If you read the labels of skin care, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial items, cleansers, and scrubs, and looking for a natural skincare, you sometimes see "Paraben-Free" on the label but what exactly does mean?

Parabens: are several distinct chemicals with similar chemical makeup. Several show up in personal care and cosmetic products.
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Parabens show up in personal care products that contain significant amounts of water to keep microbes from showing up in the product. There are amounts that have been established that are considered "acceptable levels". Your exposure is greatly increased when you are using more than one product containing parabens.

Parabens show up on labels as: ethylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben

Methylparaben and Propylparaben are the most common parabens that show up in personal care products.

Scary fact : Nearly every single person will test positive for Parabens in a urine test. Higher amounts of parabens show up in adolescent/adult females than do males of similar ages.

Parabens are not water soluable (able to dissolve in water). So they can be absorbed into the skin. UGH!! Just think, if you are using more than one product with parabens, you are being exposed continuously, in greater concentrations.

Health concerns resulting from parabens exposure:
Endocrine disruption, cancer development, and reproductive toxicity.

Endocrine disruptors, means their ability to mimic estrogen.
Applying skin care products with parabens (especially methylparabens) can lead to UV-induced damage of skin cells and disruption of cell growth rate.

Reproductive toxicity in reference to the Prop and butyl parabens, reduce sperm production which lead to reduced testosterone levels. These effects are dose dependent. A study fount that maternal exposure to butylparabens during gestation and lactation can alter the developmental organs. Propyl and buytl parabens disrupt male reproductive systems and organs. This is consistent with the estrogenic activity noted above.

Exposure to isobutylparaben during gestation can lead to behavioral and anxiety changes in offspring.

In summary, using products labeled PARABEN-FREE, is a way to avoid exposure to parabens. Natural and organic products have found alternative and effective products to prevent the microbial growth in person care products. Some companies make a preservative-free formula these products may have a shorter shelf life.

Looking for paraben free products or preservative free, is more important than you thought,
and another reason to look for natural organic products.

Stay Fabulous
Emma xoxoxo



Sources:
The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX) August 7, 2014
Darbre PD., et a., Paraben esters: review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2008.
Kawaguchi M., et al., Maternal isobutyl-paraben exposure alters anxiety and passive avoidance test performance in adult male rats. Neuroscience Research, vol. 65, no. 2, pp 136-40, 2009.
Ishiwatari S., et al., Effects of methyl paraben on skin keratinocytes. J. Appl. Toxicol, vol 27, pp 1-9, 2007.

​Golden milk is a popular right now (aka Tumeric Lattes) with celebs, and pro athletes.  This is a beverage you can enjoy warmed up or over ice.  
Is this just a cup full of hype and trendiness?
Examining the ingredients, this could be a trend you might want to indulge in.  The ingredients in Golden Milk are:  Unsweetened Almond Milk, fresh or ground turmeric,  coconut oil, fresh grated ginger, honey, cinnamon, and black pepper.

Turmeric has been proven to have some anti-inflammatory properties, and its active ingredient curcumin is a powerful antioxidant.  
Coconut oil is shown to increase the bodies HDL (good cholesterol), helping to convert the LDL (bad cholesterol) into HDL.  By increasing the HDL, promotes a healthy heart and lowers your risk of heart disease.
Ginger contains gingerols, a powerful has powerful anti-inflammatory compounds.  Ginger has been used to treat many different stomach problems.  Haven't you ever had a ginger ale when you have had an upset stomach?
Cinnamon is shown to lower blood sugars, and reduce risk of heart disease.  Honey has many benefits but with the 17grams of carbs per tablespoon, of natural unprocessed sugar that goes directly into the bloodstream.  Plus has some anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties.
Almond milk gives you a boost of calcium, plus vitamin c, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamin E.
Black Pepper is found to be an anti-oxidant can prevent or repair the damage caused by free radicals.  
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The recipe I have been using:
by Cynthis Sass R.D.
 1/2T extra virgin coconut oil.
1/2T  honey
1/2t  ground tumeric (or fresh grated)
1/2t grated ginger 
1/4t cinnamon
1/8t ground black pepper
Add above ingredients to 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk.  Mix ingredients together and warm for 1 min in microwave.  Drink as a warm cup, or pour over ice.

Skip this beverage if you take blood thinning meds, as it can also inhibit blood clotting.

​Been enjoying this beverage 1x/day for approximately 2 months.
Enjoyable drink to naturally ingest some beneficial ingredients instead of taking a supplement.
Also have enjoyed the benefits of anti-inflammatory properties from tumeric, with my hip and knee not getting stiff or sore after workouts!
​Drink up!

Enjoy
Emma xoxox