Real Health Talk show notes 11/14/12 Harmful chemicals that we put on our skin and in our bodies
The problem with all of our deodorants, soaps, makeup and etc.
People think they are eating their best but use unsafe deodorants, soaps, shampoos, makeup, etc. The skin is a living organ that absorbs what it comes in contact with – good or bad. If you are concerned about good health, it is more important for you to carefully choose what products you allow to touch your skin than it is to choose not to smoke!
- 1900 – somewhere between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 100 contracted cancer
- 1997 – 1 in 3 contracted cancer
- 2013 – 1 in 2 have cancer
- 2030 – prediction is that every American will contract cancer
The normal healthy skin flora creates an acid mantle which actively discourages growth of many harmful bacteria. Antimicrobial soap kills off the normal flora by stripping the acid mantle and leaving a friendly environment for the germs that cause illness. The pH of the normal skin pH is 5.5 and soaps are alkaline, ranging from a pH of 7 to 12.
Deadly triclosan in antimicrobial soaps
There is also a critical bio-film in all outer cells in the skin, lungs and intestines that is damaged with antibacterial soaps and household chemicals. Using natural soaps, cleaning products and taking probiotics all help defeat allergy symptoms. Here’s the real dirt on all the “antibacterial” soaps popping up everywhere: They’re completely unnecessary and do absolutely nothing to protect you — and the chemicals used in these things can do more to mess you up than any bacteria ever will.
Triclosan is actually a pesticide, not a soap. It works on your body to kill off healthy and common bacteria, while enabling powerful bad ones to grow. Triclosan can be found in pretty much anything with the word “antibacterial” on the label. People buy this crap with the mistaken belief that it must be better. Upon their use, triclosan and triclocarban are absorbed through the skin and hence contaminate human blood, urine, and breast milk. Ultimately, these chemicals together with the pharmaceuticals we use end up in our sewage and surface waters. Triclosan kills fish and now is found in the urine of 75 percent of our population.
Studies have found that antimicrobial soaps are actually no better at killing germs than the plain old soap – and the FDA admits it! The F.D.A. has already said that soap with triclosan is no more effective than washing with ordinary soap and water. The CDC found the chemical present in the urine of 75 percent of Americans over the age of 5. There’s absolutely no reason to buy antibacterial soaps, according to the AMA, which claims, there’s no solid scientific proof that these soaps are better at preventing infection than regular soap. The AMA argues that antibacterial soaps may be doing more harm than good-by making bacteria …stronger and more resistant to existing germ killers. The overuse of these soaps is helping to create drug-resistant superbugs.
Several studies have shown that triclosan may alter hormone regulation, alters the sex hormones, and cause antibiotic resistance. Triclosan and triclocarban, which are in antibacterial hand soap, can damage both your thyroid and the environment. Use plain soap instead. Studies show that if you wash for 20 seconds with plain soap, you’ll be just as germ-free.
One new study finds that the pesticide triclosan — the main ingredient used in many antibacterial products — can actually block signals from the brain to the muscle, including the ones in your heart. In a series of experiments, researchers found that exposure to triclosan cut heart function by 25 percent and also decreased grip strength for a full hour after exposure. In another set of experiments, fish swam slower in triclosan-laced waters. Just like in the other experiment, triclosan short-circuited the signals between the brain and muscle. But at least they were free of bacteria, right? Other studies found triclosan in the water can actually KILL fish. And remember, this stuff is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that’s been linked to reproductive problems.
A study published in Environmental Science and Technology, found triclosan – a chemical commonly used in toothpastes and antibacterial soaps – hastens the transformation of tadpoles into adult frogs.
However regulators and other experts insist triclosan is safe for humans. Professor Isaac Pessah, who led one study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said: “…These findings provide strong evidence that it is of concern to both human and environmental health.” Skip the Antibacterial Soap! But this pesticide is turning up in everything now, and not just soaps and hand sanitizers. It’s in things like shaving cream, lipsticks, deodorants and even toothpaste.
Media hype and sales techniques have people terrified of bacteria and antibacterial products are selling like hotcakes. In reality, most of these little bugs are completely harmless and even helpful. The dangerous microbes are wiped out by a healthy immune system before they ever have a chance to hurt you. After all, the human race somehow managed to survive for lots of years before the invention of antibacterial soap.
Again, skip all the chemical-laden junk and stick to plain old soap and water for washing up. It’s every bit as effective, comes with none of the risks and is a heckuva lot cheaper, too.
The MSDS specifically says that it doesn’t expect you to ingest triclosan. If you DO ingest it, the list of bad things is rather ugly. Check your lipstick. Some consumer groups and members of Congress want it banned in antiseptic products like hand soap.
Formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane
Is there any safe level of exposure to dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane (known carcinogens)? 1,4-Dioxane is used as a solvent. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to high levels of 1,4-dioxane has caused vertigo, drowsiness, headache, anorexia and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs in humans. It may also irritate the skin. Damage to the liver and kidneys has been observed in rats chronically (long-term) exposed in their drinking water. Tumors have been observed in orally exposed animals. EPA.gov has classified 1,4-dioxane as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.
Yet these ingredients are commonly found in baby products. Why do companies like Johnson and Johnson use these cancer causers when other companies do not? But now J&J has suddenly announced that they will discontinue adding formaldehyde-releasing chemicals and other dangerous ingredients from baby soaps and shampoos – by the end of next year. NEXT YEAR? I suppose they think they deserve a Nobel Peace Prize for this. I say don’t buy any of their products now and they’ll change now.
Phthalates
Because phthalates soften plastics, and are in everything from shower curtains to plastic wrap to food containers. But they are also used to stabilize scents — which means you find them in fragrance-based products like perfume, shampoo, plastic tubing, soaps and lotions. Phthalates are pervasive in the environment and have increasingly become associated with changes in development of the male brain as well as with genital defects, metabolic abnormalities and reduced testosterone in babies and adults. Multiple studies have linked phthalates to suppression of normal thyroid function and birth defects, mostly affecting the genital development of young boys and sperm counts in adult men.
Women who are pregnant, nursing or thinking about getting pregnant should look for and avoid all personal care products with the word phthalate on the label.
Parabens
Stay away from parabens, common in shampoos, lotions and shaving gels. These preservatives have been so widely and publicly exposed as toxic contaminants that it is now relatively easy to find clearly-marked paraben-free products. Parabens are a synthetic preservative and antimicrobial agent found in most personal-care products like shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, lotions, cleansers and body wash. Parabens appear as methyl-, ethyl-, butyl- or propylparaben. Studies have found that parabens mimic estrogen in the body and disrupt normal hormone function, and are commonly found in breast-tumor biopsies.
Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol is used in industrial antifreeze, brake fluids and other applications. It is a known irritant that taken in through the skin causes liver, kidney and bladder problems. The main difference between the propylene and ethylene is one carbon atom which does change the chemical effects drastically. Ethylene can kill you now and propylene takes a while longer (IMO). Propylene glycol is commonly found in: makeup, shampoo, deodorant, detangler, styling mousse, cleansing cream, mascara, soap, skin cream, bubble bath, baby powder, conditioner, after shave, baby wipes, stain removers, fabric softener
SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulphate)
Shampoos are among the most frequently reported products to the FDA. Complaints include eye irritation, scalp irritation, tangled hair, swelling of the hands, face and arms and split and fuzzy hair. The main cause of these problems is sodium lauryl sulfate. Both sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are used in many soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothpastes and other products for foaming agents. Chemically these bad boys are known as surfactants and are esters of sulphuric acid AKA “sulfuric acid monododecyl ester sodium salt”. Beware: there are over 150 other different names by which it hides in consumer products
Read you shampoo labels! Look out for artificial colors and dyes, dibutyl phthalate, a reproductive toxin; toluene, which affects the nervous system and may cause headaches; and formaldehyde, which can cause allergies and irritation. Stay away from sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate, which are popular in cleaning products, such as body washes, as they can cause skin irritation.
Perfume and makeups
Most are not aware that every makeup counter in U.S., retail outlets are required by law to have a book available, which gives accurate accounts of all ingredients in the makeup they sell. If drugs and toxins can be absorbed through the skin through things like patches, then the skin will also absorb chemicals from lip products, eye shadow, foundation, etc.
The government does not require pre-market safety testing of cosmetic ingredients. Research shows that the industry itself has safety assessed just 11 percent of the 10,500 chemical ingredients used in personal care products.
98% of skin care and personal care products are based on mineral oil.
Mineral oil misconceptions
·A mixture of refined liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum
·Mineral oil and all petroleum based ingredients are products of black crude oil!
·Mineral oil costs about $1.00/gal.
·Essential oils can cost up to $100/gal.
·Mineral oils molecular size is too large to be absorbed by the skin, thus it forms a film on the skin surface
·Blocks pores natural respiration and secretion process
Collagen
·An animal product.
·Added to formulas as a moisturizing agent
·The molecules are too large to penetrate the skin
·Clogs pores
·Blocks the absorption of other nutrients
Alcohol
·Strips the skins natural acid mantle, exposing the pores to bacteria and germs
Children and cosmetics
• Children are at greater risk of cancers and fertility problems in later life because of the growing use of their cosmetics and toiletries, health experts are warning.
• Adolescents and the parents of young children are buying more beauty products made for adults and toiletries such as baby wipes and bubble baths than ever before.
• Fertility experts, cancer specialists and environmentalists are becoming alarmed by evidence that most of these products use potentially dangerous chemicals linked to breast cancer, falling sperm counts and hormonal damage.
Lead in lipstick
Lead is a chemical which causes cancer.
·The Brands which are known to contain lead are:
- CHRISTIAN DIOR
- LANCOME
- CLINIQUE
- Y.S.L
- ESTEE LAUDER
- SHISEIDO
- RED EARTH (Lip Gloss)
- CHANEL (Lip Conditioner)
- MARKET AMERICA-MOTNES LIPSTICK.
- RED EARTH
• The higher the lead content, the greater the chance of causing cancer.
• After doing a test on lipsticks, it was found that the Y.S.L. lipstick contained the most amount of lead.
• Watch out for those lipsticks which are supposed to stay longer. If your lipstick stays longer, it is because of the higher content of lead.
• You put it on your lips and there you lick and eat some chemicals all day!!
Here is the test you can do! yourself:
- Put some lipstick on your hand.
- Use a Gold ring to scratch on the lipstick.
- If the lipstick color changes to black then you know the lipstick
contains lead.
A good natural beauty product will be:
• Botanically-based
• pH correct Hypoallergenic
• Dermatologist tested
• Never tested on animals
• Free of animal products or by-products
• Free of mineral oil
• Free of dyes and chemical fragrances
EWG.org maintains a database of cosmetics and personal care products with hazard ratings.
Avalon organics has a whole line of soaps, lotions, and shower gels without Sodium Laureth Sulphate.
Dr. Bronner makes an excellent soap. Here is the list of ingredients: Saponified Organic Coconut, Organic Palm and Organic Olive Oils (with Retained Glycerin), Water, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil, Organic Mentha Arvensis, Salt, Citric Acid, Vitamin E.
There is also a product line called “Clave”. They are based in Scottsdale, AZ. It’s to be all natural shampoo and conditioner.
Arbonne
Good books:
• Home Safe Home by Debra Lynn Dadd
• What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer by John Lee, MD
• Hormone Balance: A Matter of Life and Health by Kristine Klitzke, R.N.
• Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
• Our Stolen Future by Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers
• Breast Cancer Action Newsletter, Jan/Feb 2002, Chemicals and Cancer: Conference Offers a Closer Look
• Cancer Prevention Coalition Press Release, June 17, 2002
Authored by cancer nutritionist Craig Stellpflug NDC, CNC, Dayspring Cancer Clinic Scottsdale, AZ
Copyright 2012 Craig Stellpflug© Permission is hereby granted to copy and distribute this article but only in its entirety