Toxic Time of Month? Creepy Chemicals Every Woman Should Avoid

Cramps. Cravings. We have enough to deal with every month -- intimate exposure to toxic chemicals shouldn't be one of them.

If there's one natural product all women should consider swapping in, tampons are it (discover why here and here). Amy Ziff, founder of MADE SAFE, is talking to us about two chemicals -- dioxins and furans -- commonly found in feminine care products, what they do and how we can steer clear.

What Are DIoxins + Furans?

In order for conventional feminine care products like pads and tampons to get that pristine white look, materials are bleached with chlorine compounds. Dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzodioxins) and furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans) are byproducts of that bleaching process and often remain in the material fibers. Most tampons are made with rayon and/or cotton. With conventional pads, the absorbent material is made from rayon, wood pulp, or super absorbent polymers (SAPs).

Both dioxins and furans are persistent (that means they don’t break down readily in the environment) and bioaccumulate (meaning they build up in our bodies).

What's The Concern?

Dioxin and furan exposures have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm and hormone disruption.[1] One 2002 study found dioxins and furans in four out of four brands of tampons tested.[2] While the levels were low, this study didn’t account for one critical fact: Vaginal tissue is some of the most absorptive skin on women’s bodies.

Consider this fact: Doctors are increasingly administering hormone treatments vaginally because the drug can be transferred directly into the bloodstream without being metabolized, the way it would if taken orally. When given vaginally, the levels of the drug in the body can be 10-80 times higher than when given orally.[3]

And here’s one more fact: Women use pads and tampons for several days at a time on a monthly basis for decades. We need more research on the impact to women’s health of this repeat exposure to bioaccumulative chemicals linked to serious harm.

The bottom line: Exercise precaution. These chemicals have no business in feminine care products.

How To Avoid Them

Because pads and tampons are regulated as ‘medical devices,’ there’s no government requirement that ingredients are disclosed, which makes it harder to avoid chemicals you’re concerned about.

However, the good news is that you can now find the MADE SAFE seal on feminine care products from two brands: Natracare, and Organyc.

Also look for chlorine-free or unbleached pads and tampons and always buy from companies that list all ingredients on the label, even though it’s not required.

References:
[1] DeVito, MJ and Schecter, A. (2002) Exposure assessment to dioxins from the use of tampons and diapers. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 110, No. 1, pp:23- 28. Jan. 2002.
[2] DeVito, MJ and Schecter, A. (2002) Exposure assessment to dioxins from the use of tampons and diapers. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 110, No. 1, pp:23- 28. Jan. 2002.
[3] Tourgeman D.E., Gentzchein E., Stanczyk F.Z., Paulson R.J., Serum and tissue hormone levels of vaginally and orally administered estradiol. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Volume 180, Issue 6, pp: 1480-1483. June 1999.

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program. 

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The Big Cover Up: Sweaters + Jackets We Love for the Gym

Is it just us or is getting dressed again after working out the worst thing in the world? Yes, we feel refreshed, but the sweaty sports bra struggle is real. (More whining and style tips here.)

Drama aside, we love a coverup that can transition our look from fitness-appropriate to socially-appropriate ASAP.  This sheer sweater nearly stopped us in our tracks - this is what fitnesswear has become and we love it! Whether a timeless bomber, an unusual sweater or classic jacket, find one of these easy pull-overs and zip-ups to make your gym exits swifter, sexier and oh so much easier.

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The 5-Minute Yoga Flow You Should Try Before You Hike

Swapping the gym for the great outdoors? Same. Come spring there's no stopping us from walking, jogging and hiking all over our weekends -- and we love the idea of warming things up with this elegant, mind-calming routine from Playlist Yoga's Chief Yoga Officer, Nicole Sciacca. Get stretched out, warmed up and ready to hit the trails...

This sequence can be used as a "dynamic stretch" where you breathe and flow while enhancing circulation and preparing the muscles for exercise and movement. We are focusing on the quadriceps or fronts of the thighs, the hamstrings or back of the legs, calves, hip flexors and psoas. The psoas (along with other muscles in the leg and hip) helps flex and extend the hip joint, which are prominent movements when you run, walk or hike. This flow would be ideal before a walk or hike. It could also be a great flow for a long day sitting at the office or in a car.

5-Minute Outdoor Yoga Flow

Start standing upright, feet together in mountain pose. Inhale arms over head, clasp left wrist with the right hand and reach up and over to the right. Lengthen the tailbone toward your heels and breathe fully into the side body. Repeat to the left side. Stand tall and open both arms into a goal-post shape, lifting from the upper-middle back and again lengthening the tailbone to the heels. Inhale the arms overhead and then gently fold forward, bending the knees if that feels better for the hamstrings.

Inhale halfway up and fold. Repeat 2 more times.

Plant the hands to the mat and step the right leg back. Lower your right knee and then inhale the arms up and overhead. Clasp the right wrist with the left hand and reach the upper body to the left, breathing into the side body. Continue to lift the frontal hip points upward and gently press the hips forward, opening the hip flexor, psoas and quadriceps.

Exhale the hands to the mat, straightening the left leg and gently fold forward over the leg. Stay on the fingertips, if need be.

Continue to hold and breathe for about 3 deep breaths.

Root the left foot down to the mat and straighten both legs, folding into a standing runner's lunge.

Again take 3 deep breaths.

Root the hands to the mat and gently step the left leg back to downward facing dog. On the inhale lift the right leg up and behind you. Open the hips and draw a few circles with the bent knee. Make sure to switch directions.

Lower the leg back to downward dog.

(Optional: Take a vinyasa through upward facing dog.)

Repeat the sequence on the left side.

Walk the hands back to the feet and take malasana. Feet are wider than hip width, toes turn out. Bend the knees and bring the hands together at the heart. Press the elbows into the inner knees to gently open the groins. If your heels don't touch the floor, roll up a towel to keep the heels supported. Take a few deep breaths.

(Optional: Root the hands down and move through another vinyasa.)

Step the right foot up between the hands for a crescent lunge. Keep the left hand or fingertips aligned under the left shoulder and peel the heart open for a gentle upper body twist. Continue to actively firm the back thigh up.

Take 3 breaths and then step back to down dog to switch sides.

(Optional: one more vinyasa.)

Walk the feet to the hands, inhale halfway up, keeping your hands on your shin bones, exhale and fold deeply.

Inhale to rise to stand and you are ready to hit the trail!

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Super + Natural Chic Nude Bikini from @b_swim #bestswimwear...

Super + Natural Chic Nude Bikini from @b_swim #bestswimwear #bswim http://ift.tt/2qxLzF8

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Our Guest Editor Dr. Sara Gottfried On the 5 Most Fun Ways To Anti-Age

Girl talk. We'd like to think that hormones aren't something we have to deal with til late in life, but our bodies are constantly changing and if we learn to read between the (fine) lines early, growing up can be graceful -- and actually kind of fun.

We're thrilled to have hormone whisperer and one of just a few repeat TCM Guest Editors, Dr. Sarah Sara Gottfried, back in action all month long, helping us navigate the ins and outs of well-being with her signature combo of serious science and woman-to-woman relatability.

This Harvard-trained MD's first two bestselling books -- The Hormone Cure and The Hormone Reset Diet -- were game changers for millions of women. Her latest, Younger, shares more tools to own the aging process and we'll be sharing our favorite insights all May.

To start the month in true Dr. Sara style, we're sharing five of the most fun ways to hack the aging process. We asked Dr. Sara her favorite ways to age well and she shared everything below - including a killer recipe for red sangria. Cheers!

Biodynamic wine

When mixing up that pitcher of sangria, opt for a biodynamic wine. These wines are made from grapes cultivated by a form of organic agriculture with a tiny carbon footprint. Non-organic wines contain a long list of toxic additives, including sugar, tannin (beyond the tannins that occur in oak-barrel aging), acids, enzymes, copper sulfate, coloring agents, dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC, a microbial-control agent designed to kill microorganisms) and fining agents. Keep in mind that not all wines that are organic are biodynamic, but the key is choosing a wine that is better both for your health and the planet. Sadly, not all biodynamic or organic wines are superb; a few of my favorite brands that taste similar to wines I love include Quivira (white) and Emiliana Coyam (red). Quench free radicals that accelerate aging with antioxidants with sexy sangria (recipe below).

Brazil nuts

Enjoy that sangria with some fresh Brazil nuts. Munching on these tasty nuts fill you up with magnesium. Brazil nuts provide 100% of your recommended daily allowance of selenium, which you need to keep your thyroid happy. With a healthy fat content, Brazil nuts help keep you full and assist your body in warding off toxins. Just don’t overdo it: Five to six Brazil nuts per day is just right.

Vitamin D

Did you take your vitamin D today? Eighty percent of Americans are low, and it helps you de-age in two ways: It mends your telomeres and improves your sleep. Vitamin D appears to have direct brain effects on your regulation of sleep, specifically in the diencephalon (the part of your brain that contains the hypothalamus and regulates hormones) and brain stem (trunk of the brain). Some hypothesize that sleep disorders have risen to epidemic levels because of widespread vitamin D deficiency, and I agree. Vitamin D has hormonal, neurological and immunological influences on pain in the body, playing a key role in the cause and continuation of chronic pain and associated problems such as insomnia. Lack of sleep, disrupted circadian rhythms and low vitamin-D levels can impair healing and repair and make you age faster, as covered in my new book, Younger.

Floss Twice. Every Day.

Floss twice per day! Did you know that you have more than 700 microbes in your mouth? According to research statistics, flossing fosters longevity (independent of brushing one’s teeth), as does seeing the dentist at least twice per year (I go quarterly). Flossing can prevent periodontal disease after as little as one month of regular use. If we’re already discussing oral hygiene, make sure to use an electric toothbrush, especially after drinking wine as it stains the teeth. Powered toothbrushes reduce plaque and gingivitis more than manual brushing in the short and long term. Aim for a two- to three-minute date twice per day with your brush. [olists num=1]

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program. 

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Vegan Chocolate Mousse with Cardamom Rose Whip

Lily Diamond takes seasonal eating personally. She's the kind of foodie that knows the name of the farmer who grows her veggies, and cooks with her hands to keep that intimate connection intact. Every dish she creates reflects a blend of inspirations from the places she's called home (including France, Maui, and LA) -- meaning even her simplest recipes have a story to tell. We're sharing one of each.

Lily's gorgeous plant-based blog and brand new cookbook by the same name, Kale & Caramel (available May 2nd), are full of insanely dreamy dishes like this vegan chocolate mousse situation, packed with natural ingredients and perfect for a wine night with friends or as a well deserved gift-to-self at the end of a long day. Get a taste below...

One day in 2011, summer in San Francisco, I decided to learn to ride a bike again. The day was green and full, the sun so hot that it burned my legs, leaving my skin to peel off in long, thin strips in the weeks to come. But before that cellular death of the person I used to be, there was just the simple desire to ride again, and the unique constellation of friends and sunshine and possibility that made the desire real.

One friend in particular, a force named Savannah, solidified that sense of possibility. Savannah skyrocketed into my life, playing field hockey, wearing silk blazers and yellow topaz, and drinking hot fudge straight from the dinner table carafe. She gathered light around her as she moved, a quickening of air and ideas that galvanized action. That day, Savannah and a gaggle of other ladies helped me up, steadied me, and ushered me forth, full of champagne and strawberries and the sun that kissed my thighs with such intensity that later they blistered in remembrance. I rode on roughshod asphalt toward a cluster of dark trees and picnickers and babies and marigolds as Savannah and the others stood back and cheered, temporary fearlessness eating up the safety of my limitation.

If we’d had it then, we would’ve eaten spoonful after spoonful of this nearly raw, effortlessly light chocolate chia mousse in celebration, emboldened by the sky and the willingness to be made anew. Eat it now, in the comfort of your own home. Be new.

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How To Read Nutrition Labels According To 15 Healthy Foodies

Buying healthy crackers for that wine and cheese night shouldn't require a chemistry degree; buying yogurt shouldn't leave us completely overwhelmed. But have you ever read a nutrition label?

We go with fresh, whole foods whenever we can, but the struggle is real when it comes to buying anything and everything else that comes packaged. Life calls for all kinds of packaged condiments and other ingredients we can't snip right off the stem - and a little label reading savvy is absolutely essential for healthy living.

We've peeked inside our fair share of fridges and pantries and have picked up these pro label reading tips from the industry's best pros. Find out what functional medicine doctors, healthy foodies and hormonal experts are looking for when they're reading labels in the aisle and how they decipher the details...

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