Hidden Dangers - Aluminum in anti-perspirants

Hidden Dangers

Aluminum in antiperspirants


Several years ago I realized that the deodorant I apply daily might actually be dangerous to my health. This led me to scour the internet for potential answers. At first I thought this might be a gimmick put on by new organics only companies. This article describes an organic solution to the dangers of antiperspirants.

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/aluminum-free-deodorant.html

My search for correct information started as a series of rude awakenings during which I began to doubt the safety of various products people buy on a daily basis. This blog isn’t going to be about the obvious dangers of cigarettes, or alcohol but about the lesser known dangers that lurk in plain sight. It is well known that cigarettes are bad for you but unfortunately it isn’t scientifically proven.

What I mean is that although there is a strong statistical correlation between lung cancer and cigarette smoking the correlation is not 100%. Fifty years ago people weren’t sure about the truth. One of the problems with proving the dangers to the people was the time it took to actually manifest the symptoms. It is possible that some currently used products caused the ailments that people suffer from right now.
One of such products is antiperspirant deodorant. Antiperspirants prevent the glands from perspiring with aluminum salts. Aluminum has been shown to cause many harmful effects including: Kidney problems, seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, bone formation disorders and breast cancer. This article talks about the toxicity of aluminum

http://tih.sagepub.com/content/18/7/309.short

Many companies have responded to consumer’s concerns by selling aluminum free deodorants. It is hard to determine whether it was an issue before these new products came out. I have been using one from Tom’s of Maine for the last several years. Other companies that sell aluminum free deodorants are Arm and Hammer, Burt’s Bees, Crystal, Herbal Clear. I personally don’t perspire excessively but I feel that this product works for me. I feel like the less processed chemicals I absorb the better. Some people might need the antiperspirant due to over sweating or another condition.
Now I have to play devils advocate because there is plenty of information out there that states that antiperspirants are perfectly safe. This article discusses the cancer antiperspirants myth and discusses how the FDA has not concluded these products dangerous.

http://www.asn-online.org/facts_and_statistics/Antiperspirant%20Warning%20QAs.pdf


I assume that the FDA considers these products safe because they are being sold but there is plenty of evidence to the danger. The following article also mentions that women that shave and apply deodorant may be at increased risk for breast cancer. Yet the article seems to conclude that experts say there should be no concern.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/12/05/eveningnews/main1098995.shtml

I personally choose to remain skeptical. There are studies that show aluminum’s link to Alzheimer’s disease. The buildup of aluminum in the body can happen in many ways. From using aluminum cook ware and aluminum in food to aluminum in the air and water. In shampoos, conditioners, and as mentioned many times antiperspirants.
I encourage readers to also be on the look out for new information because as a civilization we are always learning.