Tips to Decrease Lead in Your Water and Cosmetics

Posted on April 14, 2016 by bethgil

In my last blog I wrote that I was waiting for my water lead results. Well, my water lead results are in and thankfully I have very little lead in my water sources. I was asked to collect water samples from three different faucets in my home first thing in the morning, after the water had been sitting in the pipes for at least six hours. These water samples were transferred to test containers and sent to a lab for analysis. Water was collected from the kitchen faucet, the bathroom faucet, and the tub faucet.

My drinking water (from the kitchen) contained 1.82 ppb lead. To put this in context, the EPA standard for drinking water = 15 parts per billion (ppb). So way below the EPA standard. The water from the bathroom sink faucet contained no detectable level of lead and the water from the bath tub contained 5.7 ppb lead.

So what do you do if your water tests over 15 ppb? I learned from the inspection company that did the testing that the excess lead is likely coming from the fixture itself, not the pipes. (Lead in fixtures has only very recently been phased out). Therefore let the water run for 5-10 seconds (as per EPA) before you use/drink the water. Or you can replace the fixture with new/no lead type. A good tip!

A source of lead that I did not mention in Part I of this blog article is cosmetics. Did you know that there are no FDA (Food and Drug Administration) standards on how much lead is allowed in cosmetics, only in the color additives?! For cosmetics this is 20 ppm (parts per million). Lead in cosmetics: FDA

In 2008 the State of CA Attorney General’s Office released a position letter about acceptable amounts of lead in lipstick as per Proposition 65. “Accordingly, based on the data we have reviewed, we do not think Proposition 65 actions would be warranted for lipstick with lead levels less than 5 ppm”.

To decrease your lead exposure, use safe cosmetics! Go to EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics data base to rate your lipstick and other cosmetics! Especially your lipstick, as you are very likely to ingest some of it!

Now on to water filters! I have been researching and asking around in my environmental medicine forums. The water filter you pick really has mostly to do with the quality of water where you live and what needs to be filtered out! That aside, here are my top three picks:

Berkey Water Filters for portable water purification or for counter top:
Berkey water filters remove viruses to purification standards, pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites to non detectable levels, and harmful or unwanted chemicals to below detectable levels. Berkey water filters also reduce toxic heavy metals such as lead and mercury without removing the beneficial and nutritional minerals needed to support a healthy body and mind. The only downsides I have heard so far is that that they are a little bulky and you have to watch that you don’t fill the top with more than the bottom can handle. Make sure to also get the fluoride & arsenic filters!

Watts Walter Filters: Counter top reverse osmosis systems that reduce sand, silt, sediment, rust, chloramine, chlorine taste, and odor. Also good for removing flouride! Also offer undercounter water systems that remove Volatile Organic chemicals. Downside to reverse osmosis: The semi-permeable membrane used in reverse osmosis contains tiny pores through which water can flow. These pores are restrictive to bacteria and disease-causing pathogens. However, these pores can also block some naturally occurring minerals in water. Again, it depends on the quality of your water to determine if Reverse Osmosis is a good choice for you.

Aquasana: Offer a variety of water systems that filter chlorine and chloramines, lead, asbestos, giardia, pesticides, herbicides, and Volatile Organic Compounds. Also offer Reverse Osmosis systems.

To test for lead and other chemicals in your home, I recommend the folks at Environmental Inspection Service. They have offices in Los Angeles and Berkeley.

The story of Flint and how to assess your own water for lead and other toxins

Posted on March 23, 2016 by bethgil

The story of lead contamination in the water supply of Flint, Michigan is a tragedy. Many children will suffer learning problems, a lower IQ, and slowed growth. Adults exposed may experience high blood pressure, low kidney function, and reproductive problems. They may also suffer cognitive decline. Certainly, the people of Flint, Michigan will be carefully monitored over the next years to assess the damaging effects of high amounts of lead exposure and what protocols are best suited to counteract the damaging effects.

Yet it is not just the town of Flint, Michigan that is exposed to lead and other toxins in their water. After the Flint news, I decided to test for lead in my own water. Three samples were taken from the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, and the tub. I am anxiously waiting for the results. I live in an older building that might still have some lead piping. In the meantime, I used scorecard.org to look at other sources of water contamination in my zip code. You may be surprised to learn that your water is not so clean. My zip code (San Francisco County) rated as one of the dirtiest/worst counties for clean water! Yikes! It appears that the surface bodies of water in this area (rivers, streams, estuaries, bays) are polluted with mercury, PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls), pesticides, and dioxins.

Thankfully, there are very good water filters that can help us to filter out many of these toxins. In addition, we can also eat foods and take nutrients that support detoxification of these compounds. Because we do not want them stuck in our bodies leading to all kinds of health problems!

Back to the topic of lead, it can also be found in your dishes, cookware, furniture, door knobs, and more. My dishes, cookware, and drinking glasses tested free of lead. As well as most of my furniture. Interestingly, a beautiful antique teapot gifted to me several years ago tested off the charts high in lead. I used that teapot for at least a year before it occurred to me that it probably contained lead. A tip for you: heating liquids or foods in a pot or on a dish with lead increases absorption of the lead. So check out these items too! Many antiques contain lead, as well as older dish ware. However, according to the folks that inspected my home, about 30% of newer dishes also contain lead.

In Part 2 of this blog series, I will report my water results (keeping my fingers crossed that there will be no lead) and my investigation of water filters. If you would like the contact info of the company that tested my home for lead and other toxins, please email me at info@nutritionwithbeth.com

Take a proactive approach this spring and participate in a self guided, safe, and simple to follow 14 day cleanse program to boost your liver function and help rid toxins from your body!

What does weight loss and a fit body mean to you?

Posted on February 24, 2016 by bethgil

Over the years, this definition has greatly changed for me. In my late teens through my late twenties, it was all about calorie counting, restriction, extreme willpower, lack of joy around food, control, and fear of being in social situations where there were a lot of food temptations. It was about being obsessive and it involved a lot of emotional pain. I often want to forget my relationship with food and my body during those years in my life. But it brought me to where I am today and my new definition of a healthy and fit body.

Today, I abhor diets, needless dietary restrictions, and calorie counting. For me, weight loss and achieving healthy body composition is NOT about going on a strict diet for a certain number of weeks or months, using all your willpower to stay on the diet, feeling deprived and like crap while on the diet, and feeling stressed about food.

Healthy weight loss IS about eating healthy and delicious foods that make you feel energetic, clear headed, and less bloated. It is about addressing underlying health issues such as nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and chemical toxins that slow down metabolism, fat burning, and affect appetite and even food preferences. It IS about experimenting with foods to see what foods give you the most energy and which foods actually slow you down by causing joint pain, brain fog, depression, and digestive distress. It IS about figuring out why you might be stuck in certain patterns and addressing those issues that are keeping you stuck, even if this creates some discomfort. It IS about finding joy when you eat, being comfortable in social situations involving foods, listening to your body, and trusting your body to give you signals when you are headed in the wrong direction. A healthy and fit body includes a healthy relationship with food.

My cleanse program “21 Day Cleanse and Revive” is the perfect opportunity to EXPERIMENT with new foods and figure out what foods make you feel good and what foods make you feel bogged down. My program addresses underlying health issues and support safe detoxification of chemicals and other toxins that slow down your metabolism and cause you to hold onto fat. Take 2 to 3 weeks to slow down a bit and really listen to your body. Discover a new way of eating that brings you long term health and a fit and energetic body that includes peace of mind.

I would love to hear what a fit body means to you!

Why exploring your neighborhood and the spice cumin is good for your brain!

Posted on February 16, 2016 by bethgil

Several years ago I discovered that change of scenery is great for my creativity! Last week I was walking to a local coffee shop several blocks from my home to do a little writing when I discovered Nourish Cafe, a small space serving up plant based organic fare. Wow, fresh juices, smoothies, wraps, and salads! Yum! And lots of gluten free options too! My brain felt stimulated and excited. I asked how long they had been open and the server replied about one year. What?! How did a whole year go by without me knowing that this cafe existed? I was shocked!

New experiences actually stimulate the release of dopamine in our brain… our neurotransmitter responsible for drive, motivation, and pleasure. Actually, even setting goals or working on a new project can stimulate dopamine release. Have you ever moved to a new town or city and felt completely invigorated? Or felt all your senses come alive when vacationing in a new destination? When it comes to food, our brain also likes new taste experiences! It is common for people to get bored with what they cook and lose their appreciation for cooking healthy and tasty foods.

Ordering a new cookbook or just digging up some forgotten recipes is sometimes all it takes to get your enthusiasm back for cooking again! Or just adding one new spice to your spice rack can make a big impact on flavors. I suggest ground cumin if you have not yet tried it in your dishes. I love it on roasted cauliflower, in chicken dishes, and adding it to hearty stews!

If you have no time to cook this week or just need a break, then be sure to take a walk around your neighborhood to see what you discover! Maybe you will find a local cafe serving up healthy and delicious fare…just what your brain needed!

Changing your thoughts and putting together your vision board to increase your energy!

Posted on February 10, 2016 by bethgil

Enjoying the crisp air, deep blue of the sky, and the sunshine on my face during a morning walk, I listened to one of Dave Asprey’s podcasts with guest Wesley Chapman, co-founder of A Human Project, a mission to create a community of empowered youth. Wesley Chapman was incredibly inspiring to me. He has overcome so much abuse and neglect and is now in a place to help youth live out their desired lives. He discussed how we get stuck in our stories and think we can’t be in a certain state or do something we want to do because of our past, lack of resources, and our limitations. How many times have you found yourself saying I can’t do this because or I want to do this BUT…

My big desire for the last decade has always been more energy. For a big chunk of January, my energy plummeted and I felt completely flat. Nothing excited me. I just wanted to sleep and hide at home. While listening to Wesley, I realized that although I had been doing everything I could think of to increase my energy and drive (more sleep, gentle yoga, green smoothies, chicken broth, and supplements to support energy), I had not paid attention to the continuous loop of my thoughts: I have no energy. What is the matter with you? Get it together!

It’s a two way street. The state of your physical body affects your thoughts and emotions, but your thoughts also affect your physical well being. So that evening I put together an energy/vitality Pinterest board. It was very therapeutic, and I even included some yoga poses that I have never been able to do…with the intention that I have a strong enough body to do those yoga poses this year! I looked at my energy board the next morning and changed my thoughts: My body is vital and will support me with all the energy I need today. And yes, I did feel an increase in my energy that day and a much more positive state of mind! I look at my energy board everyday now and align my thoughts with my board. And my energy has stayed elevated! I would love to hear if you have created your own vision boards and how they have impacted you!

And to support the two way street, I continue to eat nourishing foods, take my favorite adrenal support formula and stay dedicated to my yoga practice and early
morning walks!

Feeling stuck in your body?

Posted on January 31, 2016 by bethgil

Are you feeling stuck? We can feel stuck physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. If you are feeling stuck, where is the best place to start? Everyone will have differing opinions on this topic. An easy place to start is your physical body. And of course, we know that the state of your physical body affects your thoughts and emotions.For example, if you have altered gut flora, this may affect the production of your serotonin, which happens to be produced mostly in the gut. Too many unfriendly gut bugs and not enough good ones can deplete serotonin levels, leading to depression, anxiety, and excessive worry.

In the last several years, the word “obesogen” has become quite popular in the health and environmental medicine field. What is an obesogen you might ask? It is simply a dietary, pharmaceutical, or industrial compound that alters metabolism and makes some people gain weight. Many chemicals are know obesogens. These chemicals can alter the number AND size of your fat cells and even affect your hormones that regulate appetite, feelings of fullness, and your food preferences!

If you are a poor detoxifier or are not getting adequate nutrients to support detoxification, these obesogens can get STUCK in your body, specifically in your fat cells! So on a physical level, you are stuck with toxins that are robbing you of your energy, mental clarity, and ideal body composition. What do you do first? Reduce exposure!

Here are three simple steps to reduce exposure to Bisphenol A (aka BPA), a common chemical that is a known obesogen and more recently thought to accumulate in fat tissue.

1. Drink water and other fluids from a stainless steel or glass container. Avoid plastic! This is so easy to do yet makes a BIG impact on your exposure.

2. Store your foods in glass or ceramic containers. Many foods come in glass containers…recycle these containers and use them instead of plastic!

3. Avoid using a hand sanitizer or hand lotion before touching a receipt! BPA is found in receipts. Using a hand sanitizer before you touch a receipt has shown to increase absorption of the BPA 100 fold! Do you go to the grocery store, use a hand sanitizer before touching the grocery cart, and then touch a receipt when you check out? Consider having receipts emailed or texted to you!

Are you in a rut with your smoothie recipes?

Posted on January 29, 2016 by bethgil

Our brains love NEW experiences. Including new experiences to our tastebuds! I don’t know about you, but I tend to find a yummy smoothie recipe and then stick with it a long time…and then it starts to get boring! I was shopping at Whole Foods recently when they were sampling new products. Good day to go!

One of the samples was Harmless Harvest’s raw coconut water with added fair-trade coffee. Now I am not even a coffee drinker, but this was delicious! And low in caffeine too, which for me, is a good thing.

How to make the most of my new coffee coconut water. A new smoothie recipe! And yes, it was a pleasurable experience to my tastebuds! Your brain will love it!

Chocolate Coffee Smoothie with Cashew Butter:

4 to 6 oz oz Harmless Harvest raw coconut water (the version with added fair trade coffee)
1/2 frozen banana
1 heaping tablespoon cashew butter
1 tsp Bullet Proof Brain Octane oil (optional for extra brain support)
1/2 scoop Pure Paleo Chocolate Protein
If you desire a colder smoothie, add a couple ice cubes

Blend and enjoy! YUM!

Top Five Ways to Avoid the Dreaded Cold/Flu During the Holiday Season!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by bethgil

Getting sick during the holidays is such a bummer! One of my primary goals this holiday season is to stay healthy and fit! Here are my top five strategies to stay healthy. I hope they serve you well! And please share with your family and friends!

1. Keep hydrated with water, herbal teas, and vegetable juices. This is so important! I carry around my stainless steel water bottle with me everywhere. I have increased my water intake over the last few weeks to about 3 1/2 liters per day and I also drink about 1/2 liter of herbal tea daily. Which equals about 4 liters of hydrating liquids daily.

2. Do you have an end of year annual with your primary care physician? Get your Vitamin D levels checked! In fact, now is the perfect time to get your Vitamin D levels checked. The days are short and our exposure to sun light is minimized. Knowing your typical vitamin D levels during this time of year can help you to assess how much Vitamin D to supplement during the winter time. Although there are differing opinions about what range constitutes an optimal Vitamin D level, most physicians and researchers agree that anything below 30 is low! And optimal Vitamin D levels are essential to a healthy immune system!

3. Sip on chicken bone broth daily for the next several weeks. If you are too busy to make bone broth, you can purchase at many Whole Foods stores. Here are some local San Francisco Bay area resources too.Three Stone Hearth, Mama Tong Soup. Want to make your own broth but don’t know how? Check out this book: Bone Broth Miracle I sip on 4 to 6 ounces of bone broth with my breakfast in the morning during this time of the year. You can also enjoy it at lunch or dinner time. Think of it as an immune booster supplement!

4. Although it is easy to let exercise go during this busy time of the year, keep moving! If you cannot make it to your normal exercise classes, then try to do more of your errands by foot or bicycle! In fact, being outdoors (even though it’s chilly) helps to decease stress…and we all know that stress contributes to getting sick! When I don’t have time to make it to an exercise class, I put on my jacket, go outside, and make my phone calls while walking!

5. And lastly, but NOT least, get as much sleep as you can! It is really easy to short yourself on sleep when you have end of year projects to wrap up, holiday events to attend, and shopping to finish. However, your immune system reboots while you are sleeping. In fact, your whole body reboots while you are asleep! And this time of the year, it is just natural to sleep more! After all, we only have about 9 to 10 hours of day light!

And what do you do if you still feel that cold coming on? The worst is when you wake up with an itchy throat in the morning. Oh no…not a good sign! No worries, time for a bit of Silvercillin Spray magic! Six sprays to the back of the throat 3x per day and most of the time you can knock out the virus! And even if you do not completely knock it out, it will decrease the severity of your sore throat and cold! Silvercillin Spray is an essential in my medicine cabinet this time of year!

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Beth

Beth’s Bounce Back Smoothie

Posted on November 17, 2015 by bethgil

It’s the holidays, and you went a little overboard last night. Had one too many of those sugary cocktails and ate way too many appetizers. And today you feel bloated, tired, and sluggish. You know that you need some help, something to get you back on track. Time for Beth’s Bounce Back Smoothie! Rehydrate, replenish those minerals and B vitamins depleted by excess alcohol, and support your liver detoxification pathways!

Recipe:
1/2 cup Coconut water (Source of electrolytes, including magnesium!)
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 frozen banana (can use regular too)
1 scoop VegeCleanse Plus powder
1 tsp C+BioFizz
*May add more water for a thinner consistency smoothie

Drink slowly within 20 minutes after making. And be sure to drink at least 2 full glasses of water within one hour of consuming your smoothie.

The VegeCleanse Plus powder is a great source of vitamins and minerals to replenish your body! It also provides 18 grams of protein per serving to stabilize your blood sugar and help curb carbohydrate cravings. And it contains all those special nutrients and herbs to support your liver! After all, your liver needs some help today! In addition, it contains greens for antioxi-dant support and extra fiber to fill you up, bind toxins, and stabilize blood sugar.

C+BioFizz is one of my favorites! This effervescent orange flavored powder provides a whopping 2500 mg of Vitamin C per teaspoon and it tastes good!

Enjoy and Bounce Back!

Endocrine disruptor chemicals: conclusive evidence that they interfere with your hormones! Time to take action!

Posted on October 27, 2015 by bethgil

What is it going to take to get industry to remove harmful chemicals from products that we buy and agriculture to stop spraying detrimental pesticides on our produce? How much scientific evidence is enough??

According to the Executive Summary of the Endocrine Society’s 2nd Scientific Statement on Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDCs), we have enough evidence that certain chemicals and pesticides interact with our endocrine and neuroendocrine systems…and not in a positive way!

What exactly is an EDC? An endocrine disruptor chemical is an external chemical or mix of chemicals that interferes with any aspect of hormone action. Your endocrine system is your body’s interface to the environment, and thus is very susceptible to EDCs. The developing fetus is especially vulnerable. Unfortunately, mixtures of very low dose EDCs can affect your endocrine system. So it is not just a situation of high exposure to one chemical. The EDCs that have the strongest association with endocrine related diseases are BPA, phthalates, POPs (persistent organic pollutants), and pesticides. ** See below to find out where these chemicals are found in your living environment.

So why is this important to you?

Thinking about starting a family? Or having trouble conceiving?
Has your physician asked you about environmental exposure to chemicals?
EDCs (especially BPA, POPs, and pesticides) affect female reproductive health. In my last blog, I wrote about why it is so important to cleanse before you try to get pregnant. Pre-pregnancy cleanse. According to the Executive Summary, EDCs impact ovarian development, structure, and function, leading to abnormal ovulation and and fertility in animals. Some EDCs adversely affect the uterus and vagina in both animals and humans. Disorders in women that are associated with EDCs include PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, preterm birth, and adverse birth outcomes. And in humans, epidemiological data support association between higher exposure to EDCs during development with decreased IQ and increased neurodevelopmental problems.

And men are not exempt! EDCs act as anti-androgens, (i.e. anti-testosterone) and also as xenoestrogens in men. Low testosterone and higher estrogen in a male is not good for fertility, as well as libido! Animal studies demonstrate clearly that EDCs disrupt the development of the male reproductive tract. And according to the review, semen quality in men is on the decline globally.

Having trouble with your thyroid gland? I have worked with a lot of clients with thyroid issues. Thyroid disruptors include PCBs, other POPS, phthalates, perchlorate, and BPA. Environmental chemicals need to be considered. And if you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, be in the know that epidemiological data show cognitive deficits in children exposed to thyroid disruptors prenatally.

Have you tried just about everything and are still unable to lose weight?
The Scientific Review also placed emphasis on all the new emerging research on EDCs and obesity, Type II Diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, in animal studies, developmental exposures to EDCs disrupt energy balance leading to obesity. So the impact of EDCs on the fetus is predisposing an animal to obesity before it is even born! EDCs also alter insulin action leading to Type II Diabetes in animal studies. And there is increasing human evidence that EDCs are associated with obesity, Type II Diabetes, and CVD. In my RENEW class, we go into more detail how these EDCs affect your metabolism and even the size of your fat cells!

You may be more familiar with EDCs and their association with hormone related cancers such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. However, certain classes of EDCs, such as pesticides, Agent Orange, PCBs, and BPA are now being associated with prostate cancer. If you have family history of any of these cancers, please consider the impact of EDCs and talk to your health care practitioner.

What can we do? Education is the first step. Please share this article with your family, friends, and colleagues. The more we are educated on this topic, the greater our voice to influence industry and environmental policy. And please join my RENEW class in January where you learn to reduce your exposure to common environmental toxins and eat foods/take nutrients that help you get these chemicals out of your body so that you can get your health back! RENEW Class Details

**BPA is used primarily to make plastics, and is largely found in plastic baby and water bottles, sports equipment, lining of most food cans, CDs and DVDs, medical and dental devices, and thermal receipts. Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers, to make plastic more flexible and durable. Phthalates are used in a variety of household applications such as shower curtains, vinyl upholstery, adhesives, floor tiles, food containers and wrappers, and cleaning materials. Personal-care items containing phthalates include perfume, eye shadow, moisturizer, nail polish, liquid soap, and hair spray. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation. In other words, they just don’t go away! Because of their persistence, POPs bioaccumulate with potential significant impacts on human health and the environment. POPs include pesticides, insecticides, PCBs, DDT (banned decades ago!), and dioxins, which are typically emitted from the burning of hospital waste, municipal waste, and hazardous waste, along with automobile emissions, coal, and wood.

Nutrition with Beth

Beth Gillespie

Category Archives: Nutrition