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As you may have noticed, our magazine has not reviewed a book in a while, but one book—just released in March—has really drawn our attention. So we’ve decided to share The Healthy Home with our readers for two reasons. First, this book was written primarily by Dr. Myron Wentz, well-known microbiologist and founder of USANA Health Sciences, one of the industry’s well-established companies, along with his son, Dave Wentz, CEO of USANA. Second, the book carries an important message and offers simple yet effective solutions to combat potential dangers in the home, during a time when simple and straightforward is hard to come by.
In addition to founding USANA, a state-of-the-art manufacturer of nutritional supplements, foods and personal-care products, Dr. Wentz is internationally recognized as an immunologist and innovator in the development of human cell culture technology and infectious disease diagnoses. Having launched USANA in 1992, Dr. Wentz now focuses his efforts on personal research and humanitarian work, and with a lifetime of curiosity and a career in research, he wanted to share his experience and his hope for the future with the rest of us.
If one piece of advice stands out above all others it is to not leave your health, and that of your family, to chance. In order to accomplish that you must question convenience and use common sense when considering what fits into a better life and safer home.
Dr. Wentz says the more serious issue is that everyone is exposed to toxic chemicals even before they leave the womb, and there are no controls as more chemicals are introduced through the environment, pharmaceuticals, technology or other new products. So when the long-term effects finally come to our attention, millions of people have already been in contact with toxins because of where they work and how they live. Therefore, it’s up to the individual.
Although most of us feel reasonably comfortable in our safety bubble and would rather not know the potential consequences for fear of indulging in paranoia and panic, there is hope. The Healthy Home offers simple solutions to take control of our lives. We may not have power over the outside world, but we can do something about our most important domain—the home. As Dr. Wentz says, “We live too short and die too long.” Why accept this fate when you can do something to change it?
In The Healthy Home, father and son take us through a standard house, room by room, and show the practical steps to avoid health risks, and toxins, that the average family comes in contact with, either as a result of their own behavior or through everyday products found in any household.
Even though the book is backed by science and research, the authors couple this knowledge with their passion and intuition for improving the quality of life for everyone, and in a way that is accessible and doable. They “set out to prove that you don’t have to be a scientist” to understand the potential danger and protect your family in the home.
Instead of going after manufacturers and government regulators, Dave Wentz decided the best way was “awareness and avoidance”—educating ourselves on environmental health hazards and so lessening exposure to these risks, especially for children. Both authors break down the scientific jargon, using personal stories and colorful illustrations to present the facts in an easygoing way, and they challenge readers to think beyond the hype of convenience and luxury.
Did you know?
Dry cleaning is a “wet” process leaving toxic chemicals in your garments. They do not wash out, and the chemicals are central nervous system depressants that enter the body through the lungs and skin. Air tests have shown elevated levels of these chemicals up to 48 hours after dry-cleaned clothes have been brought home.
Fluoride, which is intentionally added to tap water and found in toothpaste, is in fact “industrial waste” re-packaged and marketed as an anti-cavity treatment. But in large amounts it’s actually poisonous and can damage tooth enamel or, even worse, cause serious injury or death.
As the son of a respected health scientist, Dave Wentz has firsthand knowledge about the impacts of the environment, nutrition and lifestyle choices on human health. At USANA, he has maintained the vision and integrity of his father’s company as it continues to grow. Though there will always be hazards threatening human health, he believes that through increased awareness people can live healthier lives and future generations can be protected.
So start small and simplify your life. Don’t over-perfume it, over-flavor it or overthink it.
And don’t forget to open your windows at home … and breathe.
The Healthy Home: Simple Truths to Protect Your Family from Hidden Household Dangers was written by Dr. Myron Wentz, Ph.D., and Dave Wentz, with Donna K. Wallace. The book is now available in bookstores and online. For more information, go to http://www.myhealthyhome.com.
