Phoenix doctor links household products to women's health conditions

PHOENIX - A Naturopathic physician in Phoenix says household products may be linked to a number of women's health conditions.

Dr. Marianne Marchese says household products may be linked to a number of women's health conditions, and she put those findings in her new book 8 Weeks to Women's Wellness.

According to her book , the average person can store hundreds of chemicals in the body.

One of her patients Sarara Corva tells us she believes common household items may have contributed to her breast cancer.

"The bodies aren't designed for chemicals like that and we have so many of them," Corva said. "As Dr. Marchese says there's a toxic burden and overload that happens."

Many of us use these items everyday, including shampoo, lotion, hair dye, makeup, cleaning products, and plastic food storage containers.

"Eventually a little bit of that chemical, a little bit of this chemical, they can build up in your body," Dr. Marchese said. "These chemicals we use on a daily basis are very estrogenic and they can mimic hormones in a women's body. Through scientific studies and my clinical experience, I've seen them linked to women's hormonal conditions."

Marchese says new research shows these chemicals can be linked to conditions such as breast cancer, fibroids, and infertility.

Some of the most prevalent toxins include:

• Parabens, found in many beauty products.
• Pthalates, found in plastic containers.  
• Solvents, found in cleaning products.

Marchese recommends:

• Using beauty products which are paraben free, fragrance free, and alcohol free.
• Do not use plastic containers. Use glass instead.
• Switch your cleaning products with non-toxic products found in some health food grocery stores.

The American Cancer Society now says there have been traces of parabens found in cancer patients, but the tests don't show how the parabens got there. Basically, it's not clear if parabens are indeed linked to cancer at this point.

When it comes to toxins you've already been exposed to, Marchese recommends going on a detoxification diet. This includes eating certain fruits and vegetables which will help your body cleanse itself of toxins.

She suggests broccoli, brussel sprouts, and pomegranate. Marchese also said going into the sauna or steam room is a form of hydrotherapy and will help your body naturally dispose of toxins.

Learn more about 8 Weeks to Women's Wellness.