The Aluminum Free lifestyle

In today's age there is a lot of talk of what is good for the body and what is bad. Going by your product labels alone may not always be the best decision. Slogans such as "good for your skin" and "healthy" are not the whole truth. 

One major product that is used by everyone that wants to stay fresh throughout the day, may be slowly deteriorating your body and cells: and the winner is.... Deodorant. 

Most deodorants on the shelves contains aluminum. 

Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to a 1997 study by the Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto in Canada. The body, through the pores in the underarms, readily absorbs aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium used in deodorants. Aluminum-free deodorants offer a variety of health benefits and choices in natural ingredients.

Reduced Risk of Brain Metabolic Disorders

Aluminum from deodorants is easily absorbed by the body, according to a 2001 study published in "Food and Chemical Toxicology." Aluminum slowly accumulates in the cell nucleus and chromatin. Neurons in the brain are the most effected by this accumulation, according to a 1986 study by P.O. Ganrot in "Environmental Health Perspectives." Aluminum accumulation occurs at the subcellular level without measurable increases in tissue concentration. The uptake is slow and damages the cells over time contributing to age related diseases and other neurological disorders. 

Aluminum is considered a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to the National Institutes of Health. A two-year study of 63 patients concluded that aluminum plays an active role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Clear Underarm Pores

Deodorant manufacturers use aluminum compounds to reduce perspiration. Aluminum forms a temporary plug in the sweat duct that stops sweat from reaching the skin's surface. This clogs the pores in the underarms and can cause allergic contact dermatitis, according to a study published in the January 2010 issue of "Contact Dermatitis."

Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer

Using deodorants that contain aluminum may contribute to breast cancer development, according to the National Cancer Institute. No conclusive evidence links aluminum-containing deodorants to causing breast cancer, but aluminum-based compounds that are applied frequently to skin near the breast may be absorbed into the skin and cause "estrogen-like" hormonal effects. Estrogen can promote breast cancer cells; it is possible, then, that these compounds also contribute to breast cancer.

Odor Protection

Natural deodorants that do not contain aluminum compounds can help reduce odor from sweating. Ingredients like sage oil, lemon, citrus and rose are effective at masking body odor. Crystal deodorants absorb odors--but be sure to read the labels as some crystal deodorants have been found to have trace amounts of aluminum.

Stop in at Get Healthy and check out one of our favorite brands, Lafes. Products include deodorant (scented and unscented), foot sprays, bug repellent, and many more. 

Mention this blog and receive an additional 10% discount on store items.

"The Health of your Body; shows up in your Hair"

This week's topic is all about your hair. Ladies, I know it is your pride and joy and a major cause of low self esteem if it is not up to par... I am here to change all that today. Why? Because I care a lot about what my own hair looks like, and have become more aware of just how harmful certain products are and that actually cause "killer strands".

You may have heard all this uproar about Sulfate Free shampoos, and guess what, all the hype is true... and I am here to tell you why.

"The health of your body ... shows up in your hair" Or in other words, if your hair is thin, lifeless, shedding... please also rule out a serious illness that could be a cause of the problem. Rarely is that a sign of something serious but you can never be too sure. If illness is not the case start taking a look at your ingredients in your shampoo and in all your beauty products (especially anything that suds). More often than not, you are actually using harmful chemicals that are doing more damage than good.

The one and only shampoos you should use are those labeled Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Free or SLS free, and also ALS free. Period.

SLS is a surfactant. What that means in layman's terms is that there is a cleaning agent in any beauty product called the "surfactant". The surfactant in shampoos are surface active ingredients, meaning they can interact with a surface. The chemical nature of a surfactant allows it to surround and trap oily materials from surfaces. For the past 20+ years almost every shampoo has used Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) as their surfactant. Why? Because they are SUPER cheap and make lots and lots of foam and bubbles.

Funny that lather, foam and bubble amount tells absolutely nothing about whether you are using a good or bad shampoo, but most often these get the most attention. So let that one go - please. If you are experiencing lots of lather in your shampoos it is actually a sign that you used too MUCH of the product. We all see the hair commercials on TV with lots of happy people washing their hair and producing lots of lather... advertising and marketing has made the public associate lather and foam with cleansing ability. It's sad but true. I used to be guilty of this too, thinking that if my shampoo was not foaming enough it must mean it is not cleaning my hair and therefore I need to use more. WRONG!


There are many  manufacturers that use the same SLS found in shampoos as garage cleaners, engine degreasers, oven cleaners, and the list goes on and on. The last place these ingredients should be is in your hair.... even less your skin. They have been known to cause thinning of hair, drying out hair, loss of hair, loss of color, etc. So please, do me a favor, buy Sulfate free. It's the healthy way to go. Do it for yourself and reap the benefits :)

Get Healthy offers many types of shampoos that offer any hair type some solace, and ALL are sulfate free and good for you. Here are just a few of our brands:

PURE Life Soap Co. has many different scents to choose from and not to mention are all natural.

Kiss my Face

Our beloved brand Andalou makes three in scents such as Lavender & Biotin, Sunflower & Citrus, as well as Sweet Orange & Argan.

As always mention our blog and receive a 10% discount... and as an added bonus ANY Kiss my Face products are currently 30% off.

Be kind to your mane. It will love you for it.

Cutting Carbon - Delivering Value

What exactly is a carbon footprint? Well to put it simply it is a measurement of impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular - climate change. It relates to the amount of green house gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation, etc. I found this great pie chart above to go along with this explanation. It is meant to show the typical carbon footprint left behind by an average individual in the developed world.

Scary thought isn't it? Think about all this nice weather we have been having... for JANUARY! Don't get me wrong, I love it when it's warm out... but I also live in Pennsylvania where by now it is supposed to be in the low 30s... not 60 degrees.

A carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the primary footprint (shown by the green slices of the pie chart) and the secondary footprint (shown by the yellow slices).

1. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane). We have direct control of these.

2. The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. To put it very simple - the more we buy, the more emissions will be caused on our behalf.

So, is global warming happening? You bet it is. To figure out your own carbon footprint here is a great "carbon footprint calculator" that I found on the internet...My Carbon Footprint.

Let's make it a point to reduce our individual carbon footprint while still understanding that a person needs to get to work, and a person will never stop being a consumer of products.
Here is a list of things you can do to help immediately:

- make it a point to turn it off.... lights, TV, DVD player, computer, etc. Anything not in use should not be on.
- turn down your central heat slightly (try 1 or 2 degrees to start). Just 1 degree will reduce your bill by about 8%.
- turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will have an enormous positive impact).
- remember, there is no point heating the house after you have left for work.
- energy saving light bulbs!
- buy local produce... or even grow your own.
- reduce your consumption of meat (less consumers = less killing of animals)
- buy organic
- recycle as much as possible
- don't buy over packaged products
- shop locally, buy the RIGHT products.

Visit Get Healthy, located in Richboro PA or call our store at 215-355-5350 to find out what we do to help our planet thrive.

Because THIS is not the answer.

According to National Geographic News:

• Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) around the world since 1880, much of this in recent decades, according to NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

• The rate of warming is increasing. The 20th century's last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies. And the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850.

Ecco Bella - Discover Intelligent Natural & Organic Beauty

! SALE !  40% off Ecco Bella Cosmetics.

Yes, beauty and intelligence do mix! Welcome to the world of Ecco Bella.

Since 1992 Ecco Bella customers have had access to the purest ingredients. During times of scarcity or inflation, Ecco Bella maintains its commitment to provide clean, high quality, certified organic products. Using only food grade quality and the most precious ingredients that are listed in detail on every label. Ecco Bella was founded out of protest to the use of animal testing of personal care products, are pure and beneficial and available at Get Healthy.

Lotion:
The lotion that launched Ecco Bella is 100% water free. 100% preservative free and organic. The best kept secret of super models and baseball teams! If you have dry skin, live in a dry environment or just want the best lotion on your body, it's everything you ever wanted. Made without water, it relieves of dryness, flaking, and irritation long after other lotions have worn off.  Where's the water? You can drink all the water you need for free! Instead, all Ecco Bella Skin Care products float in the 3000 year old anti-aging plant, organic aloe vera.

Mineral Make-Up:

Mineral make-up with flower waxes feels better on your skin! It's one of natures best kept secrets. Flower wax. The delicate wax that forms a protective coating on flower petals. Without it, the blooms would quickly wilt in the sun and drying wind. And what flower wax can do for flowers, it can also do for your skin. Flower waxes cushion the pigments so make-up feels better and lasts longer.  Magically colors self-adjust to your skin tone. Ecology never looked more stunning. And neither will you.  

Cosmetics are free of: Talc, fragrance, dyes, dust, cruelty and preservatives. 

The products multi-task so you don't have to! 

Every product is both anti-aging and anti-blemish. So, fewer to buy and they do more for you. Not to mention this brand cares about your vitamins too! Only the top 7 nutraceuticals targeted for skin make their way into an Ecco Bella VitaminCell and into your body. They include lutein, lycopene, betacarotene, astaxanthin, advanced vitamin E, vitamin C and CoQ10. 

We know you have sensitive skin. All Ecco Bella products are alcohol-free and are excellent for sensitive skin. Why is it yellow? All the carotenoids for sure! The results - everyone who uses the products sees an improvement in their skin tone, clarity and glow.... Get Healthy would not have it any other way.

Stop in our store to experience Ecco Bella for yourself. We have set up plenty of sample stations so you may try before you buy... but we are certain you will love the products as much as we do. 

Yours truly,

Julie

ChildLife Essentials - "The Trusted Source for your Child's Nutritional Supplements"

As the parent and guardian of your child, you naturally want to protect, nurture, and ensure that your child's health develops fully. You want to give them the best nutritional start possible. Sometimes it takes more than a healthy diet to raise a physically healthy child.

ChildLife essentials provides a complete line of natural nutritional supplements for kids, right here at Get Healthy Vitamins and Supplements. It is formulated and developed by world-renowned homeopathic pediatric specialist Dr. Murray Clark and is the perfect way to get the ultimate health and nutritional support for your children. 

ChildLife essentials is specifically designed for infants and children and support healthy development and natural immune strength. These products come from the highest quality natural ingredients, after all... we are talking about your kids here, and who wouldn't want nothing but the best for them. There are no artificial flavors, sweeteners, and no added coloring. The great taste of these products make them an easy addition to your child's daily routine. 

To make matters even easier, ChildLife offers The Daily Maintenance Kit, and The Immune Support Kit that are featured this week at Get Healthy Vitamins and Supplements. 

The Daily Maintenance kit includes:

- Multi Vitamin & Mineral

- Pure DHA

- Probiotics with Colostrum

- Vitamin C

The Immune Support kit includes:

- Vitamin C

- Echinacea 

- First Defense

Why should a child take Nutritional Supplements?

Studies from around the world show that modern farming methods have resulted in depleted soil conditions. Hence, the foods grown on that soil are lacking essential nutrients needed for healthy development, strong immune function and emotional and mental vitality. 

Fast foods, junk foods, processed foods, poor dietary habits, and the picky appetites of many children also require nutritional supplements to correct and balance deficiencies. 

The increase in exposure to toxic pollutants creates the need for extra immune defense and anti-oxidant protection for today's youth. 

"The body and mind development during childhood create the foundation for the rest of your child's life." I love this quote because it is so true. What we do today effects tomorrow. Especially when it comes to our children. Teaching them to be healthy now plays a big role in how they will take care of themselves in the future years to come. 

Daily supplementation of key vitamins, minerals and other nutrients may help and assist in filling these nutritional gaps. 

*** Mention our blog and receive an additional 10% discount during check-out.