The Healthy WIFE: Anti-perspirant

I’m sure we’ve all heard murmurings, read articles or watched news segments on the dangers of aluminum in your deodorant or anti-perspirant. Aluminum is the active key ingredient that gives anti-perspirants the highly effective ability to stop you from sweating. The majority of all commercial deodorants found at Target, Walmart and other pharmacy’s have one thing in common; They all contain up to 25% of aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium or aluminum salts. Deodorant gets absorbed into your skin everyday and can also enter the body through nicks caused by shaving.

There has been a sense of urgency for the FDA to take a closer look at the long term effects aluminum has on the human body. It is proposed that certain ingredients in underarm antiperspirants may be related to breast cancer because they are applied frequently to an area next to the breast. There are studies that claim that certain harsh chemicals may then interact with DNA and lead to cancerous changes in cells, or interfere with the action of the female hormone estrogen, which is known to influence the growth of breast cancer cells. Dr. Philippa Darby of the U.K.’s University of Reading recently published a paper in the Journal of Applied Toxicology showing that aluminum salts increase estrogen-related gene expression in cultured human breast cancer cells. Aluminum has been associated with a variety of health issues including: Seizures, Breast Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Bone Formation Disorders and Kidney Problems.

Other research has focused on parabens, which are preservatives used in some deodorants and antiperspirants that have been shown to mimic the activity of estrogen in the body’s cells. Parabans can also be labeled as: methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or benzylparaben.

The FDA continues to assure the public that there is no evidence that aluminum or any of the other ingredient in deodorant pose any threat to human health. If your like me and would rather be safe than sorry and are concerned about exposing your body to harmful chemicals, then choosing a deodorant with natural ingredients might be the option for you. Although you might also be worried about natural deodorants holding up throughout the day. In the following article you’ll find the best non aluminum deodorants on the market that will keep you smelling clean and feeling fresh. When shopping for your new aluminum free deodorant avoid anything labeled “Anti-perspirants,” which all contain aluminum. Look for products labeled “Deodorant,” deodorants should not contain aluminum (although still check the label). Deodorants allow perspiration, they work to kill the bacteria that causes odor when we perspire. Here’s to keeping your underarms healthy! -Taryn Cox for THE WIFE