Better brains, naturally.

Plastics Causing Low Birth Weight in Infants

A group of chemicals called phthalates are known to cause serious health problems including disruption of the endocrine, reproductive, immune, and brain/nervous systems.

The Environmental Working Group says sources of phthalates include:

• Personal care products: deodorant, fragrances, hand lotion, insect repellent, shampoo, soap
• Water: sewage sludge, tap water, water treatment 
• Industrial air pollution
• Environment: agriculture, industrial water pollution
• Miscellaneous: medical tubing, rocket propellant
• Consumer products: adhesives, detergents, flooring, inks, paints and coatings, plastics, rubber

A new study shows that maternal exposure to the chemical compound causes low birth rate in babies. Seventy percent of infants studied had phthalates in their systems, and those with higher levels had the low birth weights.

It's impossible to escape all exposures, especially because they are not clearly marked on products. But you can check the list above and make it a point to completely avoid those you can, or select natural alternatives.

This MSNBC article shares some tips, with a focus on going fragrance-free.

How Too Little Sleep Can Be Deadly

My philosophy is that life is short, so why waste it in extra sleep? That’s why I cringed when I read some recent sleep studies. It turns out that chronic shortened sleep can make a “short life” even shorter.  

Two studies presented at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies annual meeting this month show that chronic lack of adequate sleep can increase odds of dying prematurely.

Short sleep times have been associated with cardiovascular disease, depression, and insulin resistance in adults. Adding to the problem, the use of sleeping tablets in an effort to increase sleep time has been associated with a four-fold increase in suicide risk in the elderly.

Researchers also found that adolescents with parental-mandated bedtimes for midnight or later were 25 percent more likely to have depression and 20 percent more likely to have suicidal thoughts than peers who had mandated bedtimes of 10 p.m. or earlier.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is sometimes recommended to improve sleep, and Dr. Weil offers these tips for better sleep. More information:  American Academy of Sleep Medicine