" "People should not worry about using antiperspirants, but the findings must be taken seriously by regulators who are responsible for assessing the safety of consumer products," said Thun.Īntiperspirants: Internet e-mail rumors have suggested that chemicals in underarm antiperspirants are absorbed through the skin, interfere with lymph circulation, and cause toxins to build up in the breast and eventually lead to breast cancer. "The additional risk, if it exists, would be minuscule. "There's going to be a far greater risk from other sources of estrogen, such as taking hormones after menopause and being overweight, because fat tissue makes estrogen," says Michael Thun, MD, the Society's vice president of epidemiology and surveillance research. And the levels of parabens detected in the tumor tissues were much lower than the levels of naturally occurring estrogen in the body. However, the researchers said their study did not prove the chemicals could cause breast cancer. Parabens, preservatives used in cosmetics, shampoos, skin creams, hair gels and various food products, mimic the actions of estrogen - a hormone linked to breast cancer. In the January/February 2004 issue of the Journal of Applied Toxicology, British researchers reported that traces of chemicals called parabens were found in breast tumor tissue of several patients. There have been many extremely thorough epidemiological studies of breast cancer risk factors published in medical journals. Deodorant is fine, antiperspirant is not. Most of the products out there are an antiperspirant/deodorant combination, so go home and check your labels. The leading cause of breast cancer is the use of antiperspirant. An Ax To Grind Concerning Preservativesįollowing are some rumors that have been widely circulated and the facts as pointed out by the American Cancer Society: It's very difficult to find objective facts. It seems almost everyone has an ax to grind when it comes to this issue. It’s just that you have to consider the source when you do find information. It’s not that there is any lack of opinion on the subject. The controversy over parabens, like the controversy over Sodium Laurel Sulfate is a difficult one to sift through. However, you should be aware of the real “threat” of parabens may the risk you take by using improperly preserved products trying to avoid them. You may have found websites that suggest that you should avoid parabens at all costs because of increased risk of cancer. We have to weigh the very small risk of a mild skin rash against the serious health threat posed by spoiled products. The reaction is even more rare in products that are rinsed off, such as shampoos, soaps, body washes, etc. Extremely sensitive people may develop a mild skin reaction, in products that are not rinsed off- such as lotions. Parabens are well tolerated by just about everyone. They pass the risk of not using effective preservatives on to you, the consumer. Many of the manufacturers that offer paraben free products (or products free from other chemical preservatives) make disclaimers about the shelf lives of their products (in other words, they don't last as long on your shelf) or even the safety of the products they sell without chemical preservatives. However, the reality is there are no great alternatives. When we started out in this business, we heard the horror stories concerning parabens and decided to try to avoid them in the products we offer for sale. Products that are not properly preserved, even if made in a pristine environment and free of microbes when shipped, can become a health risk when exposed to the yeast, mold, fungi and bacteria present in all of our homes. Products without preservatives may have a short shelf life, even if refrigerated. Water is the basis of all life, including bacteria, fungi and molds. Preservatives of some kind will almost always be needed in products where water is present. But, even worse, some of those nasties that can grow in your products are harmful to your health. Is it inconvenient to have a rotting product? Yes. Otherwise, you’d shortly end up with some pretty funky stuff instead of the product you paid for. To get that product to you and to have a reasonable shelf life requires that certain products be preserved, in some fashion. Products are often shipped from manufacturer through distributors, shipping warehouses and other places that add time (and often heat) before the product ever reaches you. To get many (especially natural) products from the manufacturer to you requires some sort of preservative. However, one reality of modern life is that we need preservatives in certain products. As a manufacturer and distributor of natural products, we strive to make our products as natural as possible. People sometimes ask us why we use preservatives in our natural products.
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