Don’t be a Victim - Take Control of Your Health Now - part 5

A chemical called 1,4-dichlorobenzene, or 1,4-DCB, could harm your lungs.

It is found in air fresheners, toilet deodorizers, and mothballs, and is present in the blood of nearly all Americans. 1,4-DCB is the chemical that gives mothballs their distinctive smell.

The finding came as part of a National Institutes of Health study that looked at 11 household chemicals. All 11 chemicals are emitted as gasses by common household products. 1,4-DCB was the only chemical in the study which was linked to lung damage.

Those who had the highest amounts of the chemical in their blood showed diminished lung function, which could be serious for those with asthma or other lung problems. Reduced lung function is also a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

Air fresheners have been linked to cancer in the past, and this new study may demonstrate one reason why. It really is quite amazing that this chemical found in air fresheners, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, is present in the blood of 96 percent of Americans.

This is especially alarming as this toxic chemical has been associated with so many health problems. In general you want to avoid having any benzene derivative chemicals in your body as they have very similar toxic side effects.

It's best to avoid using any chemicals in your home. However, that is a nearly impossible achievement in this day and age. What you can do, however, is limit your exposure as much as possible.

Artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances can pollute the air you are breathing, with 1,4-DCB and other chemicals. If you are using air fresheners because you like the scent, therapeutic essential oils are an excellent and safe alternative.

NOTE: This is just one of the many ways you can reduce your body’s CHEMICAL BURDEN (exposure to chemicals that are harmful to your health). You may never have thought that air fresheners could be unhealthy, but now you know. Keep in mind…

There is usually a safer, healthier alternative to products that contain harmful chemicals – you just have to look for them.

What you don’t know about your adrenal gland:

Fatigue and lethargy is one of the most common complaints amongst adult patients. If you have symptoms such as tiredness, fearfulness, allergies, frequent influenza, arthritis, anxiety, depression, reduced memory and difficulties in concentrating, insomnia, worn-out, inability to lose weight after extensive efforts, you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue (technically known as hypoadrenia).

Adrenal fatigue has a broad spectrum of non-specific yet often debilitating symptoms. The onset of this disease is often slow and insidious. Patients are told that they are stressed and need to learn to relax more. Yes, we all know that "stress kills" to a large extent. But, the question is how? And, what are the solutions?

The real truth is that stress is not a mysterious entity at all. Our body has a built-in mechanism to deal with it. Being able to handle stress is a key to survival, and the control center in our bodies is the adrenal glands. When our adrenal glands become fatigued and unable to handle stress, dysfunctional physiological symptomatology sets in… in other words – the body stops working properly!

Adrenal fatigue was first described in the medical texts in the 1800s as a clinical condition. It was one of the most prevalent conditions, afflicting almost every adult in one way or another. Despite effective diagnostic tools and treatment programs, most conventional physicians were simply not informed and not prepared to treat adrenal fatigue as a serious threat to health. This condition was seldom diagnosed as a sickness for the past 50 years. Instead, it was considered as a condition whereby no treatment was available other than to tell the patient to "relax". Why was this so? The reasons were simple. Laboratory tests were unable to detect any abnormality, until recently. Today, adrenal fatigue can be accurately diagnosed, overcome and treated properly.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

-Tendency to gain weight and unable to lose it, especially around the waist.
-High frequency of flu and other respiratory diseases – symptoms tend to last longer than usual. -Tendency to tremble when under pressure.
-Reduced sex drive.
-Lightheadedness, especially when rising from a laying down position.
-Unable to remember things.
-Lack of energy in the mornings and also in the afternoon between 3 to 5 pm.
-Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning.
-Crave for salty, fatty, and high protein food such as meat and cheese.
-Increase symptoms of PMS for women; periods are heavy and then stop, or almost stopped on the 4th day, only to start flow again on the 5th or 6th day.
-Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reasons.

Conclusion: Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome is real and probably afflicting you in more ways than one. Adrenal glands can be restored to optimum health naturally by adhering to healthy living principals. Proper rest, together with specific nutritional diets and removal of stressors are key components to adrenal fatigue recovery. Restoring adrenal gland function is one of the 3 key aspects to the unique wellness formula we use here at Maximized Health. If you or someone you know would like to have their adrenal gland tested please ask a member of our Team – we would be happy to help you take another step closer to a healthier you!

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig