Antiperspirants and Alzheimer’s
Posted on December 14, 2015 by Dr. G
We all remember the first day as teens that we realized we would need to use deodorant on a daily basis. After all, no one likes to smell bad. For most of us at that age, we chose the most colorful or best scented product we could find without giving it a second thought as to what we were putting on ourselves. Let’s review the difference between deodorant & antiperspirant and the effects a toxic product can have on our bodies, followed by our recommendation for a product we love!
To begin, there are two kinds of sweat glands. Eccrine glands are found on your forehead, hands, and feet. They do not produce a scent. Apocrine glands are found in the armpits and genital area and are the areas we correlate to “body odor.” Apocrine glands generally end in hair follicles, which is why we develop body odor during puberty when more body hair growth begins. These glands produce proteins and fatty acids.
However, the glands themselves are not what produce odor. Naturally occurring, and often beneficial, bacteria on the skin metabolize the proteins and fatty acids produced by the glands and cause “B.O.”
Deodorants work through neutralizing the glandular area by killing the bacteria and therefore preventing any stench. Antiperspirants work by blocking the glands from sweating and keeping them from secreting any protein or fatty acids. Antiperspirants contain a heavy metal known as aluminum. You know that lovely yellow stain that can occur on the underarm of your favorite white shirts? Well, simply put, that’s rust. Many deodorants also contain parabens–a widely used preservative. Aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, and aluminum-zirconium compounds, most commonly seen aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly and aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex gly, are the most-used forms of aluminum salts we will see in OTC (over the counter) deodorants. Yes, they are considered OTC as they are regulated by the FDA. These deodorants can contain between 8-25% of these harsh metal compounds.
So what’s the issue with the metal? Aluminum was determined to be a neurotoxin, a substance toxic to the nervous system, in 1886. Aluminum toxicity can cause memory loss, loss of coordination, increased difficulty learning, colic, heartburn, mental confusion, flatulence, and headaches. Alzheimer’s Disease is a degenerative disease of the mind and is diagnosed based on all of those symptoms. Chronic exposure can lead to a 60% increase in the likelihood to develop this disease. So why would anyone prefer to use a toxic product?
Effectiveness of OTC deodorants versus natural products has been the main deterrent to choosing a natural product. Fear not, there is a solution! Zentuary by Verushka Del Rio is a an organic product made in the state of New Jersey made from ALL organic ingredients and free of parabens and most importantly, the dreaded aluminum. It is so safe you could even eat it! Although I personally wouldn’t. The lavender scent is a personal favorite of mine but it comes in lemongrass and bergamot as well. Over all, I use this deodorant on a daily basis as I would have used an OTC deodorant. However, I do find about every 4 days or so I will need to use my old deodorant. Twice a week application of a toxin is better than daily!
If you’d like to order the product, please contact our office at (646) 661-7447. Your health is in your hands and every decision to live a healthier life is worth its weight in gold.
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