Although many people view acne as merely a part of life, it is definitely a health problem. In simplistic terms, it’s caused by too much toxicity in the body.

It’s estimated that nearly 85% of Americans have dealt with acne at one time or another. The good news is that with proper diet and time you should be able to completely eliminate acne.

The pores in our skin produce sebum, a waxy substance that coats the skin. Sebum that gets clogged inside the pores forms whiteheads or blackheads. When the pores become infected, they form pimples. Infection in the body is caused by poor diet and poor nutrition, an abundance of candida, and toxicity in the body.

The Acne Diet Connection

Many studies have shown a connection between acne and diet. Certain foods have been shown to help with acne whereas other foods, and food groups, have been shown to trigger outbreaks or make acne worse.

Gluten, dairy, refined sugars, and other refined foods have all been shown to play a significant role in worsening or prompting breakouts.

Studies have found that low-glycemic diets (diets rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes) can help prevent acne. One study found that after patients followed a low-glycemic diet, almost all of them improved.

USA: 2,258 patients were placed on a low-glycemic diet so that they could lose weight. This diet also reduced their acne, with 87% of patients saying they had less acne and 91% saying they needed less acne medication.¹

Australia: 43 males with acne (aged 15 to 25 years of age) ate either their normal diet or switched to a low-glycemic diet for 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, those who followed the low-glycemic diet had significantly less acne than those who ate their normal diet.²

Korea: 32 patients with acne (aged 20 to 27 years old) ate either their normal diet or a low-glycemic diet for 10 weeks. Those following the low-glycemic diet had significantly less acne at the end of 10 weeks than the patients who ate their normal diet.³

Turkey: 86 patients (50 with acne) kept food logs for 7 days. Those with the most severe acne consumed a high-glycemic diet.⁴

CAN THE RIGHT DIET GET RID OF ACNE?

Studies have also found a correlation between gut health and acne, and improvements in the skin were seen after fixing the gut. People with gastrointestinal illnesses often have skin problems, showing just how connected our gut and skin can be. Inflammation can also be a key contributor to acne, in addition to creating problems in the gut.

Through complex immune mechanisms, the influence of the gut microbiome extends to involve distant organ systems including the skin. With intentional modulation of the microbiome, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have proven beneficial in the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory skin diseases including acne vulgaris, AD, and psoriasis.

The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis

You are what you eat. If you live off greasy fast food and refined sugar, it shows in your skin, hair, eyes, and teeth. The same can be said for when you eat fresh whole foods. If you want to truly fix the root of your skin problems, you need to fix your gut first, as opposed to treating the problem topically. This article goes into how to fix the gut. It’s not complicated. Cut out refined sugar and other refined foods, start eating salads every day, and always cook at home from scratch.

Every morning I start off the day with a salad and drink lots of cranberry lemonade (click here for recipes for both). For lunch, I’ll have a scramble with eggs lots of vegetables, or maybe a smoothie. For dinner, I’ll have grains and legumes with lots of vegetables.

The Problem with Your Face Wash

Topical acne treatments are not going to fix the root of your problem, and in many cases it can be difficult or impossible to treat the problem entirely without fixing the root cause.

Chemically laden conventional skin care can seriously age the skin. And the skin can become dependent on its use. For instance, oily skin seems to be controlled by the chemical cocktail that causes the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Or dry skin feels better for an hour or two, but the sebaceous glands don’t produce more oil.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ACNE

Chances are, your face wash has all the same problems your regular soap does. You can read more about the problems with your soap and over showering in this article. Many face washes can strip your skin of its natural oil and cause irritation. Often times your facial cleansers are full of harsh chemicals and toxins that are counterproductive to what your skin actually needs.

Parabens, fragrances, Propylene Glycol, petroleum, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are all among the harsh chemicals you find in your face wash that you do not want to use on your skin.

If you’ve ever turned over the packaging of your favorite facial cleanser, you noticed a long list of ingredients you didn’t recognize. From sulfates to parabens, the cosmetic industry uses all kinds of chemicals in its products.

5 Ingredients to Avoid in Your Face Wash

While you’re detoxing the body from the inside, you can treat topically to speed the process along with natural products. When my skin does start to break out, I use coconut oil and apple cider vinegar on my whole face. This is good to do on a regular basis while you’re fixing your skin.

Coconut oil acts as a mild antimicrobial and helps coat the skin as a lube to help the sebum escape without clogging the pores. Apple cider vinegar is antibacterial and it helps balance the pH of the skin, allowing the skin to maintain a healthy microbiome. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is also known to help with sunburn and wrinkles.

I don’t use soap on my face, and I rarely shower. You can read more about that in this article. I also don’t wear makeup, ever. I view it as a credit card. The more you use it now, the more you’ll pay for it later. Makeup is not good for you or your skin and makes it much harder to give it up later on. The reason I’m able to do these things is due to my diet. Eating a salad every day and cutting out refined sugars and other refined food has given me a balanced microbiome that keeps my skin clean all on its own.

If you’re searching for skincare products, stick to products that are organic, and have minimal ingredients. I don’t have many personal recommendations. The only soap I’ve used on my skin in the last year and a half is Moon Valley Organics bar soap.

Conclusion

When you begin detoxing through a healthy diet you may notice your skin break out even more than before. Although this isn’t fun, it’s normal and part of the detoxification process. I often find that if I’m traveling and not taking great care of myself, my skin doesn’t break out until I get home and start eating properly again. As frustrating as this can be, don’t give up!

My skin isn’t perfect. Up close, you can still see blackheads and other problem spots. My diet isn’t perfect either. I’ve also lost lots of weight throughout the process of fixing my skin. If you are trying to lose weight, fixing your skin will likely take longer as the fat cells in your body continue to release toxins. Additionally, if you’re young (18-24) you are more prone to breakouts than those who are older.

My advice is to stay diligent. Keep with the diet and know that fixing problems like this takes time when you’re doing it right. Remember, as slow as the process may be to fix all the problems on the outside, you’ll feel radically better in just a short amount of time.

Sources:

• 5 Ingredients to Avoid in Your Face Wash
• Effects of soap and detergents on skin surface pH, stratum corneum hydration and fat content in infants
• What *Really* Happens to Your Skin When You Are Not Washing Your Face
• NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ACNE
• The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis
• CAN THE RIGHT DIET GET RID OF ACNE?

In the UK, A nine-year-old girl, Ella Kissi-Debrah, died in 2013 from an asthma attack that resulted in respiratory failure. It was later discovered by Stephen Holgate that the levels of pollution near her home were illegal.

PHOTOGRAPH: KEVIN SCHAFER/GETTY IMAGES

Air pollution has officially been labeled as a cause of death with the coroner ruling that it “made a material contribution” to her death.

“Ella died of asthma contributed to by exposure to excessive air pollution. The whole of Ella’s life was lived in close proximity to highly polluting roads. I have no difficulty in concluding that her personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and PM was very high.”

Barlow – Air pollution listed as an official cause of death in the UK for the first time

The World Health Organization has estimated that nearly 7 million people are killed by air pollution each year. Children who live in poorer areas are more susceptible to asthma.

The U.K has announced that it would end the sale of gas and diesel cars 10 years earlier than planned, by the year 2030. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, plans to have the country reach zero emissions by 2035.

A 2019 study conducted by WWF International showed that the average person could be ingesting as much plastic as the equivalent of a credit card every week. The study found that one of the main sources of plastic comes from the water we drink and they also mentioned certain food like shellfish, “…which tends to be eaten whole so the plastic in their digestive systems is also consumed.”

Photo: Stephanie Wright

Reuters used the information from this study to illustrate how this plastic consumption adds up over time.

In a month, we ingest the weight of a 4×2 Lego brick in plastic, and in a year, the amount of plastic in a fireman’s helmet. This may not sound like much, but it can add up. At this rate of consumption, in a decade, we could be eating 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) in plastic, the equivalent of over two sizable pieces of plastic pipe.

How much plastic are you eating?

Plastic production has drastically increased over the last 50 years. Plastic is not biodegradable and only breaks down into smaller microparticles over time. Plastics are known carcinogens. Microplastics are everywhere from our rain, to our food, and even the highest and lowest points of the Earth.

If you’re worried about plastic toxicity and the consequences of it, read this article to learn more about how to detox from plastics and other endocrine system disruptors.

Birth control is a personal choice for each user. It’s important that proper planning and research is done before making decisions on birth control, especially if you’re looking at a long term option.

I did not feel that I was properly warned about the side effects of most of my birth control options when making this decision for the first time. The reality is that any hormonal birth control option is likely to have major side effects.

I’ve put together a guide of some of the most popular forms of birth control, both hormonal and nonhormonal, as well as my personal recommendations. 

Hormonal birth control is known to cause serious health problems in many cases. Taking hormonal birth control can cause everything from serious mood swings and emotional changes to a variety of different cancers and other life-threatening conditions.

Not all non-hormonal birth control options are perfect though. Many non-hormonal birth controls have health draw-backs, although most of them are minor compared to hormonal options.

When talking about the effectiveness of birth control, the numbers report how many people get pregnant each year on that particular form of birth control. For example, if you’re birth control is 90% effective, one in 10 people using that form of birth control will get pregnant each year.

Non Hormonal Birth Control

Copper IUD 

The copper IUD is the only non-hormonal low maintenance, long term birth control method that I am aware of. It is better for your health than a hormonal birth control option, but it’s not great. The copper IUD is a T-shaped device placed into the uterus by a doctor. The copper IUD makes the uterine environment inhabitable to sperm.

The copper IUD can cause heavy bleeding and cramps. The extra stress of having a foreign object inside the uterus causes heavy periods as the body tries to dispel the foreign object. It has other risks as well. The copper IUD can cause:

• Menstrual problems (irregular periods, heavier periods, longer periods, etc.)
• Cramps and dizziness after insertion
• Ovarian cysts
• Expulsion (the body rejecting the IUD)
• Infection
• Puncturing the uterine wall
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Miscarriages
• Intrauterine pregnancy

The copper IUD can have serious health side effects, but it is a very convenient, hassle-free form of birth control after implantation, in many ways (side effects aside). The copper IUD requires a prescription from a doctor and implantation by a doctor. It can be free if covered by your health insurance, but otherwise, it can cost upwards of $900. 

Spermicide 

Spermicide is a chemical that prevents pregnancy by killing sperm. The active ingredient is nonoxynol-9, and it is available in multiple forms.

Spermicide can cause mild skin irritation. Some people may be allergic to the ingredients. An unhealthy gut generally causes allergies, so if your gut is healthy, this shouldn’t be a problem. Spermicide needs to be inserted at least 10-15 minutes before you have sex, which can be inconvenient for some. Spermicide is also only effective for about an hour, which can also be inconvenient. Some spermicides have a funny taste.

Spermicide alone is anywhere from 70-80% effective. Combined with condoms and used properly, this method is 97% effective.

Spermicide does not protect against STDs. Long term spermicide use can make some more susceptible to HIV and other STDs, but again, I wouldn’t worry about this if you are healthy.

Spermicide is available without a prescription at any pharmacy or store where you would buy contraceptives. It usually ranges in cost from about $8-$15 per kit. Read and follow the directions carefully.

Fertility Awareness

Fertility awareness involves tracking your cycle and avoiding sex on the days you’re most fertile. When done correctly, it can be an effective form of birth control, but it can be difficult (or impossible) to track your fertility effectively if you aren’t extremely healthy.

This method can also be inconvenient, as it means not having sex on your most fertile days, or at least not having sex on those days without relying on other forms of protection. Irregular periods make it difficult to track your most fertile days. And it is important to note that sperm can live in the female reproductive tract for as long as five days. If avoiding pregnancy is your number one priority, I would not recommend this method of birth control.

Breastfeeding

Obviously, breastfeeding is only a valid form of birth control after you’ve already had a baby, and it only works for so long. The longer you are able to breastfeed, the better for the baby and the longer you have a natural form of birth control. Most of the mainstream sources consider this method of birth control to be effective for 6 months postpartum, but the healthier you are the longer you’ll be able to use breastfeeding as a form of birth control. This is an extremely effective method of birth control when done right, and it’s free. This method of birth control can work for 2-3 years if you’re healthy, but when your period returns, you’ll want to find another form of birth control. 

Barrier Method Birth Control

Barrier method birth control coupled with spermicide is my recommended form of birth control. Many barrier methods are only 80-85% effective with typical use. This accounts for user error and malfunctions. For this reason, barrier methods coupled with spermicide make for an extremely effective method of birth control with little to no side effects. 

The Birth Control Sponge

The birth control sponge is a round piece of foam-filled with spermicide that you insert into your vagina close to the base of the cervix before having sex. It prevents sperm from fertilizing the egg by covering the cervix and continually releasing spermicide. The sponge also absorbs sperm.

The sponge must be kept in at least 6 hours after having sex. According to doctors, the sponge can be inserted up to 24 hours before sex, although you should not keep the sponge inside for more than 30 hours. I personally wouldn’t leave it in for more than 6 hours.

Sponges are available at most drugstores and available without a prescription. With perfect use, the sponge is about 91% effective if you’ve never given birth. If you have given birth, with perfect use, the sponge is about 80% effective. Using the sponge perfectly every time can be difficult, so in reality, the sponge is about 88% effective for those who have never given birth, and 76% effective for those who have.

The sponge coupled with a condom is a highly effective form of birth control. The planning required to use the sponge is not ideal for everyone. The sponge has all the side effects of spermicide, as it has spermicide in it. The sponge can also increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). For this reason, the sponge is not considered a safe birth control option when you’re on your period. Overall, this method of birth control isn’t the most effective option, and I recommend just spermicide over the sponge. 

Cervical Caps

A cervical cap is a small cup made from soft silicone that you put inside your vagina to cover your cervix. In order to be as effective as possible, the cervical cap should be paired with spermicide.

The cervical cap is 86% effective if you’ve never given birth and 71% effective if you have given birth. Doctors say the cervical cap is safe to leave inside for 48 hours, although I wouldn’t recommend leaving any foreign object inside your body for that long.

The cervical cap needs to be left in at least 6 hours after having sex in order to be as effective as possible. Like the sponge, the cervical cap has all the same side effects including increased risk for TSS, HIV, and other STDs and is not considered a safe birth control option when you are on your period.

Compared to the diaphragm, a cervical cap fits more snuggly against the opening of the cervix. The cap is shaped like a small sailor’s hat. The diaphragm is shaped like a shallow latex cup. (Read more about diaphragms below.)

The cervical cap comes in different sizes. In order to get one, you’ll need to be fitted for one by your doctor and given a prescription. The cost range is $0-$75, depending on your health insurance.

Diaphragms

The diaphragm is similar to the cervical cap and the sponge in that it blocks sperm from the cervix. It is a shallow cup that covers the cervix and surrounding areas. It is best coupled with spermicide to be as effective as possible.

The diaphragm is more effective at preventing pregnancy than the cervical cap. With perfect use, the diaphragm is about 94% effective, but with typical average use, the diaphragm is about 88% effective.

The diaphragm cannot be left in as long as the cervical cap, (24 hours compared to 48 hours). Like the cervical cap, you have to leave the diaphragm in for 6 hours after having sex.

The diaphragm has all the similar side effects and problems as the sponge and the cervical caps. Any solid foreign object that you insert into the body for long periods of time, isn’t great for you.

Diaphragms come in different sizes so you’ll need to be fitted for one and given a prescription from a doctor.

Condoms

Condoms are the only birth control method on the market that protects against STDs. It wasn’t until recently that I realized, just like any other disease or infection, contracting an STD is a sign of a poor immune system and overall poor health. If you have a healthy gut and a strong immune system, it’s very likely that STDs won’t ever be a problem for you.

With typical use, condoms are about 85% effective. With perfect use, condoms are 98% effective. Condoms are relatively cheap and easily accessible at any pharmacy or store where you would otherwise buy contraceptives. 

Hormonal Birth Control

My only personal experience with hormonal birth control is the pill. I took the pill for about 6 weeks when I was 18. I found that it made me extremely nauseous on a daily basis, though this was prior to my conversion to an organic lifestyle.

I have friends who use hormonal IUDs and friends who have used the NuvaRing. My friend who uses the NuvaRing just had a lump removed from her breast, at age 19. My friend who uses the hormonal IUD is plagued with horrible cramping and menstrual cycle problems whenever she does have a period, although they are irregular and infrequent.

Any hormonal birth control requires a prescription and can be difficult to get without health insurance. Generally, hormonal birth control methods are much more effective than other methods, and people like them because they are usually a hassle-free way to prevent pregnancy. 

Many doctors will say that hormonal birth control is safe to use and that it’s completely safe to skip periods. I don’t agree with this. Messing with your body’s natural cycle is not good for you and can have consequences. Some of the side effects of hormonal birth control include:

• Mood swings
• Menstrual changes (heavier periods, irregular periods, etc)
• Reduced sex drive (or overall changes in sex drive)
• Headaches and migraines
• Nausea
• Thyroid imbalances
• Adrenal problems
• Anxiety and depression
• Fertility problems
• Gut imbalances (increased risk for IBS, Crohn’s disease, leaky gut, etc)
• Increased risk for blood clots, stroke, and heart attack
• Increased risk for certain cancers, such as cervical cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer

These are general side effects of any form of hormonal birth control. Below I’ve gotten into the specifics of the different hormonal birth controls and how they work. Keep in mind, the side effects and problems with hormonal birth control are fairly similar across the board, and they all work in similar ways. Because all hormonal birth control works using progestin and estrogen to stop ovulation and thicken the mucus lining in the cervix, all hormonal birth control methods have similar problems and side effects.

The Pill 

The birth control pill is a hormonal pill that blocks ovulation and thickens the mucus in your cervix to prevent pregnancy. With perfect use, the pill is 99% effective, but many people forget to take it every day, and for that reason, it’s realistically around 91% effective. Like all hormonal birth control methods, the pill has a plethora of side effects. The pill requires a prescription by a doctor and can be upwards of $50 without health insurance. 

Nuva Ring

The NuvaRing is 99% effective with perfect use, but only 91% effective with average use. It’s is a small flexible ring that you wear inside your vagina. You can wear the ring for up to 5 weeks at a time. If you want to skip periods, you put a new ring in immediately. If you don’t want to skip periods, you wait a week before putting a new one in. The NuvaRing needs to be taken out at the same time each time you change it. The NuvaRing is another convenient minimal effort form of birth control. It can be left in during sex and requires very little forethought. Of course, like all hormonal birth control methods, the Nuvaring is not good for you and can have some serious side effects. People often experience headaches, nausea, sore breasts, changes to their periods, and spotting or brown discharge.

The Patch

The patch works like the pill and other methods of hormonal birth control. It releases progestin and estrogen to stop ovulation and thicken the mucus on the cervix wall. With perfect use, the patch is about 99% effective, but in reality, the patch is 91% effective with typical use. The patch needs to be changed once a week and goes on the belly, upper outer arm, buttocks, or back. People commonly experience headaches, nausea, sore breasts, change in periods, and sore skin where the patch goes. The patch requires a prescription and can cost upwards of $150 without health insurance.

Implants

The implant is a tiny rod the size of a match that your doctor implants into the skin on the upper arm. The implant can last up to five years but can be removed at any time. Common side effects are light bleeding, brown discharge, and heavier and longer periods. People also report their periods go away with the implant. Anything that deviates from your body’s natural cycle is not the best thing for you. People also experience headaches, breast pain, weight gain, and ovarian cysts. The implant is more than 99% effective and extremely convenient, but we don’t recommend sacrificing your health for convenience especially in a way that messes with your body’s natural cycle. 

Shots

The shot uses progestin to block ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus. You have to get a new show every 12-13 weeks. With perfect use, the shot is 99% effective, but many people forget to get their shots on time, making them 94% effective. The shot can have serious side effects, like all hormonal birth control. The shot requires a prescription, and administration by a doctor and typically ranges from $0-$150 per shot, depending on your insurance. The last time I saw a conventional doctor, nearly three years ago, she did not recommend the shot for health reasons.

Hormonal IUD

The hormonal IUD goes in just like the copper IUD, but releases hormones into the uterus. The hormonal IUD releases progestin to stop ovulation and thicken the mucus of the cervix wall. The hormonal IUD has all the side effects and problems that other forms of hormonal birth control have. It is, however, one of, if not the most effective form of birth control. After the IUD is inserted, it’s good for several years. It’s 99% effective and hassle-free after implantation (minus the side effects, of course). The IUD has to be prescribed and inserted by a doctor. While this is probably the most effective form of birth control, it’s likely the most dangerous as well. Not only does this birth control release hormones, but your body also has to constantly compensate for the foreign object in your uterus, and it can take quite the toll. If you continue to have periods while using an IUD, it’s likely that they will be much more uncomfortable and hard on the body. Unlike the other forms of birth control (with the exception of the implant) your body gets no break from the contraceptive.

Conclusion

Choosing the best method of birth control for your needs can be time-consuming and difficult. There’s a lot of options to consider, and everyone has different needs and priorities when it comes to what kind of birth control works best for them. If health is your top priority when considering birth control, the condom spermicide route may be the best option for preventing pregnancy with fewer side effects than other methods.

Sources:

• Spermicides: How Effective Are Spermicidal Foams and Jellies?
• Copper IUD (ParaGard)
• About the Birth Control Sponge
• Birth Control Methods & Options | Types of Birth Control
• Paraguard Drug Precautions

The first non-trial dose of the coronavirus vaccine was administered earlier this week in the U.K, to a 90-year-old woman. Two of the first health care workers in the U.K have had severe allergic reactions to the vaccine. Pfizer has urged those with serious allergies not to get the vaccine.

The FDA has approved the coronavirus vaccine, and the first doses were administered yesterday (Monday, December 14th).

Pfizer was the first company to be approved by the FDA, Moderna with likely be next. Other companies such as Johnson and Johnson also have vaccine trials in the late stages.

More than nine in 10 people immunized with Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine candidate registered some level of side effects.

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Most people are reporting some side effects. Common complaints include headache, fatigue, chills, muscle soreness, fever, and joint pain as well as general flu-like symptoms.

The most common reactions with Pfizer’s vaccine were pain at injection site (84%), fatigue (63%), headache (55%), muscle pain (38%), chills (32%), joint pain (24%), and fever (14%). 

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“Systemic events (fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain and joint paint) were reported in small numbers of younger recipients of [the second shot],” Pfizer said in a report published in The New England Journal of Medicine. “But no severe systemic events were reported by older recipients of this vaccine candidate.”

Here Are All the Side Effects of Every Top COVID-19 Vaccine in US

The data gathered has shown that you are even more likely to experience side effects after the second dose of the vaccine. The vaccine requires two doses over the course of a couple of weeks.

The vaccine has not yet been approved for pregnant women or children under the age of 16.

Currently, the U.S is planning to receive 100 million doses of the vaccine, enough for 50 million people. The Trump administration allegedly turned down an additional 100 million doses of the vaccine. Pfizer has said that they may not have extra doses available until mid-summer.

If you are worried about contracting or spreading the coronavirus, we recommend prioritizing gut health above all else and building a strong immune system.

A recent study done by the University of Surrey has linked staying up late to higher anxiety, substance use, and impulsivity.

Photo: Basak Gurbuz Derman/Getty Images

Researchers gathered 191 participants between 18-25 years old. They were then surveyed on sleeping preference, sleep quality, levels of anxiety and impulsivity, and substance use (cigarettes, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, and alcohol).

Impulsivity levels were tested using a lab-based computer test where participants were asked to indicate how long they would wait to receive a hypothetical cash reward. Data showed that those who prefer to stay up later were often more impulsive. Those who stayed up later also reported higher anxiety, and substance use, compared to those who went to bed early.

These young adult evening types were also more anxious and reported higher alcohol, caffeine and cigarette use compared to their peers who preferred going to bed earlier. Lower sleep quality did not explain these effects; to see what could, researchers used a statistical method known as mediation analysis, which found that higher levels of impulsivity were the link between being an evening type and greater alcohol, caffeine, and cigarette use.

Young people who go to bed later drink and smoke more due to their impulsivity

Many people underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. In my experience, I’ve found that even when I’m doing everything right (salads every day, a gallon of cranberry lemonade, and working out regularly) I still experience problems if I’m not getting enough sleep, and good sleep.

Microplastics have now been discovered at the highest and lowest points of the Earth. In 2018, microplastics were discovered at the deepest point on Earth, the Mariana Trench. Now, after analyzing samples collected by national geographic in 2019, scientists have discovered microplastic particles have been discovered near the top of Mount Everest. Samples were collected from 11 locations on the mountain ranging from 5,300 meters to 8,440 meters high.

The fibers likely came from clothing, tents, and ropes worn by mountaineers. In 2019, around 880 people climbed Everest. The highest concentration of microplastics was found near Base Camp, where people spend most of their time.

“It really surprised me to find microplastics in every single snow sample I analysed,” said Imogen Napper, at the University of Plymouth, who led the new research. “Mount Everest is somewhere I have always considered remote and pristine. To know we are polluting near the top of the tallest mountain is a real eye-opener.”

Microplastic pollution found near summit of Mount Everest

Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that come off plastic products. They can be carried by wind, they’re in the rain, the ocean, and pretty much every surface of the Earth. At this point, they’re making their way into our food and water supply, as well. We release millions of tonnes of microplastics each year. Plastics are toxic to us and the animals around us.

This study was released by the journal One Earth. Scientists found microplastics in every snow sample they analyzed, with the most contaminated sample containing 119 particles per liter. The average was 30 particles per liter.

Plastic is in everything, thus it’s everywhere. Our clothes are made of plastic, our furniture is made of plastic, and it’s seemingly impossible to get through life without it. The cut down on plastic waste, we recommend shopping for cotton clothing as much as possible. Eat at home and cook your own food as often as you can. Look for glass whenever it’s available, and be conscious of what you consume, and how.