It is hard to believe that something so detrimental to our health is prevalent in more than 90 percent of American homes.

The microwave oven may very well be energy efficient, cost-effective, and convenient, but there is a reason why it has been the focus of research studies and subsequently denounced for its negative health consequences. Microwaving essentially kills nutritional value and deems food devoid of the wholesomeness it so deserves, all the while infusing your body with possible cancer-causing agents. Take the time, for your health’s sake, to replace the microwave with other conventional cooking methods.

Conventional cooking methods involve transferring heat by convection, from the outside inwards. Microwaving begins within the cells and molecules of the food, where water is present, transforming the energy into frictional heat. While many studies comparing conventionally and microwave-cooked food are conflicting, with some attesting that there is little difference in nutrients lost during heating, there is something to be said for the microwave’s method of heating that makes it particularly dangerous to the human body.

Starting in 1957, Russia conducted tests on microwave oven cooking, resulting in a ban on microwave ovens in 1976 due to nutrient destruction – 60 percent to 90 percent loss — and the creation of cancer-causing agents. The ban was eventually lifted, not because of new health findings, but rather because of Perestroika, a political movement for reformation within the Communist Party, embraced “free market” principles over health.

In 1991, an Oklahoma woman required a blood transfusion for a hip surgery. The blood was warmed, as it typically is, but this time by a microwave oven. The women died. This incident argues that microwave cooking is more than just a matter of heating; it impacts whatever is being heated quite differently than conventional methods.

So what’s actually happening? When food is microwaved, amino acids in the body are converted from their natural state to one that is biologically inactive and toxic to the kidneys. In comparison with food heated through conventional methods, microwaved food incites a drop in hemoglobin, an increase in white blood cells (indicating a response to toxins), and a rise in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. People who regularly consume microwaved foods can experience a slew of disorders, including digestive problems, stomach and intestinal cancers, lymphatic and immune disorders, cancers of the lymph and blood, lowered hormone production, memory loss, emotional instability, decreased intelligence, and weight problems.

According to a 1992 study entitled “Comparative Study of Food Prepared conventionally and in the Microwave Oven,” researchers found “disturbing changes in the blood of individuals consuming microwaved milk and vegetables[…] All foods that were processed through the microwave ovens caused changes in the blood[…] Hemoglobin levels decreased and over all white cell levels and cholesterol levels increased. Lymphocytes decreased. Luminescent (light-emitting) bacteria were employed to detect energetic changes in the blood. Significant increases were found in the luminescence of these bacteria when exposed to blood serum obtained after the consumption of microwaved food.”

Food Scientist Dr. Hans Ulrich Hertel was one of the first to investigate the dangers of microwaved food. His research concluded that microwave ovens pose a cancerous risk to the body. In his 1991 study, Dr. Hertel distributed food among volunteers, who were asked to consume one of the following on an empty stomach: raw milk, conventionally cooked milk, pasteurized milk, raw milk heated in a microwave oven, raw vegetables from an organic farm, raw vegetables cooked conventionally, raw vegetables frozen and defrosted in a microwave oven, and raw vegetables cooked in a microwave oven.

Dr. Hertel noticed that the blood samples of those consuming microwaved food exhibited a rise in leukocytes. According to Dr. Hertel, “Leukocytosis, which cannot be accounted for by normal daily deviations, is taken very seriously by hemotologists. Leukocytes are often signs of pathogenic effects on the living system, such as poisoning and cell damage. The increase of leukocytes with the microwaved foods were more pronounced than with all the other variants. It appears that these marked increases were caused entirely by ingesting the microwaved substances.”

So, before you decide to use the microwave oven, keep in mind what studies have shown. The microwave is more than just a heating tool–it is far more toxic and cancerous. As if nutrition depletion weren’t enough, the microwave may lead to a serious health concern, especially in the long-term. Instead, stick with conventional cooking methods and you will be healthier and happier.

Photo Credit: dannerzz

The post Why Nuke Your Food? The Very Real Dangers of Microwave Oven Cooking appeared first on EcoSalon.

Phantom energy sucks. Even when turned off, plugged-in electric devices are draining the juice in your house, a phenomenon that can add up to more than 65 billion kilowatt-hours of power each year. Save energy, and you save major cash.

The Union of Concerned Scientists calls the culprits of this waste vampires which silently suck away more than $5.8 billion annually of extra energy, which sends more than 87 billion pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. Although few of us are in the dark about this waste, we do little or nothing to limit the stand-by mode of our glowing devices, mostly because we are too tired, or too busy, too lazy. Also, some cable boxes lose all their data when unplugged and microwave ovens are installed in 50s fashion – inserted in a wall shelf with no access to the cord.

Unplugging when possible is the easiest weapon to combat these vampires and the little things make a big difference. A huge time saver also is to plug your electronics into a power strip or surge suppressor that can be shut off with a single switch.

First, you should identify the nocturnal monsters. They’re not as hot as the Cullins family but are powerful nonetheless. Here are the top 10:

1. Adapters with rechargeable battery-powered cordless phones

We have these in several rooms and I’m sure you do, too. You don’t want the phones to go dead, but you also need to curb that extra $100 to $200 you are spending each year on those phantoms.

2. Cell phones and chargers

How many times do you leave the charger plugged into the outlet and hanging on the counter or your desk? Just start to notice this and pull the plug.

3. Televisions

If you’re able to get behind your TV unplug it after viewing. If not, connect it to a power strip. You’ll deserve an Emmy for effort.

4. Power Tools

Cordless drills and circular saws? Home Renovations suggests you go this route, and if you don’t, we suggest you keep your tools unplugged.

5. Microwaves

You should see the dinosaur in the teacher’s lounge at my kids’ school! Scary, and it never gets unplugged, unless I go in there and do the job. It’s so easy to unplug when these appliances are freestanding and not inserted into cabinets. Experts say the clocks use more power than the ovens themselves.

6. DVD players

These should be on the same power strip as the TV to avoid draining the grid.

7. Digital Clocks

It can be alarming to think these essential time tellers suck energy when standing by all day while you are away. CBS News tells us a good guide is to unplug anything with a digital clock. If you don’t mind the flashing clocks, put them on a surge protector and shut them off, and only turn them on when you’re using the appliance. The memory chips are on, even when we’re not using the appliance.

8. Computers

Is that lap top hooked up when you go to sleep? Is the docking station still active when you are getting your Zzz’s? Try powering down at night to have sweeter dreams.

9. Computer Monitors

We forget to unplug these, as well, wanting them fired up and ready to go when we are ready to work.

10. Digital camera chargers

Just like our cell phones, we get in the habit of recharging and forgetting. Learning new habits is challenging the results make for a much brighter energy picture.

Image: j/f/photos, alanclarkdesign, pasukaru76, UweHermann, mattbuck4950, William Hook, kanonn, samantha celera, Let Ideas Compete, g_kat26 and Andrew*.

The post Pull That Plug! 10 Common Culprits of Phantom Energy Leaks appeared first on EcoSalon.