For you label-readers out there, you probably already know parabens in your skin & body care products are toxic. Others of you may
not know to even read labels on such products! Parabens is in everything from soaps to lotions and shampoos to deodorants. It is an estrogenic molecule, used as a preservative in most products.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention found parabens in urine samples on study, indicating exposure is present- eventhough products may have very low levels.
A 2002 study showed that the estrogenic activity of parabens is strong enough for it to act as an agent causing growth of breast cancer cells. Other animal studied have demonstrated that parabens bind to estrogen and progesterone receptors in the body. Although further research maybe useful on larger populations, at this time, there’s enough data to avoid the use of parabens in skin, hair, and body-care products.
In addition, it is best to avoid products that have un-recognizable ingredients. Most often, it is the ‘chemically’- sounding ones that are not beneficial to health- proven or otherwise.
Resources:
Marchese, M, ND. Natural Medicine Journal. 2010. page 7-8.
Posted on October 7, 2010
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