All
  • All
  • Products
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • Conversations
  • Social

chemicals

Hormones Released After Working Out
healthy living

Health Junkie: Hormones and Chemicals Released Due to Exercise

Ever wonder what is going on chemically in the body while you sweat it out at the gym?
by


Ever wonder what is going on chemically in the body while you sweat it out at the gym? The euphoric feelings during and after exercise, as well as the muscle soreness that might just come a day later, don't just appear magically. Your body is made up of millions of chemical reactions, which result in different physical and mental feelings. Take a look at some of the top hormones and chemicals that are released when you workout.

Endorphins
These chemicals are released by your pituitary gland, which is located in the base of your brain. Endorphins make you feel exhilarated and happy and block any feelings of pain, so you can power through any discomfort caused by exercising. That's why people become addicted to strenuous forms of exercises and experience "runner's high."

Estrogen
Estrogen determines whether carbs or fat fuel the body during an intense exercise session. Women tend to burn fat for fuel, while men tend to burn carbs, because women have higher estrogen levels. When women undergo menopause, they usually experience some weight gain because of lowered estrogen levels.

See more chemicals released while exercising.

Chemicals and Fertility
Furniture

Chemicals Found in Furniture May Be to Blame For Fertility Issues

Now there's another reason to stop being a couch potato.
by

Now there's another reason to stop being a couch potato. According at a study just published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal flame-retardant chemicals used in many household products may be to blame for women's fertility issues.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, better known as PBDEs, are used in polyurethane foams and textiles, like sofas and rug pads, to slow the spread of fire. For years researchers have questioned the health risks of PBDEs, but this latest study has found a direct correlation between high concentrations of the chemicals in blood and delays in pregnancy. Though the EPA was already working with companies to remove the chemicals from their manufacturing processes, many of the products containing the compound are furniture items that last for decades, meaning that generations of women will be exposed to the chemicals in the coming years.

Would you chuck your current furniture if you thought it contained PBDEs?

Toxins in Baby Products 2009-07-16 07:00:43
Eco

Are You Familiar With the Chemicals in Children's Products?

Sixty-nine percent of lilsugar readers said they would switch away from a beloved baby product if it contained toxins, but how well do you know the ingredients in your kiddo's shampoo bottle?
by


Sixty-nine percent of lilsugar readers said they would switch away from a beloved baby product if it contained toxins, but how well do you know the ingredients in your kiddo's shampoo bottle? Take our quiz to test your knowledge of the harmful chemicals.

Take the Quiz
Johnson & Johnson Shampoo Contains Chemicals
Poll

Would You Use Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo?

The family company known for its "no more tears" shampoo has been asked by 40 parent, healthcare, and environmental organizations to remove known chemicals from its products by the end of the year.
by

The family company known for its "no more tears" shampoo has been asked by 40 parent, healthcare, and environmental organizations to remove known chemicals from its products by the end of the year. One report said:

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported in March that it found Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo and other children's products contained formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, both of which have been found to cause cancer in animals and listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as probable human carcinogens.

A Johnson & Johnson representative said the trace levels were considered safe by some regulatory agencies. Would you take a chance using this on your babe?

US Lawmakers Hope to Ban Toxins in Kid Toys and Books
Health

US Lawmakers Hope to Ban Toxins in Kid Toys and Books

House and Senate lawmakers agreed to ban the use of a group of harmful phthalate chemicals in toys and other children's products this week.
by

House and Senate lawmakers agreed to ban the use of a group of harmful phthalate chemicals in toys and other children's products this week. The move is a big victory for parents and health experts who have been fighting for the government to set some regulations on what goes into tot toys, according to The Washington Post.

  • The movement to ban the toxins accelerated last year when California prohibited their use in children's products.
  • The rare action by Congress reflects a growing body of scientific research showing that children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber duck. Used for decades in plastic production, the chemicals are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive problems, especially in boys.
  • Earlier this year, the country's largest retailer, Wal-Mart; the biggest toy seller, Toys R Us; and Babies R Us told their suppliers that they will no longer carry products containing the chemicals, known as phthalates, as of Jan. 1, 2009. Toys containing these chemicals, however, will still be on many retail shelves during the holiday season.

A White House spokesman said President Bush opposes the ban, but that it is too early to say whether he will veto the measure.

Are You Absorbing Five Pounds of Makeup This Year?
organic

Are You Absorbing Five Pounds of Makeup This Year?

FabSugar just sent me a news article claiming that the body absorbs almost five pounds of makeup per year.
by

FabSugar just sent me a news article claiming that the body absorbs almost five pounds of makeup per year. Yikes! Here's more from the story:

Many [women] use more than 20 different beauty products a day striving to look their best while nine out of 10 apply make-up which is past its use by date.

Dependence on cosmetics and toiletries means that a cocktail of 4lb 6oz of chemicals a year is absorbed into the body through the skin.

I can't wrap my head around the notion of absorbing five pounds' worth of cosmetics. My medicine cabinet is overflowing with products, but I'm trying to figure out if it's even possible that I apply five pounds of makeup each year. It seems like a lot, doesn't it? For more about this statistic—and to find out why I'm not entirely convinced of its accuracy— read more

Is it Bad to Freeze Disposable Water Bottles?
FDA

Is it Bad to Freeze Disposable Water Bottles?

There has been much buzz about the chemicals in plastic water bottles.
by

There has been much buzz about the chemicals in plastic water bottles. I've heard that freezing a disposable water bottle can be bad for you.

If you're worried about chemicals like dioxins seeping out of the plastic and corrupting your water, have NO fear. This is just an urban legend, a bad rumor, and not at all true.

Actually, freezing your water bottle will work against the releasing of chemicals, which do not diffuse very well in cold temperatures, like in your freezer.

Another fact to set your mind at ease: Most plastic water bottles, and microwave containers do NOT contain the chemicals that form dioxins. Also, in order to form dioxins, those chemicals need to be at extremely high temperatures (above 700 degrees).

Still not convinced? The FDA said "With regard to dioxins, we have seen no evidence that plastic containers or films contain dioxins and know of no reason why they would.”

So freeze and microwave your little heart out. The only thing I'd worry about is using that disposable water bottle over and over again - there's no way to clean it or get rid of bacteria.