Breast cancer reality check: Toxic chemicals in cosmetics may be the biggest cause

by Mark Rubi

It’s time for a breast cancer reality check: Despite all the hype about obesity, toxic chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products may be the biggest cause. As everyone in America seems to know, even the National Football League, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Even if an average guy had not noticed the hundreds, if not thousands, of articles devoted to breast cancer in the last week or so, watching NFL football this past weekend would surely have cured him of his ignorance. Football fields all across the nation were adorned not only with “pink ribbon” logos, but players and officials were wearing a variety of pink wrist bands, shoes, and gloves to show the NFL’s support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The reason that a reality check is needed is that many of the articles seem to place the blame for breast cancer primarily on obesity, as if a major new discovery had been made. In fact, no such new discovery has been made about obesity alone being a causing agent for breast cancer, particularly breast cancer for pre-menopausal women.

Those studying breast cancer have long tried to place the blame for this unfortunate disease at the door of obesity. By doing so, they can blame the victims, even though the causes for obesity, at least to the extreme currently plaguing America, are neither well known nor understood. The most commonly repeated mantra in the health care community is that obesity is nearly completely self-imposed, despite growing evidence to the contrary. Environmental factors such as food and water toxins, cellular level food hypersensitivites, and even a virus are all routinely dismissed because it easier to blame the victims for the pollution which now makes it necessary for millions of Americans to choose to drink bottled water.

Read more…

Raise Your Cup to White Tea

White Tea Could Keep You Healthy And Looking Young

Next time you’re making a cuppa, new research shows it might be wise to opt for a white tea if you want to reduce your risk of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or even just age-associated wrinkles. Researchers from Kingston University teamed up with Neal’s Yard Remedies to test the health properties of 21 plant and herb extracts. They discovered all of the plants tested had some potential benefits, but were intrigued to find white tea considerably outperformed all of them.

Professor Declan Naughton, from the School of Life Sciences at Kingston University in South West London, said the research showed white tea had anti-aging potential and high levels of anti-oxidants which could prevent cancer and heart disease. “We’ve carried out tests to identify plant extracts that protected the structural proteins of the skin, specifically elastin and collagen,” he explained. “Elastin supports the body’s natural elasticity which helps lungs, arteries, ligaments and skin to function. It also helps body tissue to repair when you suffer wounds and stops skin from sagging.” Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues in the body and is important for skin, strength and elasticity, he added.

Results showed white tea prevented the activities of the enzymes which breakdown elastin and collagen which can lead to wrinkles that accompany aging. These enzymes, along with oxidants, are associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Naughton said: “These enzymes and oxidants are key components of normal body processes. However, in inflammatory conditions, suppressing the activities of these excess components has been the subject of decades of research. We were surprised to find such high activity for the white tea extracts in all five tests that were conducted.”

The researchers were blown away by exactly how well the white tea had performed. “We were testing very small amounts far less than you would find in a drink,” Professor Naughton, one of the country’s leading specialists on inflammation, said. “The early indicators are that white tea reduces the risk of inflammation which is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers as well as wrinkles.”

Eight of the other plants and herbs analyzed also helped protect against the breakdown of both elastin and collagen. After white tea, bladderwrack performed well followed by extracts of cleavers, rose, green tea, angelica, anise and pomegranate.

Dr Pauline Hili, Technical Director for Neal’s Yard Remedies, said: “We are really excited by this research as it helps us to remain innovative and at the cutting edge of natural skin care. Celebrating the plants used in the Neal’s Yard Remedies products and understanding their specific actions on the skin is what it is all about. The Kingston University research program helps us to create safe, highly effective and cutting-edge products so it’s an ideal partnership for us.”

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At bluebasins we’ve created a Green Tea Tree Oil soap. Have a look.

Papaya facial mask

This fabulous fruit, the papaya offers anti-oxidants, rich in essential fruit enzymes, large quantities of carotene, vitamin C and A. For skin care it has both preventative and restorative properties. Papaya is also an excellent aid to helping with skin disorders such as acne.

Papaya provides a “natural” face lift while brining about a wonderful, natural and rejuvenating glow to the skin

Papaya facial mask

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ripe papaya, skinned and seeded
• 1 beaten egg white
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Preparation:

Simply mix all the ingredients together. Carefully, so you don’t touch the eye area, apply the mask on the face and leave on for 20 minutes.Rinse well and pat dry.

Use Cucumbers for Puffy Eyes

Did you know that cucumbers contain a highly beneficial ingredient that when place on your swollen eyelids, puffy eyes and eye bags reduces that swollen look.

To use: Easy. Simply cut thin slices and place them over your eyelids, then sit back and relax for a few minutes while it works it’s magic.

Another good vegetable secret which helps to lighten dark under eye circles are potatoes.  Wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to eyes dark circles for 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Basic Natural Skin Care Methods

Some basic skin care natural methods can be adopted to maintain healthy skin tone.

Sleep well – a proper sleep pattern is one of the best ways to maintain good and healthy skin. A well rested person appears healthier.

Always use a sunscreen.

Clean face thoroughly – the face should be cleaned thoroughly since the skin of the face is usually oilier than the rest of the body. The pores of the face thus get clogged easily with dirt and cause pimples or acne. Cleaning the face regularly with a mild natural soap helps to prevent these conditions.

Moisturize often – especially if during pregnancy as it helps to keep moisturizing it often.

Women with oily skin could use a water-based moisturizer while those with dry skin can use an oil-based facial moisturizer. It is always necessary to follow a cleaning and moisturizing routine for healthy skin.

Get a facial massage/facial steam – facial and body massage with mild and fragrant oils may help to relax apart from increasing blood circulation to the area.

Drink plenty of water – the water balance in the body should be maintained. This also affects the tone of the skin. Water cleanses the skin and removes the toxins from the body.

Smile and remain happy – the age old belief that smiling exercises more muscles of the face than a frown may also help. Happiness increases the blood flow inside the body and, thus, reflects in the form of a healthy and glowing skin.

Check out all of bluebasins bath and body’s natural skin products.