• Phthalates: What are the possible health effects?
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Another month and we are past the shortest day.  The depth of winter is a good time to spend a little time contemplating the next season and the emergence of "new life" as winter loosens its grip. Take the time to look at what you want in the near future and beyond.  Is your health all that it could be? Are you able to do what you want to do - physically and mentally? During this time of reflection, remember there are people around you who are willing and able to help, if you are ready.

Phthalates are often associated with fragrances, they are chemicals classified as endocrine disruptor's linked to problems of the reproductive system, including decreased sperm motility and concentration in men and genital abnormalities in baby boys. (Oh, and did you know that average sperm counts have decreased significantly since the 1940’s?) Lab studies suggest a link to liver cancer and birth defects and more recently they’ve also been linked to asthma and allergies.

1. Nail polish: Dibutyl phthalate is often used to make nail polish chip-resistant. Look for it on the ingredients list, where it may be shortened to DBP.

2. Plastics in the kitchen: Take a critical eye to your cupboards. Phthalates may be more likely to leach out of plastic when it’s heated, so avoid cooking or microwaving in plastic.

5. Fragrance: Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is often used as part of the “fragrance” in some products. Since DEP won’t be listed separately, you’re better off choosing personal care products, detergents, and cleansers that don’t have the word “fragrance” on the ingredients list.

6. Vinyl: Vinyl shows up in a lot of different products; lawn furniture, garden hoses, building materials, and items of clothing (like some raincoats) are often sources. Aside from carefully choosing materials when you’re making purchases, there is one easy change you can make: switch to a non-vinyl shower curtain. That “new shower curtain” smell (you know the one) is a result of chemical off-gassing, and it means your shower curtain is a source of phthalates in your home.

You may recall the shocking story earlier this year that revealed a whole "family" had been kept captive in a cellar in a home in Austria, the reason the discovery was made was due to one of the children developing a serious illness - the illness was a direct result of a severe Vitamin D deficiency. This along with the fact that it is the middle of our winter has prompted me to write an article relating to the importance of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is both a vitamin and a hormone.  As a vitamin it acts by  binding with calcium for proper absorption.  It is impossible for humans to digest and use calcium without adequate amounts of Vitamin D.

If you are a typical kiwi and like the taste of our world famous Kiwifruit, then keep them going in, your heart will love you for it.

A short study evaluating the effect of kiwifruit on heart health has shown some great results. Two or three kiwifruit per day showed a 15% drop in triglyceride levels along with a reduction of platelet aggregation by almost 20%.

Ripe kiwifruit are packed with nutrients, including plenty of Vitamin C and E and polyphenols - an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant compound that has been shown to provide cardiovascular benefits.

Natural Immune Booster Combination(a perfect alternative to the "Flu Shot") Engystol and Gripp-Heel - Clinically shown to increase white blood cell activity. Safe to use for the whole family.