Originally published December 1 2009
Beware of aluminum in deodorant products
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
(NaturalNews) Most consumers don't know it, but antiperspirant deodorant products often contain extremely toxic chemicals and heavy metals that can cause severe harm to the human nervous system. To rub such products under the arms is inviting the absorption of these harmful chemicals, which many believe will inevitably lead to cancer or neurological problems (such as Alzheimer's disease).
Here, we present a rather alarming collection of information from some of the industry's top health authors who discuss the toxic chemicals commonly found in antiperspirants and deodorants. Don't rub another product on your skin until you read this information!
Aluminum is common in antiperspirant / deodorant products
The use of antiperspirant deodorant formulas has been subject to a lot of controversy due to the aluminum base and parabens (chemicals used as preservatives) - among other harsh and toxic substances such as solvents and some fragrances - that are used in many commercial products. Aluminum compounds - particularly aluminum chlorohydrate - are easily absorbed through the skin and have, in the only reported trial to date, already been linked with higher risks of Alzheimer's.
- Toxic Overload: A Doctor's Plan for Combating the Illnesses Caused by Chemicals in Our Foods, Our Homes, and Our Medicine Cabinets by Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton
Nature's Gate Spring Fresh deodorant, which is aluminum-free, still contains DEA. Nature's Gate Spring Fresh deodorant also includes propylene glycol, a common solvent in toothpastes, deodorant, mouthwash, and other personal care items, that is a penetration enhancer and best to avoid. Another kind of ingredient in deodorants and anti-perspirants that may contribute to breast cancer are hormone-disruptive parabans.
- Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger Your Health . . . And What You Can Do about It by Samuel S. Epstein, Randall Fitzgerald
I prefer their unscented Nature's Deodorant (you may initially catch a mild whiff of coriander when first putting it on), which has the rare characteristics of being both highly effective and safe. But, naturally scented versions of these are also available. Be cautious of "natural" deodorant crystals as they may contain aluminum, and would therefore not be something you would want to use. Most good health food stores, like my local one, Sunseeds, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, are very helpful and can get most things in for you if they don't already have them in stock.
- Toxic Overload: A Doctor's Plan for Combating the Illnesses Caused by Chemicals in Our Foods, Our Homes, and Our Medicine Cabinets by Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton
Use deodorant instead of antiperspirant, since sweat is normal and blocking the pores is not. Especially avoid aluminum, which is found in high levels in the brain plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease. And with deodorants, avoid phthalates, which are plastics used to help the fragrance stay on our skin and block endocrine function, especially in the male fetus. Parabens, which are used as preservatives in these products, should also be avoided since they could be linked to breast cancer.
- You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty by Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
Read your deodorant label carefully to see if it contains this substance. Not all of them do, especially those made from natural substances. Even though we all know that good personal hygiene is important, you may want to switch to a personal care product that does not contain aluminum hydroxide.
- Reversing Multiple Sclerosis: 9 Effective Steps to Recover Your Health by Celeste Pepe, Lisa Hammond
During the two decades prior to the first world war, an unprecedented number of creations were unveiled that would transform the formulations of cosmetics, and create a personal care products industry: A deodorant invented in Philadelphia and marketed as "Mum" was followed by other deodorants and anti-perspirants containing aluminum chloride as the active ingredient. The first synthetic hair dye, called "Aureole," was created in the lab of a French chemist. Another chemist, in New York, formulated a synthetic mascara and named the product Maybelline, after his sister Mabel.
- Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger Your Health . . . And What You Can Do about It by Samuel S. Epstein, Randall Fitzgerald
Most contain aluminum zirconium, which is toxic to the nervous and reproductive systems, a chemical called BHT, which is believed to be a hormonal disrupter and neurotoxin, and various chemicals that give your deodorant stick that distinctive smell. You'll also get another dose of propylene glycol, which helps the deodorant go on so nicely but is linked to irritation and immune toxicity.
- The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps by Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith
Think about the last time you drank a canned beverage, put on deodorant, ate fish, or had a cavity filled at the dentist. Any one of these typical activities potentially exposes the body to toxins from metals. The canned drink and deodorant both contain aluminum, and mercury is a component of dental fillings, and both are extremely toxic metals.
- Health Begins in the Colon by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
Buying organic food, refusing vaccines with mercury, and buying deodorant without aluminum will create a ripple effect throughout our economy and environment. You can make changes in your life and in your world with the choices you make. What's more, you can make changes in your personal health. You can heal yourself from brain damage by improving your diet, limiting your exposure to toxins, and changing the way you live. You can reverse the effects of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism, Alzheimer's, ADHD, and more - if you know how to.
- Ultra-Metabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss by Mark Hyman
The following conditions can inhibit or impede your body's absorption and/or utilization of phosphorus: too much iron in your cookware or your diet; aluminum deposits from your deodorant, antacid, or cook-ware; vitamin E deficiency; diuretics; alcohol; coffee, tea, or cola; stress; X rays, thyroid medication, cortisone, and aspirin; any other drug; too little vitamin D, or too much; too little calcium, or too much; too much sugar; too much protein; diabetes; starvation; and excess exercise. Whew!
- The Complete Guide to Health and Nutrition by Gary Null
Look for aluminum-free deodorant. As with everything else on this program, finding new products and your rhythm with them may take time. You may have to try one or two shampoos before you find one that works for you. Do 45 minutes of restorative exercise, preferably outside. Practice one core-strengthening exercise today. If you decided to include licorice root and salt in your program, continue taking them.
- Spent: Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Feel Great Again by Frank Lipman, Mollie Doyle
Eliminate all conventional home care and personal care products from your life: Shampoo, deodorant, soap, cleaners, detergents, dryer sheets, air fresheners, hair spray, hair dye, cosmetics, etc. Replace them all with "green home" and "green personal care" products. Stop eating out of plastic, styrofoam, Teflon and aluminum foil. Eat out of Pyrex or glass containers. For cooking, use iron or stainless steel. Clean your air and water. Never drink tap water. Invest in a good water filter (Lotus Water Treatment System at www.Tersano.com).
- Natural Health Solutions by Mike Adams
Most deodorant products in health food stores are made without aluminum. They contain natural ingredients that fight bacteria, such as tea tree, clay, coriander, lichen and chamomile. One product to look for is Lavilin. It contains calendula and arnica, which kill bacteria.
- Natural Health Secrets From Around the World by Glenn W. Geelhoed, M.D. and Jean Barilla, M.S.
You expressed surprise that someone might use milk of magnesia as an underarm deodorant. I have been using milk of magnesia for several years. Despite my initial skepticism, I've found it to be a remarkably effective antiperspirant. I apply it directly from the bottle using my fingers. It is inexpensive (a bottle lasts months), goes on quickly and easily, has no odor, dries clear, does not stain clothing, and is completely effective in stopping odor and perspiration. It contains no aluminum.
- Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy by Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.
A typical deodorant contains an ingredient that inhibits odor-causing bacteria on the skin, such as triclosan chloride. Most also contain some sort of fragrance to help mask odors. And some contain moisture-absorbing powders such as cornstarch or talc. Antiperspirants, however, contain an additional ingredient that inhibits sweat secretion. "A common sweat-stopping ingredient is aluminum chlorohydrate, which seems to work simply because the pasty material plugs up sweat glands," says Donald R. Miller, Pharm.D., an associate professor of pharmacy at North Dakota State University in Fargo.
- Home Remedies: What Works: Thousands of Americans Reveal Their Favorite Home-Tested Cures for Everyday Health Problems by Gale Maleskey, Brian Kaufman
She doesn't use aluminum kitchen utensils, and she won't use any deodorant that has aluminum mentioned on the label. There has been a lot of controversy in the past few decades over whether aluminum plays any role in the development of Alzheimer's. Scientific studies have come down on both sides of the question. Until this debate is settled once and for all, there's no harm in avoiding aluminum, says Dr. Park. "It's absolutely unclear what the cause and effect is," she says. "Personally, although I seriously doubt there is a connection, I nevertheless threw out my aluminum pans."
- Home Remedies: What Works: Thousands of Americans Reveal Their Favorite Home-Tested Cures for Everyday Health Problems by Gale Maleskey, Brian Kaufman
Antiseptics may be incorporated into deodorant soaps. Deodorants, formerly called "unscented toilet waters" and "sanitary liquid preparations," once contained formaldehyde or benzoic acid, which have been replaced with quaternary ammonium compounds. Deodorant-action, liquid antiperspirants today usually contain aluminum chloride, urea, propylene glycol, and about 75 percent water. Deodorant-action, cream antiperspirants contain aluminum chlorhydroxide, sorbitan monostearate, polox-amers, stearic acid, boric acid, petrolatum, perfume, propylene glycol, and water.
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter, M.S.
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