Healthy happy you.
It's a grimy world out there, but are we fighting bacteria too hard? According to a new study, overuse of antibacterial products can hurt the immune system. Researchers compared triclosan and BPA antibody levels to allergies or hay fever cases in a sample of US adults and children over age six. Children and teens overexposed to triclosan, an ingredient found in many antibacterial products, were Read more
Not too long ago, the Canadian Medical Association proposed a ban on triclosan, an ingredient found in many antibacterial products that is used to stop the growth of bacteria. Now, the FDA has issued a consumer update, acknowledging that safety concerns over the ingredient warranted a review. The report acknowledges that triclosan is not known to be a hazard to humans, but following new Read more
With cold and flu and swine flu season upon us, it's imperative to get into the healthy habit of washing your hands. But this everyday activity has plenty of facts and fiction tied to it. Do you know your hand-washing facts? Take my quiz and see if you clean up. Take the Quiz Read more
Antibacterial products are everywhere right now, thanks to continuing swine-flu fears. But earlier research indicates that antibacterial products containing triclosan aren't any better at killing bacteria than regular soap. Now, the Canadian Medical Association is proposing a ban on antibacterial products on the grounds that they actually promote more bacteria. The culprit? Triclosan, the active Read more
We all know that washing our hands is an important part of staying healthy on a daily basis. Many of us scrub with antibacterial soaps assuming that they are better at killing our microbial enemies, but those antibacterial soaps are no better than regular soap at killing germs. New research shows that soaps containing the active ingredient triclosan at concentrations commonly seen in Read more
It's hard enough to keep a home clean and toxin free, but what about trips to the park, playground, and any other place kids and germs congregate? Parents can't scrub down every public surface kids come in contact with (though some will try), but there are simple ways to mitigate the overwhelming ick factor when a child picks up a partially decomposed sandwich or drops a pacifier in a puddle. So Read more
When buying products, reading labels may be one of the best ways to figure out if something contains chemicals that you'd rather not be exposed to. But a study released today found chemicals that may increase your risk of developing cancer or disrupt reproduction in many products, and many of those chemicals weren't listed on product labels. The study, partly funded by the US Centers for Disease Read more
Presidents' Day is arguably one of the best shopping days of the year. In fact, data from Shop It to Me, a site that sends personalized sales alerts to shoppers, revealed that Presidents' Day deals average better holiday discounts than on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Here are a couple to look out for: J. Crew: 20 percent off online orders of at least $150 with the code FABFEB. Offer ends Feb. Read more
If you're a big believer in antibacterial cleansers, the clearer skin you're seeing may just be from the placebo effect — and it could also be bad for your health. In light of recent health and safety questions about triclosan, the ingredient that gives most cleansers their antimicrobial properties, the FDA is now concerned it may be an endocrine disruptor. This news comes on the heels of a Read more
There's no bigger germ catcher than children. On the playground, at a restaurant, or simply playing with friends, tots have a way of picking up germs wherever they go. We can keep them locked up inside in hopes of protecting them during cold and flu season, but that really isn't very practical. Rather, consider a few small changes to your daily routine to help protect them during the height of Read more
