What's hiding in your sofa? And we're not talking about pocket change. This is the second in our series of removing or reducing toxins in our lives. In March, we focused on the importance of using glass over plastic containers for drinking and food storage.

When considering the toxins in our exterior environment, it's much more difficult to remove them since most are invisible to the eye or not thought of as a danger. For instance, a piece of furniture made with something you may have never heard of - polybrominated diphenyl ethers - can be inhaled through household dust and has been linked to poorer attention, cognition and coordination of children.

 

Every day we are exposed to a variety of chemicals found in common household items and the results show that 15 percent of children had a developmental disability in 2008, up from 12.8 percent in 1996.

 

Consider this quick list of where toxins are lurking in plain sight:

With so many chemicals in our environment, how can we protect ourselves?

 

Invest in plants. Even Dr. Levitt makes sure the Innovative Primary Care offices are filled with live plants. Lady Palms have been proven to improve the air quality in your home. This adaptable, green plant known for its fan-shaped foliage can thrive in dry or humid environments, requires little sunlight and is resistant to pests. Out of the five recommended plants for air purification, this is the only one that is nontoxic to animals. It can filter out formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and ammonia. Four other plant options can be found here.

 

Did you know that the FDA has stopped some sales of antibacterial soap? Yes, the miracle soap developed to keep us from ingesting cold and flu bugs can actually be harming us each time we soap up. Out of the 19 chemicals used in antibacterial soap, Triclosan and Triclocarban are the worst offenders. In addition to supporting drug resistance to germs, Triclosan has been associated with lower levels of thyroid hormone and testosterone, which could result in altered behavior, learning disabilities or infertility. And once it goes down your drain, Triclosan disrupts the environment. In studies of groundwater, Triclosan is one of the most frequently detected chemicals in streams across the U.S. and both Triclosan and Triclocarban are found in high concentrations in sediments and sewage sludge where they can persist for decades.

Consider these additional helpful tips when purchasing home decor or decorative items:

We're just getting started on the impact of toxins in our world. Two articles on the impact of toxins in our world is just the tip of the iceberg. The IPC team is inspired to share more clean living tips for you and your family. Next month, we'll delve into cosmetics and household cleaning supplies.

We consulted the Arizona Nutrition Network for this month's recipe. Cheesy Spaghetti Squash can be cooked on the stovetop, requires just a few minutes of prep and is high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol. Forks up!

Our world and lives can be complicated and the result can surely lead to stress or anxiety. If you are feeling out of sorts and feel the need to "get a grip," we've compiled some helpful suggestions from health experts.

 

Body therapist and author, Ann Todhunter Brode, recently shared that we can start with three easy steps: find your center, get grounded and see the big picture. Read here for an expanded explanation of each step.

 

Health researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago believe it's important to train people to feel happy, calm and satisfied in the midst of a health crisis. In fact, in their study of individuals with H.I.V., they found that those who practiced these skills carried a lower load of the virus, were more likely to take their medication correctly, and were less likely to need antidepressants to help them cope with their illness. Here are the suggested practices:

 

■ Recognize a positive event each day.

 

■ Savor that event and log it in a journal or tell someone about it.

 

■ Start a daily gratitude journal.

■ Watch inspirational Ted Talks. Try for one a day while you get ready for work:

 

■ List a personal strength and note how you used it.

 

■ Set an attainable goal and note your progress.

 

Finally Dr. Levitt has seen firsthand the effects of certain adaptogens and essential oils and how they can improve anxiety symptoms by reducing the effects that stress and cortisol have on the body. So if you have a friend or family member dealing with anxiety, an illness or stressful situation, consider adding essential oils to the mix. Simply rubbing the oils onto your wrists, temples and possibly other locations, a calming effect should settle in. Adaptogens (including ginseng, ashwagandga, maca, rhodiola, holy basil and cocoa) are a unique class of healing plants that balance, restore and protect the body and make it easier to handle stress by regulating hormones and physiological functions. Essential oils such as lavender, myrrh, frankincense and bergamot are also capable of reducing inflammation, improving immunity, balancing hormones, and helping with sleep and digestion.

For years, scientists have known that cortisol can wreak havoc on our minds and bodies. Studies have shown that elevated cortisol can interfere with everything from lower immune function and bone density to depression and mental illness.

 

Our bodies produce cortisol out of a perceived threat and usually, our levels go down once the threat or excitement that caused the cortisol production is resolved, the levels will regulate. The more cortisol we create (out of stress), the worse the effects can be.

 

Innovative Primary Care (IPC) carries a Cortisol Manager supplement that may be helpful if your provider has indicated concerns with your lack of sleep, unexpected weight gain or your inability to naturally fight infection. Cortisol Manager is formulated with stress-reducing ingredients and botanicals to promote relaxation, help alleviate fatigue, and support healthy cortisol levels. By balancing cortisol levels, Cortisol Manager can help reduce stress, which supports a restful night's sleep without diminishing daytime alertness

 

Feel free to visit our office to learn more about the featured supplements or ask your IPC provider for more details at your next visit. You can place an order through our website or by calling us at 480.776.0626. Payment is required at the time the order is placed.