I recently had a breast cancer scare. It turned out to be nothing, but in the process I did some research and I became aware of the large number of products that contain synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen in our bodies. These are among a sadly large list of ingredients that are endocrine disrupters. One that’s of particular concern are parabens - methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and others. When a friend and I looked at our personal hygiene and cosmetic products it was alarming how many had parabens- lipsticks, foundation, shaving cream, sunscreens, perfumes, skin lotions, moisturizers and even a toothpaste!
This is especially critical to a women's health. You are probably aware too much estrogen coursing through our bodies for too many years is a factor in breast cancers. While there has been no direct causal link between parabens and breast tumors, there have been studies showing parabens present in breat tumor tissue. Although it has been determined that their estrogenic effect is weak, I don’t think it would be wise to ignore the connection, no matter how inconclusive. When I think about the extent that we have all been essentially slathering our bodies with estrogen it’s really frightening.
If you do a web search for paraben free cosmetics you’ll find numerous sites that give more information and list safe products. You will also find lists of other chemicals to avoid. Some of these sites rate different products and explain the concerns of the various chemicals so you can determine for yourself if there are other ingredients you want to check for when shopping.I reccomend checking all ingredients at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/. Use the list from the actual product, not from a website, which is often out of date.
Your local health food store will have alternatives, but you definately need to check the ingredient lists for those products as well.
Some alternative cosmetic recommendations can be found on my Natural Products from Amazon page, and on my earlier post "Safe Cosmetics -Liner, Foundation & Mascara #1"
This is especially critical to a women's health. You are probably aware too much estrogen coursing through our bodies for too many years is a factor in breast cancers. While there has been no direct causal link between parabens and breast tumors, there have been studies showing parabens present in breat tumor tissue. Although it has been determined that their estrogenic effect is weak, I don’t think it would be wise to ignore the connection, no matter how inconclusive. When I think about the extent that we have all been essentially slathering our bodies with estrogen it’s really frightening.
If you do a web search for paraben free cosmetics you’ll find numerous sites that give more information and list safe products. You will also find lists of other chemicals to avoid. Some of these sites rate different products and explain the concerns of the various chemicals so you can determine for yourself if there are other ingredients you want to check for when shopping.I reccomend checking all ingredients at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/. Use the list from the actual product, not from a website, which is often out of date.
Your local health food store will have alternatives, but you definately need to check the ingredient lists for those products as well.
Some alternative cosmetic recommendations can be found on my Natural Products from Amazon page, and on my earlier post "Safe Cosmetics -Liner, Foundation & Mascara #1"
1 comments:
Agree about the need to check products from health food stores and other "natural" sources.
I recently looked at some deoderants I had purchased through natural co-ops and 2 of the 3 had parabens.
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