1. University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
12-Steps to Help Build a Safer World and Healthier Life for our Children
Robert K. Naviaux, MD, PhD
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
2014

2. What Can We Do? 12 Simple steps to help our children and grandchildren thrive.
Clean the “bad actors” out or your home
Teflon pots (PTFE) and pans, most plastics (BPA, Pthalates), upholstery and blankets with synthetic fabrics with flame retardants (BDEs) and stain repellants
Back to basic materials (Pre-1900 Materials—“Back to the Future”)
Wooden chairs, tables, and toys, glass, ceramic, clay pottery, cast iron pots and pans, stainless steel boiling pots, stainless steel eating utensils (or chop sticks), stone, brick, cotton, wool, leather, rubber, wax paper, linen table cloths, flowers and plants for decorations
Reduce your Personal Care Product consumption
Many lotions, perfumes, colognes, cosmetics, and hair products contain Phthalates and Parabens. Phthalates cause genital birth defects and are endocrine disrupters. Parabens during pregnancy can alter fetal brain and immune system development.
Breast Feeding is best if you can for the first year of life—avoid cow’s milk until after the first year
This decreases the risk of asthma, food allergies, Type I Diabetes, and other autoimmune disorders
When you do add cow’s milk, think about A2/A2 (Jersey, some Guernsey) milk instead of A1/A1 (Holstein) or A1/A2 (most Guernsey) milk
Buy Local, Organic, and Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables—find a farmers market and make some new friends
Avoid candies and foods with food dyes and colorings—these can cause hyperactivity (Dyes are a big problem. Its not all about sugar.)
Avoid most processed foods in boxes and bags
They last a long time because they have preservatives that kill bacteria and affect your metabolism
BHA is an endocrine disruptor, BHT is a mitochondrial uncoupler, and both BHA and BHT bioaccumulate in aquatic animals
Avoid Bottled Water in the US—plasticizers leach into the water
Use a good carbon filter. Bottled water may be preferred in developing countries with unsafe water supplies.
Buy hormone- and antibiotic-free meat—beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey
When you eat fish, avoid farmed fish, and avoid too many servings per month of long-lived fish like tuna or swordfish.
The longer a fish lives, the more pesticides and mercury it concentrates. Sardines anyone?
Avoid travel by internal combustion engines whenever you can
Walk, bike, ride a horse, lease a hybrid or electric car (although there are trade-offs because of battery manufacturing)
Build in walks and play in the parks, green spaces, hills, by rivers, lakes and bays, through a forest, tide pools and beaches, or through a botanical garden each week. Point out all the other living creatures around us. Plant a vegetable garden.
Help your kids get reconnected to the wild. Explore the outdoors. Put a stop to “Nature Deficit Disorder”.