Choosing a Deodorant
What deodorant is best? This is a frequent question I have been asked over the years. It is really difficult to find a deodorant that has acceptable ingredients AND that works, which is why I began making my own. Choosing a decent deodorant is also a great way to remove chemicals from your life, which can be harmful to your health.
Focus On Wellness
A dear friend of mine, Dr. Peake Inhulsen with Peak Wellness Center in Colorado, makes some amazing points about products and health, in her Wednesday Wellness Videos.
Dr. Peake Inhulsen cares very much about health. She discussed some great points about ‘the fight agains cancer’ in her May 2017 Wednesday Wellness Video. In the 1960’s President Nixon started the ‘war on cancer’. Back then, cancer was the 8th killer in the United States, but today it is between 1st and 2nd killer! Amazingly in the past, three-fourths of the United States population knew someone who was affected by cancer. However, today almost ALL of us have an immediate family member (or ourselves) who has experienced cancer. The ‘fight against cancer’ slogan used to be ‘we will find a cure’ but it has now changed to ‘living longer with cancer’. This is not good enough.
Live Healthier
Fighting cancer is very dear to Dr. Peake Inhulsen’s heart as she lost a sister to cancer. Breast cancer is not the number one fatal type cancer, but having more support toward unconventional treatments can help us. Less than 10% of breast cancer patients are not showing the breast cancer gene, which means we must all be working toward prevention and a healthier mindset.
So what are some things you can do to help prevent breast cancer? I am completely on board with Dr. Inhulsen when she states that products can play a role. Detoxing the body is very helpful with our constant exposure to chemicals from our food and environment. This is why people use saunas and feel better after working out! Yet we try to seal up the sweat glands under our arms with chemical type deodorants, preventing them from releasing toxins. Sealing in the toxins can keep them close to breast tissue which can manifest and be harmful. Having a deodorant that fights odor but still allows some perspiration is key. Avoiding under-wire bras is also helpful in keeping our breast health in check.
Use A Deodorant Containing Ingredients You Can Understand
There are many places to find non-toxic, natural deodorant. Many companies are now working towards better ingredients that are safer and healthier for our bodies. However, if you cannot find a deodorant that you find acceptable, do not hesitate to make it yourself.
What Do The Ingredients Mean?
There can be harmful chemicals in many store brand deodorants. Here are a few ingredients to avoid:
*Triclosan – Antibacterial and antifungal agent. Skin irritant. Possible carcinogen. Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation.
*Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Steareths & Propylene Glycol – Emulsifying agents. Found in many cosmetic products. Possible skin irritant. Allergenic. The EPA says it has not fully investigated for carcinogenic potential.
*Aluminum (Aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex or any aluminum compounds) – Very common in deodorant. Effective at clogging sweat glands which is why commonly used. Possible breast cancer and Alzheimer’s connection.
*Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and buty) – Preservative. Possible breast cancer connection.
*Phthalates – Plastic softener, common in cosmetics. Help lotions penetrate and soften skin and help fragrances last longer. Possible connection to liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system damage.
*Fragrance – Fragrance is not well regulated so any number of chemical type ingredients could be included that could be harmful to your health. Skin irritant. Allergenic.
*Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) & butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) – Preservative. Allergenic. Possible carcinogen. Possible connection to liver, kidneys, thyroid and reproductive system damage.
*Talc – Mineral. Prevents caking. Possible carcinogen.
Do Your Research
I know some of the ingredient claims are controversial so I encourage you to do your own research. Personally I feel that even if these ingredients were half as bad as some of these claims, I would not want them in my everyday products. Instead of being at the mercy of a big industry and not knowing exactly what is in your deodorant, make your own or purchase deodorants with ingredients you can understand.
To contact Dr. Peake Inhulsen at Peake Wellness Center in Colorado, click HERE. To receive helpful information, including their Wednesday Wellness posts ‘like’ their Facebook Page HERE.
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