There are many types of essential fatty acid supplements available, including flaxseed oil, fish oils, evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil. These are available in capsule and free oil forms. Some experts advise avoiding fish oil supplements because they may have toxic contaminants. Fish oil supplements should not be taken during pregnancy due to damaging effects of high doses of vitamin A.

Several risk factors have been linked to heart disease. These include unchangeable factors such as an early family history of heart disease. If a family member developed heart disease relatively young, before age 50, your risk is increased. Usually, however, heart disease is more likely to strike a woman after menopause.

Certain medical conditions play key roles. High blood pressure increases your risk of both heart attack and stroke, so controlling it is very important. Diabetes also increases your risk of developing heart disease, especially in women. Unfortunately, many diabetic women have a nerve disorder which makes them less sensitive to pain, so they might miss heart attack warning sign of chest pain.

Keep in mind that lifestyle plays a crucial role. Smoking and fatal heart disease go hand-in-hand. If you smoke, quit. Oral contraceptives used by smokers might cause trouble too, so if you smoke and take pill, you might be in greater danger of having a heart attack than someone who doesn't. Obesity and a sedentary "couch potato" outlook also add to your risk.

What counts is not how many risk factors you have, but what you do to change them. Maintain a lean weight and good blood cholesterol level. Cut saturated fat content from your food and increase your intake of essential fatty acids. Eat less meat and chicken. Bulk up on vegetables and fruits. You'll be eating healthier and you will probably lose some weight!

Most importantly, exercise! This is critical to good health. Too often, we say we don't have time. Make time. Put yourself first and work out, even if you have to schedule it into your appointment book.

For years, we were told women didn't have to worry about heart disease. Now that we know truth, we must all make changes needed in name of healthier and happier hearts.

Chlorine is also used to bleach paper products - napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, coffee filters, etc. The EPA says that using bleached coffee filters alone can result in a lifetime exposure to dioxin that "exceeds acceptable levels".

The health danger associated with use of toxic products is not just initial exposure, but also cumulative effects of continuous exposures, which weakens our immune systems. Indoor air pollution is a huge health issue. According to EPA, this year some 11,420 people will die from indoor air pollution. Millions more will be sickened by their exposure to a host of toxic chemicals within their homes and offices.

So, what are we to do about all of this toxic exposure? Fortunately, we have a variety of options. You can choose to make your own household cleansers using items such as baking soda or white vinegar. Cheap and effective! You can purchase non-toxic products available at health food stores or many of larger grocery stores. If you can't find them there, you can order them online. Use unbleached paper products whenever possible. Begin to educate yourself about dangers of household products either by searching online (www.google.com is my favorite search engine & will provide hundreds of resources using keywords "toxic chemicals+household products), or visit your local library and pick up some books.

We live in a society which exposes us to toxic chemicals daily and we are led to believe that if a product sits on a shelf at store, then it must be safe. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. Don't become a victim or a statistic. These chemicals kill. They destroy our immune system, cause cancer, exacerbate asthma & lung disease, and pollute air and our environment.

Instead of spending money on these highly promoted killers, save your money and your health and make your own products or buy non-toxic, natural cleaners. You'll feel better, breathe better and live longer and you'll be making a difference for Mother Earth.