Tag Archives: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Earth Day 2013

Posted by Healthy Wealthy Help in Healthy Living and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

 

A Few Simple Tips for Earth Day…And Everyday!

 

celebrate-earth-daySwitch to non-toxic household cleaners

Indoor air is two to five times as polluted as the outdoors (per the EPA). Chemicals in household cleaners contribute to this and have been linked to asthma, allergies, cancer, and other health problems. Non-toxic alternatives are found at natural food stores and, increasingly, at regular supermarkets. Read the labels and be sure you understand the ingredients. Prices are now about the same or a little higher than conventional brands.

Use less gas and save money when driving

  • Use the air conditioner in your car as little as possible, because it uses a lot of gas. Roll down the windows and get some fresh air!
  • Using cruise control can save gas. If you drive on the open road often, staying at a constant speed will save fuel.
  • Try to drive while traffic is light. Plan to stop for meals at times when traffic is heavy.

Use and dispose of your electronics wisely

Donate rather than throw away a working computer and upgrade when possible rather than buying a new computer. Buy from companies that take life-cycle and environmental impacts into account when designing. Discard old, non-working electronic goods responsibly–take them back to the store or to a collective waste collection point like the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling event of the Department of Public Works, Office of Recycling (dpw.dc.gov).

Living for today AND for tomorrow

Use your consumer buying power: Choose eco-designed products that consume less energy and support companies with acceptable environmental policies. Choose sturdy, quality products that can be repaired rather than replaced. Choose materials and products that are made locally or regionally. Always ask yourself if you need to purchase the item, bearing in mind that the urge to spend encourages companies to develop increasingly competitive means of production that take more out of the Earth’s natural resources.

Feed the world without starving the Earth

Use your consumer purchasing power to support small/local farmers that has traveled short distances and consider the environmental (and human health) impacts of meat consumption:  55-77 pounds of cereals and 26,400 gallons of water are needed to produce 1 kg of red meat. Buy produce in season, and when possible, buy organic products devoid of chemicals harmful to the environment and to you. When making purchases, choose products with minimal packaging.

Join a discussion group

Talking with our neighbors, friends or coworkers can have a tremendous impact on our desire and ability to take action. Support, accountability and enhanced community are all benefits of being in a discussion circle. Discussion guides on global warming, sustainability, raising healthy children, simple living and more are available. Borrowing copies of these publications make the discussion group low- or no-cost.

Encourage our youth

Children and youth have special opportunities to learn about their planet, and be the makers of tomorrow’s future. Refer them to UNEP’s online “Tunza” magazine, where ideas, initiatives and campaigns are shared with friends, teachers and family across the globe  Sponsor youth activities with an environmental theme in your community and in schools.

The Fishy Facts

Posted by Healthy Wealthy Help in Nutritional Supplements and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Are you considering adding a fish oil supplement to your diet?

Here are some of the facts: According to the Centers for Disease Control and the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease—specifically coronary artery disease—is still the number one cause of death of men and women in the United States. And while it was once considered a man’s disease, today more women than men die from heart disease. And unfortunately, at least 100 million Americans have one or more risk factors for heart disease. To reduce the risk of heart disease, the AHA recommends eating two servings of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids each week. But most Americans eat fish only three times per month or less. Moreover, there are growing concerns about unsafe levels of contaminants such as mercury and lead that are now commonly found in many fish.

Did You Know:

Over 4,500 research studies on omega-3 fatty acids’ effects on overall health have been conducted in the last 25 years.

  •  The average American intake of EPA and DHA is only 0.1 to 0.2 g/day, even though the American Heart Association recommends at least two fish meals per week to provide an intake of about 0.3 to 0.5 g/day of EPA and DHA.
  •  Most American diets provide more than ten times as much omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids, even though there is general scientific agreement that individuals should consume more omega-3 and less omega-6 fatty acids to promote good health.
  •  Research shows that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids promote cardiovascular health and help retain normal blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
  •  According to the AHA, certain types of fish may contain high levels of mercury, PCBs, dioxins, and other environmental contaminants. Generally, older and larger fish contain higher levels of contaminants.

The following is taken from an article by Dr. Andrew Weil:

New research from England suggests that fish oil may help slow the progression of osteoarthritis – the “wear and tear” version of arthritis that often is an unwelcome feature of getting older. In fact, based on their study in guinea pigs, the investigators from Britain’s University of Bristol say that fish oil may help to prevent arthritis from occurring in the first place. The study team fed omega-3 rich diets to guinea pigs that have a genetic pre-disposition to develop osteoarthritis and found that compared to a control group of animals eating a standard guinea pig diet, the fish oil diet reduced incidence of the disease by 50 percent. Positive effects of the diet included a reduction of the degradation of collagen in cartilage and better retention of the molecules that give cartilage its shock-absorbing properties. Evidence also indicated that omega-3 influences the biochemistry of arthritis and as a result can help prevent osteoarthritis and slow progression where it has already occurred. The study was published in the September 2011, issue of the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.

OmegaGuard delivers a full spectrum of ultra-pure, pharmaceutical grade omega-3 fatty acids, which studies show help support healthy heart, joint, and brain function. It is made with a proprietary multistep molecular distillation process for the utmost purity and potency. OmegaGuard contains all seven omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, which studies show help: reduce the risk of heart disease, retain healthy triglyceride levels, maintain normal blood pressure, and support brain, eye and joint health.

Shaklee Omega Guard contains natural fish oil derived from small, cold water fish. it contains more EPA and DHA than other selected brands, contains no cholesterol, and comes in a small size for easy swallowing. To ensure purity and potency, the fish oil in OmegaGuard undergoes a multi step molecular distillation process, which: Concentrates and refines the omega-3 fatty acids, Removes lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, dioxins, and PCBs, and other contaminants, reduces oxidation and formation of trans fats, and minimizes odor and fishy aftertaste.

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