Hi POIS 2011,
Thanks for your interesting post.
I had so much health problems in my life that I became, somehow, a "health freak", to help have a better quality of life.
One of this ailment is big, painful and long lasting canker sores. Any toothpaste with fluoride will make them hurt still more, if possible, and red like fire. So, like 5 years ago, I have banished toothpaste with fluoride, and also with SLS, if possible ( but hard to find, sometime). I have found great toothpaste with no fluoride, and keep my dental health in check. My healthy diet, with no refined sugar, is very helpful in avoiding cavities. I have far more canker sores than before, and they they not become huge red yelling monsters anymore.
This year, I have started to change the rest my of personal care products. I have found a all natural line of product made in Montreal, that works and that smells good. I have now their shampoo, conditionner, shower gel, .... they also have dishwashing soap, landry soap, etc... and made the switch. A little costier than regular, toxic stuff, but my health worth it.
I also have never used any aluminum-containing antiperspirants. I have always been suspicious about aluminum..... it's for car and planes, not for humans!
I have done so much change in my lifestyle that my POIS, through the years, rather than getting worse, like some testify, have getten better, with less and less symptoms, for less time. I cannot say how much the avoidance of all those toxic has played a role on my getting better, but it surely an the positive side. I am amazed at how much toxic BS society puts and the things we eat and use on our body and the products we use daily in our house..... But I can testify, it is easier, these years, to find alternate products... it was quite difficult, ten years ago, just to find a toothpaste without fluoride.... !
I am glad you have noticed a change for the better by eliminating all these toxic products.
You are right that we may be more sensitive to all these chemicals substances found everywhere, more than the average population.