It can become very overwhelming trying to do everything that is healthy especially when the experts seem to contradict themselves.  Here is a good summary of the plastics, what numbers to avoid, and why.  Visit us at www.HealthandHarmonyllc.com for more ways to have a nontoxic home.

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Step 5: Be Wise With Plastics

Plastics are everywhere and in most cases are very affordable and convenient. But, increasingly scientists are finding that a hidden cost may be our health. Some common plastics release harmful chemicals into our air, foods, and drinks. Maybe you can’t see or taste it, but if you’re serving your dinner on plastic, you’re likely eating a little plastic for dinner.

Beyond the immediate health risks, our increasing use of plastics is causing an enormous amount of enduring pollution. Every bit of plastic that has ever been created still exists (except for the little bit that has been incinerated, which releases toxic chemicals). In the ocean, plastic waste is accumulating in giant gyres of debris where, among other thing, fish are ingesting toxic plastic bits at a rate which will soon make them unsafe to eat.

Plastic is generally toxic to produce, toxic to use, and toxic to dispose of. Luckily, we can all make safer choices.

What to Do

The best thing to do is to reduce your use of plastic. Look for natural alternatives like textiles, solid wood, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, etc. Also, look for items with less (or no) plastic packaging. If you do buy plastic, opt for products you can recycle or re-purpose (e.g. a yogurt tub can be re-used to store crayons). And, get to know your plastics – starting with this guide:

The most common plastics have a resin code in a chasing arrow symbol (often found on the bottom of the product).

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): AVOID
Common Uses: Soda Bottles, Water Bottles, Cooking Oil Bottles
Concerns: Can leach antimony and phthalates.

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): SAFER
Common Uses: Milk Jugs, Plastic Bags, Yogurt Cups

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride, aka Vinyl): AVOID
Common Uses: Condiment Bottles, Cling Wrap, Teething Rings, Toys, Shower Curtains
Concerns: Can leach lead and phthalates among other things. Can also off-gas toxic chemicals.

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): SAFER
Common Uses: Produce Bags, Food Storage Containers

PP (Polypropylene): SAFER
Common Uses: Bottle Caps, Storage Containers, Dishware

PS (Polystyrene, aka Styrofoam): AVOID
Common Uses: Meat Trays, Foam Food Containers & Cups
Concerns: Can leach carcinogenic styrene and estrogenic alkylphenols

Other this is a catch-all category which includes:
PC (Polycarbonate): AVOID - can leach Bisphenol-A (BPA). It also includes ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile), Acrylic, and Polyamide. These plastics can be a safer option because they are typically very durable and resistant to high heat resulting in less leaching. Their drawbacks are that they are not typically recyclable and some need additional safety research. New plant-based, biodegradable plastics like PLA (Polylactic Acid) also fall into the #7 category.

In summary, 7,6,3, and 1 should be avoided.

Safe ones are 2,4, and 5 if plastic needs to be used.

Visit us at www.HealthandHarmonyllc.com for more ways to have a nontoxic home.

The lungs are the respiratory organs that are situated in the thorax of the ribcage and consist of a thin moist membrane that increases its surface area. Therefore, the exchange of oxygen as well as carbon dioxide takes place on one side with air on the other side of the membrane. Lungs are ventilated by respiratory movements using sacs attached to the bronchus via various bronchioles. Lung cancer is an illness that affects the lungs by uncontrolled cell growth that may spread beyond the lung in metastasis form to other body areas. The three main sub-types include: squamous cell lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large-cell lung carcinoma, while small-cell lung carcinoma is less common. These cancers themselves metastasize to the adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bones.

Globally, this cancer is the most common type of death due to cancer in the United States and has caused 1.4 million deaths as of 2004. It is the third most commonly occurring cancer as the highest cancer related mortality in the United States with breast and prostate occurring more frequently. Less that 15% of these cancers are caught in the early stages, which make fighting against the disease more difficult.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

•   Shortness of breath including wheezing and a hoarse voice
•   Chest pain or pain in the abdomen
•   Chronic coughing, coughing up blood, or change in coughing pattern
•   Weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite as well as difficulty swallowing

In the United States, smoking accounts for 87% of cancer cases, with 90% in men and 85% in women. Regular smoking habits are a major factor leading to lung cancer in patients. Additionally, exposure to repetitive secondhand smoke is of equal cause to smoking as a factor towards lung cancer. However, it can be attributed to various other factors as well including: radon gas, asbestos, air pollution, and genetics.

Among the major causes of lung cancer, cigarette smoking in particular accounts for a large percentage, about 85%, of those who are affected by the disease. 20,000-30,000 people are diagnosed with this cancer each year. Surprisingly, about 10-15% of these patients have never smoked in their lives, thus, suggesting that passive secondhand smoke has highly affected their ability to get cancer.

Furthermore, the other 15% may have cancer from environmental exposures, heredity or other unknown causes. Another factor is exposure to radon gas, which is a colorless, odorless gas that comes from the breakdown of radium from uranium in the earth's crust. Exposure to radon is the second largest attribution to lung cancer behind smoking, which accounts for 50% of increased lung cancer risk. Asbestos also accounts for a large amount of lung cancers with a synergistic affect between smoking and asbestos apparent in this disease.

Airborne pathogens from air pollution and genetics also play a role in lung cancer with a percentage of people being affected by these two factors. Studies created by the American Cancer Society suggest particulate matter as linked to lung cancer, with even a slight increase in airborne matter by 1% leading to an increase of cancer by 14%. Additional factors involve unhealthy dietary choices, which increase this cancer risk by 30%, and viruses.

The first step in lung cancer detection involves a chest radiograph, which determines an obvious mass in the lungs. However, if there is no detection in a radiograph a CT guided biopsy or bronchoscopy will provide the information needed to determine this form of cancer. Abnormal conclusions in cells suggest an increased risk in cancer. Positron emission tomography can also be used to determine whether the disease is available to be operated on or not. Radiotherapy is another method of helping those with non small-cell carcinoma that aren't available to be operated on where a high dose of radiotherapy is given for a small period of time. Several types of chemotherapy, radiology, and palliative care dependent upon the cancer type are available for treatment options if surgery or radiotherapy is not an option.

Also, the earliest detection method possible will help to deter lung cancer, however, as suggested lung cancer is detected in later stages. The problem of not having a proven tool to detect lung cancer in high risk populations has made patient recovery difficult. A recent research study performed by The National Lung Screening Trial team was published by The New England Journal of Medicine that proved benefit of early low dose Chest CT scan screening for a specific high risk population. A multidisciplinary approach is the best way to ensure the right care for patients with several specialists in areas of the body affected by lung cancer. 

--- Written By Stella of Peoria

Barb Lulay, an Education Health Specialist and owner of Health and Harmony, focuses on reducing an individual's risk of cancer. Barb has helped hundreds of people reduce their risk of becoming the next cancer statistic. Start reducing your risk now by using a phenomenal, yet simple system, that not only reduce your risk of cancer but also enjoy the benefits of anti aging. To request a free report, simply visit Reduce Cancer Now.

As you know, we have been actively asking for reviews of our business so we can improve it even more.  Why?  For you!  That's right, Dick and I want to take our business to the next level so we can help YOU reduce your risk of minor and major illnesses just like we have been able to successfully do with our family.  Who knows where I'd be, our children, our family or even many of our associates without the ExtremeHealthMakeovers plan.  And, quite honestly, I don't want to think about it.  My heart was broken when I read this review...Not because it was bad.  On the contrary, it was very flattering. But because I wasn't able to talk with her 40 year old friend and help her find a safer lifestyle. 

As you probably also know, my family is by far my #1 passion.  What you may not know is that my #2 passion is helping others.  Because of this young 40 year old battling cancer, friends and family also battling cancer and other major illnesses, I have decided to go back to educating through a Healthy Home party.  These can be held online or in person.  In the past month, we have lost many friends from vicious diseases and numerous more have been battling tramatic illnesses.  It is my persoanl passion to stop this snowball action and help reduce these risk by teaching proven, effective ways to improve our health so each one of us can enjoy life to the fullest.  Do you have about an hour to change the rest of your life or a loved ones life?  If so, call me or email me to schedule an appointment.