ecomii parenting blog

ecomii healthy living

New Research on Twins Confirms Genetic Role in Autism

By Marie Oser ecomii.com
November 10, 2009
File under: Health, Pregnancy

tiwns.jpg

There has been an unprecedented increase in recent years in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  A variety of elements are suspected of playing a role (see our recent post linking environmental toxins to autism). 

Researchers have known that a higher incidence of autism exists among twins¹, and this new study confirms a substantially higher risk of autism in identical twins as compared to fraternal twins.²  The report, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, studied 277 twin pairs in which at least one had an autistic disorder.

Researchers found that when one identical twin developed an autistic disorder, the other twin did 88 percent of the time. That compared with 31 percent among fraternal twins. Fraternal twins share only 50 percent of their genes and are no more genetically similar than non-twin siblings, unlike identical twins, who share 100 percent of their genes.  …read more of New Research on Twins Confirms Genetic Role in Autism here

 
Comments (1) Email Link
 

This Little Piggy Went Chemical-Free

By Heather O'Neill ecomii.com
October 29, 2009
File under: Eco-Friendly Merchants, Health, Shopping

best-baby-products.jpg

What is more precious than your baby? Knowing that your baby is completely chemical-free. We brought some of our littlest road testers on board for the Nascar of bathing events to find the best phthalates- and paraben-free (and in most cases organic) products on the market. So get ready to get all lathered up. …read more of This Little Piggy Went Chemical-Free here

 
Comments (2) Email Link
 

10 Environmental Toxins to Avoid

By Marie Oser ecomii.com
October 9, 2009
File under: Health

concern.jpg

While still in the womb, children are exposed to chemicals that can impair normal growth and development. This internal pollution persists as we are exposed to environmental toxins throughout life. Chemicals accumulate and interact within the body, causing illness¹.

The range of maladies include, autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, Tourette syndrome and cerebral palsy. All are believed to be the outcome of some abnormal process that unfolded as the brain was developing in utero or in the young child.

A new study published in the October issue of Pediatrics, estimates the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder to be 1 in every 91 children in the U.S,² an increase from the current estimate of 1 in 150. This ongoing and dramatic increase has many experts investigating the extent of the role environmental toxins may play. …read more of 10 Environmental Toxins to Avoid here

 
Comments (2) Email Link
 

America’s Next Top Bottle

By Justin O'Neill ecomii.com
September 18, 2009
File under: Eco-Friendly Merchants, Health

klean.jpg

By now, you’ve probably seen the grim statistics about water bottles.  The issue seems to be getting more and more media coverage lately. In case you haven’t heard the case against bottled water, here’s a brief summary:

Pollution: 38 billion plastic water bottles are thrown out each year, contributing to a frightening “plastic stew” in the Pacific Ocean twice the size of Texas.

Health: Bottled water is not necessarily more “pure” and “healthful” than tap water, despite what water packaging may have us believe.  Plastic bottles leach harmful chemicals such as PET and BPA (see below), and 40% of bottled water is merely filtered tap water anyway.

Value: Even though 90% of tap water in the United States is proven to be as clean or cleaner than bottled water, manufacturers charge (and we pay) 1,900 times what it costs them to make their product.

Yikes.  So, you’re ready to move on to a convenient, stylish, eco-friendly, and economical reusable water bottle…read more of America’s Next Top Bottle here

 
Comments (3) Email Link
 

BPA and Water Bottles: A Secret History

By Justin O'Neill ecomii.com
September 16, 2009
File under: Health

bpa.jpg

There’s a lot of talk and confusion about BPA recently…at least within the water bottle world.  Here’s the latest on the scandals, and a brief history of water bottles in America.  Hopefully this will clear up a few things and help you make an educated choice about buying water bottles for you and your family.

Nalgene

Remember Nalgene?  Their bottles used to be all the rage, until early 2008 when the clear ones were found to leach BPA.  Clear Nalgenes and other similar bottles are made from polycarbonate plastic (usually marked with the recycling number 7, a good way to spot them).  The verdict is still out on the opaque Nalgenes, but most would rather be safe than sorry.

…read more of BPA and Water Bottles: A Secret History here

 
Comments (1) Email Link
 
« all ecomii blogs   1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7   Next Page »
 
About this blog

Stay current on easy ways to parent green, keep children entertained and active, plus ideas on how to raise your children in a healthier environment. Get parenting advice and exchange stories.

Subscribe in a reader

Add to Google Reader or Homepage

 
recent posts
 
other green blogs
 
blog categories
 
©2009 ecomii, LLC. All rights reserved.