Body Sense

Winter 2013

Issue link: http://www.bodysensemagazinedigital.com/i/233919

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 11 of 14

It's no secret that pregnant women love massage—feet, neck, hips, legs. And did I mention feet? Toward the end of my first pregnancy, I had become a regular at my neighborhood nail salon just to take advantage of the leg rubs that came free with all pedicures. I also indulged in my fair share of prenatal massages, which were both gifted to me and by me (we all deserve a treat now and then). At the time, I knew all about the benefits of massage for health, relaxation, mood, you name it. I figured that a more relaxed mom would lead to a less stressful in utero environment for my developing baby. What I didn't know was that some of the resources I used for that pampering were directly impacting my health and that of my developing child. Looking back now, I still wonder sometimes why no one told me any of this. How could I not have known? The truth is that the science around product safety and the health effects from what you put in, on, and around yourself is still emerging. THE DANGEROUS DETAILS What we know today is so much more than the information we had even five years ago, and more available to the public. For example, most people are aware that products containing parabens should be avoided. But do you know why exactly? Here's a clue: hormone disruption. Used as preservatives, parabens are frequently found in water-based products like body lotions, conditioners, facial creams, shampoos, and scrubs. They can also be absorbed through the skin—our body's largest organ—and into our blood and digestive system. It's known that parabens disrupt hormone function, which impacts every system in our bodies. Additionally, they have been linked to breast and other cancers, reproductive disorders, immune system function, and neurotoxicity. Yikes! Here's another fact I wish I'd known during my pregnancy: "fragrance" can be a euphemism for "undisclosed, trade-secret chemical cocktail." Double gulp. On average, fragrances contain a minimum of 14 chemicals, which can cause everything from skin irritation and immune system damage to hormone disruption and neurotoxicity, especially if they contain phthalates. What's a phthalate, you say? Often found in fragrance ingredients and scented products like candles, lotions, and air fresheners, phthalates are a class of synthetic chemicals linked to reproductive and fertility problems in both men and women. Expectant mothers should also be cautious when using essential oils. These oils are at their safest when naturally extracted and undiluted with fi llers or solvents. Even then, it's important to use them correctly. Pure essential oils are very potent and highly concentrated—it can take more than 12,000 roses to produce just 5 milliliters of rose oil! While appropriate amounts of essential oils are a natural way to make life smell deliciously sweet, their intensity means that some oils may be irritating or even dangerous to a pregnant woman. WHAT'S A BODY TO DO? You may be asking yourself at this point whether choosing only products labeled with the terms "all natural" or "organic" is the way to go. The short answer is both yes and no. Ideally, all brands would be honest in their marketing claims and free of questionable ingredients. Body Sense 9

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Body Sense - Winter 2013