This comes from my doctor - we have tried to live by it, not always successfully. But at least it gives you a clue why we got so horribly ill when Lyme came along on top of everything else. I do not doubt for a minute that this is the reason why so many, and especially in more recent years, suffer from Lyme. Microorganisms thrive in toxic bio-terrain! Some - even though they were exposed - do not get sick. You decide why!

The following material is taken from "Isopropyl Alcohol and Other Toxic Solvents: A Historical Literature Review," 1995 by Dietrich K. Klinghardt, M.D. Ph.D. and Louisa L. Williams, M.S. D.C. N.D.

Read the labels on all your personal grooming products - shampoo, cream rinse, soap, hair spray and gel, moisture lotion, shaving cream, deodorants, toothpaste, etc., your make-up, base eyeliner, mascara, blush on, lipstick, nail polish, etc., and household cleaning products. Eliminate all the products with obvious toxic solvents, such as the following:

"PROP" - Isopropyl alcohol or isopropanol.

Twice as toxic as ethanol, and is absorbed through the skin.

Produced as a by-product of the petroleum and natural gas industries.

Used as rubbing alcohol as a mild antiseptic and in fever reduction.

Found in paint thinners, racing fuels, fuel line deicers, antifreeze, paint removers, cleaners, and disinfectants.

It is also extensively used in medications (aspirins, Alka-Seltzer, etc.) and many cosmetics, from make-up to shampoos and moisture lotions.

Also, has a linger cumulative effect in the body due to toxicity of its oxidation product, acetone.

Isopropyl intoxication can cause skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, mental depression, narcosis, coma and death.

"Propyl alcohol or propanol"

Similar to the effects of isopropyl alcohol but has an additional drying effect on the skin.

"Propylparaben" - Propyl alcohol plus ester form of p-Hydroxybenzoate.

Used extensively; can cause contact dermatitis and is toxic.

"Propylene glycol"

Permeates through skin better than glycerin and is less expensive. * Widely used in cosmetics and hydraulic and brake fluid; can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Avoid any other chemical listed with "prop" in the name.

"METHYL" - Methyl alcohol or methanol

Common solvent especially irritating to the eyes.

Made from the distillation of wood.

Used widely in household cleaning products, in industry, antifreeze, cosmetics, some herbal blends, infant formula, and carbonated drinks.

Although methanol is only 1/3 as intoxicating as ethanol, in the liver it is converted to toxic formaldehyde and formic acid. (McMartin, K. et al, American Journal of Medicine, 1980)

It is especially toxic to the eyes, and many cases of blindness after overdose are reported in the literature. (Sullivan, Krieger, 1992)

"Methylparaben"

Widely used as a preservative in cosmetics; can cause allergic reactions.

"Methylcellulose"

A binder and thickener that has caused cancer in rats.

Avoid any other chemical with "methyl" in the name.

"BUTYL" - Butyl alcohol or butanol

Solvent and clarifying agent that is a strong irritant and toxin.

Manufactured from the fermentation of maize or synthesized from acetaldehyde.

Used in the lacquer and dye industries, in the manufacture of safety glass, hat and textile industries, shoes, and cosmetics.

"Butylparaben"

Used as an anti--fungal and is toxic.

"Butylene glycol"

Common in hair sprays; toxic to central nervous system and kidneys.

Avoid any other chemical with "butyl" in the name.

"ETHYL" - Ethyl alcohol, ethanol, cetyl alcohol, S. D. alcohol.

Made by the fermentation of sugars and starches.

Used as an antibacterial agent in mouthwashes, nail enamel, astringents, as the base for many perfumes and colognes, and many cosmetics.

Medically used as a topical disinfectant, sedative and blood vessel dilator. (Winter, 1994)

In its pristine form ethanol or regular drinking alcohol is not toxic, due to its chemical similarity to alcohol produced in the body from the fermentation of sugars.

However, in order to be used in cosmetics it must be denatured (made undrinkable) by such toxic solvents as acetone, turpentine, and benzene. (Oettingen, 1943) This renders it poisonous in moderate to large amounts.

Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, impaired perception, stupor, coma and death.

"Grain alcohol"

The only non-toxic alcohol additive; it is not denatured. (Some companies therefore break the guidelines and do not denature their ethanol.)

"Ethylene glycol"

Used as an antifreeze and solvent; very toxic to central nervous system, lungs, and kidneys.

"Ethylene dichloride"

Solvent and wetting agent; highly toxic even through skin absorption.

"EDTA or ethylene diamine tetracetic acid"

Preservative that is highly allergenic, and can cause kidney damage and cancer. Also used in carbonated beverages.

"MISC. SOLVENTS" - Benzene, toluene, styrene, xylene, etc.

Toxic aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum, but these will rarely appear on the label.

Therefore, avoid these sources:

Petroleum Jelly, gelatin desserts, candy, throat lozenges, all medications if possible, most cold cereals, chewing gum, many tea-tree products, ice cream, most pet foods, fruit juices, water in plastic bottles, perfumes, almost all cosmetics, personal care products, all household cleaners not bought at the health food store or co-op.

"Ascorbic acid"

Vitamin C, natural preservative; non-toxic if extracted cleanly.

"Benzoin"

A gum preservative not related to benzene; non-toxic if extracted cleanly.

"Citric acid"

From grapefruit seed; natural preservative; non-toxic if extracted cleanly.

"Mineral Oil"

Petroleum derivative, suffocates the skin, indigestible when absorbed, toxic.

CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY

Why are these petroleum derivatives put in our cosmetics and personal care products?

Because, for one, they have shown mild antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, solvent, and skin penetration qualities in laboratory tests. However, there is actually much more research data available attesting to these chemical solvents' skin and mucous membrane irritation properties, cardiovascular and central nervous system depressive effects and carcinogen.

Therefore, why use products with such strong "side effects?" The second -and major reason - is profit. Remember that these solvents are by-products of the oil and gas industries. In fact, Standard Oil (Rockefeller) sponsored some of the early research articles which concluded that isopropyl alcohol is a safe additive in cosmetics and medicines. So it's quite a financial coup for these major oil and gas companies to make an additional profit on their waste products after refining their oil. How would you like to be paid for your garbage?

The truth is, these chemical solvents are not necessary. There is plenty of research on the antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and natural preservative properties of herbs - Echinacea, goldenseal, chamomile - and plants and fruits such as aloe and grapefruit seed. There are safe alternatives to toxic chemicals. However, these natural products are not patent able, so just as with vitamin and mineral supplements, big mainstream companies fear competition and less profits.

Furthermore except for dyes, the F.D.A. does not regulate cosmetics, defined as any "product that improves appearance, verses drugs and that diagnose, relieve, or cure disease" (Winter, 1994). So it is - as usual - up to us as the consumers to read labels carefully and only use products that re propyl-, methyl-, butyl-, benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene, etc. - free.

However, it's not easy knowing which products are completely clear - especially when benzene and other aromatic hydrocarbons are not listed on the label. Therefore, the following guidelines and shopping list should help lead you to the safest products available now.

One final note . . . Do not get discouraged by the hydrogen cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, etc., from second hand smoke you may unavoidably inhale on occasion, or the benzene, butane, pentane, xylene, toluene, etc., from car exhaust. Although air pollution is a major health issue, eliminating the immediate toxins from you body does make a significant difference. The toxic solvents we have been micro-dosing ourselves with - from our first Johnson and Johnson's baby shampoo to our present Neutrogena soap - have had profound effects on our immune system. Eliminating these can make us more able to withstand environmental toxins we can't always control.

Dr. Klinghardt put this list together in 1995. And practiced based on this philosophy about 20 years before that. He taught me a thing or two and I am forever grateful, because he saved my husband's life. (mine too)

I can stay inside one of those about 2 minutes. This was pre-lyme...years ago and about as bad today. Smell like formaldehyde kinda.

Same with sheetrock mud(joint compound for those not in the contracting bidness) they took the formaldehyde out of that fortunately some years back.

talk about watery eyes.

Yes, these toxins in small amounts, in minute amounts is enough. Simply because you are not just dealing with one bad substance, but thousands of them - most of them we do not realize they are settling down in us. All are neurotoxins. In neurotoxin math, one plus another one does not equal two ---- they work in synergy -- more like +1 +1 = 100.

That lays the groundwork and is an open invitation to bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and that's the reason some of us got so sick. If you add a bit of mercury to the mix it equals disaster. We all take in mercury these days. Look at the "Patient Questionnaire" I posted a while ago on the other thread that Lymex2 started "Read this if you have Chronic Lyme" or similar title.

The idea I have been trying to convey is that we have to remove as much as possible from our system, create normal blood flow into these areas, and the amoeba will not survive because our immune system will kick in with clean, oxygenated blood.

That was our recipe for getting well -- even as old as we are - my husband, God willing, will celebrate his 80th birthday fit as a fiddle this year. I am just a few steps behind him.

Take care.

It's so hard to avoid all these hazards in our world.

If it goes in or on me its a natural & organic product. That way Im sure Im giving myself every edge I can.

Most laundry/hand soaps, mouth washes, body and moisturizing lotions, shampoos etc have one or more of those chemical No-No's.

I recently got on products that don't have any of the haz chems, and I noticed a big difference healthwise.

Oh man, the list just gets longer and longer.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm more harmed by the stess from worrying about all this than by the chemicals, power lines, dishes, etc.

I asked Dr. K about CNS damage and how to fix it last time I saw him. I brought up an antifreeze-related compound, polyethylene glycol. Dr. K told me he's had luck with bee venom for CNS repair.

A very recent study out of Purdue found polyethylene glycol to be quite impressive at preventing and ameliorating spinal chord damage and paralysis in dogs. Some paralyzed dogs had complete recoveries.

Human studies should follow soon and there's a sense of great promise.

Spinal chord injury is believed to be more difficult to treat or recover from than brain injury partly because the brain is better at compensating or "re-routing"

I just wonder if we're throwing out the baby with the bath water by avoiding everything "unnatural". But I totally agree that your list contains very bad things that should be avoided and I do my very best to prevent and eliminate further environmental toxicity.

Here's a link to info on the study:
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/cpr/sci.html

And an article and more links are below:

Scientists Reverse Paralysis in Dogs
My Way News ^ | Dec 3, 2004 | RICK CALLAHAN

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Dogs with paralyzed hind legs regained the ability to walk after getting a shot of a chemical cousin of antifreeze that helped repair nerve cells in their damaged spinal cords, scientists reported.

Purdue University researchers who led the project hope the approach can soon be tried in people, but caution that there are significant differences between human and canine spinal cords.

The treatment only worked on dogs given the injections within about three days of their injury. Some dogs not given the injections eventually walked again, but those getting the new treatment had a dramatically higher recovery rate.

In one case, a dachshund named Oscar was initially sent home with a wheel cart and little hope of recovery after a serious injury.

Soon after the dog got the chemical treatment, he began walking, although his back legs work in unison, giving him an unusual gait.

"I used to make fun of him, saying he walks like a drunken sailor," said Oscar's owner, Dan Paulin of Boonville, Ind. "I don't think he'll ever be normal, but at least he's not confined to the wheel cart."

In the study, 19 paraplegic dogs were injected with polyethylene glycol, or PEG - a nontoxic liquid polymer composed of long strings of the same type of molecules found in antifreeze.

Within eight weeks, 13 of the 19 canines, about 68 percent, regained the use of their hind legs and were able to walk, some almost as well as before their injury.

The dogs were injected twice with PEG, first soon after their owners brought them to the researchers' labs and then after standard surgery and steroids to reduce inflammation.

Among a group of 24 dogs that received just the standard surgery and rehabilitation therapies, only about 25 percent regained the same level of mobility, feeling and bodily functions, with about 62 percent remaining paraplegic.

The study's findings appear in the December issue of the Journal of Neurotrauma.

Scientists at Purdue, Indiana University's Indianapolis campus and Texas A&M University took part in the research on dogs ages 2 to 8 between 2001-03.

Richard Borgens, the Purdue professor of neuroscience who oversaw the study, said his West Lafayette, Ind., lab had previously used PEG to repair damaged spinal cords in guinea pigs with about a 90 percent success rate.

His team has even fused severed guinea pig spinal cords using PEG, although the dogs in the study had spinal disc ruptures that crushed, but did not sever, their spinal cords.

Although exactly how PEG works remains unclear, Borgens said it appears to act as a sort of "molecular Band-Aid" that forms a temporary seal over breaches in nerve cells in the spinal cord, aiding their healing process.

"This stuff is kind of like a radiator stop-leak for the nervous system. The polymer spreads out and forms a seal over the damaged areas in the nerve cells and allows the membrane below to reconstruct itself," said Borgens, director of Purdue's Center for Paralysis Research.

He said PEG also appears to prevent secondary tissue death that often causes more damage than the original injury. Borgens said the agent only covers damaged cells and tissues when injected into the blood stream.

Purdue has enlisted a yet-to-be-announced corporate sponsor that will make PEG in a form suitable for human clinical trials. Pending federal approval, Borgens hopes those trials can begin within about 18 months on people with hours-old or days-old spinal injuries.

W. Dalton Dietrich, the scientific director of The Miami Project To Cure Paralysis, said the rapid improvements in the dogs are intriguing, but point to the need for follow-up work to learn more about how PEG works and evaluate its safety. "Although the results are very provocative, additional studies are required," he said.

Karen Kline, an associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames, Iowa, called the findings promising. She said PEG, which she plans to test on dogs at her lab, appears to stabilize damaged tissue to allow more rapid healing than typically occurs naturally.

"It has such promise, but I think we need to look at more animals and make sure that we're getting a positive outcome," Kline said.

__

On the Net:

Purdue Center for Paralysis Research:
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/cpr/

How am I supposed to live in this world now GIGI?? Just kidding, I appreciate the thread. But we musn't Das Kind mit dem Bade aussch�tten.