Many of us are quite careful about the sort of food we put into our bodies and don’t think too much about the products we put onto our bodies. So I thought it might be useful to look at just a few chemicals that are used in products we use daily in a little more depth. As you are probably aware anything that we put onto our bodies is generally absorbed into our bodies, which means it is important to be aware of what is being used and the impact it is having on you. My aim here is not to alarm, but to make you think a little more deeply and maybe dive into some of the research.
Toothpaste (& Water): Fluoride has been held up as a magic weapon against tooth decay and yet you might be surprised to learn it is more toxic than lead! I was majorly shocked to learn that too! It can lead to many problems within the body like brain damage, lowering of IQ and disruption to the immune system. What is pretty alarming is that this happens at pretty low levels of concentration and that fluoride, is purposefully added to our water (the fluoride added to water generally comes from industrial waste so that doesn’t fill me with a warm fuzzy feeling either!). I would suggest switching to a natural toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride, I use Kingfisher Natural Toothpaste and digging into more detail about your water supply.
Deodorant: Most deodorants rely on a form of aluminium to block sweat glands and so stop you sweating. The problem here is that research shows that aluminium can be absorbed by the skin, can therefore enter circulation and accumulate in brain tissue causing Alzheimer’s disease like symptoms. It has also been linked with various forms of cancer, but this is an area that requires more research before scientists can be sure. This is new information to me and I have gone through all the deodorants I own and found that the ones, I find, work the best all contain a form of aluminium! I am currently using Miessence Aroma Free Deodorant, but I am on the hunt for something better and so will keep you updated!
Lotions/Shower Gel: Parabens are used in many lotions and gels as a preservative, they stop fungus and bacteria growing on your favourite products. They are easily absorbed through the skin completely intact and the major concern here is the increased risk of breast cancer. I think what gets me most about the use of parabens is that other products can be used in their place which are no more expensive, so why are companies still using them?
My motto here is natural is best, if you wouldn’t eat it then don’t put it on your skin! I am moving towards using Neal’s Yard and Miessence type products (as well as considering making my own) for this reason.
I would love to hear from you about products you use or thoughts you have, so head over to my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lorimcphersonwellbeing or follow me on Twitter @studio7therapy (a little bit new and scary for me!) and let me know what’s going on!
Health and happiness
Lori