Month: October 2016

Applying antiperspirants/Deodorants every morning is a part of our daily routine as is brushing our teeth. But should we be paying closer attention to what it is that we are applying under our arms and could it be damaging our health?

Many studies have taken place in recent years on deodorants and antiperspirants and their connection with breast cancer.

The aluminum in these products stops you from sweating and blocks up your pores.

According to recent studies, most breast cancers develop in the upper outer part of the breast, the area closest to the armpit, which is where antiperspirants are applied. Could this be coincidence? The studies suggest that chemicals in antiperspirants, including aluminum and parabens are absorbed into the skin. These studies claim that those chemicals may then interact with DNA and lead to cancerous changes in cells, or interfere with the female hormone estrogen, which is known to influence the growth of breast cancer cells.

Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer. However, research is still on going.

Here are some facts… In a 2007 study published in the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, researchers tested breast samples from 17 breast-cancer patients who had undergone mastectomies. The women who used antiperspirants had deposits of aluminum in their outer breast tissue. Concentrations of aluminum were higher in the tissue closest to the underarm than in the central breast.

Below we have listed the most harmful chemicals found in most common Deodorants. These are the ones to avoid.

• Aluminium (Aluminium Zirconium, Aluminium Chlorohydrate, Aluminium tetrachlorohydrex)
  Aluminium acts a plug to stop us from sweating. This ingredient causes an imbalance with our hormones and can be a factor in the cause of breast cancer.

• Parabens
  Butylparaben, Heptylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylparaben. All of these should be avoided as they mimic the hormone estrogen. Look out for products with Paraben free Labels.

• Propylene Glycol
  This is petroleum based. Studies have shown that it can cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and heart.

• Triclosan
  Triclosan is classified as a pesticide by the FDA. It is also classed as a probable carcinogen.

Even though research is ongoing and no formal research has been published about the dangers of using aluminium based antiperspirants, we at mother nurture have looked at products that do not contain these possible carcinogenic ingredients. And while you may have to reapply some more often, the natural ingredients and aluminum-free formulas will give you peace of mind that you’re avoiding some of the chemicals found in more conventional antiperspirants.

There are many natural alternatives out there but a few tried and tested are listed below. Cut out these toxic ingredients now before they are officially banned from our cosmetics. Give your body the break it deserves.

Green people natural Deodorants  https://www.greenpeople.co.uk

Pitrok Crystal – leaves you smelling fresh all day! https://www.pitrok.co.uk

Salt of the Earth natural deodorant  https://crystalspring.co.uk

Jason natural deodorant stick.  https://www.jasonnaturalcare.co.uk

 

For many years medical professionals have warned us of the dangers that Talcum Powder can cause breathing problems for babies and children.

Most recently though one big pharmaceutical giant, Johnson and Johnson have been at the centre of many lawsuits from women claiming that the long term use of Johnsons Baby Powder and Shower to Shower has been the cause of ovarian cancer.

The first lawsuit was filed in 2009 by a lady called Diane Berg, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006. For years she sprinkled her underwear with Talc to remove bad odours. She was not to know that this product was dangerous with long term exposure as there are no warning signs on the packaging.

She sued them for gross negligence and fraud. As a result of the trial, Talc was found in the tumours from her ovaries and it was decided that the product was the cause of her cancer. Shockingly though Johnson and Johnson were not found guilty of fraud and were not ordered to award any damages. Interestingly,  they did however offer her $1.3 Million in an out of court settlement on the understanding that she would sign a confidentiality clause. This she refused.

As shocking and disappointing as this was, Two other judges did find Johnson and Johnson guilty of negligence, conspiracy and failure to warn women of the increased risk of using Talcum Powder in the genitail area with long term use. They were found guilty of concealing critical information about the products safety for more than 40 years. They were ordered to pay a hefty $127 Million to two separate families. Now more than one thousand lawsuits have been filed against the pharmacetical giants.

As of this time, there has not been a recall of any of the talc-based products as a result of ovarian cancer. However, talcum powder is not a product regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The manufacturers of these products regulate themselves. Which is actually quite terrifying, considering that Johnson and Johnson failed to mention that women are 30-60% more likely to get ovarian cancer using their product.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer however does classify Talcum powder as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

So the moral of this story is to perhaps bin all Talcum and possibly all Johnson products with haste.

Don’t fear though we have already begun the search for Talc free alternatives and can recommend just few of the many options out there.

1. Burts Bees – Dusting Powder
2. The Honest Company – Baby Powder
3. Neals Yard – Baby Powder
4. Era Organics – Dusting Powder
5. Reiscare – Baby Powder