x
Account
  • Sign In Sign In Create Account
    Sign In

    Forgot your password?

    Create Account
  • my Wishlist
  • Toll Free: (800) 869 9159
  • Customer Care
    • Contact Us
    • Help Center
  • My Account
    • Log in
    • Create an account
  • Rewards Program
  • Become a Humanized+ Member
  • Become a Humanized+ Member

Cart 0

Your cart is currently empty.

Continue Shopping

Total: $0.00

Or View Cart

  • Sign In Sign In Create Account
    Sign In

    Forgot your password?

    Create Account
  • my Wishlist
My Village Green
My Village Green

FREE SHIPPING! On online orders of $74+. Use code: SHIP74
This offer is for standard shipping available in the continental U.S.
Cannot be combined with any other offers.

  • My Account Log In
  • Brands
    Practitioner Brands
    • Pathway
    • Sinus Survival
    • Klaire Labs*
    • Kirkman
    • Metagenics
    • Nordic Naturals
    • Pure Encapsulations*
    • Thorne Research
    • Xymogen
    Top Brands
    • Megafood
    • Jarrow Formulas
    • Solgar
    • Nature's Way
    • Garden of Life
    • Life Extension
    • Bluebonnet
    • Derma E
    • Innate Response
    • Ollois
    Top Brands
    • Gaia Herbs
    • Herb Pharm
    • Boiron
    • Host Defense
    • Inika Organic
    • Carlson Labs
    • Enzymedica
    • Solaray
    • Renew Life

    * = Restricted Access Brands

  • Pathway Supplements
  • Categories
  • Consultations
  • Resources
    • Lab Testing
    • Rewards Program
    • Ask the Expert
    • Help Center
    • Pharmacy & Compounding
    • Medication Disposal Progam
    • Healthy Pets
    • Green Initiatives
    • Practitioner Brands
    • My Account
    • Create an Account
  • Education
    • Blog
    • Humanized - Your Health Personalized
    • Articles & Health Info
    • Radio Show Archive
Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts

Blog

Your Healthy Home Can Be a Resource for Wellness

Posted on April 03, 2017 by Caroline Blazovsky, Healthy Home Expert

Living room.

As a healthy home expert, it is my job to help physicians and clients understand the relationship that our homes play to our overall health and wellness. When we examine homes around the country, we find that many have mold problems, clutter and dust, chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers that are associated with health complaints of the homeowners. Physicians are now using our services to test homes for contaminants to better understand the relationships that exist between how we live and our wellness.

In public health, we believe that about 90% of our health is determined by genetics, environment, socioeconomic status and behaviors. That is why examining our living spaces is so important for understanding our health and wellness. As an inspector, many of the things that can lead to symptoms in our homes are not visible to the naked eye. Mold spores, animal dander, pet proteins, dust mites, VOCs and pesticides can either be hidden or undetectable to our vision. Only through testing can you know if levels are too high or if these invisible invaders could be affecting your body. Many of these things can promote inflammation in the human body, and how that affects us is still being determined.

One thing we do know is that if you are experiencing unexplained health complaints (e.g., headaches, sinus infections, achy joints, digestion problems), testing your home for toxins may be a good place to start to look for answers.

Two of my most important recommendations for homes is to test for mold and test your water. Both can impact your wellness and can be expensive to fix if you are buying a home and are unaware of the problem prior to purchase. You can easily test for both and can save yourself time and money by knowing what you have in your home prior to moving... or deciding not to move in, depending on what you uncover.

Mold

We often look for mold in homes, because it can do many things that can cause problems in the body. Molds are comprised of protein which can cause inflammation, they produce MVOCs, which are like chemicals (you may be familiar with VOCs from paints), and they can produce mycotoxins if they are “toxic” molds. This trifecta of skills make molds of concern to our health.

Though most studies indicate that mold is a concern for respiratory issues and asthma, the verdict is still out on mold's overall effects on our immune system. To make sure your home is safe, test for mold every 3-5 years. It can be hidden in walls or behinds showers and kitchens places you cannot detect with your eye. There are DIY mold kits that are very reliable for this application.

Water Testing

After scares like the one in Flint, Michigan, it should be apparent that we should all be testing our water. Whether you have a well or public water, contaminants can creep in and could potentially lead to health effects. You can hire a company to test your water, or we also recommend a water testing lab. Either way, testing is important. Carcinogenic compounds like arsenic, radon and radio activity can all make their way into your water supply, as well as pesticides, fertilizers and VOCs (chemicals). Additionally, heavy metals like lead, high nitrates and more recently boron, have all been linked to health effects of various kinds and can be found in your water. 

Many times, I hear clients say, “I do not drink my water." Remember, your skin is your body's largest organ and you bathe or shower in water every day. Your skin absorbs those chemicals just as much as drinking, if not more. Studies suggest that items placed on the skin can be absorbed into the blood stream in 26 seconds or less. It is important to know what is in your water and your potential exposures. We recommend testing your water every 3 years to ensure safety and quality.

  • Category_Green Living, dust, healthy home, mold, water
← Older Post Newer Post →

Categories

  • Body Care & Beauty
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Green Living
  • Health Concerns
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Lab Testing
  • Nutritional Supplements
  • Pharmacy & Compounding
  • Stress Management & Lifestyle
  • Village Green News

Humanized Health - NEW!

Learn about personalized health from top experts! Check out our fascinating new shows every week, available as videos, podcasts and transcripts.:

  • How to Never Die of Heart Disease
  • Strategies to Improve Your Brain Health

Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
    read more..
  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
    read more..
  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
    read more..
  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
    read more..
  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
    read more..
  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
    read more..
  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
    read more..
  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
    read more..
  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
    read more..

Other Contributors

Caroline Blazovsky
Heather Gunn
Jared Rice
Ellen Kittredge
Naz Amini
Carmen Ugas
Steve Stillwater
Farzin Farid
Joe Ailts
Scott O’Dell
James Brodsky, MD
Christine M. Gonzales
Beth Ritchie
Jim Fox

Invalid password
Enter
Stay Informed
Join our mailing list for the latest news & exclusive discounts + FREE shipping on your first order.
Learning Resources
  • Consultations
  • Green Initiatives
  • Pharmacy/Compounding
  • Humanized Health
  • Village Green Blog
Customer Care
  • Help Center
  • Return Policy
  • Best Price Guarantee
  • Privacy Policy
  • Leave a Review
General Information
  • Curbside Pick-Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Job Opportunities
stay connected

Village Green Apothecary
5415 W Cedar Ln
Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
(301) 530-0800
Toll Free: (800) 869-9159

© 2021 Village Green Apothecary - All Rights Reserved. The information provided on this site is not intended to be a substitute for advice or treatment from a qualified physician, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Consult your physician prior to starting any new health program or if you any questions regarding a medical condition.
Loading...
Error
 

is added to your shopping cart.

is added to your wish list.

Close
Liquid error (message-modal line 32): Could not find asset snippets/icon-close.liquid
You have successfully subscribed!

 

Limited-Time Offers, End in

-
+
:
Close
Back to top