DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

We've had a lot of discussion on this blog about all three of those materials: bamboo, stainless steel, and silicone. Personally, I think any of the three would be fine, but not all my readers agree with me.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

The expert answer from the Mayo Clinic is "the range is from a few seconds to 48 hours — depending on the specific virus and the type of surface."

Click on the link to read more about controlling your exposure.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I don't know offhand, but maybe one of my readers will answer.

Could you post your list of foods and things you need to avoid because they contain nickel? I'm sure others would like to know this, including me.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

It's not that vinegar is processed from petrochemicals, it is made from petrochemicals. Heinz is one brand that is made from plants. Look on the label. If it doesn't list a real food source, then it's made from petrochemicals.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Graphite in pencils, as we are usually exposed to it, is not toxic.

However, the MSDS for graphite says:
* The substance is toxic to upper respiratory tract.
* The substance may be toxic to cardiovascular system.
* Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.

I'm assuming that graphite residing in the body might be like mercury in dental fillings. You say it's getting smaller, so it probably is releasing small amounts of graphite into your body.

I personally would probably remove it.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

There are several different types of moisture protection for mattresses.

The Naturepedic waterproof mattress pad is waterproof. It contains a layer of food grade polyethylene that does not outgas. I have personally "sniffed" this polyethylene and there is no odor. It is certified by GREENGUARD. This is waterproof. It completely protects the mattress from liquids and is washable, so it is hygenic.

The Natural Sleep mattress pad that you mentioned might be moisture resistant, but I don't see from the description that it is waterproof. The fibers may be so tightly woven that it is difficult for water to penetrate. It wouldn't block moisture as well as the Naturepedic pad, but it is made from all natural materials.

There are also wool pads that are moisture resistant, again all natural, but not as waterproof as Naturepedic.

You really need to decide if you want a pad that is less effective and all natural or more effective and less natural. I think it depends on your needs. If you really need something to be waterproof, using a less effective pad will only result in an unclean mattress. But if you just need some moisture resistance for occasional spills, the natural fibers should be fine.

As long as we're talking about polyethylene, I want to clear up a confusion I've observed.

Polyethylene is made via different methods, resulting in material of different densities. You may have seen some of these abbreviations:

PE - polyethylene
HDPE - High density polyethylene
PEX - Cross-linked polyethylene
LDPE - Low density polyethylene

The PE is polyethylene. According to The Green Guide, both HDPE and LDPE have been found to not leach carcinogens or endocrine disrupting chemicals.

PET is polyethylene terephthalate, something else altogether. It has the recycling symbol #1. It contains additional polymers and has been found to leach antimony into foods and beverages that come in contact with it.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I love it when questions and responses both come in within days of each other.

Right before I received this question, another reader sent me this article about leaching, from Chemical & Engineering News: pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/87/8735cover.html.

The article says:

Plastic, rubber, cardboard, metal, and glass packaging act as a barrier against all sorts of contamination, but they are also a source of contamination...

It is not a question of whether packaging components will leach into a product, it’s a question of how much.

“If you have a material in contact with food, and if it’s not completely inert—and there are no completely inert materials—something in the packaging will end up in the food,” says Dimitrios Spyropoulos, a regulator at European Food Safety Authority.

The same holds true for pharmaceuticals. “You will always have leachables,” says Guirag Poochikian, a retired U.S. Food & Drug Administration regulator who used to evaluate leachables from inhaler devices. “The question is ‘What are they, and what is their safety margin’ ” in humans?

Generally speaking glass is a relatively inert material, but it would be untrue to deny that leaching occurs. In fact leaching is an ordinary event and can be identified as a discoloration or dullness on the surface of the glass.

The Schott Guide to Glass describes the leaching process:

“Leaching causes sodium and potassium ions to be dissolved from the glass structure. The concentration of hydrogen ions (pH value) is changed by the implantation of hydrogenous ions in the glass, water molecules infiltrate the glass while alkali ions go into the solution. A thin gel layer of low alkali and poor water content is formed, about 100 millionths of a millimeter thick. If that layer becomes thicker it becomes visible as dullness. Drinking glasses may show that appearance after several hundred cycles in the dish water.”

It is the sodium and potassium that leach out of the glass, in miniscule amounts and after multiple washing cycles over long periods of time...Acidic substances such as wine can also accelerate leaching.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

The coating is a continuous ceramic coating. To the best of my knowledge, it completely seals the aluminum, and the aluminum does not get through to the food.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Human bodies certainly transmit energy, as do human thoughts and feelings. They are energy wavelengths just as electromagnetic fields are energy wavelengths.

A loving touch can make your body feel better, so it stands to reason that a negative touch could make your body feel worse.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I don't know what type of plastic is used to make those holders, but they appear to me to not be harmful. If you can find out the type of plastic from a manufacturer, I can tell you the toxicity.

Personally, I use little glass butter holders with lids, which work well at home, but don't travel.

Readers, what do you use to sort and carry vitamins?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I personally don't know of one cordless phone that is better than another. I had a cordless phone and when I had my house tested for EMFs, the cordless phone was the greatest source of EMFs--more than any other item in my house. I removed it.

Readers, do you know of any low-EMF cordless phones?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I think you are asking for frames that contain NO metal parts, right? Because you can get plastic frames almost anywhere.

Readers, any suggestions?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

My observation was that when I was exposed to a toxic chemical, that exposure would create an uncontrollable urge to eat.

I don't know the exact mechanism in the body for this, but it was always an urge to eat sweets and other carbohydrates.

I also know from experience that chocolate will stop a chemical reaction. I've seen that in my own body and with many others.

So I suspect that this urge to eat was my body's way of trying to counterbalance the chemicals it was being exposed to.

As I reduced my chemical exposures, this binge eating went away and I was able to then choose the healthy foods I wanted to eat.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I'm not sure where you got the idea that organic whole food vitamins contain lead.

I found a study done a few years ago by the Food & Drug Administration that showed elevated levels of lead in some vitamins. There is a chart at USFDA: Survey Data on Lead in Women's and Children's Vitamins which clearly shows a wide range of lead in various brands of vitamins. You can clearly see which brands have the least and choose those. They also evaluate how much lead is too much.

I personally take Standard Process organic whole food vitamins and they are not on the list at all.

It has been determined that there is no safe level for lead. That said, however, there is a general background ambient level of lead in the environment today.

My opinion is that the benefits of vitality and nutrition from organic whole food supplements outweigh whatever trace amounts of lead may be present.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I have no experience using homeopathic remedies for MCS, however, I am very familiar with a similar process in which specific doses of the chemicals are given to "neutralize" the effects of the chemicals one is being exposed to.

The problem with this from my viewpoint is that, yes, you may be able to take a remedy so you don't react to a toxic chemical, but a toxic chemical is TOXIC, it is still making your body sick if you are exposed to it, MCS or not.

This is why I am in favor of removing the source of the chemical wherever possible as the first step, rather than doing something to be able to tolerate the exposure. Symptoms are a sign that there is something wrong that needs to be fixed, not made tolerable with a drug or remedy.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers, does anyone know the history of this?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I would ask a holistic dentist for his or her advice. It depends a lot on the type of plastic used.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I looked at the website for this and it doesn't give much information.

It says that it removes 81% of fluoride and that's the only claim it makes.

It says it contains a "priority blend" Kalcifate™ Plus (but doesn't say what it is) and EPA registered NASA developed silver impregnated charcoal media with catalytic carbon.

I don't recommend silver impregnated charcoal for water filters. It is added to reduce bacteria, but isn't really needed, and the silver will leach into your water. High silver levels in the body can cause health problems.

I think it would remove chloramines because it contains catalytic carbon. But it doesn't say that it removes anything beyond fluoride.

From my research I know that fluoride is very difficult to remove.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I would suggest that you contact Customer Service for the brand of battery and ask them these questions, specific to the battery you have.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I don't know of any. Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Try cranberry juice. Readers, any other suggestions that have worked for you?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

There's a page about helium at http://www.lenntech.com/periodic-chart-elements/he-en.htm which says the following:

Helium is the second most abundant element in the known universe...Neutral helium at standard conditions is non-toxic, plays no biological role and is found in trace amounts in human blood.

Effects of exposure: The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation. Inhalation: High voice. Dizziness. Dullness. Headache. Suffocation. Skin: on contact with liquid: frostbite. Eyes: on contact with liquid: frostbite. Inhalation risk: On loss of containment this gas can cause suffocation by lowering the oxygen content of the air in confined areas. Check oxygen content before entering area.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I like the feel of sitting on an exercise ball too, but I've given up on the idea of having one, for all the reasons you've listed above.

Of all the options you've given, I would pick buying a used one. At least it will have outgassed some and you will be giving it a second life before it sits in a landfill.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

There are a couple of suggestions about bad breath at Q&A: Tooth Soap, but we might as well discuss it here as its own subject.

Bad breath, like other unpleasant body symptoms, is an indicator of some kind of imbalance in the body that needs to be addressed. It could be a need to improve dental hygiene, a need to improve digestion, or other imbalances. It's important to find the cause and correct the problem, not just use a mouthwash or mints to freshen breath. A healthy body has little odor.

Standard mouthwashes contain alcohol and may contain formaldehyde, artificial colors, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide.

I'd start with making sure you have good oral hygiene, including flossing and brushing, and if that doesn't take care of it, visit your dentist to see if you have any infections or any other problems in your mouth. If that doesn't take care of it, visit a natural oriented health practitioner to help identify the problem and get a solution.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Pneumonia is one of those illnesses that requires having a strong immune system to recover from. There are many toxic chemicals classified as "immunotoxicants" (see the link to the list on my Toxic Chemicals Contribute to Catching Colds and Flu page). Most of the toxic chemicals discussed in my book Home Safe Home harm the immune system, and you can find out how to eliminate them from your home in this book. Children do not yet have developed immune systems so it is even more difficult for them to fight pneumonia.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, so it is particularly important to eliminate the toxic chemicals that are air pollutants, as these irritate the lungs and make it harder to breathe.

There is a good article about how to take a natural approach to healing pneumonia at Pneumonia--How To Help Heal It Without Drugs, Surgery Nor Treatments. Suggested are fasting, breathing fresh air, and other simple steps that support the body's own ability to heal.

I would suggest that you get a good natural-oriented doctor to help with an supervise treatment. Pneumonia is a serious illness and can be fatal. Not a time to experiment.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I'm going to ask mothers reading this to answer, since I don't have children myself.

I do know that this symptom is often related to food allergies, could be something in the air, could be a cold. My husband, for example, gets nasal congestion when he eats wheat.

My best advice is to try to track down what is causing it so you can take the right steps to correct it. A cold remedy is not going to solve a food allergy.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

It sounds like you've already done a lot of things. Readers, what have been successful actions for you with regard to this? Maybe we can give her some new ideas.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I don't have personal experience with this.

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

The first question I would ask is, are you showering or bathing in chlorinated water? This often causes skin conditions. My first suggestion would be to get a shower filter if you don't already have one and give it a couple of weeks. This will probably clear it up entirely.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I am not an expert on dental materials, but I'm sure we can get you an answer and experience from others with MCS.

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

This is very interesting to me that you see a connection, because even after years of contoling my own MCS through avoiding the chemicals that cause it, I also had higher than normal blood sugar. I'm wondering how widespread this connection is.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Never heard of it, but sounds intriguing. Don't see any reason not to try it. Can't hurt and might help.

Readers, any experience with this?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I haven't researched natural products for acne, but I'm sure that my readers will respond to this.

I do know from my own personal experience that acne can be caused by a variety of factors. I had horrible acne as a teenager, but now I have flawless skin.

Acne can actually be caused by a buildup of toxic chemicals in the skin. The fact that your daughter's skin began to break out in Iraq and she says other women have the same problem leads me to believe there is some environmental factor.

So a cleansing diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and pure water would help more than a topical product.

The topical treatment that helped me the most was applying a clay mask, as the clay pulls toxins out of your skin. You can get clay masks at any natural food store. Just get the plain clay, mix it with water, and apply. Leave it on til it dries and wash it off with warm water. Another good mask is oatmeal. Just just regular oatmeal, and apply with the same instructions. If it's too think, put the oatmeal in the blender and whiz it to make a powder before mixing with water.

There's a website at www.bestacnereview.com/ that compares quite a few acne products. Proactiv is down at the bottom of the list, but there are many natural products you can explore, including a book on natural acne treatments.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Well, you could get cloth band-aids, which are a lot more comfortable, flexible, and breathe easier. I learned about these from my massage therapist, who had a cut finger one day and gave me a whole massage with one on his finger. I didn't feel it at all.

If you wanted to dispense with the commercial band-aid altogether, you could just wrap plain cotton gauze around the wound, which you can buy in a roll at any drug store. Or, to be even simpler, you could just rip a strip of fabric from an old rag and use that to wrap around the wound. You could just tie the ends together on these or wrap a piece of tape around them (which wouldn't touch your skin).

If you want to take the natural route, you can use comfrey leaves as band-aids. Or, here's a "natural" band-aid made from "paper bark with anesthetics in it, and held on by a piece of very strong spider web!" . :-)

I found an "eco" band-aid that I do NOT recommend: Eco-Guard Vegan "Band-Aids". As much as I respect the idea of being vegan, I don't agree with the general idea that it's OK to substitute toxic plastics for animal materials. These cruelty-free bandages are made from recycled PVC plastic (it's still toxic, even if it is recycled), dyed with natural food-grade colorings, and have an animal-free, water-based adhesive.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

The two chemicals you mention are both common preservatives, and are not extremely toxic, relatively speaking. I'm much less concerned about your ingesting these than pesticides, for example.

I haven't done a lot of research on grapefruit seed extract, or used it myself. Grapefruit seed extract is derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit. Some natural products use it as a preservative. Recently, studies have identified synthetic preservatives in some commercial grapefruit seed extracts. Laboratory tests found the natural extracts that did not contain the synthetic preservatives to had little or no natural antimicrobial attributes of their own.

The confusing part of this is we don't know if companies using grapefruit seed extract as an ingredient in another product are using grapefruit seed extract with or without preservatives, or if the companies using this as an ingredient even knew the chemicals were in the grapefruit seed extract.

If you are using grapefruit seed extract, or a product that contains it as an ingredient, I think it's worth checking with the company on this.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Cotton yoga mat. Just type "cotton yoga mat" into your favorite search engine and you will get lots of results for yoga mats made from both organic and conventional cotton.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

If you haven't already, you can read about my recovery, beginning at My Story.

I know some of you have recovered, because you've told me your stories. Please do write in and share your successes with others.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers, what is your experience?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

We had the mold in our crawlspace professionally removed (see Bau-Biologie: Mold Inspection and Remediation), but if you have only a small area, I would recommend using heat. Mold cannot live above a certain temperature or in dry conditions, and heat changes both.

You might want to have a professional take a look at it and see what they suggest, as you really want to handle this completely so you don't have a bigger mold problem in the future.

Readers, any other suggestions?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Those who sell these lamps say that when gently heated, glowing salt lamps emit natural negative ions, creating an effect similar to an ion generator (increasing the wattage of the bulb increases the emission of ions per square foot). When the lamp becomes warm, it absorbs moisture and the crystal becomes damp on the surface. This binds negative ions with the excess positive ions, neutralizing the positively-charged atmosphere of a room. This is physics. I believe this is true.

Negative ions are known to have positive effects on all body functions, including the immune system, circulatory system, and digestive system. In general, our bodies benefit overall from being in an indoor environment full of negative ions, as it is more similar to the outdoor environment.

They certainly have a lovely, warm glow, similar to candlelight.

I have a salt lamp and I find it to be extremely energizing--so much so that I can only have it on for short periods of time. I can't sleep with it on.

I would say that in my experience, salt lamps can create an effect on the human body. The effect they create is probably different for everyone.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Well, personally I wouldn't take these drugs with or without dyes. But if you are going to take them, it's better that they be dye-free. I have no idea where to get these dye-free drugs.

There are what special pharmacies that make up prescriptions without dyes, etc. I remember once a doctor gave me such a prescription and sent me to a local pharmacy that did that. But I don't remember what they are called. They are probably online somewhere.

My best recommendation to you is to find some natural remedies, such as herbs or homeopathics, to handle the symptoms you need to relieve with these drugs. Or, better yet, find out and handle their root cause and build health in your body.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a list somewhere of the EMF emissions from various electric ranges. If I were shopping for an electric range, I'd take my gaussmeter with me and check each model I was considering. I think you would find the levels vary widely.

Personally, I use a gas range. I think it's a toss up between EMF exposures with electric ranges and combustion by-product exposures with the gas, and the combustion by-products are easier to mitigate with ventilation and range maintenance. Also, as an avid cook, I prefer the instant adjustability of gas, and I like the more natural flame, like cooking over a fire. Gas ranges have no EMFs that I am aware of.

I looked for an environmental comparison between using gas or electric for cooking, but couldn't find one. It would make a difference how your electricity was being generated.

For a gaussmeter, try LessEMF.com. Since EMFs are their specialty, they may be able to help you sort out this question.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Take a look at the Material Safety Data Sheet for Medium Density Fiberboard. It has a lot of information on the toxicity of formaldehyde, the amount of formaldehyde in this product and the necessity to control the outgassing and provide ventilation.

Contact the manufacturer with your outgassing question, as both temperature and humidity affect the rate of emissions.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I have heard of this with other people and have experienced it myself.

One day things went wrong with all my electronics, so I just gave up and went shopping. I walked into a Radio Shack store and all their electronics started going haywire too!

Our bodies certainly have their own electromagnetic fields which can affect the electrical and magnetic fields around us just as the electrical and magnetic fields around us can affect our bodies. Fortuneately for me, this doesn't happen with me very often!

Not sure what to recommend to you. Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Metal ice cube trays ARE available online, but they are not made from stainless steel. They are, and have always been, made from aluminum. Just type "aluminum ice cube trays" into your favorite search engine and many online sources will come up. Check the price comparison sites that come up too.

Elsewhere I have noted that plastic outgasses LESS when frozen, and ice cube trays are made from a fairly hard plastic, so I'm not real concerned about ice cubes being contaminated with plastic in the freezer. And I think silicone ice cube trays are fine too.

Metal trays last longer and don't crack or leak.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Well, I'll tell you my experience with thyroid supplements.

I started taking the synthetic thyroid in 1990, so that's seventeen years now. My chiropractor sent me to an endocrinologist, who gave me a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test. It was "off the charts" so I was given the supplement. I had a very hard time getting a correct dose. After three years I went to another endocrinologist. He gave me blood tests and said, "You need to take a thyroid supplement." He couldn't even tell I was already taking it.

Synthetic thyroid supplements often cause side effects, for which doctors are only too happy to give other drugs, including psychiatric drugs.

I think I have now tried every thyroid supplement there is. I have been taking Armour thyroid for about ten years now, and it consistently works the best for my body. I have no side effects. It's all-natural, made from pig thyroid glands. If I weren't taking it, my body would be dead. I tried to stop once and got very ill. Fortunately, family insisted I go to a doctor, who told me I was three days away from being in a coma.

So you need to find a thyroid supplement that works for you. Do try Armour.

I've had a difficult time finding doctors who will prescribe it, however. To find a doctor who will write this prescription, go to http://www.armourthyroid.com/.

Readers, what are your experiences with thyroid supplements?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I'm collecting info on various natural things that affect thyroid one way or another.

Here's an article stating the fluoride reduces thyroid function (this is widely known) and recommending kelp as a source of iodine to improve thyroid function:

The Center for Natural Dentistry: Cure for Low Thyroid Caused by Fluoride.

It is widely known that iodine contributes to thyroid function.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers with MCS, any advice for this woman regarding surgery?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I don't think you need a license, but I've never started a support group so I don't know.

Readers, any tips for Denise on organizing her support group?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

And my husband is still walking without his cane after starting the exercises. Over the weekend, he walked for five hours with me without his cane. That's pretty incredible for him!

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

This sounds like a good idea to me. You could use whatever material you best tolerate to make the box.

Some cardboard boxes may contain formaldehyde, so find ones you tolerate. Sitting them out in the sun for a few days can help "detox" them.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Readers? Anyone know where to get this?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

The ingredients listed on the box of Crest White Strips are water, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, carbomer 956, sodium hydroxide and sodium saccharin. These aren't particularly toxic in the amounts used. For example, sodium hydroxide is lye, which will burn right through your skin if you put a wet lye crystal on wet skin, but it is very diluted in this formula. Sodium saccharin used to be thought to cause cancer, but has since been found to be safe. Glycerin can be made from petrochemicals or vegetables. In this case, it's probably petrochemical.

Crest Whitestrips are thin, flexible strips coated with a tooth whitening gel, whose active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, which is the same substance dentists use to whiten teeth. The reason you would use the strips instead of just putting hydrogen peroxide on your teeth is that the hydrogen peroxide needs to be held against the tooth for a period of time. The strips are designed to conform to the shape of your teeth, keeping the whitening gel on your teeth for 30 minutes at a time.

I don't find this product to be particularly toxic to the degree that I would recommend against it for an average person. That said, if the glycerin is made from petrochemicals, it might be something you might not want to risk with your autoimmune condition.

Readers, what are your recommendations for natural ways to keep teeth white?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I personally don't know anything about this, living in sunny Florida. But I know there are some readers in the Pacific Northwest, so let's see what they have to say. Readers?

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

Heating pads are generally made from synthetic plastic materials, and are full of electric wiring that generate electromagnetic fields (if anyone wants to comment more on the health effects of EMFs from heating pads, feel free). Heating pads also will not biodegrade at the end of their useful life.

Instead of using a heating pad, I recommend a natural heat pack. They have natural fiber covers and are filled with various natural materials. You heat them in the oven or microwave and then the heat transfers from the pack to your body when placed on the afflicted area. These are renewable and biodegradable, and have no electromagnetic fields. And because they are filled with small bits, they conform exactly to hug body parts with their warmth.

The first one that came to mind was the salt-filled sachet at Himalayan Living Salt. It's a 100% cotton pouch filled with "The Original" Himalayan Crystal Salt, which gives the unique healing benefits of the salt as well as comforting heat.

Dreamcraft makes heat packs in several sizes and shapes from cotton or organically-grown cotton, filled with organically-grown flax seed, rice, millet, buckwheat hulls, and lavender. Each is custom made, so they are happy to make your pack to your specifications.

Natural Pack has heat packs in several different styles, filled with "a grain product."

Self-guided.com has heat packs covered with cotton flannel and filled with flax seeds.

There are a lot more to choose from. Simply type "natural heat pack" in your favorite search engine.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I've used the Kidney Rejuvenator and Liver Rejuvenator products from Peter Gillham's Natural Vitality and they were very effective.

I started taking them after I read an article by Peter Gillham called "The Body's Filter" (this is not posted on their website, but I think they would send you a copy if you asked). It tells how our bodies have specific organs whose purpose is to purify the blood and organs to keep toxins of all kinds from building up in the body and causing disease.

The kidneys, among other functions, are one of the main organs that filter toxins out of our blood. But I suspect that for most of us, our kidneys are not doing their job. Kidneys can be damaged by poor diet, stress, and chemical expsosure, reducing their efficiency. When our kidneys are damaged, they can't filter out the chemicals we are exposed to and they build up in our bodies. So one of the best things we can do to help our bodies withstand the chemicals we are exposed to is to have strong, well-functioning kidneys. The kidneys and liver work together to remove toxic chemicals from the body, so both need to be supported.

When I read this, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. Of course! If we want our bodies to better tolerate the chemicals in our environment, we should strengthen those functions in our bodies that process them. So I started taking Kidney Rejuvenator and Liver Rejuvenator and they made a big difference in my body. My husband took them too and they helped him. They are completely natural, made of a blend of herbs (not organically grown).

There may be other similar products on the market. I know these worked for me. And other vitamins I have taken from them were effective too.

Both kidneys and liver process toxins and need to be cleansed for good health. I definately think you are on the right track with this.

Debra :-)

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

The main health benefit of saunas is that they cause your body to sweat, and sweating is one of the major routes for the body to eliminate toxins of all kinds. Sweat has been used for physical and spiritual benefits for centuries and all over the world. Sweating is also considered to be the best method for removing heavy metals and toxic chemicals from the body, so it is a good procedure to be familiar with in our chemical-laden world.

Rather than give you exact instructions here in my answer, I'm going to refer you to some websites see links below that will give various protocols that you can choose from. It's very important to follow these protocols, as sweating releases water, fat, and minerals from your body along with the toxins, and these essentials need to be replenished. The amount of time spent in the sauna depends on your physical condition. You may need to start with short sessions once a week and build up to a daily sauna.

Your question about EMFs...in general, the further away you are, the safer you are. But that doesn't have to be far. It can be as little as three feet. You can get a very inexpensive $20 tester called an E-Field Detector online at Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation Online Bookstore or in local Radio Shack stores. It chirps if there are dangerous levels. So you could test it yourself quite easily.

But there are also different kinds of saunas. Several of the websites listed below refer to a far-infrared sauna that can be made inexpensively using ordinary heat lamps. These apparently are more beneficial to the body and more energy-efficient, as they heat the body rather than the surrounding air. These may be lower in EMFs than the standard sauna heater.

In general, in assessing risk, we often need to balance the potential benefits against the potential harm. I would take some EMF readings, but I would venture to say that the long-term benefits of removing toxic chemicals from your body--especially if you are ill or have had a major chemical exposure--would outweigh the relatively brief exposure to EMFs.

LINKS

Sweat - The Illustrated History of Saunas, Sweat Lodges, Roman Baths and More
Detox in the Sauna
Benefits of Sauna
Detox and Saunas
Heavy Metal Detox: Why Sweating May Protect the Kidneys
Detoxification Procedures
Cleansing/Detox and the importance of sweating in a sweat lodge or sauna
Tom Cruise Opens Rescue Workers Detox Clinic
Clear Body, Clear Mind

Debra :-)