Commonly Available Cotton Sheets and Bedding May Be a Severe Health Risk
My mother used to tell me, "There are two things in life for which you should spare no expense, your bed and your shoes." Her reasoning was that if you are not in your bed, then you must be in your shoes, and your health and quality of life is greatly affected by either one. In this article I will discuss the first half of this equation, the health of your bed, which affects all aspects of your physical and mental performance.I have written other articles on the importance of using an organic mattress, but it is equally important to use organic sheets, pillowcases and blankets on top of your bed because your bedding makes direct contact with your body for 8 hours every night. Just as using a natural mattress protects you from the toxic effects of petrochemical foams and polyester in conventional mattresses, organic bedding protects you from harmful chemicals present in most commercial bedding.I am sure you are thinking, "My current bedding is fine, it can't harm me, especially if I would wash it and change it more often." While I can't help you wash and change your bed more often, you need to know that most commercially available sheets and pillowcases are made from a 50/50 blend of conventionally grown cotton and polyester, which is not safe. Let me explain why:Cotton is a very useful fiber that has many good qualities: It is hypoallergenic, it wicks away moisture well for a nice dry feel, it is relatively soft, and it washes and dries well. But cotton is also the most heavily sprayed crop on earth and 25% of the world's pesticides are used for cotton production.
These pesticide residues build up in cotton as it grows, and they can be transferred directly to your bedding when it is made from non-organic cotton. Once you sleep on this contaminated cotton, pesticide residue can pass through your skin and into your body.Non-organic cotton is bad enough, but the polyester, which comprises the other 50% of your 50/50 blend bedding, is made from petrochemicals that shouldn't be anywhere near your body. Polyester contains chemicals caused phthalates, which are used to make the fibers more flexible, and these chemicals mimic the female hormone estrogen in the human body. Constant exposure to phthalates and other plasticizers in food containers, dinnerware, polyester upholstery and other sources, has been linked to cancers and the dramatic drop in male fertility that has happened during the last 60 years. Polyester also traps water vapor, which causes night sweats, jock itch and athlete's foot.
It is included in sheets because it is inexpensive and makes sheets more durable and wrinkle-free. But is this worth the potential health consequences?The solution to this problem is to use organic cotton sheets and pillowcases on your bed. As the concern has grown over the pesticides in conventionally grown cotton and the phthalates in polyester, organic cotton bedding has become more widely available. Organic grown cotton is now being produced worldwide, from Texas to India. The organic cotton is woven into sheets and pillowcases that look and feel like commercially available bedding, without the pesticides and the polyester.
I also find these sheets to be much more comfortable for sleeping because they don't trap moisture like 50/50 cotton/polyester blends.Better organic sheets are pre-shrunk using steam and are totally machine washable and dryable. They have just a few more wrinkles out of the dryer than the 50/50 blends, but that is a small price to pay for a healthy bed. We can all live with some wrinkles, but we may not be able to live with cancer.Manufacturers of organic cotton bedding include:-Coyuchi, located in Point Reyes Station, California, which imports organic cotton bedding and bath linens from India.-EcoDownUnder, which is located in Sydney, Australia, which imports organic cotton bedding and bath linens to the United States.-Native Organic, located in El Segundo, California, which makes organic cotton bedding and bath linens from Texas-grown organic cotton.-Under the Canopy, located in Boca Raton, Florida, which makes organic cotton sheets and towels that are imported from Brazil, as well as organic cotton clothing.Organic cotton sheets, pillowcases, mattress pads, and blankets from these manufacturers are now being sold across the United States through local retailers that specialize in natural fiber bedding. There are also a number of nationwide Internet retailers for organic cotton sheets and bedding, and one of the largest is Dax Stores.Organic cotton sheets and bedding cost a little more than conventional bedding, but, like my mother said, you shouldn't be afraid to spare some expense your bedding because it will repay you with better health. I think your health is worth that extra expense, and so would my Mom, bless her heart..
Mark Sweiger is a freelance reporter on home and garden topics and ecological news. He is a definite believer in the value of using flannel sheets and organic bedding .What You Need to Know about Innerspring Futon Mattress?
Discover More Information about Inner-Spring Futons Before Buying
Futon mattresses with springs are becoming more and more popular these days. Although, they're mostly used in Japanese beds, American markets have caught-up with this type of mattress and now offer innerspring futons to US consumers.
Although memory foam mattress, latex or air mattresses are more popular, because they provide much more comfort, some people still prefer Western-style futon mattresses with springs. Even in Japan, Western-style futons are becoming increasingly popular, because they're softer and provide better body support than original Japanese futons.
First, let's see what innerspring mattress is made of?
Innerspring futon mattress is usually constructed of many springs and multiple foam layers. Each of these parts is important and will affect your night's sleep.
So it's suggested to pay attention to these components when buying...
What You Need to Know about Innerspring Futon Mattress?
Mattress > What You Need to Know about Innerspring Futon Mattress?
How to Care for Your Dog's Ear
Regular ear care for your dog Routine ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Perform regular checks and cleaning between visits to your veterinarian, it will help keep your dog's ears healthy and pain free. This is extremely important to do. I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years, and they are well known for ear conditions. But remember, no matter how efficient you are in caring for your dog's ears, serious conditions may still arise.
Also, beware when your dog flaps its ears too much; this can cause a hematoma, which I will discuss a little further on. My Golden had to be operated for this. Regular inspection of your dog's Ears By performing ear inspections you will be able to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose. A small flashlight will assist you in seeing problems.
I have "smelled out" more serious problems using my nose. This method can detect ear infections early. Normally a dog's ears shouldn't smell foul in any way. A...
How to Care for Your Dog's Ear
Mattress > How to Care for Your Dog's Ear
Why Air Beds May Give You The Best Nights Sleep You?ve Ever Had
The secret to an air beds high comfort factor is its ability to spread the bodies weight and contact with the mattress in a more even fashion.
Traditional mattress designs are more rigid and can force certain points of the body in contact with the mattress to absorb the entire weight of the body, creating concentrated pressure points that are uncomfortable and often out of natural alignment.
Air beds have the ability to mold and shape to the contour of a sleeping body and were originally designed for hospitals and medical environments where higher levels of back support and reduced pressure points on the body were needed. Now this technology can be invited into your own bedroom to create a more comfortable sleeping environment.An air bed is basically a mattress that contains air bladders instead of hard steel springs.
Air beds can often also be adjusted to suit the particular support needs of partners that share a bed, as each side usually has individual...
Mattress > Why Air Beds May Give You The Best Nights Sleep You?ve Ever Had
Memory Foam ? Worth the Money, or Just another Sales-Crap?
Wondering Why so Many People Talk about Memory Foam Mattress? Lets See if its Worth Your Attention.
Everybody wants and needs a quality and comfortable sleep at night. If you cant relax your muscles during a sleep, then youll feel worse and worse every next day.
For a person to feel energetic and actually relaxed, she needs a quality nights sleep. But the problem is that regular coil spring mattresses cant give the comfort a person needs. Many people complain after sleeping on their old flat mattresses that they have back or neck pain in the morning. And that is quite common, because your body doesnt lie in a comfortable position during a sleep.
Springs simply do not adjust to the shape of your body and thus might give you all kinds of backaches.
So is there a solution to that?
Well it seems like there is. And its called ? memory foam. Many people claim that memory foam mattress has helped them to relieve back pain and finally gave...
Mattress > Memory Foam ? Worth the Money, or Just another Sales-Crap?
Why Air Beds May Give You The Best Nights Sleep You?ve Ever Had
The secret to an air beds high comfort factor is its ability to spread the bodies weight and contact with the mattress in a more even fashion.
Traditional mattress designs are more rigid and can force certain points of the body in contact with the mattress to absorb the entire weight of the body, creating concentrated pressure points that are uncomfortable and often out of natural alignment.
Air beds have the ability to mold and shape to the contour of a sleeping body and were originally designed for hospitals and medical environments where higher levels of back support and reduced pressure points on the body were needed. Now this technology can be invited into your own bedroom to create a more comfortable sleeping environment.An air bed is basically a mattress that contains air bladders instead of hard steel springs.
Air beds can often also be adjusted to suit the particular support needs of partners that share a bed, as each side usually has individual...
Mattress > Why Air Beds May Give You The Best Nights Sleep You?ve Ever Had
Jazzmama.Com Provides 25 Practical Sleep Tips to Help America Get Better Rest
El Paso, TX (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) March 30, 2006 -- It seems America is having major trouble sleeping.
And although the consumer has received sleep tips from various sources, some of this advice is just not practical.
We have compiled a list of 25 common sense suggestions that will help us all get a better nights sleep.DISCLAIMER:
These tips are for information and entertainment only and are not intended as medical advice.
If you have a serious sleep disorder, please consult a physician.1.
Turn off the lights.
This is obvious but sometimes we fall asleep with the lights on.
Our bodies rejuvenate better in darkness, so take a moment to turn off your bedside lamp before you drift away.2.
Dont go to sleep on an empty stomach.
If you skipped lunch and dinner, then have a light supper such as a soup, sandwich or a snack before bedtime.
Its...
Mattress > Jazzmama.Com Provides 25 Practical Sleep Tips to Help America Get Better Rest
Commonly Available Cotton Sheets and Bedding May Be a Severe Health Risk Mattress tax help
Phoenix Fitness Shakes Up Traditional Fitness
Phoenix Fitness Club in the heart of Chelsea is the first health club in New York City to offer the latest technological advancement in health and fitness. The VibroGym is a rapidly vibrating platform on which exercises are performed. This "space age" equipment (used by the Soviet Cosmonauts) is now also used by Olympic and professional athletes.The VibroGym (formerly Power Plate) generates vibrations that are transferred from the platform to the body. Standing on the VibroGym makes the body...
Phoenix Fitness Shakes Up Traditional Fitness Commonly Available Cotton Sheets and Bedding May Be a Severe Health Risk
Mattress > Phoenix Fitness Shakes Up Traditional Fitness
Commonly Available Cotton Sheets and Bedding May Be a Severe Health Risk Mattress televisions
laser printer Commonly Available Cotton Sheets and Bedding May Be a Severe Health Risk Mattress
A Good Golf Bag is a Beautiful Thing
Few things are more important to a golfer than a good golf bag. First off, golf bags come in many styles and a wide variety of colors. You can choose a bag for style, features or pick a color to match your mood.
Some have legs that fold out when they are placed on the ground and stand upright so the golfer doesn't have to bend down and pick it up. That's a nice feature in golf bags, especially if the golfer tends to walk the course, as many do. There is plenty of bending to be...
Mattress > A Good Golf Bag is a Beautiful Thing
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