Dr. Oz Investigates: Early Puberty Epidemic in Girls

Today, girls are starting puberty as early as 7 years old. Dr. Oz looks into the causes and dangers of a worrisome epidemic that every parent and physician should be aware of. Learn what you can do to protect the young girls in your life. 

Dr. Mehmet Oz begins a recent segment of The Dr. Oz Show by telling us in no uncertain terms that he's not happy about early puberty in girls - as a dad and a doctor. He says:

"Something is going on with our nation's girls, and I'm sounding the alarm."

Dr. Oz says to protect your daughters - and tells us how
Dr. Oz's important show on the subject are well worth a look. He interviews two doctors who specialize in children's health and two moms who are concerned about their own daughters early development (you should see the pictures comparing the girls to their mothers at the same age!). Importantly, Dr. Oz and his expert guests offer practical steps we can take to protect our daughters. Like:

• Don't microwave food in plastic. Ever.
• Serve hormone-free or organic meat and dairy products.
• Use stainless steel water bottles - not plastic.
• Choose personal care products with fewer chemicals, and skip them altogether when you can. For example, in lieu of putting on sunscreen (which can contain toxic chemicals), wear hats and shirts.I personally use green products, so I have no need to worry about that.

Here are the episodes to watch:

• 

  

          Part 1

• 

  

          Part 2

• 

     

  Part 3 
    
  

  Here are some tips on

  how to reduce your family's

  exposures to chemicals:

  
  Tip #1: Know the ingredients in your 
  personal care products.

  Just because a label says “gentle” or “natural” doesn’t
  mean it’s kid- safe. Look up your products on
  CosmeticsDatabase.com. Read the ingredients and 
  avoid triclosan, BHA,Quaternium-15, fragrance, and 
  oxybenzone. Dozens of top selling children's bath care
  products contain 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.
   
  Tip #2: Eat organic & fresh foods.
  Opt for organic fruits and veggies, or  find conventionally 
  grown produce with the least pesticides. Choose milk and
  meat without added growth hormones. Limit canned food 
  and infant formula, as can linings contain bisphenol A (BPA).
  
  
  Tip#3: Pick plastics carefully.
  Some plastics contain BPA, which is linked to cancer. 
  Avoid clear, hard plastics marked with a "7" or "PC" and 
  choose baby bottles made from glass. Don't microwave
  plastic containers. Stay away from toys marked with
  a "3" or "PVC." Give your baby a frozen washcloth 
  instead of vinyl teethers.
   
  Tip #4: Wash those hands, but avoid Triclosan.
  In addition to reducing illness, frequent hand washing will 
  reduce kids' exposure to chemicals. Skip anti-bacterial 
  soaps, since they can be bad for the environment, aren't 
  any better than soap and water, and can contain pesticides 
  that are absorbed through the skin.
  
  
  Tip #5: Skip the non-stick, the dangers of teflon.
  When overheated, non-stick cookware can emit toxic 
  fumes. Cook with cast iron or stainless steel and bake with
  oven-safe glass instead.
  
  
  Tip # 6: Get rid of that (toxic) dust.
  Kids spend lots of time on the floor, and household dust can
  contain contaminants like lead and fire retardants.
  HEPA-filter vacuums capture the widest range of particles
  and get rid of allergens. Leave your shoes at the door so you
  don't bring more pollutants inside.
  
  
  Tip #7: Filter your tap water.
  Use a reverse osmosis system or carbon filter pitcher to 
  reduce your family's exposure to impurities in water,
  like chlorine and lead. Don't drink bottled water, which
  isn't necessarily better. Mix infant formula with 
  fluoride-free water.
  
  
  Tip #8: Use greener cleaners and avoid pesticides.
  Household cleaners, bug killers, pet treatments,
  and air fresheners can irritate kids' lungs, especially 
  if your kids have asthma. Investigate less toxic
  alternatives. Use Green Products!
  
  
  To your health! Take care of it and your family!
  
  
  Jen McLennnan