Girls are hitting puberty at an increasingly younger age. A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics found that about 15 percent of girls studied had already begun breast development by age seven. The median age for breast development has dropped from age 10.9 years in 1991 to 9.9 years in 2006.

What makes young girls mature? Hormones. Yet, hormone disruptors are unfortunately all around them. Exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals like flame retardants found on furniture and electronics, phthalates and BPA found in plastics and vinyl, and the herbicide atrazine found on non-organic produce could all be contributing to this early maturation.

Hormone disruptors interfere with normal hormone function. Some of these chemicals have been confirmed in human studies to interfere with male sexual development, but the research in humans is only just beginning. In fact, a recent study has found for the first time that daily exposure to BPAS increased levels of testosterone in the blood of men. Another human study found that BPA may decrease the quality and concentration of sperm in male humans. Hopefully more research will expose the dangers of endocrine disruptors in females, too.

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We’d all like to think we’re safe from harmful pesticides as long as we wash our fruits and veggies really well, but a recent study featured in the journal Pediatrics brings to light just how harmful pesticide exposure can be…especially for our kids.

Funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the study revealed that children exposed to organophosphate pesticides—the most commonly used pesticides in agriculture—are more likely to develop attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More than 1,000 U.S. kids ages 8 to 15 were tested for levels of an organophosphate metabolite (breakdown product) in their urine, and results showed that those with higher concentrations were twice as likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. 

Similarly, previous studies have found that children who were exposed to higher blood concentrations of organophosphates in the womb were more likely to have poor mental and motor development by ages two and three, and that postnatal exposure to organophosphates was associated with memory difficulties and problems with attention, motor tasks, behavior and reaction time. 

Because organophosphates are used on most conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, children especially are at risk due to their age, size and developing bodies, so taking steps to reduce their exposure is one of the most important things parents (including expectant moms) can do today to ensure the health of their little ones.

My advice? Opt for organic foods as often as possible, especially when it comes to the top 12 most contaminated foods, otherwise known as the “Dirty Dozen”. Regular total-body cleansing and specialized liver and kidney detox programs are also helpful for supporting the vital organs and organ systems that help eliminate harmful toxins from the body (also called the Seven Channels of Elimination): the liver, lungs, lymphatic system, kidneys, skin, blood and bowel, or colon.

Again, I’m glad to see this kind of information making into the hands of mainstream medicine. It means people are finally starting to open their eyes about the dangers of our highly toxic modern world, and it sure is a refreshing change!

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Summary:
In this video blog I discuss a recent study published in the journal “Pediatrics” that suggest a very odd way to help children that have eczema. What do they suggest? What are some other options? Tune in and find out…

Full Script:

Can you imagine putting your infant or young child into a bath of bleach water with the raw skin associated with eczema? Well that is exactly what a study published in the journal Pediatrics is suggesting. The bleach, being an antibacterial will help eliminate bacteria on the skin as a result of so much scratching.

Julie Block, of the National Eczema Association says this type of suggestion “will help people learn options that they can do at home to empower themselves”.

Sounds more like a punishment to me.

How about all the studies out there now showing that probiotic supplements can greatly reduce eczema in children. Or how about getting your child tested for food allergies and sensitivities, which play a huge role in the development of eczema.

If your worried about the bacteria try getting a natural anti-bacterial cream from your local health food store. I’m willing to bet it won’t contain bleach!

In the meantime, ReNew Life Formulas has an award-winning line of probiotic supplements for children and adults.

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allergies, bacteria, bleach, Brenda Watson, eczema, national eczema association, pediatrics, Probiotics, sensitivities