June Sunscreen, SPF 70 Coppertone Sport High Performance Clear Continuous. Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+ CVS Clear

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1 June 2015 A message from Dr. Michele A. Couri: Welcome to Summer - A Guide to Safer Sunscreens Summer has arrived in Central Illinois, and this past Memorial Day weekend proved to be absolutely beautiful with plenty of sunshine. My kids could not wait to go to the pool to get our fill of this kick off to summer tradition. I grabbed the pool bag from the closet and off we went. Before they took the plunge, I slathered sunscreen all over them to keep their delicate skin from burning. Fellow parents all around me were doing the very same thing. Some were fervishly rubbing in lotion while others were spraying until their children were surrounded by a somewhat concerning chemical mist. And then it hit me with our skin being our largest organ and with the direct absorption of sun blocking chemicals into our bloodstream via our skin, is this ritual of summer truly SAFE? I then decided to research the science behind sunscreens and relay the information to YOU. I decided to entrust the Environmental Working Group s vast database on sunscreen safety to provide you with the most up to date information on the topic. Here we go -- you will never look at sunscreen the same again. The Environmental Working Group Hall of Shame There are a lot of sunscreens on the market: some good, some bad and then the shameful. Those in the last category are not only a waste of money and time but also potentially harmful. Here are our picks for products to banish from your beach bag. Spray sunscreens can be inhaled, and they don t cover skin completely. SPF values above 50+ try to trick you into believing they ll prevent sun damage. Don t trust them. SPF protection tops out at 30 to 50. Oxybenzone can disrupt the hormone system. Retinyl palmitate may trigger damage, possibly cancer. 11 Worst Spray Suncreens These sunscreens are aerosol sprays with SPFs above 50+ and the harmful additives oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate. Banana Boat UltraMist Ultra Defense MAX Skin Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110 Coppertone Sport High Performance AccuSpray Sunscreen, Coppertone Sport High Performance Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+ CVS Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100 CVS Sheer Mist Spray Sunscreen, CVS Sport Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100 CVS Wet & Dry Sunscreen Spray, SPF 85 Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunscreen Body Mist, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100+ Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Spray, Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray, SPF Worst Sunscreen Lotions These sunscreen lotions claim SPFs above 50+ and contain oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate. Banana Boat Sport Performance Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100 Coppertone Sport High Performance Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100 Coppertone Sport High Performance Sunscreen, SPF 75 Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55 Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion, + CVS Sport Sunstick Sunscreen Lotion, + CVS Sun Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 100 CVS Sun Lotion, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Liquid Sunscreen, SPF 70 NO-AD Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 60 NO-AD Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 85 Ocean Potion Protect & Nourish Sunscreen Lotion,

2 A note from Dr. Michele Couri continued Worst Sunscreen for Kids These terrible kid and baby sunscreens have at least three strikes again them: 1) oxybenzone, 2) retinyl palmitate and 3) SPFs above 50+. Two have a fourth strike: they are aerosol sprays that can harm sensitive young lungs. Convenient? Yes. Good for kids? Absolutely not. Banana Boat Clear UltraMist Kids Max Protect & Play Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110 Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Lotion, Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55 Coppertone Kids Wacky Foam Foaming Lotion Sunscreen, Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, + Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55 Equate Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55 Kroger Baby Sunscreen Lotion, Kroger Kids Sunscreen Lotion, Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Beach & Pool Sunblock Spray, + Up & Up Kid s Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55 How we picked the Hall of Shame 1. Spray sunscreens - One of every four sunscreens in this year s database is a spray. People like sprays because they are easy to squirt on squirming kids and hard-toreach areas. But they may pose serious inhalation risks, and they make it too easy to apply to little or miss a spot. The FDA has expressed doubts about their safety and effectiveness but has not banned them. As long as they are legal, sunscreen manufacturers will make them. 2. Sky-high SPFs - One eighth of the sunscreens we evaluated this year boast SPFs above 50+. SPF stands for sun protection factor, but that outdated term refers only to protection against UVB rays that burn the skin. It has little to do with a product s ability to protect skin from UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the body, accelerate skin aging, may suppress the immune system and may cause skin cancer. The worse thing about high-spf products is that they give people a false sense of security and tempt them to stay in the sun too long. They suppress sunburns but raise the risk of other kinds of skin damage. The FDA is considering barring SPF above Oxybenzone - Half of the beach and sport sunscreens in this year s guide contain oxybenzone, an active ingredient in sunscreens. But it penetrates the skin, gets into the bloodstream and acts like estrogen in the body. It can trigger allergic skin reactions. Some research studies, while not conclusive, have linked higher concentrations of oxybenzone to disorders, including endometriosis in older women and, lower birth weight in newborn girls. 4. Retinyl Palmitate - Nearly 20 percent of the sunscreens and SPF-rated moisturizers and 13 percent of SPF-rate lip products in this year s guide contain retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A. Night creams with this chemical may help skin look more youthful. But on sun-exposed skin, retinyl palmitate may speed development of skin tumors and lesions, according to government studies. Why does the FDA allow this inactive ingredient in sunscreens intended for use in the sun? The agency has been studying the chemical for years but has not made a decision. We have. The definitive study may not have been done, but we think we know enough to believe you are better off without sunscreens with retinyl palmitate. Products that meet EWG s criteria 100% Pure Adorable baby Alba Botanica All Terrain Allure Arbonne Aubrey Organics Ava Anderson NonToxic Babo Botanicals Baby Pibu Babyganics Babyhampton Babytime! By Episencial Badger Bare Belly Organics Beautycounter Belli Belly Buttons & Babies Beyond Coastal Biosolis Block Island Organics Blue Lizard Bull Frog BurnOut Burt s Bees Butterbean California Baby California naturel Celadon Road Consonant Skincare COOLA Coral Safe CoTZ CyberDERM derma e Restoring Health to Women s Healthcare.

3 DHC Dr. Mercola Earth s Best Elemental Herbs EltaMD Goddess Garden Grahams Natural Alternatives HeadHunter Jan Marini Jason Natural Cosmetics Jersey Shore Sun JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS Juice Beauty Just Skin Food KINeSYS La Roche-Posay Lavanila Lemongrass Spa Loving Naturals Luzern Laboratories MD Moms MD Skincare MDSolarSciences Melvita Mustela MyChelle Naked Turtle Nature's Gate NIA24 Nine Naturals Nurture My Body Poofy Organics Radical Skincare Raw Elements USA RevaleSkin Rocky Mountain Sunscreen MEDICARE PATIENTS! Did you know that if you have a BMI>30 your Medicare Benefits include a full year of nutritional consultations? Call the office for more Information! Safe Harbor Sensitive Skin Clinic Seventh Generation SkinCeuticals Solar Protection Formula Solbar Star Naturals Substance Sun Bum Sunology Suntegrity Skincare sunumbra Sweetsation Therapy The Honest Company thinkbaby thinksport Tropical Sands TruBaby True Natural TruKid UV Natural Vanicream Yes To Cucumbers On behalf of myself and all of us here at the Couri Center, I would like to wish you all a summer filled with lots of love, laughter and joyous occasions that will create memories to last you a lifetime. Take time to truly enjoy your family, reconnect with old friends, go kayaking, paddle-boarding or simply sit on a dock and cast out a fishing pole just for the heck of it. Garden, go for a bike ride, or stroll through a farmer s market. Whatever you do, be mindful and present in the moment. Summer lasts only a short time - do not miss a minute of it! To your health, Dr. Couri $10 off InflammaCORE Limited to in stock items only. Expires 6/30/15. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

4 I was recently given a book by one of my patients. She related to me that it was one of her favorite books. Over the Memorial Day weekend, I took the time to read it. The story is a true story about a young boy with a genetic disorder and how his family adopted a three-legged dog who changed all their lives. It is not necessarily the story that is the message in this book, but the thought that we all can benefit from changing our lives a little bit to help the people and the creatures involved. This may include your friends, family, animals or plants. In my life, it is my garden that continues to adapt. I often try to adapt each year to having a garden that is organic and includes herbs for cooking for fragrance. I have tried many methods of gardening in hopes of growing the perfect plants. I have weeded, but lets be honest, weeds grow over night. I have also tried the no till method, but the invasion of rabbits not only ate my weeds, but also all my plants. But this year...i have enlisted the quality building skills of my husband to build a rabbit-proof fence around my garden. I plan on using my children and grandchildren to help keep the weeding under control. This year s garden WILL work, even if my support system is unaware of their new duties. I still plan to have an organic garden. The results of fresh organic produce will be perfect for sharing with my family. The herbs will be great flavor enhancers in my favorite recipes, and my grandchildren will love helping me master the recipes. I continually see myself and my family changing our ways back to the more simple times that always included growing and making one s own food. I remember making homemade ketchup and bread with my mother. I am hoping to share these recipes, memories and lessons with my grandchildren as they each grow up. I can draw a tremendous amount of joy from watching the tomatoes growing and knowing that first pick of kale, mustard greens and lettuce will soon be ready and that means fresh salsa is also right around the corner. Spend time this summer changing your lifestyle or impacting the young children in your life. Grow a garden, make a recipe, or even read a book. I recommend Haatchi and Little B by Wendy Holden. Always remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Embrace small changes and see how your life changes. Sue Lang, APN, CNM, MS, LCCE Learn to Adapt Couri Center 2015 Wellness Series July 21 6:00 PM Advanced Lipid Testing-Do You Know Your Numbers? September 15 6:00 PM Detoxification: Household & Beauty Products November 10 6:00 PM KidKnits Community Outreach: Learn to knit a hat and support women of Rwanda and Chile All Classes are FREE but require RSVP, as space is limited! Register on our website: North Knoxville, Suite 1, Peoria, IL 61614

5 Battling the Summertime Stink In September I will be leading a wellness series lecture about the importance of detoxifying our household and beauty products. In the past, we have focused much attention on studying the ramifications of what we are putting inside our bodies, primarily through our diet. Equally important is what we are putting on our bodies. Our skin is the largest and fastest growing human organ. What it comes in contact with matters. The Food and Drug Administration is not required to monitor or test personal care products, so it's up to us to do our own homework. I have had a lot of fun over the past four years, through trial and error (occasional emphasis on the error) in transitioning about 90% of my personal care products to organic, non-toxic alternatives. Now, being born and raised in the Midwest, I know one thing for sure, it's hot in the summer. And muggy. My dad used to fondly refer to a toasty summer day as a 'pit- dripper.' You know what I'm saying. There's a reason that drugstore shelves are piled high with deodorants. Baby Powder Blast! Shower Fresh! Tropical Rain! We sweat, we smell bad, and we don't like it. It doesn't matter what scent is in your bathroom cabinet, anything is better than our own. Sweat gets a bad rap for making us stink, but don't forget that it's the body's way of cooling us down and detoxifying. I challenge you to flip that stick of deodorant over and check out the ingredient list. What does it say? Most common antiperspirants contain aluminum to plug up the pores in your armpits to stop you from sweating. The trouble with aluminum is that some studies have linked it to diseases including breast cancer, kidney failure and Alzheimer's disease. The second most common ingredient in deodorant that can be problematic is 'fragrance'. This vague term can mean any combination of several different chemicals, and the Environmental Working Group has flagged it as a known allergen and toxin affecting the immune system. Other suspicious characters likely showing up on the ingredient list are: propylene glycol and triclosan, two common additives in personal care products that can aggravate allergies and disrupt the endocrine system. Don't fret, my summertime friends. There is hope for the sweaty! There are plenty of natural deodorant options without all the harmful chemicals and suspicious additives. You may need to take a trip to a natural health food store or do some online shopping to find something new to try. Crystal deodorants are one of the most popular natural options. These deodorant stones are made from naturally occurring salts that stop the stink causing bacteria from forming, rather than artificially clogging pores. Instead of opting for antiperspirant, look for deodorants with natural antibacterial ingredients such as tea tree oil, hops, sage or citrus. One that I'm loving right now is "Lavender Vanilla" from the Honest Company. I've attached a photo of the product, because the labeling makes it so easy to see what's NOT in the product. You can find it on one of my favorite go-to, non-toxic websites: Full disclosure here, I am not a paid spokeswoman for the Honest Company - I am just very fond of the quality and transparency of their high quality, non-toxic products. Log onto the Couri Center Facebook page and share what natural deodorants you have tried - I'd love to hear from you! Hope Placher, PA-C, MMS LOVE IT! When a company shares this information!

6 Meet our staff: Dr. Michele Couri M.D., FACOG Physician of Gynecology and Integrative Medicine Hope Placher PA-C, MMS Physician Assistant Susan F. Lang MS, APN, CNM, LCCE Advance Practice Nurse Terry Polanin MS, APN, FNP-BC Nurse Practitioner Leslie Rusch-Bayer BASC, RD, LDN, CPT Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer