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It is not uncommon to notice unusual visual symptoms at night after LASIK. Patients often report symptoms of haloes, glare, or a general feeling of poor night vision. Fortunately, these symptoms almost always resolve with time. There has been a large amount of debate as to the cause of night vision symptoms after LASIK. What is known is that it is much less common than it was with the older generation laser treatments. There are some patients who had LASIK surgery many years ago who will require frequent eye drops to minimize the symptoms. The major debate has surrounded whethere the size of a persons pupil at night plays into night vision symptoms. In the dark,a person's pupil will enlarge in size. Some people believe that it is this enlargement of pupil size that causes the night vision complaints. More specifically, the pupil size has enlarged to allow light in that is outside the optical zone created by the laser. Therefore, this light is reflected in a different manner than light inside the optical zone; this leading to night vision complaints. A study published in a peer-reviewed journal has suggested this is wrong. At this point, it is unclear as to the true answer. However, pupil measurement is a standard part of the preoperative workup. A major development in laser vision correction has been the measurement of higher order abberations. It is felt that these abberations, such as spherical abberation and coma cause a lot of the post-operative visual symptoms that may cause a patient to have a less than satisfactory post-surgical outcome. The development of wavefront abberation treatment or custom cornea treatment is designed to address the treatment of these pre-existing abberations and to minimize the induction of these abberations. It is felt that by treating these abberations symptoms such a night vision haloes and glare can be minimized. Many surgeons will agree that the advancement with this technology in addition to creating smoother optical zone treatments has minimized these symptoms compared to earlier generation lasers. homemade penis enlagement penis enlargement device vimax enlargement free penis pills sample penile enlargement supplement medical pnis enlargement buy penile enlargment pills vimax penis enlargement pills review herbal natural pnis enlargement

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Are you among the millions of people worldwide who are otherwise healthy but who’ve lost interest in sex? Do you find it boring and routine? Are you so tired that you’d rather nap than make love? Do you think TV is more stimulating than your partner? Do you have physical symptoms, like vaginal dryness or difficulty with erection, that make sex unpleasant? As a relationship matures it is common, but definitely not necessary, for sex to become predictable and unexciting. One of the first places to start improving your sex life is to elevate your general mood and increase your energy level. This is good advice not only for improving sex but also for most other things in your life. According to a survey of 153 doctors conducted by Pharmatron Health Products during July and August of 1998: “ Herbal supplements are now entering mainstream medical practice, with one in three primary care doctors recommending them to patients at least weekly, most frequently for people with mood and emotional complaints… About as many doctors recommend herbal supplements for fatigue and lack of energy...Doctors also practice what they preach, with one in four doctors personally consuming herbal supplements.” So, let’s assume you have covered the basics. You pay attention to what you eat and take some nutritional supplements. You follow a regular routine for physical fitness. You are reasonably healthy. There are no organic health problems interfering with your sexual performance, or you have consulted a physician and they are being treated allopathically with drugs. (Note that many prescription drugs are known to interfere with sexual desire and performance. If you are taking any prescription medication, ask your doctor about such side effects. It may be possible to prescribe a different medication that won’t interfere with your sex life. ) If you are not doing these things, you may consider changing your habits before you experiment with aphrodisiacs. Regular exercise, good diet and basic nutritional supplements may be all you need to revitalize you sex life. Ideally we could also assume that you have set aside old beliefs and conditioning about your sexuality. You have moved beyond shame and guilt. You have had help in dealing with any sexual abuse or trauma. You understand and believe that sex is natural, good and wondrous. If you lack sexual skill and technique, and your imagination fails to motivate you to experiment by trying new things, perhaps a workshop or some private coaching is in order. Even if you have done all of these things, perhaps you are still looking for more and wonder if aphrodisiacs might be it. They are definitely worth experimenting with, but be warned, many of them may have side effects for some people. If you want to consume any item mentioned consult your physician first. If you do decide to use them, start out slowly and experiment carefully to see how each of them works for you. Try them one at a time to see what each one does on its own and how your body responds to its use before you consume several at the same time. What are Aphrodisiacs? An aphrodisiac is something that increases your libido. It turns you on and increases your desire to have sex, or it may reduce your usual inhibitions about sex. Aphrodisiacs may also improve your ability to have sex. This means that under the right circumstances, almost anything could have aphrodisiac qualities, but most people think of something to eat or drink when they think of aphrodisiacs. Aphrodisiacs are never an alternative to healthy sexual attitude, doing your inner work to remove psychological barriers to sexual intimacy, or sexual skill mastery, but they can be lots of fun. Aphrodisiacs may also be exactly what is needed when sexual dysfunction is caused by physiological/organic causes, e.g., peripheral vascular disease, hardening of the penile arteries, diabetes mellitus, prostate enlargement, high levels of pituitary gland hormone prolactin, low testosterone, menopause and andropause (the male’s version of menopause). What do you already know about aphrodisiac herbs? Here is a short aphrodisiac quiz. The answers to the questions are at the end of the article. Aphrodisiac Quiz 1. Which aphrodisiac could you say this about? “Occasionally, it causes erections even in the absence of any sexual stimulation.” And, “has a reputation for producing electrifying sexual encounters…” 2. What amino acid will help relax the smooth muscles in your genitals and enable a man to maintain an erection? 3. Which hormone precursor did homerun hitting Mark McGwire help make famous? 4. Which Greek Goddess does the name aphrodisiacs come from? 5. What berry provides protection for the prostate gland? 6. Which natural adrenal hormone, available as a nutritional supplement, helps balance all the other hormones in the body, for both men and women, and has dramatic effects on improving memory? 7. What topical cream can be used by menopausal women as part of a natural approach to hormone replacement, to help balance an estrogen dominance, assist in reducing bone loss and to build new bones? 8. Which nutritional supplement can help you to stop worrying and be happy now? Hint: It is commonly misspelled as Wart. 9. Which natural sedative available as a nutritional supplement can help you get a really good night’s sleep with no morning after effects so you’ve got the energy for lovemaking? 10. Which Mexican herb is “reputed to induce erotic dreams when drunk at bedtime?” 11. Which adrenal hormone, available as a nutritional supplement, can increase your energy level, enhance your sex drive, decrease body fat, reduce stress and reduce ill effects of stress, enhance memory function, extend lifespan, and improve your immune function all at the same time? 12. There is an antioxidant that improves circulation and “can help in cases where a man has circulation-related difficulties in getting an erection.” It is also well known for enhancing short-term memory. What is it? 13. Which South American aphrodisiac used in the Amazon and Orinoco basins for centuries, can increase libido, stimulate sensuality, increase sexual pleasure, and is used as a treatment for impotence and frigidity? Selected Aphrodisiacs Here is a brief summary of several aphrodisiacs that can enhance your sexual desire, help you experience more pleasure and perform better as a lover. We explain their general properties, how to use them, and where to get them. They may be worth experimenting with, but be warned, many of the substances mentioned may have side effects for some people. Nothing we say here is intended as medical advice. If you want to consume any item mentioned consult your physician first. Where possible use a product with standardized extract. This means that the product is guaranteed to contain a certain percentage of the active ingredient(s). Consult labels carefully to determine quantities of all ingredients. Follow dosage recommendations on the product label. Don’t let the strange sounding names and exotic places they come from throw you off from considering the use of aphrodisiacs. These items are not any more unusual than many things now part of our regular vocabulary and consumption, for instance, aspirin. Androstenedione Available in capsules and spray Androstenedione is naturally occurring in all meat as well as in the Scotch Pine tree. It is a metabolite of the hormones DHEA and progesterone, and is a direct hormonal precursor to testosterone. Androstenedione is short-acting, elevating blood testosterone levels without inhibiting the body's natural testosterone production. Sexually, Androstenedione will be most helpful for men over 50 and for women in the menopausal cycle, because this is when testosterone levels begin to drop. ”Testosterone is… ‘the hormone of desire,’ the substance that acts on the brain to stimulate sexual interest, sensitivity to sexual stimulation and orgasmic ability in both sexes….The most common complaint associated with declining [testosterone] levels is an otherwise unexplainable loss of sexual enjoyment….” [Source: Testosterone: Not Just For Men, Jane Brody, Pro Health, May/June 1998] The hard-hitting bat of Mark McGwire with 70 home runs in a single season has put the spotlight on Androstenedione. In an August 1998 interview with Sports Illustrated, McGwire said “the company that supplies me says most of its repeat business is coming from wives and girlfriends who are very satisfied.” Androstenedione is available in spray or capsules. Recommended dosage: For men, one to four sprays (25 mg per spray) per day. For women, up to one spray per day. Capsules typically come in 50mg dosages, which may be too high for women. Women may wish to take only one or two capsules a month. Men who find adrostenedione works for them may take it daily, on an empty stomach at bedtime and/or in the morning or 30 minutes prior to sexual activity. Long term studies of the effects of this substance have not been done. It is not available in Canada, but is available over the counter at health food stores in the US. Check with the suppliers listed at the end of this article for mail orders. Yohimbe This powerful aphrodisiac is extracted from West Africa's Corynanthe Yohimbe tree. For centuries, tribes in this region have used a tea made from the inner bark in their fertility rituals. It may help to stimulate erection and enhance libido and increase physical energy in men and women. “Most of the current medical literature on yohimbe discusses the treatment of male impotence but an impressive body of anecdotal evidence surrounds the use of yohimbe for making good sex even better.” [Source: Better Sex Through Chemistry, John Morgenthaler, Pro Health, May/June 1998] “Occasionally, it causes erections even in the absence of any sexual stimulation.” [Source: Viagra: Is The Stampede Misdirected?, Will Block, Life Enhancement, June 1998] The tincture form is recommended rather than capsules. Take one-half dropper under the tongue and hold for sixty seconds immediately before sexual activity. This is a powerful substance. We do not recommend daily or prolonged use because of possible side effects. Stay clear if you suffer from high blood pressure, heart, kidney or liver disease. Yohimbe is available over the counter at health food stores in the US. Check with the suppliers listed at the end of this article for mail orders. Arginine The amino acid arginine is an immune system enhancer and powerful growth hormone stimulant. It plays a role in many body tasks: wound healing, circulation and sexual function. In response to sexual stimulation, your body releases nitric oxide (NO) in your genitals. This causes the smooth muscles to relax and blood flows into the penis resulting in erection. Both arginine and ginkgo biloba have both been shown to enhance NO levels in your body. “If sufficient NO is not produced, erection or sexual stimulation does not occur. Arginine is absolutely necessary for the production of NO….Some scientists studying these phenomena have concluded that up to 90% of all impotency can be reversed by NO (and by implication, the use of arginine).” [Source: Dr. Whitaker Wellness Institute Guide To Nutrients, Julian Whitaker M.D., Summer 1998] The new drug Viagra from Pfizer increases blood flow into the penis, or into the vaginal area for women, but this drug has many known side effects and there were 69 confirmed deaths attributed to Viagra use by the fall of 1998! Arginine should be taken on an empty stomach. You may use it daily and/or 30 minutes to an hour before sexual activity. Not for use by diabetics, borderline diabetics, pregnant or lactating women, cancer patients or persons who have had ocular or brain herpes. Available in health food stores. Ginkgo Biloba The Ginkgo tree is one of the oldest living species on the planet. It has flourished unchanged for over 150 million years has been used in Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years. The leaves and fruit of the Ginkgo tree contain a variety of phytochemicals that have a wide range of clinically proven benefits. Ginkgo significantly increases blood flow to the brain thereby improving cognitive function, memory, alertness and concentration. It also improves peripheral arterial insufficiency (restriction of blood flow to the legs and other extremities, including the genitals). “Because it improves circulation, it can help in cases where a man has circulation-related difficulties in getting an erection.” [Source: Love Potions, Cynthia Mervis Watson, M.D., Jeremy P. Tarcher/Perigee, 1993] There are no serious side effects with Ginkgo Biloba. It is available at most health food stores. Large doses over a long period of time can result in irritability and headaches, so take no more than 3 grams daily in capsule or tincture form Saw Palmetto For years, berries of the saw palmetto plant have been used to treat bladder and prostate conditions. It helps regulate testosterone levels in both women and men, supports healthy prostate function and is a good source of fatty acids. ”Many herbalists regard saw palmetto berries as safe, mild aphrodisiacs; ten to twelve can be eaten daily for a cumulative effect. Their potency is increased when they are combined with damiana.” [Source: Love Potions, Cynthia Mervis Watson, M.D., Jeremy P. Tarcher/Perigee, 1993] Recommended dosage is 160-320 mg per day of Saw Palmetto. Avoid if pregnant, planning pregnancy or suffering from a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Available at health food stores. Zinc Zinc is a mineral that may improve sensory and sexual functions as well as boost the immune system, quicken wound healing, and promote skin health. Virtually every man who lives long enough will have a problem with prostate enlargement. A man with prostate irritation will lose most interest in sexual intercourse. Several years ago I began to have prostate discomfort but have completely corrected the problem with a combination of pycnogenol, zinc, and saw palmetto. Recommended dosage: 50 mg. Daily. High doses may lower HDL cholesterol, cause anemia and weaken immune function. Available at health food stores. Damiana This herb from Mexico has been used by both men and women to enhance and regulate the production of sex hormones. It is considered a potent aphrodisiac. “Chemically this plant has been found to contain several alkaloids that directly stimulate the sex organs… Native Mexican women have long drunk an infusion of the herb a couple of hours before retiring to prime themselves for their men. It is reputed to induce erotic dreams when drunk at bedtime.” [Source: Love Potions, Cynthia Mervis Watson, M.D., Jeremy P. Tarcher/Perigee, 1993] Damiana leaves for tea or making tincture, or tincture already prepared, is available at most health food stores. Muira Puama Found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, Muira Puama has long been used “to stimulate sensuality, as a sexual enhancer, and as a treatment for impotence and frigidity…[it] appears to be milder and without the side effects of [yohimbe].” [Source: Love Potions, Cynthia Mervis Watson, M.D., Jeremy P. Tarcher/Perigee, 1993] It is considered effective in restoring libido and treating erectile dysfunction. For an aphrodisiac drink, mix 2 ounces each of damiana and muira puama tinctures in your favorite adult punch (20 serving size). Muira puama may or may not be available at your local health food store. In the U.S. it is available in tincture and capsule form. Check with the suppliers listed at the end of this article for mail order. Natural Progesterone Cream (For Women) Progesterone plays many roles in the body, one of them is maintaining sex drive. It is particularly important for women in the menopausal cycle. Natural progesterone is identical to what your body produces. It is derived from diosgenin in the wild Mexican yam. Natural progesterones are more biologically active and safer than their unnatural counterparts. Progesterone is a small fat-soluble molecule, which can be easily absorbed through the skin. It is initially absorbed into the fat layers under the skin, then is diffused into the capillaries where it enters the blood stream as needed. This makes transdermal progesterone 100% bioavailable to the body. In contrast, oral supplementation of progesterone has to be taken in very high dosages to compensate for the almost 90% which will be excreted by the liver. Use 1/4 to 3/4 teaspoon in the morning, applied to the softer parts of the body (for better absorption). Rotate the application spot on a daily basis. Because natural progesterone is identical to the body's own progesterone there are no known side effects at 20-40 mg/day. Very large dosages can result in feelings of sleepiness. Available by mail order from suppliers listed. Pregnenolone A supplement derived from diosgenin, the Mexican yam extract, pregnenolone is the building block for all other hormones. Produced by the body’s adrenal glands, Pregnenolone may be one of our most important hormones because it seems to have a balancing effect in bringing the levels of other hormones up or down as needed. Pregnenolone is a direct precursor of both DHEA and progesterone. Pregnenolone levels dramatically drop after age 30. Research indicates that restoration of Pregnenolone to levels of healthy young adults may have dramatic positive effects on memory, mood and energy, and sexual function. Pregnenolone can be taken once daily in the morning on an empty stomach to mimic the body’s normal rhythm. Recommended dosage: 10-100 mg per day. Adjust the dosage to your needs. Safety has been long established—it was used for arthritis treatment back in the 40s at very high doses with no apparent side effects. It is available at most health food stores and can be ordered via mail. DHEA DHEA (de-hydro-epi-andro-sterone) is a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands. It is usually the most abundant adrenal hormone in the body, but with age (or certain disease conditions) the levels drop. Lower levels of DHEA are associated with many of the diseases associated with aging and people with naturally higher levels are found to have lower incidence of some of these diseases (cancer, for example). In his Wellness Institute Guide to Nutrients Dr. Julian Whitaker notes “I give DHEA to about 80% of my patients over 40 because of its health-enhancing and anti-aging benefits.” Dosage: most people over 25 can take 25 - 50 mg per day in the morning with food. This amount will bring your DHEA levels back up to the normal range for the average 25-year-old. Check with mail order suppliers. St. John’s Wort This popular supplement has been shown to have antidepressive and antiviral properties. New research shows that St. John’s Wort may actually increase serotonin production. I have a tendency to be a little hyperactive. I have never been diagnosed with adult ADD, but I find that taking St. John’s Wort 3-4 times per week takes the edge off my being speedy very nicely. Look for St. John’s Wort containing 0.3% standardized hypericin extract. Avoid if pregnant or planning pregnancy. May cause photo-sensitivity so avoid strong sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light (like "tanning booths") when taking St. John’s Wort. Available in most health food stores. Valerian Getting a good nights sleep does wonders for your sex life! Valeriana officinalis, a natural sedative that may be helpful for insomnia, leaves no morning after effects. Take just before going to bed. Available in tablets or loose tea form at health food stores. High doses may cause paralysis and a weakening of the heartbeat. Like any sedative, may become habit-forming if used for an extended period of time. Avoid if pregnant. Available in most health food stores. INTERNET and MAIL ORDER SOURCES of Products Life Extension Foundation: http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151061148 Vitamin Research Products (VRP): http://www.vrp.com/default.asp?vMBR=467976 Quiz Answers 1. Yohimbe 2. Arginine 3. Androstenedione 4. Aphrodite (Venus in the Roman pantheon) 5. Saw Palmetto 6. Pregnenolone 7. Natural Progesterone Cream 8. St. John’s Wort 9. Valerian 10. Damiana 11. DHEA 12. Ginkgo Biloba 13. Muira Puama buy penis enlarement pills herbal natural pennis enlargement real penis enlagement vimax penis enlargement result medical penis elargement herbal penis enlargement pill free exercise tip for penile enlargment penile enlargement procedure do penile enlargement pills work

When a man is suffering from impotence (impotent) he is unable to achieve and maintain an erection long enough to have penetrative sexual intercourse. Many people mistanly believe that a man also loses sexual desire when he becomes impotent but this is not true. Being impotent does not mean the loss of sexual desire, libido or the inability to produce healthy sperm. An impotent man can still achieve an orgasm and does have the ability to ejaculate. The process which creates a healthy erection is as follows: 1. A man feels sexually aroused and the brain receives a message of stimulation but no physical changes take place in the penis. 2. The nervous system responds sending the brain's messae to the walls of the blood vessels in the penis preparing it to enlarge with blood. 3. The vascular response in which the blood flows through into the vessels in the penis causing it to become erect and firm. If any problems develop within any part of this process then there is the chance that impotence will occur. Although men who have reached middle age and older are more likely to be impotent than younger men, impotence can strike at any adult age. It is estimated to affect between 10 and 15 million men in the United States alone. The main causes of impotence are diseases, medication, surgery, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and narcotics. One of the best ways to treat impotence is with all natural herbs. Many men have taken to purchasing 'penis enlargement pills' solely for their herbal ingredients which while the jury is out about whether they actually help enlarge anyones penis do help treat impotence very well. The positives regarding using all natural herbal penis enlargement pills for impotence is that they have no negative side effects and they do not require a prescription. Many men are embarassed about these sorts of issues and would rather take care of it in some way that doesn't involve a doctor. penis elargement surgery photo vimax penis enlargment herbal natural penis enhancement penis elargement surgeries penis enlargement secret vigrx pill homemade pnis enlargement penile enlargment pills product do penile enlargement pills work

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Question: Have plastic food and beverage containers been proven safe? Answer: No. During the film's graduation party in THE GRADUATE, Mr. McGuire pulls Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) aside to offer sage advice for his future. His future would be one word: "plastics." Of course, we all know Mr. McGuire's advice and prognostication was correct. Plastics can only be made by man in his infinite wisdom, hence they are patentable. The profit in the manufacture of plastics has been huge. Plastics are everywhere. Plastic manufacturing now uses 4% of the world's oil production annually. Automobiles are now 9% plastic. It is of my special concern that more foods and beverages are being put into plastic containers. Plastics are ubiquitous now. They persist and accumulate in our society as their production exceeds their chemical degradation rate. Harmful chemicals from plastics are now commonly found in groundwater, waterways, and drinking water. While standing out in the summer heat in Phoenix, Arizona in 1981, my girlfriend asked me what was causing the film to form on the inside of the windshield of her new Mazda 626. She said that she had to wipe it off every morning so she could see to drive to work. I didn't know then. I do now! It was phthalates, the chemical that was added to the plastic dash cover to soften it and prevent cracking. I'm sure by now most of the phthalate has evaporated into our atmosphere and the Mazda is in some junkyard with a cracked up dash. Phthalates are EDC's (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals.) They are chemicals found in recycle codes #1 through #6 plastics. Another EDC (Bisphenol A) is in recycle code #7 plastics. All of these types of plastic EDC's interfere with the function of sex hormones receptors. In THE GRADUATE Benjamin was quite a stud. I wonder if he's now taking one of the popular drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, a disorder that has become one of the many epidemics in our new plastic world. In 2003 a group of Croatian scientists reported that phthalates in plastics dissolved in various solutions. They used a variety of plastic items, including plastic food containers. After 10 days of sitting in distilled water, an average of 55.4 mg/ of phthalates from each kilogram of plastic "migrated" into the water. To a lesser degree the phthalates from plastics dissolved into acetic acid 3% (44.4 mg/kg) and 10% ethyl alcohol (32.3 mg/kg). The Croatian study shows what Benjamin would suspect, if he took chemistry in college: Water is the universal solvent; and it dissolves even the primarily fat soluble phthalates. The more that you filter water to remove other toxic solutes, the more aggressive water becomes in its power to reach osmolar equilibrium by dissolving its non-inert containers. What is also obviously missing from the Croatians' controlled, static testing model are the temperature variations that the plastic bottled water product goes through to get from bottling point to the mouth of the consumer. Transport trucks probably reach a very high temperature in the non refrigerated cargo areas that carry PETE (recycle code #1 plastic) bottled water in the summer. Heat facilitates the dissolution of phthalates into the water. Then the bottles may be stored for a much longer time than 10 days prior to consumption. Furthermore, freezing the containers produces micro-fissures in the interior surface of the plastic bottle container as the water expands, exponentially exposing more solute surface area. Traumatic handling or any motion of the package will further enhance diffusion. Applying the laws of physics, all of these factors clearly by extrapolation will increase the water dissolution of the plastic containers. Fatty foods in plastic containers are even more problematic, as fats are absorbed differently and carry their phthalate solvents into our bodies more easily. Phthalates bio-accumulate because of their fat solubility. Phthalates concentrate in such fat organs in our bodies such as brains, prostates, testicles, ovaries, breasts and, unfortunately, breast milk. (The other popular food alternatives for infants are worse. Commercial baby formulas are loaded with the manmade phthalates.) I think the worst example of food containment in plastic is milk. All milk except non-fat milk contains fat. Cow milk itself represents a major source of the fats ingested by the public, especially children. Cattle concentrate these chemicals by bioaccummulation because EDC's from plastics are ubiquitous in water and most animal food sources. Meat and dairy products are therefore a major contributor to this group of human food chain derived toxins, regardless of their containment. It is now irresponsible to add more phathalates to the products by putting the milk products in plastic containers that add MORE EDC's. Cattle have intentially been "fattened up" by adding hormones AND unintentially "fattened up" more by the contamination of cattle food and water by EDC's. The combination of these chemicals passed on to the consumers in concentrated form in milk products will most likely exacerbate obesity in humans that consume them as well. Our current scientific knowledge and common sense screams for an end to consumer purchase of milk bottled in plastics. Until milk companies have their products quantatatively analysed for these EDC's by competent independant laboratories, my strong recommendation is to avoid purchase and consumption of milk and dairy products contained in plastic. Sadly, the Croatian authors' 2003 conclusions about the safety of plastics were: "These (exposure) levels would not present a hazard for human health, not even for a prolonged period of time." However, what was deemed acceptable levels of phthalates in 2003 now is recognized as "crystal clearly" too high. Selective interpretations from the ACC (American Chemistry Council) lead to this erroneously high level being "set" for past toxicity standards. The ACC is an "industry group" advisor. It's much like the wolf guarding the henhouse. Thanks to the ACC efforts, control regulations placed upon this chemical class are minimal. An ongoing perpetuation of phthalate approval for use in virtually everything, including containment of food, has resulted. In fact, the perpetuation of these mythological high safety standards has resulted in the majority of our food being wrapped or contained in plastics that leach EDC's into our foods. The ACC's Phthalate Esters Panel is made up representatives from BASF, Eastman Chemical, Exxon-Mobil Chemical, Ferro, and Teknor Apex Corporations. After graduating, Benjamin could have gone to work for any of these companies to share the wealth that plastics manufacturing have reaped, instead of hanging around and sporting Mrs. Robinson for the summer! I love one of the rationalization examples the ACC makes on their PHTHALATES INFORMATION CENTER webpage: "Thanks to phthalates, your nail polish doesn't chip." I wonder if they are aware of the "unexplained" high rate of breast cancer in manicurists. I also wonder if they are aware that most breast tissues and breast cancers have sex hormone receptors that are acted upon by the EDC's found in plastics. To further confuse the public, the ACC webpage also redefines the PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE which in its un-perverted definition simply is: A (chemical) should not be considered safe until it is proven safe. Environmentalists who are trying to unravel the cause-effect relationships of environment chemicals, to the otherwise unexplained epidemics of various diseases now affecting man as well as every species on our planet, encourage its application. The ACC's watered down version suggests that cost effective, fearless risks are worth taking. Can the ACC keep up the phthalate safety illusion forever? The American Tobacco Association almost got away with it! We now know that EDC's, like hormones themselves require very minute amounts to have physiologic impact. EDC's are active in parts per trillion! For example, the usual adult maintenance dose of levothyroxine, a drug to replace depleted natural thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism, is 1.6 micrograms/Kg/day. Why would I even think about saying that a dose in the milligrams (1000 times as much as a microgram) of a known EDC would be safe, especially for a child or developing fetus? We now know that phthalates also work in synergy with chemicals in other classes to exert "more than additive" physiologic effects. Previous experiments in rodents showed that high levels of phthalates interfer with testosterone during gestation resulting in birth defects of the genitalia, testicular cancer, and infertility in the rats. The ACC inspired acceptable level of phthalate myth should be blown out of the water with a recent study completed by the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. This study of 85 human infant boys reported in May 2005 showed that phthalate levels found normally in the general population adversely influenced sexual development. The phthalate exposure these children had correlated with smaller penis size and incomplete testicular descent, which is a condition that greatly increases the risk of testicular cancer if left untreated. Solution 1 - Choose glass containers over plastic for purchase and storage of food and beverages including milk and water. American children can consume several milligrams of phthalate each day. I wonder if THE GRADUATE's Mr. Robinson noticed that most of the teenage girls now-days have bigger breasts than his seductive wife (gynecomastia), and that they begin thelarche (breast development) and menarche (menstruation) at a significantly younger age, or that many more have an endocrine pathology called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). The chances of a woman getting breast cancer in her lifetime has probably gone from a risk of less than 1 in 10 (10%) before THE GRADUATE was made to a 1 in about 7.5 (13.2 %) rate today. The choice to avoid food chain plastics is a "no-brainer" when you understand how these chemicals persist and accumulate in our environment, and how they function in our bodies! Solution 2 - Choose stainless steel containers over plastic for storage of food and beverages including water. Unfortunately, we are past the point of no return with phthalates. Just like cigarettes I think we'll have to live as prisoners with their impact on future generations. The only defense we have at this time is to individually choose to avoid them when we can, to mitigate their effects on our health. Phthalates clearly act upon hormone receptors in both men and women. A concern is the potential phthalate impact on breast and other hormone sensitive tissue in human females, but phthalate's demasculinizing potential on males is more of a threat to all species on the planet. Unlike Mr. McGuire, I think we can choose a better future by avoiding his "one word." We should start by trying to reduce plastics in our food chain exposures. Bottom line: I would strongly advise consumers to purchase beverages and non-solid food products packaged in glass rather than plastic if given the choice. © Life Dynamix 2005 All Rights Reserved