Millions of Americans use deodorants or antiperspirants that are filled with toxic chemicals and dangerous carcinogens. Many people might not be fully aware about the health risks associated with these toxins and chemicals.
The marketers and advertising companies have convinced the American public that wearing deodorants or antiperspirants is the only way to neutralize the smell of body odor or sweat. That’s how manufacturers of deodorants and antiperspirants have become a multibillion dollar industry selling more than 18 billion worth of products to the Americans.
It may be cost-effective for the manufacturers to use toxic petroleum in deodorants or antiperspirants, but the use of these chemicals can have a serious impact on the health and well-being of the consumers.
We live in a society that constantly tells us not to perspire and if we do, we better find a way to hide it or mask it. The fact is that perspiration is one of the best ways to cleanse and get rid of toxins and heavy metals in the body. Lack of perspiration and accumulation of heavy metals and toxins such as arsenic, lead, and mercury can have serious impact on your health and wellbeing.
Most of the time, your body odor is just a reflection of the foods you eat. The best way to neutralize your body odor is being aware of the foods you eat. Instead of using toxic deodorants you could use with essential oils such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, or coconut oil.
1. Aluminum compounds such as Aluminum Chlorohydrate, and Aluminum Zirconium Aluminum salts
Researchers have identified aluminum as breast cancer carcinogen and have suggested that exposure to aluminum, even at 100,000 times lower levels of what’s found in deodorants or antiperspirants could lead to breast cancer. Other research shows that concentration of aluminum on the nipple aspirate fluid of women diagnosed with breast cancer is much higher than others. Researchers suggest that aluminum is linked to other health issues such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain damage and prostate cancer in men.
2. Tricolsan
Researchers suggest that tricolsan can impair muscle function and lead to cardiovascular diseases. Studies also show that the chemical structure of triclosan is similar to thyroid hormone and could disrupt the body’s thyroid levels.
"Animal studies indicate that triclosan can affect thyroid function," says Tom Zoeller, an endocrinologist and professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts--Amherst. "It's plausible that triclosan can interfere with thyroid hormones in people".
Tricolsan is also an endocrine disrupter and has been found in the breast milk and urine of sick people.
3. Parabens
According to researchers, parabens can increase the risk of breast cancer in women. In fact, 99% of breast cancer tissues have high levels of parabens in them. According to researchers, most breast cancers occur in the upper quadrant of the breast, closest to lymph nodes exposed to deodorants or antiperspirant.
4. Phthalates
Phthalates listed in consumer products as fragrance is used to increase the shell life of consumer products. Many people might not know how toxic Phthalates are. Phthalates are hormone disruptors linked to autism, infertility, early puberty, breast, prostate, ovarian cancers and low testosterone levels. There are other health risks associated with phthalates such as liver, lung, and kidney damage, and respiratory problems such as asthma, or allergies.
5. Propylene glycol, and Steareths
Both propylene glycol and steareths are neurotoxins and known human carcinogens linked to allergic reactions, skin irritation, liver and kidney damage. Propylene glycol is a petroleum based product and a derivative of mineral oil. According to researchers, mineral oil widely found in mother’s breast milk could be the largest contaminate in human body. In a study of 465 autopsies, researchers found signs of mineral oil lipogranulomata in 48% of livers and 46% of spleens of the participants.
