The 411 on going GREEN!

There are millions of reasons as to why using natural, organic and/or eco-friendly products is the way to go! But how do you know that what your buying meets your expectations? What does it all mean? We are here to help you navigate the world of green to make your buying experience more successful.

 

First...what is the difference?

 

Natural Products- Products made all or in part of naturally occurring ingredients with the least amount of processing possible.

Organic Products- These products meet a strict set of guidelines ensuring that there are no pesticides, growth hormones or genetically altering substances used in the production as well as safe practices.

Eco-Friendly (sustainable) Products- This refers to the product or its packaging's ability to naturally decompose leaving a smaller impact on the earth from its use.

 

When you purchase natural/organic products you avoid a lot of really nasty toxic stuff that is currently considered acceptable to US standards. Here are some examples of common toxins and what they mean:

 

Parabens: Ex. Methylparaben (A chemical preservative found commonly in food and body products). Knowingly linked to claims of breast cancer in women and infertility in males.

Sulfates: Ex. SodiumLlauryl Sulfate or SLS ( A chemical foaming agent found in most shampoos). A known toxin found to irritate the skin and hair and stay in your body. In high doses can cause liver toxicity.

Carcinogens: Ex. Benzene or LAS (A substance found commonly in conventional laundry detergents). Classified as a Class A carcinogen by the EPA, and linked to childhood leukemia.

 

Common toxins found in disposable diapers:

 

Dioxin: A by product of the paper bleaching process listed as one of the most dangerous carcinogens by the EPA.

 

Sodium Polyacrylate: Used in disposables as a SAP (super absorbent polymer), was found to be linked to toxic shock syndrome in the 1980s.

 

Short and long term exposer to these horrible substances could have effects such as:

 

Neurological disorders (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, depression, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, etc.)

Cancer

Nutritional deficiencies

Hormonal imbalances

Enzyme dysfunction

Altered metabolism

Reproductive disorders

Fatigue

Headaches

Obesity

Muscle and vision problems

Immune system depression

Allergies/Asthma

Endocrine disorders

Chronic viral infections

Less ability to tolerate/handle stress

 

So how do natural and organic products protect you from the bad stuff found in conventional products? Strict regulations! Here are the additional restrictions put on companies claiming natural and organic products:

 

Requirements Organic Natural  Conventional
NO Pesticides X
NO Growth Hormones X
NO Petroleum based Fertilizers X
NO Artificial Colors or Flavors X (recommended)
NO Artificial Preservatives X (recommended)
NO GMO's X (recommended)

 

 

The most important thing you can do as a consumer to keep your family safe is know your products, and its ingredients. Be a smart shopper and keep your family and the earth safe!

 

Here are some examples of things you can look for when purchasing to know what your getting is green: