Question from camon202

Stevia is help for high blood pressure. Is it safe for who has low blood pressure?

Debra’s Answer

Well, first, stevia doesn’t even begin to lower your blood pressure until you’ve been taking it for three months. A study gave participants 250mg of stevia to be taken 3 times a day. I don’t know what that translates to in terms of stevia drops or packets of stevia powder.

In the treated group, the average blood pressure at the beginning of the study was about 166/102. By the end of the study, this had fallen to 153/90.No significant reductions were seen in the placebo group.*

This is not much of a drop.

So occasional use of stevia shouldn’t affect you much if you have low blood pressure.

As long as we are talking about blood pressure, a more effective way to lower it is by taking magnesium, particuarly in lotion form so it goes straight into your body.

And about stevia, use it with caution. When I first learned about stevia, I made stevia lemonade all day long. But I found my body did better when I didn’t use it at all. Now I use it occasionally, it’s not one of my main sweeteners.

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Question from green-earth

Hi Debra,

About a month ago, a family member used my washer and dryer (without my knowledge) and I’m concerned of possible contamination on my clothes if I now use the dryer. I’m not worried about the washer so much because it is stainless steel, and I just ran a few cycles with hot water and detergent. No smells.

The family member put their dirty clothes into my washer using my fragrance-free detergent, on extra rinse and also dried them in my dryer. Problem is, at home they use scented detergent and possibly fabric softener on their clothes, so I’m worried that there may be residue inside the dryer, even though they washed with my detergent.

Do you think the dryer is still safe to use, or is there residue that could come off onto my clothes if I use it? I don’t smell anything in the dryer that indicates fragrance, and others have been using the dryer for about a month. My skin is very sensitive (to fragrances especially) so I’m afraid to use any cleaners in it. What do you think?

Debra’s Answer

I had a similar problem recently. I just ran the dryer several times and the chemicals burned off.

If others have been using the dryer for a month, I would think there are no residues left. It should be safe for you.

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Question from jenbooks

Has anyone noticed that so many shoes today smell really toxic? For example, Merrell makes really comfy shoes but they smell so toxic and awful my eyes start to sting. Other shoes that are made of leather don’t smell good when you first get them but one senses they will outgas and are not as toxic. It’s hard to find comfortable shoes and sandals that are made of high quality healthy leathers and glues. Does anyone agree?

What do you wear? I wear SIMPLE sneakers often in the winter, and I’m wearing an old pair of TEVA hiking sandals, and also leather thongs from Aerosoles that are nice quality and don’t smell bad at all. But I ordered a few pairs of comfortable sandals online, a pair of Merrell and a pair of Anne Klein. The Anne Klein smells bad but I’ll keep it as I think it will offgas over time. The Merrell was just unbearable even tho the design was great. Sometimes when I walk into shoe stores the smell of all those vinyl shoes overwhelms me.

Debra’s Answer

I live in Florida, where it is warm most of the year, and practically every day I wear leather sandals made by Mephisto. I’ve never had a problem with them. I’ve been wearing them almost every day for six years and have gone through several pairs in that time. They are among the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn and give great support. I can walk in them all day in complete comfort and my feet never hurt.

I also have two pairs of shoes made by Camper. I’ve been wanting to write about them and put them on Debra’s List, but their website doesn’t have all the info. I found them in their shop in San Francisco. If I am remembering correctly, the leather is naturally processed and they are made on an organic farm. I can’t call the store at the moment to verify because they are not open at this hour. But these are the #1 most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. They are made from very soft leather that conforms to your foot. I walked all over San Francisco in these shoes, jumping on and off cable cars, and they were great!

There is another company called CYDWOQ that looks interesting to me. I wanted to visit their factory when I was in Southern California, but I didn’t have time. The founder loves to walk, but found his shoes impeded rather than helped his walking. So he decided to create his own line of shoes. “He studied the rounded contours of the human foot and the circular motion of a person walking and experimented endlessly with designs and materials before coming up with a line that emulated nature’s sublime achievements.” These shoes are comfortable, have exquisite design, and actually get better with age as the leather molds to the shape of the owner’s foot. “Only the finest, vegetable-tanned leathers and custom-made components are used in CYDWOQ products. Designs employ the fewest number of leather pieces possible to minimize stitching, and to improve comfort, quality, and durability.” The styles are beautifully unusual and the shoes are not inexpensive.

Planet Shoes seems to carry many of the natural/green brands (but not all–they have Camper, but not Mephisto or CYDWOQ), but read the descriptions carefully as better materials are not always the selling point on this site. And remember, recycled plastic may be better for the environment, but it’s still plastic and can offgas.

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Question from LINDAANN

Hi, I wanted to pass along some info. I found a great company, MAGNOLIA ORGANICS, they sell basic organic cotton sheets and blankets at very good prices. You can order through the actual website or amazon. I bought bright colored pink queen size sheet set for $50. They arrived fast, did not have any smell and washed up beautiful. Have you ever heard of this company. They say on the website they are GOTS. I was just wondering if others have heard about this company. They also have king size balnkets, organic cotton for $59.99. Please let me know your thoughts on this company. THANKS

Debra’s Answer

The description looks good to me. Glad you had a good experience! Thanks for sharing.

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Question from singing tomato

Today I saw that on the air conditioner (which is in our garage) there is a stamp saying that this air conditioner is insulated with fiberglass.It also says that according to proposition 65 inhaling of fiberglass particles can cause cancer.

So we are renting this house, is there something we should do? We have a 2 year old and I am wooried sick after reading all the stuff about fiberglass…

Does it off gas formaldehyde? Can it release fiberglass into the air we are breathing? Is there something we can do? I don’t know when they installed it but I can find out. Is this important too?

Any input is really valuable,

Kind Regards

Debra’s Answer

I have an air conditioner too. I run it six months out of the year here in Florida. I’ve never had a problem with breathing fiberglass fibers.

Here’s a fact sheet with information on what you would be experiencing if fiberglass particles are present in your home: How To Tell Whether Your HOuse Has Fiberglass Contamination.

Your HVAC system should have a particle filter that would remove any fiberglass that may be in the air.

As for formaldehyde, you can get a formaldehyde test kit to test the air in your home for under $100.

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Question from Stjarn

Hello,

Thank God for Debra Lynn and her sites and her blessed work. We all appreciate it and benefit from it.

Can you or anyone suggest a large, successful law firm for environmental illness issues?

When you have environmental illness, controlling your environment IS your medicine. When you are actually a UNIVERSAL REACTOR, control of your environment must be precise and unbending.

We own our own home and the county water authority is trying to FORCE a new water meter INSIDE our home. This cannot be. It simply cannot.

Of course the initial concern was for the chemicals, but it turns out the meter transmits readings. Electromagnetic fields / radiation are in fact a concern too. In other parts of the country, problems from the electric fields / radiation have already been documented. People who were “healthy” have become ill. Other people are woken up by the new meters transmitting.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any experience with this type of situation or law firms?

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This week I received this email:

What are people doing to avoid the EMF exposure of Smart meters that are being installed on all homes and apt. buildings, businesses, now…I have 31 of them under me in the parking garage, and I am becoming very EMF Sensitive to the point of losing hearing…tinnitus is horrible since I moved here. I get section 8 funding to help pay rent (I am a senior) so it makes it difficult to move…I just recently discovered the31 meters all in one small area here.

Wondering what the readers would say about this.

Thanks,
Ruth

Here is one site from California with a lot of information, but check your local area and see what’s happening. There are local protest groups starting all over the country.

Stop Smart Meters!
stopsmartmeters.org
Has information about smart meters, how to submit a complaint, how to defend your analog meter, and more.

Any tips about protecting yourself from smart meters or preventing them from being installed or their health effects, please post here.

Thank you!

Debra 🙂