Rub a Dub Dub, What’s in my Tub?

How many of you know that there are ingredients in our personal care products that are cancer causing?

(All information is provided by Network News and Publishing 2004)
Publishers Note: “Statements of fact made in this publication are based on research and all information has been obtained from previously published, studies, journals, magazines, newspapers and material safety data sheets. Opinions are those of the publisher and the validity of such is up to the reader to decide.”

First I want to share the answer to that question and secondly, I will share with you information that will allow you to make healthier decisions for you and your family from today on.

How many of you know someone who is chronically ill, perhaps with gastrointestinal issues, skin issues or even cancer? Can you imagine a life, a world without these health issues?

Think of a few health challenges you are currently struggling with personally. It may be
• Headaches
• Low back pain
• Fatigue
• Or even cancer

How many of you know that there are ingredients in our personal care products that may be causing your health challenges? Below are listed a few of the products that have been shown to cause serious health issues for humans.

According to the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, “DEA (di-ethanol-amine) when applied to the skin resulted in clear evidence of carcinogenic (cancer or contributing to cancer) activity.” From a 2 year study concluded in 1997.

DEA is found if over 600 personal care products such as
• Soap
• Detergents
• Surfactants
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Bubble bath
• Lotions
• Cosmetics
• Dish soap; laundry detergents

Propylene Glycol: Propylene Glycol is a colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid used in anti-freeze solutions, hydraulic fluids, and as a solvent. It is a substance that helps “retain moisture” and has been implicated in (according to Material Safety Data Sheets)
• Contact dermatitis
• Kidney damage
• Liver abnormalities
• Inhibit skin cell growth
• Damage to cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage.
• Gastro-intestinal disturbances
• Nausea
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Central Nervous System depression
• May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption

Propylene Glycol is found in:
Anti-freeze, brake & hydraulic fluid, de-icer, paint, floor wax, laundry detergents, pet food, tobacco, cosmetics, toothpastes, shampoos, deodorants, lotions, processed foods and many more personal care items.

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate): is found in harsh detergents, and used as a surfactant to break down the surface tension of water. Found in
• Concrete Floor Cleaners
• Engine Degreasers
• Car Wash Detergents

According to the Journal of the American College of Toxicology, Vol. 2, No. 7, 1983 “SLS can be a mutagen. In sufficient amounts it is capable of changing the information in the genetic material found in the cells and has been used in studies to induce mutations in bacteria.”
• Found routinely in clinical studies to irritate skin tissue
• Corrode hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair
• Carcinogenic nitrates can form when SLS interacts with other nitrogen bearing ingredients
• It enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain form skin contact
• Can damage the immune system, cause separation of skin layers and cause inflammation to the skin.
 
Found in
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Lotion
• Baby wash
• Body wash
• Bubble bath
• And so many more products

Warning Label on a bottle of Minnie Bubble Bath states that if swallowed contact a POISION CONTROL CENTER immediately, yet we are supposed to bathe our children in it??

Talc: is a very fine substance, so fine it can be used as a “dry” lubricant. Talc is chemically similar to asbestos, a known cancer causing substance. It’s found in many body and baby powders, feminine powders, cosmetics, and used as a dry lubricant on condoms.

According to Nutrition Health Review, Summer 1995 n73, p8(1)
“Talc’s harmful effect on human tissue has been known for quite some time. Long ago, its dry lubricating properties were used as a glove-donning powder for surgical gloves. As early as the 1930’s, Talc was linked to post-operative granulomatous peritionitis and fibrous adhesions.

A possible tie between talcum powder and ovarian cancer was strongly supported last week when a study found a higher risk of the cancer among woman who dusted themselves with talc or used feminine deodorant sprays.

“The study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that woman who used talcum powder in the genital area had an increased ovarian cancer risk of 60% and woman who used feminine deodorant sprays had a 90% increase risk.” In 1994, the FDA conducted a scientific workshop on the issue and did not find enough of a causal link to justify even a consumer warning!

Aluminum: Aluminum-containing antiperspirants are designed to be absorbed, and studies show that regular use of these products can raise the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by as much as three-fold….a municipal water supplies treated with aluminum sulfate…as least 7 studies show that people drinking water high in alum are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

Parabens: are used to retard the growth of bacteria in personal care products. This is a highly controversial ingredient because parabens are naturally occurring in blueberries. You will see more and more companies are advertising on their labels “No Parabens”, so controversial or not, they are beginning to make the choice to leave them out of our products.

Now that you have read a little bit about these ingredients and some possible damage they can cause, do you see any symptoms you currently have or someone you know that may be linked to personal care products?

It is obvious that supportive research is out there, my question is why hasn’t our governing agencies (FDA, EPA, etc) made us aware of these concerning ingredients or band them from being used? We can’t blame the manufacturers if they aren’t aware of the damage these ingredients are causing; however, who is to blame or who needs to be taking responsibility for our health & well-being. More and more, I feel it is up to us individually to educated one another and demand healthy alternatives!

My suggestion to you is to do your due diligence and educate yourself. Become a conscious consumer and only buy natural healthy products so that you know what’s going ON your body and IN your body. It’s time we take our health into your own hands and educate ourselves to make better, healthier choices.

If any of you are concerned with checking levels of parabens please contact Glen Depke for a Paraben Profile Test Kit. Detox protocol is available through Depke Wellness.