Not to be alarmist, but I really do believe that making informed decisions about what we put in and on our bodies is the first step to preventing disease and extending our life spans significantly. A leading cancer institute recently released a list of common foods and products that have been linked to cancer.  Though it is really important to be aware of this these risks, it is also valuable to point out that genetics, environmental factors, and exposure to other toxins and carcinogens greatly effect the degree to which certain foods/products will effect you.  For example, someone who eats a clean, organic diet, and uses organic cleaning and grooming products (like all of us Organic Beauties!) may be less effected by the regular consumption of coffee than someone who is on the Standard American Diet and uses conventional, toxic products on their body and in their home.  If any of the following products figure prominently in your diet and lifestyle, it might be time to rethink your habits!

• ALCOHOL:  Regular consumption of alcohol has been linked 3.5% of cancer deaths worldwide.  Alcohol increases risk of breast and ovarian cancer, colon cancer, mouth, esophagus, pharynx and larynx cancers, as well as liver and stomach cancers.  Women especially should limit their alcohol consumption to 1 drink per day (men up to two).

• COFFEE:  Coffee has recently been labeled a class 2B carcinogen (along with chloroform, DDT, and gasoline exhaust), but the research around coffee consumption (who should and should not drink it, and how much is safe) is still relatively inconclusive. A recent study found that coffee decreased risk of prostate cancer in men who consume 6 cups or more per day.  At the same time, other studies have found that drinking 2 or more cups a day increases risk of bladder and lung cancers.  Coffee has also been linked to a host of other health problems.  Unless directed otherwise, try to limit coffee consumption to a cup a day..  Green tea and yerba mate are great alternatives to get that caffeine fix, and have a lot of beneficial properties as well!

• ANTIPERSPIRANT:  Aluminum, a known carcinogen, is the main ingredient in antiperspirants, which block your pores and inhibits the release of toxins from your body.  Both the aluminum and this blockage causes an increase in toxicity of the lymphatic system, which can cause a whole host of problems, including breast cancer, lymphoma, prostate cancer, as well as other diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.  For non-toxic alternatives to antiperspirant, see my article “Smell Like a Rose, With No Lasting Side Effects!”

• BODY WASH AND BUBBLE BATH:  Almost ALL conventional beauty products contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which has been linked to many different forms of cancer and a whole mess of other complications.  Parabens feature pretty prominently in these products as well. Children and babies are especially susceptible to this chemical, which is very common in most bubble baths and children’s soaps.  For yourself, and definitely for your children, start reading your ingredients and consider switching to a natural or organic product.  (Click here to read more about revolutionizing your beauty routine).

• TALCUM POWDER:  You can find talc in makeup, powders, and baby powder (where it’s especially dangerous for the same reasons you read above).  Exposure to talc (which has similar properties to asbestos) significantly increases risk of ovarian and lung cancers.  Try using corn starch-based baby powders and organic mineral makeup instead!

• CELLULAR PHONES:  We’ve been hearing debate on this topic pretty much since the introduction of cell phones into our culture.  Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement stating that radio frequency electromagnetic fields, including cell phones, are “possibly carcinogenic” to people (a class 2B carcinogenic classification), and could increase risk of developing brain tumors and acoustic neuromas.   CDMA phones (by Verizon and Sprint) are generally a bit safer than GSM phones (by AT&T and T-Mobile), due to the fact that they emit a steady stream of medium range radiation, as opposed to the pulsating radiation of the latter class of phone.  The safest route is to use headphones…NOT Bluetooth devices!  And never keep your phone in your pocket, close to your chest or reproductive organs.

{adapted from my post on One Minute News]