St. Bridget's Eco – congregation

A Healthy Attitude - Green Sheet No14

For the individual, healthy living is mostly down to common sense and attitude, so think healthy, but think global. It’s the health of our soils, rivers, forests and the very air we breathe that matters. Just one small action will make a difference.

• Eating 5 pieces of fruit or veg a day protects against coronary heart disease and some cancers, but people in the UK eat far less fruit and veg than other countries in Europe, and 1 in 5 kids in England eat less than one piece of fruit a week.

Humans are outdoor creatures, just like any other species, but we now spend at least 80% of our time indoors. The Environmental protection Agency has found that outdoor air is often five times better and can be up to 100 times fresher than the stale air outdoors. If you do spend a lot of time indoors, keep fresh air circulating. Studies have linked ill health – even cancers – to the quality of the air we breathe. So open the window and banish the musty air caused by a mix of fungi, bacteria, furnishings that give off carcinogenic chemicals and gas heaters and stoves that release carbon monoxide.

• Our blood is 92% water, so if you’re not drinking enough your complexion will look tired and dry: drink a litre of water a day and you’ll be able to let your face speak for itself without foundation. Medical experts are increasingly concerned about the amount of water we consume during exercise – drinking too much can cause water intoxication, diluting the body’s salts making people feel dizzy and, if serious, causing them to collapse. Drink a quarter of a pint of water for every hour of exercise you do.

Getting dirty can be good for you! Scientists in Germany have recently discovered that children who grow up on farms are 50% less likely to suffer from hay fever, asthma and other allergies than kids who grow up in sanitised environments. This is because children who come into contact with dirt build up stronger immune systems, protecting them from illness later in life.

• The average household uses 159 rolls of toilet paper per year, in Britain less than 10% of toilet paper is recycled – and while the paper may come from sustainably managed forests in Scandinavia, these forests are replacing ancient woodland that is home to thousands of endangered species. Recycled paper comes from office paper and wood pulp that has already been used at least once.

We can absorb up to two kilos of chemicals through toiletries and cosmetics each year. If you can reduce the amount of creams, moisturisers and make – up you use or switch to natural and organic products the benefits will be more than just skin deep.

• Make sure you’re not buying any products containing DBP or any ingredients ending with – phthalates. Used in some makes of hair spray, perfume body lotion, deodorant and nail varnish, animal studies have linked this chemical to damage to the lung, liver kidneys and the testes of unborn offspring. Manufacturers aren’t required by law to list this product on their labels. To find out if the products you are using are safe visit www.wen.org.uk. Recent studies have shown women aged 20 – 40 are especially at risk of multiple exposure from beauty products.
• Artificial musks are “bioaccumulative”; they build up in body fat, blood, and breast milk, and in the environment. Other side effects can be headaches, dizziness, rashes, and respiratory problems. Some are hormone disrupters, interfering with the hormones, which regulate our daily bodily functions. They are mainly found in perfumes and cosmetics, but also in laundry detergents – to find out more, visit www.foe.org.uk or call 020 7490 1555.
• 10 million disposable razors are sold every year, and end up in landfill. Once there they don’t biodegrade, and can even release toxic chemicals into the ground, contaminating soil and water. Avoid disposables and buy electric ones instead.

Information sourced from Go M.A.D. over 500 Ways To Save The Planet!

Sometimes we may be preaching to the converted through our green sheets or you may disagree with the items, but please don’t let that stop you from passing them on to your friends, and spreading the information, it may lead to healthy discussion!

Sally Cashen 625 2659.