Hidden Dangers in Household Items

People often ask me about pesticides, hormones, and chemicals in our food, but often forget to think about what we prepare our meals with. After many years of research and trying different items to cook and store our food in, I believe I have found the most up to date information for our followers to consider here on FountainOfYouthtv.

Why the concern?

As we hear more and more people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, a great deal of research is taking place. One in eight Americans over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s. According to Dr. Neal Barnard, a medical researcher, author, and adjunct professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine, he states that we can prevent up to 70 to 80 percent of cases. Not only will changing our diet to eating mostly vegetables, fruit, beans, nuts, and purified water at each meal reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer’s and other diseases, but getting toxic metals out of our system, as well.

The cookware we use each day are worth looking at as potential health hazards. I would stay away from aluminum, copper, cast iron pans, and ceramic dishware that contain lead. Dr. Barnard reminds us that copper and iron oxidize and rust. Research demonstrates that is what large amounts of those metals are doing in our body. Dr. Barnard writes, “Within the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient, strands of beta-amyloid protein ooze out of the brain cells. It is a bit like sausage coming out of a sausage-maker, and these protein strands collect between the brain cells in microscopic clumps called amyloid plaques. This process appears to be fueled, at least in part, by fatty, cholesterol-laden foods. The more these foods are on your plate and the higher your cholesterol level rises, the more plaques accumulate. And also hiding in those plaques are tiny traces of metals – iron, copper, and aluminum – and these appear to be potentially neurotoxic.” Another reason to eat a plant-based diet is to keep our cholesterol low, cut our unhealthy fats, get vitamin E in nuts and seeds, the anthocyanins that give grapes and berries their beautiful color, and the bit of Omega-3 in green vegetables all protect our heart and brain from further damage.

Let’s examine cookware. Years ago, I had a set of nonstick cookware. I found that the coating was made of a chemical called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which itself is made from perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), was chipping away. I started to wonder if that was toxic to our body systems. As more and more people had the same experience, research was conducted to determine if there was in fact health concerns. It turns out that PFOA has been linked to cancer, male infertility, pregnancy difficulties, high cholesterol, and thyroid problems. I have always wondered if this may have been the cause of the three miscarriages I experienced. Please be careful when purchasing nonstick pots, pans, bakeware, and utensils. Even small appliances like toaster ovens may have PTFE-based nonstick coatings.

Dr. Neal Barnard’s image

Aluminum has been linked to bone and brain damage. Some studies have shown it to cause cancer in estrogen receptors in human breast tissue. Watch the use of aluminum in some antacids and baking powder. Try not to drink from aluminum cans. Aluminum Foil, deodorant, cosmetics…the list goes on and on. Look for brands that are aluminum-free. Become a detective; read labels. Cast iron and copper pans leach heavy metals into our system. Yes, we need some iron in our diet to promote red blood cells and copper for normal enzyme function. When taking in too much of these metals, they produce free radicals that damage the brain. Copper is also found in copper pipes. Be sure to run your faucet before using the water from your tap. This may remove some of the copper that settled in the standing water in the pipes. I also installed a whole house water treatment system. It removes most of the metals and dangerous chemicals added to our water. Make sure your multivitamins do not include these metals. Read labels when purchasing food, vitamins, and cookware.

What about plastic containers and water bottles? An industrial chemical called BPA (bisphenol A) used to make certain plastics and resins, which are unsafe to our health. Especially dangerous to our brains, also causing Alzheimer’s Disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic and other sources, BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. These plastics are often used in containers that store food, beverages, water bottles, and even some plastic wrap. Epoxy resins are used to coat the inside of metal products, such as food cans, bottle tops, and water supply lines. Even some dental sealants and composites may also contain BPA. Some research has shown that BPA can leech into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and the prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children. Dr. Michael Greger, a physician, author, and internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues, addresses this by recognizing at least a dozen studies done on this topic. The Journal of the AMA links levels of BPA to heart disease, diabetes, and liver inflammation. Alternatives to plastic containers would be to use glass or stainless steel when storing food and filtered/spring water. When microwaving, clear glass is probably the safest way to go. When buying food, look for cans that are labeled BPA-free. Many companies are now using glass for their products. Love that! You can reuse the glass containers to store leftovers and water in, as well. ☺

Look at the dishes , mugs, and glasses in your cupboard. Check to see if they contain lead and cadmium. Lead leaches calcium from our bones, may cause abdominal pain in adults, and stunt intellectual development in children. No amount of lead ingestion is safe for children and pregnant women. Exposure to cadmium can cause lung damage, kidney disease, cancer, and fragile bones.

Ask retailers or email manufacturers to find out the lead or cadmium content within the product. Read labels as many manufacturers now offer dinnerware made without lead or cadmium. We call this Green Practices!

Recommendations for safe cookware: Stainless steel pots, pans, drinking bottles, and clear glass baking containers are a bit safer than those items mentioned previously. Titanium pots and pans (316 TI surgical stainless steel) is one of the safest metals available and never outgases toxicity according to the many articles I've read. After many years of searching, I do believe I've found the healthiest cookware on the market today. Simax by Kavalierglass (Now available in North America at Amazon) is made in the Czech Republic by the leading European producer of borosilicate glass for over 175 years. Half of their production is the very same glass made for laboratories and chemical industries, where the glass must be absolutely inert to any acids or aggressive solutions making it a non-reactive, lead-free, cadmium-free borosilicate type of glass. This type of glass does not change the flavor of foods and does not leach anything toxic. This high quality and economical multi-purpose glass cookware comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, is safe for stove top, oven, the refrigerator, as serving ware, is dishwasher safe and has a ten year warrenty! I've been using this line of glassware for almost a year now and absolutely love this cookware! Check out our video on my review of the many items I have in my kitchen from Simax!

Recommendations dinnerware: Generally, plain clear glass dishes, glasses, and mugs are considered to be lead-free, however, I haven't found anything that is labeled lead or cadmium free on the market yet. I've contacted Simax in hopes that they will one day add dinnerware to their Simax line of products . Purchase dinnerware from Europe and the USA, as those countries have more stringent health policies to follow.

I’ll continue to update this topic, as research is always on-going. If I locate other safe options for cookware and dinnerware, I will post this on our blog. I hope you found this information thought provoking. With a healthy plant-based diet, removal of as many toxins as possible from my home, food, and personal hygiene products, my aliments have disappeared. Please share your thoughts on this! Love to hear from you!

Love and Peace,

Suz