![]() ![]() While you may think of testosterone as a strictly male hormone, women also produce the stuff, and it plays a role in energy and muscle maintenance. They also appear to disrupt “androgen function,” or the way your body produces and uses the hormone testosterone, Patisaul says. These compounds help deodorant and other cosmetics-such as fragrance-stick to your skin. “To my knowledge, there aren’t any clear benefits associated with it when used in underarm products.” She says blood tests show triclosan is “at the high end” when it comes to chemicals that swish around in our bodies. “There’s evidence from amphibians and fish is that triclosan impairs thyroid function, which is crucial for brain development,” Patisaul adds. More research suggests triclosan could mess with your microbiome or the day-to-day operations of your genes. ![]() Some animal studies have linked triclosan to unusual hormone activity. But the agency also acknowledges that the research has evolved since it ussued that designation, and the agency could soon change its stance. The FDA says there are no known hazards associated with triclosan. Triclosan is so common that 75% of Americans have detectable levels of the stuff in their urine. The National Cancer Institute site says “more research is needed.”Ĭosmetic manufacturers add this chemical to many products in order to prevent bacterial contamination, and to kill bacteria on the surface of the skin, as in anti-acne products, some deodorants and antiperspirants, and in sanitizing hand soaps. Still, as TIME has reported: According to the American Cancer Society’s website, there is no “clear” or “direct” link between aluminum and cancer. Especially if you shave under your arms, applying a product containing aluminum to that broken skin could be bad news, Darbre says. While that’s not proof aluminum is to blame, breast cancer incidence tends to align with use of products that contain the metal. “Over 50% of breast cancers start in the upper outer quadrant of the breast local to the underarm region,” Darbre says. This instability can cause changes than may promote the growth of tumors or cancer cells, she explains. Typically found only in antiperspirants, this metal can cause “gene instability” in breast tissue, Darbre’s research shows. But in her view, the existing evidence suggests that long-term, low-dose mixtures of environmental chemicals-including parabens-“could cause cancer.” (See another piece, “ Can Deodorant Give You Cancer?” here.) “Cancer is a complex multistage process, and its development can take many years,” Darbre says. But proving that this mixture could cause or contribute to cancer is nearly impossible. Research from Philippa Darbre, an oncologist at the University of Reading in the U.K., has shown that mixing different parabens can strengthen their “estrogenic” effects. But there’s lab evidence to back up Patisaul’s concerns. ![]() That said, both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute say there’s not “conclusive evidence” linking deodorant chemicals to cancer. ![]() “There’s estrogen-sensitive tissue in the breast, so the worry is that if you put parabens close to this tissue every day, they may promote the growth of cancer cells,” she explains. Research suggests some parabens may interfere with the way your body produces and regulates estrogen and other hormones, Patisaul says. There are many different parabens, which are used as preservatives in deodorant and other personal care products. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |