Page 126 - April Issue

in focus: infant | health & safety

the bloodstream.” Development of the dangers these chemicals the journal Pediatrics in 2008
of the skin barrier continues up pose, they change the scientific revealed the unsettling fact that
to 12 months of age. Until the name. “Such is the case with babies are routinely exposed to
infant is over a year, the organs MSG, which now goes by over toxins in baby products called
responsible for the processing 25 different names!” she says, phthlates. Phthlates are a group
and elimination of toxins, the “The task is not easy and at times of industrial chemicals that can
liver and kidneys, are not yet it feels to me we are playing a cause reproductive damage in
fully formed and functioning. So morbid game of tag, but it is infants and babies. Testing by the
not only does an infant absorb our children’s health that is in Environmental Working Group
more, Sirota points out that they question.” The more we know showed that phthlates can be
are much less capable of getting suggests Sirota, the better found in seventy-five percent
rid of toxins, because their decisions we can make for the of baby products produced by
detoxification organs are not fully health and wellbeing of our big name manufacturers. These
formed. “What’s more, many of families. aren’t products imported from
these toxins are so novel in the China, but brand name baby
history of human evolution, that The Culprits products developed by reputable
no human, infant, child or adult, companies.
has any effective system for easily The first step urges Sirota, is to
flushing these substances from become aware of the ingredients Phthlates
the cells,” she says. you use on your baby. “Go into
investigation mode. Pull out all Phthlates have been shown
Sources of the products you currently to alter sex hormone levels in
use on your baby and throw out the body which could lead to
Sources of Environmental toxic any that contain the following: early puberty and even increase
exposures are too numerous Parabens, 1, 4 dioxane, Sodium the risk of breast and prostate
to count, emphasises Sirota, Laurel Sulfates and Phthalates,” cancer later in life. In addition,
“Currently there are over 80, she says, adding, “Make sure fetuses exposed to phthlates in
0000 disruptors of the endocrine baby bottles are BPA free, utero have a higher risk of birth
system that our children the same with their powdered defects. Because of the ability of
are exposed to and it’s our formula cans. These should also phthlates to disrupt hormones,
responsibility to care and protect state BPA free.” Also limit the they’re also thought to play a
our children.” Sometimes it use of canned goods with your role in metabolic syndrome and
is very difficult when there is children, especially those with obesity. It’s clear that phthlates
no clear or visible danger for a tomato base as cans are lined have the potential to be toxic for
us to identify. That is the case with BPA as a preservative when babies and shouldn’t be allowed
with many of the products we the contents are as acidic as in baby products at any level.
use. In fact, Sirota asserts that tomato. This, instructs Sirota, is a In fact, the European Union has
whenever the chemical industry good start. “When you purchase banned the use of phthlates in
realises the public is able to toys or baby bags make sure children’s toys due to the risk of
identify and stop using a specific they do not contain PVC or Lead, health problems. Surprisingly,
product because we are aware she says. A study published in such well known products as
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and
mother, baby & child April 2011 “Many of these toxins are so novel Baby Magic Lotion contained
in the history of human evolution, these toxins, illustrating that
buying well known, name brand
that no human, infant, child or products offers little protection
adult, has any effective system for or reassurance that it’s non-toxic
for babies.
easily flushing these substances
from the cells.” CREDITS:
Marlene Sirota
CEO
Healthy House Party
www.healthyhouseparty.com

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