Why natural does not always mean healthy
Many people believe that natural is inherently safe and always better than any synthetic alternatives. This may affect many people’s daily decisions when it comes to their health. However, natural does not always mean safe. One recent example is talc, a natural mineral found in baby powder which may be carcinogenic, click here for more info.
There is no denying that some natural products are incredible and have a wide variety of uses. Bicarbonate of soda is a naturally occurring chemical that is said to have 100s of uses from mouthwash to deodorant. We’re not saying that all these uses work, it may be up to you to do your experiments. Furthermore, many lifesaving medicines are derived from plants. Nature has given us penicillin and morphine.
On the other hand, some natural products might not be harmful but don’t help us much at all. For example, ginkgo supplements are sometimes given to dementia patients to slow cognitive decline. Despite this, recent studies show that they don’t do much at all. Furthermore, just because it is natural does not mean that it comes without side effects. For example, kava is sometimes used as a dietary supplement to treat anxiety. However, recent studies show that it may be associated with liver damage.
Another myth surrounding the natural versus synthetic debate is that the word ‘chemical’ is inherently dangerous. The fact is everything is chemicals. From the contents of your fruit bowl to the glasses in your cupboard and the water you drink. Some chemicals are harmful if absorbed through the skin, ingested or inhaled. Many of these toxic chemicals occur in nature such as asbestos or snake venom. Some synthetic ones are dangerous too such as alcohol and chlorine.
This myth can be especially dangerous when people are choosing dietary supplements or herbal products. All-natural does not mean it is safer or better for your health. A natural solution may contain many unknown ingredients and scientists may be unaware of their side effects just yet.
Another trap many people fall into is natural skincare products. Products may use languages such as ‘clean’ and ‘natural’ but this doesn’t mean anything. They are not held accountable for using this language and whist it may be made from natural ingredients this does not make it better or inherently safe. An example is parabens, which is a natural chemical that occurs in fruits and vegetables. Once thought safe for your skin, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is now asking consumers to avoid it as it may have an estrogenic effect.
If some of this information is new to you then you may be confused as to how you can now make informed decisions. We suggest that you do your research on products that you use especially any dietary supplements or beauty products. Read reviews, look at the science and make informed choices. Do not avoid everything synthetic as you may be doing more harm than good. That being said, still, opt for natural where you can.
