Posts written by Sabrina Gonzales
Chemical Intolerance: A Case Study
November 7, 2018
A 27-year old woman with a history of chemical, food, and drug intolerances reported difficulty in finding a place to live where she was not symptomatic. Her apartment had recently become uninhabitable when new neighbors began using fragranced candles, essential oils, and similar substances in an adjacent unit. She reported major changes in symptoms before, […]
Are You Chemically Intolerant?
October 31, 2018
Common complaints of Chemical Intolerance (CI), or Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT) include difficulties with memory and concentration, fatigue, headaches, weakness, and mood changes such as extreme irritability, and depression. Gastrointestinal, respiratory and skin problems are also reported. The Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) is a validated questionnaire used worldwide to assess intolerances […]
The Nose Knows, But Not Always
October 24, 2018
Odors can serve as important warning signals for Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT). An odor can let us know when a chemical is present that is not good for us, or has the potential to make us sick. It is not always easy to identify a harmful chemical, however. Some initiators and/or triggers lack any […]
Six Alternative Cleaning Recipes that May Decrease Risk of Children Being Overweight
October 17, 2018
Many people know that household chemicals such as cleaning products can be harmful, especially when it comes to young children. A recent study found an association between exposure to household disinfectants and higher body mass index (BMI) at age three. This study also found that a child is less likely to be overweight when eco-friendly […]
ADHD Has Doubled Among Girls
October 10, 2018
A new national study documents rising rates of ADHD, including in young girls. Unfortunately, there is no discussion of the environmental factors that can contribute to ADHD or how to control them. Our 2015 study on autism and ADHD demonstrated that mothers with high scores on the validated, 50-item chemical intolerance questionnaire—the QEESI—had triple the […]
The Missing Link between Beef Jerky and Mental Illness
September 12, 2018
NBC News reported on a study published in Molecular Psychiatry which suggested a link between jerky consumption and bipolar disorder. Most mental health practitioners and researchers do not yet understand how today’s environmental exposures can lead to conditions such as bipolar disorder. Theron Randolph first described the links between psychiatric disorders and exposures just after […]
Chemical Intolerance and Organic Foods
September 5, 2018
If you are among the subset of our population who is chemically intolerant, organic foods are the best choice for one simple reason— they are pesticide-free.
Fragrance Sensitivity and Everyday Life
August 29, 2018
This 10-minute video on fragrance sensitivity and chemical intolerance featuring Dr. Anne Steinemann brings attention to a growing problem— one that many people dismiss, until it happens to them. More than even political differences, fragrance sensitivity divides co-workers, families, and friends.
Pesticide Exposure during Pregnancy Increases the Risk of Autism and ADHD
August 22, 2018
Pregnant women and their developing children are especially vulnerable to chemical exposures. Finnish researchers recently found a link between pregnant mothers who were exposed to pesticides and having a son with autism. We already know that organophosphate pesticides interfere with neurodevelopment. Our study on autism, published in 2015 demonstrated that mothers with high scores on […]