Headlines warn us about hazardous chemicals in ordinary products. How much do we have to worry? 

1. "Clamshell" takeout food containers

Or any food packaging labeled #6 in the recycling symbol*

What It Contains
Polystyrene (Styrofoam).

Concerns
May leach styrene (a possible endocrine disrupter and human carcinogen) into food, and into groundwater from landfills.

What You Should Do
Avoid food that has come into contact with polystyrene.

*usually located on the bottom of the container

2. Reusable "sport" water bottles

Look for plastics labeled #7 in the recycling symbol. Also check metal-lined containers (such as those used for some baby formulas and cocoa powder), five-gallon water bottles, and most plastic baby bottles

What They Contain
Polycarbonate, which may contain bisphenol A.

Concerns
Bisphenol A is a suspected hormone disrupter and has been found to stimulate prostate cancer cells.

What You Should Do
Replace plastic baby bottles with glass, and water bottles with stainless steel or those made of high-density polyethylene — labeled #2 in the recycling symbol. Avoid putting plastics into the microwave or dishwasher. To be extra careful, use ceramic or glass containers instead.

Plastics labeled #1, #2, #4 and #5 are safer than those labeled #3, #6 and #7. 

3. Water and soft-drink bottles when refilled

Look for plastics labeled #1 in the recycling symbol
(typically)

What They Contain
Polyethylene terephthalate.

Concerns
The bottles are considered safe but are intended for single use only; they should not be reused because they may have picked up bacteria from the first use.

What You Should Do
Use only once (and then, of course, recycle!). Even if you wash them, you cannot be sure they have been properly sanitized. 

4. Backyard furniture, shower curtains, toys

Look for plastics labeled #3 in the recycling symbol

What They Contain
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which often contains softeners called phthalates.

Concerns
PVC releases toxic chemicals during its manufacture. Phthalates, for their part, can damage the liver, kidneys and reproductive systems of animals. Suspected endocrine disrupters, they mimic hormones and may interfere with children's growth and development, especially if infants chew or suck on vinyl products.

What You Should Do
Avoid PVC products and soft plastic toys, which young children may put in their mouth. Look for plastics labeled #1, #2, #4 or #5, which are not endocrine disrupters. 

5. Non-stick cookware (when overheated)

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFC). (Some new non-stick cookware does not contain PFC.)

Concerns
Non-stick pans may give off fumes containing TFE, a suspected carcinogen, when they get hotter than 650°F. How hot is that? Olive oil, for example, starts smoking at 410°F, well below that level.

What You Should Do
Just to be safe, don't allow empty pans to smolder on a hot burner.

6. Worn and pitted pots and pans

What They May Contain
Aluminum.

Concerns
Aluminum has been associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, no definite link has been proven.

What You Should Do
Consider getting rid of older pots and pans, which leach the most aluminum into your food. Leafy vegetables and acidic foods, such as tomatoes, absorb the most. Anodized aluminum pots, with a hard non-stick surface, are a better choice. 

Sorcue: rdasia.com

Here are the most effective natural strategies for managing your cholesterol

 Cholesterol-lowering drugs are cheap and effective — and if your doctor says you need them, we have no argument. But if it’s a judgment call, consider this: So many people nowadays address every problem with a pill that over medication is a serious health problem in itself. Besides, not addressing the root causes of high cholesterol, such as a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, puts you at risk of other chronic illnesses, like hypertension and diabetes — even if you take a pill for your cholesterol. All of this adds up to powerful reasons to try the three most effective natural strategies for managing cholesterol:Rough up your diet
The No. 1 foodstuff for lowering cholesterol is soluble fiber — it reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. One study showed that people who eat a high-fiber diet have about a 30 percent lower risk of heart disease than people who shun the stuff. Bonus: A fiber-rich diet will probably reduce your waistline, too, because these foods fill you up. Oatmeal, apples, barley, and sun-dried plums (also known as prunes) are all soluble superstars. 

Follow this training plan
While any exercise is good for your health, some workouts are particularly effective at raising HDL, the good kind of cholesterol. First, the longer your aerobic workout (as measured by duration or distance), the better the results — intensity doesn’t matter as much.

A combination of aerobic and strength training can shave pounds — which can move your cholesterol numbers in the right direction too. Try a weekly program that alternates two or three days of walks, runs, or bike rides at a moderate pace with two or three days of total-body resistance training. (If you’ve been sedentary, work up slowly under the guidance of a doctor and trainer.)

Become less of a man or woman
If you lose weight — as little as five or ten pounds — your cholesterol numbers will improve. Even better news: If you follow our first two tips, you’ll likely drop pounds automatically.

Don't drink your calories. Instead drink these low-calorie drink options. 
The secret to losing weight isn’t just watching what’s on your plate; it’s also about watching what’s in your glass. Popular soft drinks, fruit juices, and energy drinks can be loaded with added sugars and carbohydrates that can sabotage your weight-loss strategy. Here are five tasty ways to drink up without packing on the pounds.

1. Water

We all know this one, but it’s important to remember that water is the single best choice for effective weight loss. Whether it’s still or sparkling, aim to make water your go-to beverage choice. Think water is boring? Try adding fresh lemon slices, lime, cucumber, and even a slice of tomato to add flavor without adding many calories.

2. Vegetable juice

Whether in a can, bottled, or homemade, vegetable juice is an excellent way to get the fiber and nutrients your body needs to fuel your weight loss. If you can find a low-sodium variety, even better. The veggies will keep you fuller longer and the tangy flavor will keep your taste buds happy.

3. Unsweetened tea

Green tea has been proven to help boost metabolism and speed up weight loss. Try it hot or iced with a bit of honey for a low-sugar sweet drink. Don’t forget black and oolong teas, too! Both are filled with antioxidants, which can help rid your body of toxins.

4. Black coffee

A morning cup of joe or an afternoon iced coffee can help spur your weight loss by providing a boost of caffeine that suppresses hunger. Also, coffee has been shown to stimulate thermogenesis, which heats up the body and boosts metabolism. Just be careful about what you add to your coffee — stick to skim milk and very little sugar.

5. Skim milk

Milk is an excellent source of lean protein, vitamin D, and calcium that can help build your muscles and keep your bones strong. Opt for low-fat or skim milk for all of the vitamins without the added fat. If you are feeling indulgent, add a little chocolate — low-fat chocolate milk is a great option for post-workout muscle recovery.

Everyone needs to move their bodies to stay healthy. Find out how much is enough 

Most healthy people should aim for at least 30 minutes, five times a week, of moderately intense activity such as brisk walking, plus 10 to 15 minutes or so of strength-training (digging in your garden counts) 2 or 3 days a week. This is enough exercise to help you lower your risk for health conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and osteoporosis, and to prevent the natural loss of muscle mass that slows metabolism and contributes to weight gain in your thirties, forties, fifties, and beyond.

If you’re trying to lose weight, more activity is better. An hour or even 90 minutes of moderate exercise, or 1/2 hour of vigorous activity such as jogging, strenuous aerobics, or fast-paced cycling, is ideal. Of course, anything you do is better than nothing, and consistency counts. Fitting in 30 minutes most days of the week, even in 10-minute bursts, is better than playing the weekend warrior by overdoing it once or twice a week.

If you’re the type that just doesn’t enjoy going to the gym or using a treadmill, choose an activity you enjoy that you can do for 10 to 30 minutes or longer and that raises your heart rate. This could be dancing, playing tennis, chopping enough wood to heat your house for the winter, or lining up strenuous yard work or housework that feels like a workout.