Particulate matter and your health

As the Dutch government decided to move away from natural fossilized energy sources, we are moving towards solar and wind energy.
Because solar and wind energy cannot provide all energy and a decision to also move away from natural gas, biomass plants seemed to be the perfect solution.

Biomass is plant or animal material used for energy production (electricity or heat). It can be purposely grown energy crops, wood or forest residues, waste from food crops (wheat straw), horticulture (yard waste), food processing (corn cobs), animal farming (manure, rich in nitrogen and phosphorus), or human waste from sewage plants.

Burning plant-derived biomass releases CO2, but it has still been classified as a renewable energy source in the EU and UN legal frameworks because photosynthesis cycles the CO2 back into new crops. In some cases, this recycling of CO2 from plants to atmosphere and back into plants can even be CO2 negative, as a relatively large portion of the CO2 is moved to the soil during each cycle.

However, over the past few months it has become clear how a lot of biomass comes from trees, that were previously pristine forests in the USA or the Baltics.
While in the best case, the use of biomass could even be CO2 negative, burning biomass will result in excessive CO2 output locally as well as of particulate matter.
This is why almost overnight, due to negative public opinion, politicians changed their mind. Too late though, there are already few hundred biomass plants that are being constructed due to substantial subsidies that were handed out, so we can expect a substantial worsening of air quality in the upcoming decade(s) because of the increased amount of particulate matter.

Because of a recent case in the Netherlands about excessive lead exposure in a school for young children, we were asked how to avoid lead poisoning. Hence why we present you this blog article. 

How to avoid lead poisoning

Although exposure to lead has decreased within the last two decades, it is still a concern and caution is advised, especially for children who have access to toys with lead-based paint or individuals who live in older homes. In some instances, lead can leach from the main water pipes and into the household water supply. If exposed to lead, eating a healthy diet can help reduce its absorption by the body.

When lead is consumed, research shows it can cause learning and behavior problems; as it accumulates, it can cause lasting problems with growth and development. Infants and children are at a higher risk because they absorb lead more quickly than adults, in addition to being more likely to put non-food items that might contain lead in their mouth.  

PFAS pollutants causing turmoil

In October, nearly every construction project came to a grinding halt in the Netherlands, because not a single project except the smallest ones can be completed without excessive paper work or laboratory tests.

Why? The current legal threshold for PFAS, an abbreviation for perfluorinated alkylated substances has been set extremely low until the government is able to define a proper health limit for contaminated soil so as to prevent contamination of clean soil with more heavily contaminated soil.

If cemeteries hadn't been exempt from the rule, not a single dead body could have been interred, since PFAS-chemicals , also known as 'forever chemicals' have accumulated in our bodies to an extent that exceeds the legally set threshold, which is currently as low as the lowest possible detection level.

Why is glutathione so important for your health?

Glutathione is one of the body’s most important and potent antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that reduce oxidative stress by combating free radicals in the body.

While most antioxidants are found in the foods you eat, glutathione is produced by your body. It is primarily made up of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine and cysteine.
There are a number of reasons why your body’s glutathione level may become depleted, including poor diet, chronic disease, infection and constant stress.
Glutathione is also known to decrease with age.

Maintaining adequate levels of this antioxidant is incredibly important. Below are some of the best ways to increase your glutathione levels naturally.

How to cure a hangover

Quite a lot of people wake up the day after a major holiday like the recent King's Day or Liberation Day with a hangover due to imbibing too much alcohol.
The most widespread assumption is that a hangover is caused by not drinking enough water, and therefore those that aren't drunk enough to remember what to do, will drink a few litres of water before going to bed or at least will try to do so the next morning. Other very popular cures are to drink a lot of coffee and eat a hearty egg-based breakfast. Another advice was heard on the radio from a Dutch food blogger who exclaimed how eating toast with honey is a definite cure for hangovers. Around the world a myriad of folk remedies exist for this ancient 'disease'.

Do these remedies actually work and are there some others you didn't think of?

Before we dive into that, let's first discuss the hangover itself.

Uridine for a healthy brain and liver

Uridine supports formation of brain synapses and neuronal membranes 

Uridine is a nucleotide that acts as a precursor of brain synapses and membrane phospholipids in conjunction with the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and choline sources. It may enhance some brain cholinergic functions.
Uridine also supports the health and function of liver mitochondria.

When is drinking alcohol bad for your health?

In the past decade we were told indulging in one or two glasses of alcohol (just one for women) a day is healthy. This was even one of the many recommendations in the national (Dutch) health guidelines. In the past year though, a drastic change occurred: the recommendation changed into zero to perhaps to a most one glass of alcohol a day! So, what gives?

BBQ-ing safely

This past week we were once again blessed with lovely warm summer weather. Nearly invariably, most meat lovers will almost instinctively take their BBQ out to prepare meat. But is having barbecued meat such a great idea?