Are these commonly used chemicals the real cause of ALS?
If you’ve ever known someone suffering from ALS, you know it’s a disease that kills piece by piece.
Over time it robs you of your ability to walk, talk, eat, and even breathe on your own.
For years we’ve been told that the real cause of ALS is a mystery. But now a new study out of Michigan is proving that there’s much more to the story.
In fact, a top researcher says he’s discovered common, toxic chemicals that may be sending your ALS risk through the roof.
And avoiding them may be the key to making sure you – and the people you love – never develop this dreaded disease.
I’m sure you remember a couple years ago when we were dumping ice buckets all over each other to raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
And that sure seemed fitting. Because it feels like every time we’ve been on the verge of an ALS breakthrough, some new study came along that poured cold water on it.
The best way to beat ALS is to make sure you never get it in the first place. And Dr. Stephen Goutman may have found a way to help you do just that.
You see, Dr. Goutman is the head of the ALS clinic at the University of Michigan. And he believes that the chemicals we come into contact with every day may be what’s causing the disease.
For his latest study, Dr. Goutman looked at 156 patients with ALS. And the pesticide levels in their blood were sky high.
It turns out that those with heavy exposure to the pesticide chlordane had six times the risk of coming down with the disease.
Chlordane was banned in 1988, but not before being used extensively for decades to kill termites in homes.
And even flame retardants, like the ones I’ve been warning you about, turned up in the blood of those with ALS. Brominated chemicals sprayed on furniture and textiles can almost triple your risk of this terrible disease.
The more we’re learning about these commonly-used chemicals, the more everyday people from all walks of life are learning how to avoid them.
And here are five ways you can start:
Tip 1: Buy organic as much as you can, especially for fruits and veggies that are heavily contaminated with pesticide residues. Check the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” page to find out which ones they are.
Tip 2: Stop contaminating your home and lawn with toxic chemicals. Spraying bug killer and drenching your garden with poison is bad news for everyone. Find other ways to solve pest problems or hire a professional who specializes in non-chemical critter control.
Tip 3: When replacing furniture, look for a label that says it “contain(s) NO added flame retardant chemicals.”
Tip 4: When pulling up old carpeting wear a mask and keep the kids and pets away. Carpet padding is made from scrap foam and is very likely to contain flame-retardant chemicals.
Tip 5: When you’re outside – especially with the kids or dog — and see those little white flags flapping in the breeze, steer clear. It means that area of grass or stones have been hit with a chemical application to kill bugs or weeds.
Sources:
“Pesticides linked to raised risk of ALS” Kathleen Doheny, May 9, 2016, WebMD, webmd.com
