic chemicals, get tips on how to avoid toxic chemicals, and have a resource for trustworthy, non-toxic products for their homes.  That’s why when given the opportunity to represent healthy and non-toxic lifestyles at the Grammy® Awards, we knew we had to get involved in order to really get the word out about avoiding toxins.” says Hannah Masimore, President of ESP.  “It’s a lifestyle my family and I have really benefited from and we hope others can benefit as well.”

Recently, the media has been reporting more and more on toxic chemicals in everyday products; however, ESP believes more media attention should be placed on this area of concern because there are many people all over the world who have still not heard about the potential effects of toxic chemicals nor know about ways to help avoid exposure.  With the power of the media and the grandeur surrounding the Grammy® Awards, ESP hopes to spread their message, have a positive influence in the lives of others, and help families lead healthier, less toxic lifestyles in the kitchen and on-the-go.

ESP will be the only company representing non-toxic, food-safe, and eco-friendly products for the kitchen and on-the-go at this year’s 54^th Annual Grammy® Awards Talent Gift Lounge. The LiveESP.com gift bag is valued at over $250 and includes all non-toxic, food-safe, and eco-friendly products: a reusable produce bag; reusable glass drinking bottle; a reusable snack bag; a reusable stainless steel snack container; a reusable bamboo utensil set; and a gift certificate to www.LiveESP.com valued at $200.

About Essential Safe Products (ESP)

Susan Masimore, mother of 6 children, started ESP because she wanted to spread the word about toxins and give families a place where they can confidently purchase non-toxic products for the kitchen and on-the-go. Through ESP’s website www.LiveESP.com, families can learn about the toxic chemicals, find tips and tricks on how to avoid exposure to toxins in food and drink, and purchase kitchen and on-the-go products that are non-toxic and food safe. ESP is dedicated to promoting healthy and non-toxic lifestyles for families as well as a healthy environment.