Working out and dieting can be tedious, tiresome, and generally undesirable. But since treating our bodies with care is of the utmost importance, maintaining healthy exercise and eating habits is essential. Luckily, there are ways to add zest to the practices of working out and dieting, making both – dare I say it – fun.

The easiest way to enjoy healthy eating and exercising is to mix up your routine. Break out of your everyday rut of the same workout, same meals with new activities and new foods.

Spicing Up Your Workout Schedule

The gym is not the only place where you can achieve a decent workout. Challenge yourself to be creative and explore all the options around you.

1. Get outside.

Doctors started prescribing outdoor exercise for individuals suffering from a slew of medical problems. Why? It’s extremely beneficial, and, for some reason, people find it easier to adhere to a workout regimen when it takes place outside. Here are some outdoor exercises to include in your workout schedule:

• Trail running through a local park
• Biking to a destination (rather than driving)
• Playing tennis with a friend
• Surfing or skimboarding at the beach
• Jumping rope
• Lap swimming (or just swimming around) at the pool

2. Join a class.

Working out in a group is great. There’s increased motivation to keep going, accountability to show up to the session, and camaraderie that accompanies group activities. There’s always a chance of making new friends, too. Here are some classes/group activities to consider:

• Spinning
• Yoga or pilates
• Boot camp
• Running/walking group
• Zumba

Make Your Healthy Food More Fun

Dieting doesn’t have to be boring, limiting, or even a struggle. There are ways to make it more fun and satisfying. Just get creative.

1. Enhance Presentation and Appreciate Every Bite

No food reaches maximum satisfaction potential when it’s consumed in mere seconds in the standing position. Instead, put effort into your food’s presentation and take your time eating it. Dress up your table, light some candles, and beautify your meals as much as possible. Make sure you’re eating from a plate (or bowl) while sitting.

2. Explore New Foods

As with exercising, mixing up a routine adds fun to dieting. Without variety, you could become bored and stray off course. Sticking with just a few meal options also makes you feel limited. In reality, healthy eating offers a limitless number of meal possibilities. Ask fellow healthy eaters for recipes or peruse recipes online and try something new when you’re feeling bored.

3. Challenge Yourself on Paper

A healthy diet is one that’s balanced: made up of different colors, different vitamins, and minerals, different tastes. Make sure you’re getting all that you need by keeping a chart and documenting your consumption. Forget calorie counting and aim instead to achieve balanced, clean eating. You can even invite friends to do it with you, and make a competition of it.

• Doctors’ new prescription: Don’t just exercise, do it outside – the guardian
• How to Skimboard – Outdoor Board Sports 
• 3 Reasons It’s Better to Work Out With a Group – Active

Microbeads were introduced into products like face washes and toothpaste as an extra scrubbing agent. These tiny pieces of plastic were originally added to personal care products as a cheaper replacement for natural exfoliators like walnut husks and diatomaceous earth.

What Are They?

Microbeads are usually made with polyethylene or polypropylene, two of the more commonly used plastics. A single tube of face wash can contain more than 300,000 beads. In a 7oz bottle of face cleanser, roughly three-quarters of an ounce is microbeads. Each of these beads is smaller than 1mm, which is 5 times smaller than the traditional definition of microplastic. Deliberately designed to be rinsed down the drain, their tiny size allows them to slip past water filtration services. This is how they end up in bodies of water, fish stomachs, and our own bodies.

Related: How to Detox From Plastics and Other Endocrine Disruptors

Environmental and Health Issues Caused by Microbeads

Much of the data regarding microbeads and their effect on the environment comes from the Great Lakes. The New York state attorney general released a report on microbeads that stated, they found as much as 19 tons of microbeads are discharged into NY waters. In Lake Ontario, the most contaminated of the Great Lakes, 1.1 million microbeads per square kilometer were found in the lake bed. It is believed that wildlife mistake the tiny plastic particles for fish eggs and get them lodged in their digestive tracts. Not only do these beads cause damage as they end up in the environment, but the damage is magnified by the plastic’s ability to absorb pollutants like industrial chemicals, phthalates, PCBs, and estrogen-disruptors. These toxins are then passed on to the animals that consume them – seagulls, turtles, fish, and humans.

The initial push for legislation against microbeads came from the dental industry after professionals began finding bits of blue plastic stuck in patients’ mouths. Microbeads leave the mouth at greater risk of infections like gingivitis and periodontal disease due to their ability to absorb industrial chemicals and bacteria. Microbeads also may be hormone disruptors, which makes it even more upsetting to have them lodged between your teeth and gums. The American Dental Association cites a lack of clinical evidence supporting the health risks of the microbeads, conveniently mirroring the stance of major retailers.

Related: Microplastics in Sea Salt – A Growing Concern

How to Find and Avoid Microbeads

The FDA maintains that microbeads are safe and they are even approved for uses in food (Think about it; the FDA is totally cool with you eating bits of plastic). The good news is, many companies are noticing the public and state pressure concerning the safety of microbeads and are removing them from their products. Many of them are still in the process of removing them, though, and knowing how to read your ingredients can help you avoid microbeads right now. Polyethylene is the most important ingredient to look for. Other ingredients that indicate the presence of micro beads are polypropylene, poly-e-terephthalate, and polymethyl methacrylate. Some of the major brands using microbeads in their face wash, body scrubs, and toothpastes include:

• Proctor and Gamble (this includes Crest and Olay)
• Johnson & Johnson (this includes Neutrogena and Aveeno)
• L’Oreal (this includes Garnier and the Body Shop)
• Proactiv
• Nivea
• Estee Lauder (this include Clinique)
• Discount lines from Walgreens, CVS, and other retailers

Obviously not every product has them, which makes it even more important to check out the ingredients of personal care products you use. Using wildcrafted or organic personal care products from a trusted business also eliminates the health and environment pollution of microbeads.

Legislation Regarding Microbeads

Illinois is the first state to have legal action in place concerning non biodegradable microbeads. Starting in 2017, microbeads will be phased out of all products until the total ban of them in 2019. Colorado, Maine, and New Jersey have laws resembling Illinois’. Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Wisconsin are close behind with similar bills having been presented to their legislation. One issue with these bills is the fact that they leave the possibility open for companies to claim that their microbeads are actually “biodegradable.” California is addressing that issue by approving a bill that will ban microbeads in all forms. If that bill makes it into law, it could be the end for microbeads because of the prohibitive cost of making microbead-free products for only one state. The businesses that don’t see anything wrong with microbeads despite growing evidence otherwise are only going to stop using them when it becomes too costly to use them in their manufactured products.

Internationally, non-government organizations have been quicker to sound the microbead alarm. In 2011, a Dutch NGO, the North Sea Foundation, began asking major businesses to remove microbeads from their products due to their negative environmental impact. Companies responded to initial entreaties with vague, unsubstantiated claims about the safety of their products. In 2012, the North Sea Foundation joined with the Plastic Soup Foundation to create Beat the Microbead, a campaign to end the use of microbeads. This campaign has met success worldwide, with the biggest coup coming when international corporate giant Unilever agreed to stop using microbeads in its global portfolio with 2015 as its target year. This campaign is a great example of how grassroots activism can make a difference using consumer pressure to have a positive impact on harmful business practices.

Microbeads might seem like a tiny thing to be worried about, but the ripple effects from them can have a big impact. The wildlife in the Great Lakes is already feeling it, as every time they mistake a microbead for dinner they ingest a piece of plastic that will add to their demise. In the human health arena, maintaining your oral health is important to your overall health. Digestion starts in the mouth, and wedging teeny tiny pieces of plastic along your gumline is a horrible way to treat yourself. States are slowly coming around to the idea that these microbeads are not only dangerous, but unnecessary. There are alternates to these products, and who doesn’t want to feel good about the personal care products they use?

Sources:

• Your Toothpaste May Be Loaded With Tiny Plastic Beads That Never Go Away – Mother Jones
• Why dentists are speaking out about the plastic beads in your toothpaste – The Washington Post
• Plagued by Plastics, Microbeads in the Great Lakes – Watershed Council
• Unseen ­Threat: How Microbeads Harm New York Waters, Wildlife, Health And Environment –(404) State of New York
• Plastic Microbeads: The Newest Threat To The Great Lakes – EWG
• International Campaign Against Microbeads In Cosmetics – (404)Beat the Microbead

I am an herb lover, but I am also a spa lover.

When you put the two together, you have the start of a journey of delight.

It is all about relaxation in your own surroundings and using herbs from your garden to create a pleasurable, deeply beneficial experience. (Note to those of us who have been treated to a day spa: Creating the spa experience in your own home brings a special degree of relaxation because you don’t have to get in the car after your spa day and then drive home afterward. You simply relax, go to bed, meditate, or spend moments with renewed energy in your own space. What could be better than that?)

The Top-to-Bottom Scrub Experience

Exfoliate! Invigorate! Revive!

Body scrubs filled with herbs and abrasive materials gently massaged into the skin. These are a spa experience all their own. Blood circulates close to the skin, which pinks up with warmth as dead skin cells and impurities wash away. From the soles of the feet to the top of your head, spa treatments with texture help skin to feel renewed. Scrubs also help to flush toxins after healing from a cold or flu.

A full body scrub needs to take place in a shower or tub. Prepare your spa with fluffy towels, bright light, and upbeat music.

Step in the shower first to rinse and dampen skin. Turn off the water and place a towel on the floor. The oil in the scrub may drip and cause a slippery surface, so use caution. Apply scrub, starting along the neck and using gentle motions, work your way down the body. Be kind while working with a scrub – skin should be nice and pink, not red and irritated. After application, rinse mixture from skin and gently pat skin dry with a soft towel. Follow a scrub treatment with a nourishing lotion to polish off and pamper your skin.

Lavender Spa Salt Glow

• 1 cup coarse gray sea salt
• ¾ cup coconut oil
• 6 drops of lavender essential oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh or dried lavender buds

What To Do

Place all ingredients in a wide-mouth jar and mix well.

To Use

• Dampen skin.
• With a generous amount of salt/oil mix, massage onto the skin with gentle circular motion.
• Use caution around scratched or irritated areas of skin.
• Rinse off with warm water.

Floral Sugar Scrub

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 Vitamin E capsule
• ½ cup fresh rose petals

What To Do

• Mix sugar, coconut oil and rose petals in a wide-mouth glass jar.
• Pierce the Vitamin E capsule and squeeze into the mix.

To Use

Dampen skin. With a generous amount of floral scrub, massage onto the skin with gentle circular motion. Use caution around scratched or irritated areas of skin. Rinse off with warm water.

Après – Scrub Skin Oil

This is a light, simple oil that nourishes freshly scrubbed skin. Vanilla is a sensual fragrance that balances mood and relaxes.

• 1 cup jojoba oil
• 2 whole vanilla beans

What To Do

Start with a sterilized glass bottle.

• Slice vanilla beans lengthwise, scrape out the center mush, and place it in the bottle.
• Pour oil over the vanilla to cover completely.
• Place lid on the bottle and shake to mix well.
• Store in a cool, dark place for up to two months (shake every couple weeks).
• When vanilla aroma is intense, it is ready. Strain the oil through a mesh filter to remove bean remnants, and rebottle.
• If desired, add another whole vanilla bean to the finished bottle to add additional fragrance.

Editors Note: This article is an excerpt from The Herb Lover’s Spa Book by Sue Goetz. You can order this book online from St. Lynn’s Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other sites.

It’s a no-brainer that one of the prerequisites to a healthy and smooth pregnancy is a wholesome diet. To contribute to the holistic development of the little one in your womb, you must ensure that your food choices are rich in essential nutrients. A poor diet during pregnancy can lead to fatal issues such as abnormal brain development, increased risk for obesity, heart diseases, and diabetes, among many other health problems in your baby. In the midst of battling  your food cravings and aversions, it is also important that certain health-boosting superfoods find a permanent place in your daily diet. These nutrient-rich powerhouses don’t just help enhance your overall wellbeing, they also support your baby’s growth. Here are six superfoods that must form a part of your pregnancy diet chart:

1. Broccoli –Preparing a nutritious salad for supper? Don’t forget to add broccoli to it! This delightful vegetable is one of the best pregnancy superfoods that houses numerous nutrients like folic acid, calcium, iron and vitamin C – all of which contribute to a healthy pregnancy. Foods rich in folic acid are essential for all expectant mothers as they reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus. Calcium contributes to the development of the baby’s healthy bones while iron ensures proper oxygen supply to the fetus. Vitamin C helps lower the risk of pre-eclampsia reports a study conducted by BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
2. Avocado –Looking for the perfect sandwich spread that offers a blend of great taste and good health? Guacamole is just what you need! Avocados contain heart-healthy omega-3 fats that aid the development of the fetal brain. They are also high in fiber, folic acid, vitamins K, C, B6, and potassium. During pregnancy as your gastrointestinal tract slows down, you face an increased risk of developing indigestion and hemorrhoids. Fiber helps prevent these problems. Vitamin K helps in healthy blood clotting and your baby’s bone development. Vitamin B6 provides relief from the symptoms of pregnancy nausea and vomiting.
3. Salmon –If you are a fish lover, salmon is the variety you should be indulging in! A study conducted by the American Journal of Nutrition found that pregnant women who eat oily fish like salmon twice a week increase the status of EPA and DHA in their fetus. This helps reduce the risk of poor visual and neural development in the baby. It is important to remember, however, that some fish such as lobster, oyster, prawns, shrimps, mussels, and crabs may contain harmful bacteria. If not cooked well, they can lead to food poisoning and even miscarriage.
4. Berries –These antioxidant-packed fruits add a lot more than delightful flavor to your morning cereal! They also make it a lot more nutritive. Berries are rich in potassium that aids blood pressure control, lowering the risk of pre-eclampsia that can lead to life-threatening complications concerning the brain, kidney, and liver. The antioxidants contained in berries help improve immunity and fight infections. Berries also contain vitamin C, calcium, folate, and fiber.
5. Chia Seeds –Sprinkling chia seeds on your daily salad and smoothie can remarkably amp up their salutary benefits. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fats that help reduce the symptoms of pregnancy depression. They also help lower sugar absorption, thus preventing blood sugar spikes. They are good sources of energy-giving carbs, too.
6. Eggs –You must sure know that eggs are a great source of protein – the building blocks of body cells, both for you and your baby. It also contains a micronutrient called choline that contributes to the fetus’ brain and cell development. Eggs are even rich in iron and omega-3 fats that are both beneficial to you and your baby.

You must note that your healthy food choices during pregnancy will also determine your baby’s food preferences in future, apart from contributing to his good health. Along with enriching your pregnancy diet with these delightful and healthy foods, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep yourself well hydrated and to boost your energy levels. Take good care of yourself and the soon-to-arrive angel.

Sources:

• Intake of vitamin C and E in pregnancy and risk of pre-eclampsia: prospective study among 57 346 women. – Pub Med
• 13 Preventive Measures To Avoid Food Poisoning During Pregnancy – Mom Junction
• Does a woman’s diet during pregnancy influence her baby’s food preferences? – The Glow

California lawmakers have proposed another bill regarding vaccines, a bill (SB 792) that requires every adult employed by a daycare center, preschool, or home daycare center to be immunized.

In its first form, the SB 792 specified immunizations for influenza, measles, and pertussis (whooping cough). The current version mandates every scheduled shot on the CDC Adult vaccination schedule, with the exception of the HPV vaccine and the flu shot. The HPV vaccine is not required, the flu vaccine is optional.

The 2015 recommended immunization schedule for adults is as follows:

1. Flu (Influenza)
   1. Annual
2. Td/Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
   1. One dose as an adult with booster TD (tetanus) shots every 10 years.
   2. It specifically states that you should schedule this shot during your 3^rd trimester of pregnancy to protect your baby from whooping cough.
3. Shingles (Zoster)
   60. At age 60.
4. Pneumococcal – one or both – ask your healthcare professional
   65. PCV13 – one dose between 19 and 65, one dose at 65.
   66. PPSV23 – one or two doses between 19 and 65, one dose at 65.
5. Meningococcal
   1. One or more doses – ask your healthcare professional
6. HiB (Haemophilus influenza type b)
   1. One or 3 doses- ask your healthcare professional

If you did not receive the MMR, HPV, and Chicken Pox vaccinations as a child, the following recommendations apply unless your health records show you contracted the diseases. Due to the fact the MMR is a combined vaccine, you would have to prove you contracted all three: measles, mumps, and rubella. A blood test can also confirm immunity, though this is not mentioned in the CDCs adult vaccination schedule.

7. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
   1. One or two doses between 19 and mid 50s
   2. The MMR is not to be given during pregnancy.
8. HPV (Human papillomavirus)
   1. Women – 3 doses between the age of 19-26
   2. Men – 3 doses between 19-21 and 3 doses between 22-26
9. Chicken Pox
   1. Two doses

The number of doses, as shown, for many of these vaccines is to be determined by the health care professional. Other than the flu shot, adults who work in day care will be forced to follow the adult immunization schedule or be fired from their jobs.

Possible Results of forced vaccination

Vaccination shedding from the MMR and the chicken pox vaccine will expose others (including the children in their care) to measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox. In addition, vaccines may result in illness, neurological damage (which may be lifelong), or death, yet childcare workers will not be given the choice to take that risk if they want to retain their jobs. Childcare workers will lose their personal freedom as well as their religious freedom while being forced to take a health risk for vaccines that are not 100% effective.

Mainstream media, which is for all intents and purposes a mouthpiece for Big Pharma (their biggest client for advertising sales) continues to report the party line, “Vaccines are safe and effective.” But the United States Government has paid out more than 3 billion dollars to vaccine victims.

According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System more than 30,000 vaccine related injuries are reported each year, and 707 American citizens have died due to vaccines (not counting an untold number of SIDS deaths that be connected) since 2000.

And finally, we are told to place our trust in the pharmaceutical companies who make these vaccinations – these same companies who have paid $19.2 billion dollars in fines for criminal and civil cases of fraud in the last 5 years. Merck is currently facing new charges of fraud for falsifying data in order to meet the efficacy rate for a vaccine.

Other than drafting citizens into the military, there is no other situation in which our government forces its citizens to risk their life or their health. We can only hope these bills do not pass. Vaccination should remain a choice, both for adults and for their children.

Sources:

• BILL NUMBER: SB 792 – Ca.gov
• California Chiropractic Association’s Talking Points – arguments against SB 277
• California Wants to be First State to Classify Unvaccinated Adults who Work with Children as Criminals – Health Impact News
• SB-792 Day care facilities: immunizations: exemptions – California Legislative Information
• No on SB 792 – California Coalition for Vaccine Choice

In a nutshell, dietary supplements help us get all the necessary nutrients needed for building lean muscle mass. When combined with a good diet, they can improve your training performance and results. However, there are some big truths and even bigger lies about supplements. While experts agree that vitamin or mineral supplementation is beneficial in our diets, they also point out that they are supplements, not replacements, and that they should fill in the nutrient gaps, not take over our diet.

Secondly, supplements are of little use if you don’t push hard in the gym. The same goes if you are feasting and overeating three times a day. In other words, you should make everything else right before supplements enter the scene. This includes regular training, proper diet, and enough recovery period and sleep.

Dietary Supplements, Supplement Food

Dietary supplements are not designed as a substitute for food. They simply cannot replace all the nutrients that whole foods contain. They can patch nutrient holes here and there, but the true power lies on the plate, not in the powder. There’s no doubt that whole foods are the best source of nutrients, as they contain phytochemicals, fibers, and other elements that contribute to good health. They simply cannot be simulated with a pill or a supplement powder.

Supplements and Health

Supplementation is a great way of boosting nutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, which modern lifestyle and popular foods often fail to contain. In this case, vitamin and mineral supplements are helping the body alleviate nutrient deficiency and reduce the risk of chronic medical conditions. And while it’s true that you can build a good body based on proper diet like guys did back in the 50, it’s much more time consuming, and it requires regular tours to the supermarket. For bodybuilders, supplements are the more convenient way of ingesting enough muscle-building nutrients.

Fibers

Fiber has many advantages in maintaining normal cholesterol levels. It regulates the amount of cholesterol our body absorbs from food. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes are natural sources of fiber. And while, as always, it’s better to ingest fibers directly from food, you can enhance fiber intake by 25 to 30g of fibers from supplements. Psyllium husk, which is a common ingredient in fiber supplements, is known to reduce the level of bad LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL cholesterol.

Creatine

The role of creatine monohydrate supplements is to boost the creatine level in you muscle tissue. The level of creatine phosphate in muscles is directly related to the amount of weight you can lift and your ability to perform short-term maximum strength reps. High-intensity anaerobic workout performance can be increased by creatine supplementation.

Glutamine

This amino acid makes up over 61% of your skeletal muscle. Its benefits include improving immune function, which is crucial for athletes in high-intensity training. It was also shown that glutamine may prevent muscle catabolism. Glutamine supplements are believed to boost the amount of growth hormone levels.

BCAA

The group of branch chained amino acids consists of valine, leucine, and iso-leucine. These amino acids are compounds that your body cannot generate, so their level must be increased through diet and supplements like casein protein. Not only has BCAA supplementation shown better results in gaining strength and muscle mass, but it is also essential for energy production during workouts, while reducing post-exercise muscle soreness.

Editor’s Note:

Creatine is hard on the kidneys. There’s much debate about this, but it’s a fact. This is why creatine is known to cause flatulence. Do not take creatine if you have any kidney related health issues. Other supplements commonly taken by body builders are typically acidic and toxic to the body, but the supplements mentioned above can be purchased from qaulity companies. I recommend you avoid bodybuilding supplements from body building companies.

Also, when body building, be sure to eat an alkaline diet. No matter how much protein you feel you need, if you’re eating an acidic diet full of refined foods and factory farmed meats, your body will stay sore longer. Speed up recovery time by eating a diet that is balanced with lots of produce and healthy fats. When the body is healthy, bodybuilding is easier and much more beneficial for overall health.

Recommended Supplements:

• Shillington’s Total Nutrition Formula (Perfect source of protein with vitamins and minerals)
• Hemp Protein & Fiber Powder (Additional protein and a great fiber)
• Arctic Cod Liver Oil (Get some vitamin D and omega 3s for better muscle recovery)
• Liquid Light (Mineralize the body and balance the pH while supporting vitamin bioavailability)
• Bio-Gest (For anyone eating large amounts of meat at a time)

Further Reading:

• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Total Nutrition – Make your own Homemade Multivitamin and Mineral Formula
• The Vegan Bodybuilder
• What to Expect When You Hire a Personal Trainer
• Training and Your Heart Rate

Sources:

• Casein Protein Powder – Supplement Empire
• Branched-chain amino acid supplementation does not enhance athletic performance but affects muscle recovery and the immune system  – NCBI
• Health Benefits of Dietary Fiber – NCBI

Guess what? The nice folks charged with taking care of everyone have finally decided we were getting too much fluoride. The U.S. Public Health Service changed our drinking water standards for the first time since 1962.

The previously agreed upon level of fluoride was 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, the amount of fluoride found in a single use of 95% of the toothpastes available on the market in the United States.

Is Fluoride Even Necessary?

Advocates claim that the addition of fluoride to the water supply is the reason for the decline in tooth decay since the 1950s. These same advocates ignore the fact that the same decline in decay rates occurred in all western countries. The majority of European countries that do not use fluoride have seen a 75% reduction in tooth decay over a forty-year period.

Fluoride’s Unsafe History

Where does fluoride come from? Before fluorine gas (the element that fluoride is derived from) was isolated, chemists dealing with it suffered from severe injuries, especially to the soft tissues of the respiratory tract. Manmade fluoride comes from industrial waste, and the FDA hasn’t carefully assessed it.

Forty percent of 12-15-year-olds in America show signs of fluorosis, an overexposure to fluoride that causes white spots on teeth. The deputy surgeon general is citing fluorosis as the main reason for the lowering of the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water. Unfortunately, that’s not the only reason to reduce and eliminate fluoride in our drinking water.

Harvard scientists decided that the effect of fluoride on the young brain was a high priority topic of study, as several studies have found children’s IQs were reduced by fluoride exposure. It has also been linked to damaged learning and memory centers in the brain.

Fluoride is also toxic for bones, as the chronic ingestion of fluoride has been linked to skeletal fluorosis. It’s clear that the rate of dental damage from fluoride is on the rise, and it makes sense that the same damage is occurring in the skeletal system. There have also been links between fluoride and damage to the kidneys and thyroid.

Say No to Fluoride

With the growing tide of research confirming that fluoride is harming the brain and bones as well as the teeth it’s purportedly designed to help, 0.7 of fluoride per liter of water as the new standard still seems high considering it’s merely the low end of the previous recommendation. The fact that it has taken more than 50 years for the Public Health Service to lower the levels of fluoride in our water in the face of damning evidence shows how unwilling our government is to consider current research.

While the lowering of the recommended amount of fluoride is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. There are things that you can do to take care of and protect yourself even further. Learn about the best water to drink (see links 8 and 2 below) and learn how to make your own fluoride free toothpaste.

Further Reading:

• What’s the Best Water for Detoxifying and For Drinking?
• Symptoms of Dehydration & Benefits of Proper Hydration – Are you Getting Enough Water?
• Why Water Fluoridation Continues, Despite Flying in the Face of Science
• What’s in Your Water?

Sources:

• Feds Say It’s Time To Cut Back On Fluoride In Drinking Water – Shots, Health News from NPR
• Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Toothpaste Recipes Included – Organic Lifestyle Magazine
• Why Water Fluoridation Continues Despite Flying in the Face of Science – Organic Lifestyle Magazine
• Tooth Decay Trends In Fluoridated Vs. Unfluoridated Countries – Fluoride Alert
• Fluorine – Chemistry Explained
• Fluoride & IQ: The 43 Studies – Fluoride Alert
• What are the long-term effects of ingesting fluoride on our bones? – com
• What’s the Best Water for Detoxifying and Drinking? – Organic Lifestyle Magazine