Beauty, Health and Living

Back in August I posted about the hype of using antibacterial products, especially ones containing triclosan. The FDA is finally raising concern over the use of triclosan in many consumer and household products.

bbwraspberryIt was reported in the Washington Post on April 8, 2010 that the Centers for Disease Control found triclosan in the urine of 75 percent of the population. The FDA and EPA has raised questions about whether triclosan disrupts the body’s endocrine system. And the frequent use of antibacterial products also helps to create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

Triclosan began it’s uses as surgical scrub for medical professionals. It is also widely used in pesticides. And now it’s being added to consumer products to kill bacterial and fungus. It can be found in a variety of things such as cutting boards, soaps, lotions, and even shoes. It’s usually labeled as “antibacterial” properties.

The human body’s endocrine systems involves growth and development. So it’s important to keep it from being harmed with such chemicals as triclosan.

Avoid using any antibacterial product. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it’s very porous. I suggest just washing simply with soap and water.


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bbwraspberryA few years ago everyone wanted to use “antibacterial” soaps.  I was one of them too, until I found out that the antibacterial stuff was actually doing more harm to both your body and the environment.

Especially the very popular “triclosan” that is still widely used today in soaps and deodorants.

The main reason you don’t want to over use the antibacterial stuff is that your body will build a resistant to the bacteria.  And that could lead to new super bug, the antibiotic resistant strains such as MRSA.

In 2003, Researchers at the University of Minnesota (Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology) found when triclosan in water was exposed to sunlight, it converted into a dioxin. Dioxins are a group of chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health problems including respiratory to neurological conditions.

Because the dioxins do not degrade over time, they can accumulate in body tissues and cause a larger effect over time. Researchers say even low levels of this highly toxic chemical would become a problem because of its tendency to accumulate through the food chain.


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