Posts Tagged ‘EWG’

Busting Sunscreen Myths: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe in the Sun this Summer

Sun Safety Tips

Did you know that skin cancer is the most common form of all cancers in the United States? Over the last 35 years, the rate at which new melanoma cases emerge has tripled, with 76,500 diagnosed in 2013 alone. Unfortunately, less than 1 in 3 adults frequently use sunscreen and an even smaller percentage frequently seek shade, wear a hat or cover-up with long sleeves. Fortunately, becoming better informed on how to better read product labels, apply sunscreen and use other sun-protective measures, can help equip you in preventing serious skin damage.

Here we debunk 11 common sunscreen myths to help educate you on the best methods for protecting yourself and your family from the sun!

1. All Sunscreens Meet FDA Regulations: FALSE. At least 10% of sunscreen products being sold in the market do not meet industry regulations for protection standards.

2. Higher SPF = Better Protection: FALSE. Although many people may think the higher the SPF the more effective the product, this is not the case. Labels that boast high SPF can tempt one to stay in the sun for far too long, which will result in sunburn. Therefore, it is recommended to stick to an SPF ranging from 15-50.

3. Ingredients In My Sunscreen Aren’t Harmful: FALSE. Even within sunscreens, which are designed to protect you, there are ingredients that have been associated with serious health conditions. Ingredients that are commonly found in sunscreens that you should look to AVOID include:

  • Oxybenzone - Pregnant women and children should especially be cautious of oxybenzone, which is known to be an endocrine disruptor and has been associated with low birth weights. Oxybenzone is present in about 80% of sunscreens on the market so it’s important to keep an eye out for this ingredient. For a safer alternative, look for sunscreens that contain non-nano zinc oxide, a natural mineral that offers safe and effective, broad-spectrum protection.
  • Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) - While some Vitamin A is essential for a healthy pregnancy, excessive amounts can be associated with birth defects. Further, when applied to the skin, it can help accelerate skin damage.
  • Nanoparticles - Nanoparticles are ultra fine particles. You can find these nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in some newer zinc or titanium sunscreen formulations, particularly sprays. Titanium dioxide is classified as a “potential carcinogen” when inhaled in high doses. Therefore at Nine Naturals, we recommend that you use sunscreens which contain ingredients such as zinc oxide instead.

4. All Sunscreens Are Created Equal: FALSE. The safest sunscreens are cream-based sunscreens that use non-nano zinc oxide for broad spectrum protection at an SPF between 15-50 that suits your daily activity needs.

5. You don’t need to reapply sunscreen if it is “water-resistant” or “sweat-resistant”: FALSE. Even when wearing water-resistant and/or sweat-resistant sunscreen, you should always re-apply after being in the water or when sweating.

6. Your scalp is as vulnerable to the sun as the rest of your body: TRUE. In fact, the scalp is often more vulnerable to skin damage because people often neglect to protect their heads when out in the sun. Skin cancers of the scalp are nearly twice as deadly as skin cancers of the legs and arms. So, make sure to wear a hat and get your scalp checked regularly for skin damage.

7. Sunscreen is the only effective way to protect yourself from the sun: FALSE. Seeking shade and using hats and clothing as covers will also help you to effectively avoid UV exposure. By wearing UV sunglasses, you will also be able to help protect your eyes from sun damage.

8. Better application can help prevent skin damage: TRUE. How you apply your sunscreen can drastically affect whether you are properly protected and sun safe or not. Here are our top tips:

  • Apply sunscreen on dry skin 15 minutes prior to sun exposure.
  • The recommended amount for an application is 1 oz. or a shot glass full of sunscreen.
  • Reapply every two hours, at a minimum.
  • Reapplication is also necessary after swimming even if the sunscreen states it is water resistant.

9. Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Is Essential For Proper Protection: TRUE. Recent studies suggest that it is imperative you invest in a “broad-spectrum sunscreen”. Broad-spectrum sunscreens provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays, when they are SPF 15 or higher. This is crucial as it has been found that when used with other sun-protection measures, they can significantly decrease the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, since you are being properly protected.

10. Early Detection Matters: TRUE. In the event that you develop skin cancer, early detection and treatment is almost always curable. Even if you have taken all the appropriate measures to prevent skin damage, it is recommended that you check your skin monthly and schedule regular check-ups with a dermatologist - especially if you have a light complexion and fairer hair.

11. Safer Sunscreen Alternatives Exist: TRUE. Nine Naturals is committed to providing safe, natural alternatives to its customers. Nine Naturals Natural Sunscreen SPF 32 is an all-natural, non-nano zinc oxide broad spectrum protection sunscreen. While protecting your skin from the sun, it also moisturizes with a luxurious formulation containing shea butter and jojoba seed oil. Nine Naturals Natural Sunscreen SPF 32 received the highest safety rating by the Environmental Working Group and is a top rated pick in its 2014 Sunscreen Guide.

Want more information? Read our articles on Natural Sun Protection During Pregnancy & 9 Important Sun (and Sunscreen!) Safety Tips From Nine Naturals.

Things We’ve Read: Week of June 9th

Pregnancy News Nine Naturals Things We've Read

FDA criticized for new advice on eating fish during pregnancy (Boston Globe): Environmental Working Group criticized the FDA’s new dietary recommendation on fish consumption during pregnancy for not being specific enough in identifying fish with rich amounts of brain-boosting omega-3 fats and minimal amounts of mercury.

Premature births impact brain size, maturity, study suggests (Baby Center): New study suggests that being born just a few weeks early may have more impact on brain size and maturity than previously thought.

Facebook Comes Out With Secret ‘Breastfeeding Photo’ Policy (CafeStir): Facebook has finally amended their policy for allowing women to post breastfeeding photos, proclaiming “breastfeeding is natural and beautiful and we’re glad to know that it’s important for mothers to share their experiences with others on Facebook.”

A Baby, Blankets And Imagination Are All You Need To Create Whimsical Nap Time Art (HuffPo): We can’t get enough of these whimsical naptime pictures.

What I Learned on Paternity Leave: I’m Glad to Be Back at Work (NYT): On Dad’s account on being on paternity leave and being the primary care giver.

Avoiding Mercury in Seafood During Pregnancy

Pregnant women might be listening to the wrong advice about safe seafood consumption. The recommendations of the most recent ”Dietary Guidelines for Americans” white paper (created in 2011 by the USDA and Dept. of Health and Human Services) are flawed and out of synch with current mercury levels and even Omega-3 levels in seafood.

In short, these guidelines recommend weekly portions of seafood that put pregnant women and children at risk of mercury toxic exposure.

The Environmental Working Group recently released report that is a must-read for women in their child-bearing years.

Pregnant women and young children face the greatest mercury risks. Even small exposures to mercury in the womb have been shown to inflict subtle but measurable deficits on children’s intelligence and nervous system. While frequent fish eating during pregnancy boosted children’s IQ measurements by about two to six points, high mercury exposure during pregnancy dropped IQ scores by two to six points.

Dietary recommendations are inconsistent with the medical risk associated with seafood toxicity. The FDA/EPA recommended amounts of some foods, like canned tuna, expose children and pregnant women to dangerous amounts of mercury. “Not all seafood is equally rich in Omega-3′s,” the EWG states against the government Guidelines’ indiscriminate support for almost all fish and shellfish as great Omega-3 sources.

Women who are choosing seafood as a means of enriching their family’s nutrition as well as their own might choosing risky, toxic seafood options without the upside of the omega-3s.

Of the 10 most popular seafoods, 8 have very low Omega-3 fatty acid levels (requiring from 20-100 ounces to meet adults’ Omega-3 recommended levels). These included Shrimp, Cod, Canned light tuna, Tilapia and Catfish.

Seafood is not a sustainable source of Omega-3s. The aquamarine ecosystem simply cannot support the recommended amount of seafood. There are options for seafood that contain omega-3s and low levels of mercury. The EWG lists anchovies, herring, mussels, salmon, sardines, shad and trout.

The EWG provides a very helpful list of seafood classified by levels of mercury as well as availability of Omega-3s.

The EWG’s report & recommendations, released last week, come as health organizations prepare to meet next month to plan the 2015 guidelines (these guidelines are released every 5 years). For the 2015 update, the EWG is strongly recommending that the USDA & HHS Guidelines be completely redrawn in order “to help [American] consumers avoid excessive mercury and consume enough omega-3 fatty acids.” In addition, the government should also “investigate non-seafood sources of omega-3′s”, as per EWG’s counsel, since “the oceans do not produce enough seafood to accommodate the planet’s growing population and need for healthy fats.”

Shop Smarter: Buying Organic While Pregnant - Introduction to the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen

Buying organic produce has become an increasingly popular shopping habit of consumers in the recent years. Although, organic produce is priced distinctly higher than their non-organic counterparts, buying organic produce comes with its benefits. By shopping organic, one avoids ingesting pesticides that are found in non-organic produce—the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has estimated that individuals can reduce their exposure to pesticides by 80% by eating organic produce.

Avoiding the consumption of pesticides is important to the health of you and your family. According to laboratory studies conducted by the EPA, long-term exposure to pesticides via consumption can cause birth defects, nerve damage and cancer, depending on the type and amount of pesticide exposures.

To help educate consumers as what to avoid when shopping for non-organic produce, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases the annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticide in Produce detailing produce that contain the highest amount and lowest amount of pesticide residue.

In government tests conducted by the FDA and USDA and analyzed by the EWG, detectable pesticides were found in approximately 67 percent of these foods after being prepped for cooking (washing and peeling). Every year, the EWG uses the government pesticide-testing data to compile a list of the fruits and vegetables with the greatest amount of pesticide residue and the least amount of pesticide data known as the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen.

Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen is a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables most likely to be contaminated with pesticides. When conventionally grown, the fruits and vegetables collected tested positive for over 47 chemicals.

The most contaminated fruits are apples, strawberries, grapes, peaches and imported nectarines.

The most contaminated vegetables are celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, cherry tomatoes and hot peppers.

In addition, the EWG cautions consumers about conventionally grown summer squash and leafy greens.

Clean Fifteen:

On the flipside, here are the Clean Fifteen - the 15 fruits and vegetables possess the lowest amount of pesticides after they had been washed: asparagus, avocado, cabbage, cantaloupe, eggplant, grapefruit, kiwi, mango, mushroom, onion, papaya, pineapple, frozen sweet peas, sweet potatoes.

If you decide to buy non-organic, conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, these are the ones to familiarize yourself with.

Shopping Smarter During Pregnancy

While you want to avoid environmental toxins such as pesticides, the Environmental Working Group emphasizes that the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh pesticide exposures. It is particularly important for pregnant women to eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables to ensure the proper intake of vitamins and nutrients for the healthy development of their babies.

That said, use the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen to help inform your shopping decisions. You can lower your pesticide exposures buy choosing organic alternatives for the 12 fruits and vegetables that comprise the Dirty Dozen. Choose the least contaminated fruits and vegetables by using the Clean Fifteen as a guide.

You can use the labeling on produce at the grocery store to help you determine whether a fruit or vegetable is organic or not. The Price Lookup Code, also known as the PLU, on the produce sticker will tell you how the food was grown.

1. Organic: If the PLU code starts with “9” and is comprised of 5 digits, that means that the produce was grown organically and is not genetically modified (non-GMO). Ex. An organically grown banana has the code 94011.

2. Conventional: If the PLU code is comprised of 4 digits, that means the produce was grown conventionally and with the use of pesticides. Ex. A conventionally grown banana has the code 4011.

3. Genetically Modified: If the PLU code starts with “8” and is comprised of 5 digits, that means the produce is genetically modified. Ex. A genetically engineered banana has the code 84011.

We hope these tips help you to make you a smarter shopper! Here’s to healthy eating and healthy families!