Good Lifestyle

In the ongoing debate on the health of our environment, these decades are considerably concerned whether some products in our industrialized society can lead to birth defects and development problems in children. The good news is that the nascent defects are relatively rare and that you can take clear measurements to avoid those who are the most preventable. Eat this, not that! Health has asked the experts of daily articles around your home that have been linked to birth defects and if you should avoid or change the way you use them to give children the best start of life possible.

"In my research laboratory, we study an isolated common parasite calledToxoplasma Gondii, "saysBill Sullivan, PhDProfessor of microbiology and pharmacology at the University of Indiana University in Indianapolis. "This parasite may cause a miscarriage or faint defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected for the first time during his pregnancy. It can be picked up from common household items, including the cat litter box, the sandbox or the sandbox. Garden. It can also be transmitted through raw meat or under cooked and uncooked fruits or vegetables. "

RX: According toCenters for Disaster Control and PreventionPregnant women should avoid cleaning the litter box from their chat if possible, make sure that the daily changed litter (toxoplasma gondiii does not become infectious before one to five days after reaching catfish), keep Exterior sand bins covered and wear gloves during gardening. Feed commercial pet animals (no meat), make sure the meat you eat is well cooked and thoroughly wash all the products before consuming it.

"I recommend pregnant patients to stay away from all that involves complex biological molecules," saysAmir G. Nasteri, MD, Face Face, OB / GYN certified by the board in Santa Ana, California. "Everything that has a long name is usually an organic compound, as well as anything that ends with the suffix -ee, such as naphthalene, benzene and butylene. The organic compounds tend to interact with the DNA of the Developing fetuses, resulting in nascent defects. The strong cleaning products, pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides should be avoided, as well as all that are dyes. "

RX: For cleaning, "use only substances with simple and non-organic molecules, such as plain vinegar, which contains low ammonia, and baking soda, which contains bicarbonate, cleaning and deodorizing," says Nasseri. .

"Perfumes also contain complex organic compounds and should be avoided," says Nasseri.

RX: To be sure side, avoid wearing perfumes during pregnancy. "Many synthetic chemicals in perfumes are derived from petrochemical (petroleum-based) and can be harmful to human health," explains theEnvironmental health network for children. "Some fragrance compounds are neurotoxicants and others are related to reproductive birth defects."

"Many plastic containers used in food storage may have a type of chemicals called phthalates," saysLuz Claudio, MD, Professor of Environmental Medicine at Mount Sinai School of MedicineAt New York. "Phthalates can also be found in some personal care products, such as skin lotions. They can be absorbed by skin or ingested when foods are stored in these types of plastics or heated in the microwave oven in Plastic containers. These chemicals are suspected of causing effects on boys breeding organs during fetal development. "

RX: "Pregnant women and women who are considering getting pregnant should reduce their use of plastics in the food, especially these plastics marked by recycling number 3 or 7," explains Claudio. "They should also check the tags of personal care products and use those who are free of phthalates."

"Quaternary ammonium compounds) are in many sprays and disinfectant cleaners with the intention of killing germs," ​​saysRenee Wellenstein, MD, a certified doctor from obstetrics / gynecology and functional medicine based in Cooperstown, New York. "We think they affect masculine sperm." Another common quat to search is the didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC). Both are often used together in products.

RX: "There are safer DIY cleaners that can be made with ingredients such as soap in Castile, white vinegar, water, borax and essential oils for perfume," says Wellenstein.

Pregnant women or pregnancy planning should avoid eating high fish in methylmercury, known to accumulate in the fetus and cause birth defects,says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The larger fish tends to be raised in mercury, including shark, swordfish, mackerel king and tilefish.

RX: But the fish is beneficial nutritional and avoiding totally during pregnancy is not necessary, the ACOG says. Pregnant women can safely consume fish and low mercury crustaceans, up to 12 ounces per week (about two average meals). Shrimps, canned tuna, salmon, guy and catfish are low in mercury. White (Albacore) The tuna is higher in mercury than canned thin tuna and should be limited to 6 ounces a week, says the organization.

Consuming alcohol during pregnancy is one of the most common causes of birth defects. According to the Clinic of Cleveland, this can lead toFetal alcohol syndrome, which can include learning handicaps, mental retardation, irritability, hyperactivity, poor coordination and facial characteristics anomalies.

RX: There is no safe quantity of alcohol to drink during pregnancy or trying to get pregnant, theCenters for Disaster Control and Preventionsaid.

"Another concern of households are VOCs," said Wellenstein. These volatile organic compounds are "found in elements such as furniture varnish, paint, carpets, candles, glass cleaners and detergents, to name a few". SomeCommon VOCInclude formaldehyde, d-limonene, toluene, acetone, ethanol (ethyl alcohol), 2-propanol (isopropyl alcohol) and hexan.

RX: Check the product labels that you use frequently to see if they contain VOCs. Choose labeled "low-VOC" or "Zero-VOC" products if possible.

Cigarette smoke frees hydrocarbons, a chemical that has beenrelated to birth defectssuch as lip slot or palace slot and neural tube defects (spina bifida).

RX: Stop smoking before getting pregnant and avoid smoking as much as possible. And live your happiest and healthiest life, do not miss these100 ways your home can make you sick.