Parabens. Para-What?
In 2010 I ran across a very long report by The World Health Organization (WHO) on environmental toxins, and the effects on life. Together, WHO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals,
The disturbing report discusses the link between endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and disease in both humans and wildlife.. “Chemical products are increasingly part of modern life and support many national economies, but the unsound management of chemicals challenges the achievement of key development goals, and sustainable development for all,” said UN Under Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.
EDCs are synthetic chemicals that mimic hormones in the body or alter regular hormonal functions. Health issues associated with endocrine disruption include hormonal cancers (breast and prostate, as well as any cancer of the reproductive system, and even colon cancer), thyroid disorders, diabetes, autism, obesity, decreased sperm count, reproductive problems, ADHD and early puberty.
Did you know that the average age a girl will begin her cycles today is ages 9-10, with some girls reported as early as 4th grade!? I have talked with moms who personally have experienced this with their daughters – this is way too soon! The earlier one begins the greater the estrogenic activity in the body. This should concern all parents and grandparents.
One of the most widely used chemicals, suspected of endocrine disruption, is the cosmetic preservative known as the PARABEN. It is listed on labels with names such as butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben (or any word ending in paraben) and can be found in at least 67,000 personal care products on the market. It is a popular choice for companies due to its low cost, efficacy and favorable worldwide regulatory status, despite what we now know.
In 2012, a report published by the Journal of Applied Toxicology titled, “Measurement of paraben concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast from axilla to sternum.” Tissue samples from the mastectomies of 40 different breast cancer patients were tested and parabens found in the tissue were measured.
Of the 160 tissue samples tested, 158 had parabens in them – 99%. It was also noted that the levels of parabens were found to be significantly higher in the region closest to the armpits, making underarm products with parabens highly suspect.
Another study published by Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology showed that parabens had weak estrogenic activity in the body and suggested that the safety of these ingredients needed to be reassessed. Interestingly, there was no estrogenic activity when administered orally; it only occurred when topically applied. This supports the idea that chemicals in personal care products can be more hazardous to the body than the same chemicals in food, because they go directly into the bloodstream.
The chemical industry dismisses these reports as flawed and does not acknowledge cause for concern. Their safety testing is based on skin irritation and does not take into account absorption and prolonged, repetitive exposure. Many consumers are becoming ingredient savvy, and the demand for paraben-free products has grown substantially. There are now many safer options that didn’t exist 10 years ago - be sure to check your labels for ingredients listed as butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben, or look for the term ‘paraben-free. (Suffice to say, there are many more ingredients one should also be on watch for.)
Founder of the Cancer Prevention Institute, Samuel Epstein, MD, has long reported that our hygiene and cosmetic industry is one of the largest contributors to cancer in America today.
Epstein, and co-author Randall Fitzgerald, reveal in the book “Toxic Beauty”, the disturbing truths about the harmful ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products that the industry, and the FDA), would rather you did not know.
According to Epstein, the 1938 Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act does not require cosmetics, personal care products or their ingredients be approved as safe before they are sold. The FDA’s oversight begins only after you, the consumer, have used the product.
Unfortunately, many of us are completely unaware of the huge environmental risk we expose ourselves to each time we purchase inexpensive body lotions, shampoo, and deodorants. BUT let’s not be fooled by the higher price tags either!
High end products found in prestigious Hollywood boutiques, or “gotta love a sale of samples” found at the department store located within the mall, offer products with toxic ingredients – despite a serum price tag of several hundred dollars a bottle. One example is a woman whom shared she was paying a large sum for a French product, which she believed to be of the best quality, and most certainly safe. Upon investigating the brand, and studying the ingredients listed on the label, the high end product contained not only parabens, but petro-chemicals (mineral oil), artificial fragrance, and artificial color – all of which create a hormone imbalance in the body. And by the way, even though it had a French name, the product was made in China, and produced by the same company that offers inexpensive brands at your local Walgreens or Shopko.
Sadly, distributors or consultants of multi level marketing companies, are offering “amazing anti-aging products” that promise results in hours – well intended of course... trusting that the company has screened out harmful ingredients. But this is, more often than not, the case. Reviewing the ingredient policies of a number of well known companies on line, including MLM, I found statements such as, “They (parabens) have been used safely since the 1920s to help prevent microbial contamination, to increase shelf life and to keep products and consumers safe.”
With the above reports that parabens build up within our bodies on a cellular level – does such a statement assure you of your own safety?
Dr. Epstein writes, “People take for granted that cosmetics and personal care products are safe to use because they have been tested. We would like to believe the soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, perfume and lipsticks that we use everyday are harmless, and that we can enjoy them without concern for our health. But there are more than 10,000 cosmetic and personal care products on the market today in the United States and very few have ever been assessed for their safety.”
In truth, over 2,000 chemicals, or more, are introduced every year – and it is not even remotely possible that the FDA can test every ingredient on our behalf. If we want to protect our children and future generations, we need to demand that baby care products, lotions, shampoos, pain gels, and yes – even our vapor rubs – be free of harmful ingredients. How do we do this? Money talks. Purchasing products with harmful ingredients sends NO message as to consumer wants.
Want to learn more?
Invite me over for an eye-opening chat, to speak at your organizations next event, or for a girls night in – education is empowerment.
Now that you know what a paraben is…what else should we be concerned about lurking in our skin care? Continue learning here.
Or, you may wish to learn more about your own BODY BURDEN and how to reduce your exposure to environmental toxins. I can certainly help you in addressing your concerns of environmental exposures, and offer suggestions that can help you create a less toxic lifestyle. Schedule some time with me today.
Rita Shimniok, Purely Living Wellness
The disturbing report discusses the link between endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and disease in both humans and wildlife.. “Chemical products are increasingly part of modern life and support many national economies, but the unsound management of chemicals challenges the achievement of key development goals, and sustainable development for all,” said UN Under Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.
EDCs are synthetic chemicals that mimic hormones in the body or alter regular hormonal functions. Health issues associated with endocrine disruption include hormonal cancers (breast and prostate, as well as any cancer of the reproductive system, and even colon cancer), thyroid disorders, diabetes, autism, obesity, decreased sperm count, reproductive problems, ADHD and early puberty.
Did you know that the average age a girl will begin her cycles today is ages 9-10, with some girls reported as early as 4th grade!? I have talked with moms who personally have experienced this with their daughters – this is way too soon! The earlier one begins the greater the estrogenic activity in the body. This should concern all parents and grandparents.
One of the most widely used chemicals, suspected of endocrine disruption, is the cosmetic preservative known as the PARABEN. It is listed on labels with names such as butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben (or any word ending in paraben) and can be found in at least 67,000 personal care products on the market. It is a popular choice for companies due to its low cost, efficacy and favorable worldwide regulatory status, despite what we now know.
In 2012, a report published by the Journal of Applied Toxicology titled, “Measurement of paraben concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast from axilla to sternum.” Tissue samples from the mastectomies of 40 different breast cancer patients were tested and parabens found in the tissue were measured.
Of the 160 tissue samples tested, 158 had parabens in them – 99%. It was also noted that the levels of parabens were found to be significantly higher in the region closest to the armpits, making underarm products with parabens highly suspect.
Another study published by Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology showed that parabens had weak estrogenic activity in the body and suggested that the safety of these ingredients needed to be reassessed. Interestingly, there was no estrogenic activity when administered orally; it only occurred when topically applied. This supports the idea that chemicals in personal care products can be more hazardous to the body than the same chemicals in food, because they go directly into the bloodstream.
The chemical industry dismisses these reports as flawed and does not acknowledge cause for concern. Their safety testing is based on skin irritation and does not take into account absorption and prolonged, repetitive exposure. Many consumers are becoming ingredient savvy, and the demand for paraben-free products has grown substantially. There are now many safer options that didn’t exist 10 years ago - be sure to check your labels for ingredients listed as butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben, or look for the term ‘paraben-free. (Suffice to say, there are many more ingredients one should also be on watch for.)
Founder of the Cancer Prevention Institute, Samuel Epstein, MD, has long reported that our hygiene and cosmetic industry is one of the largest contributors to cancer in America today.
Epstein, and co-author Randall Fitzgerald, reveal in the book “Toxic Beauty”, the disturbing truths about the harmful ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products that the industry, and the FDA), would rather you did not know.
According to Epstein, the 1938 Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act does not require cosmetics, personal care products or their ingredients be approved as safe before they are sold. The FDA’s oversight begins only after you, the consumer, have used the product.
Unfortunately, many of us are completely unaware of the huge environmental risk we expose ourselves to each time we purchase inexpensive body lotions, shampoo, and deodorants. BUT let’s not be fooled by the higher price tags either!
High end products found in prestigious Hollywood boutiques, or “gotta love a sale of samples” found at the department store located within the mall, offer products with toxic ingredients – despite a serum price tag of several hundred dollars a bottle. One example is a woman whom shared she was paying a large sum for a French product, which she believed to be of the best quality, and most certainly safe. Upon investigating the brand, and studying the ingredients listed on the label, the high end product contained not only parabens, but petro-chemicals (mineral oil), artificial fragrance, and artificial color – all of which create a hormone imbalance in the body. And by the way, even though it had a French name, the product was made in China, and produced by the same company that offers inexpensive brands at your local Walgreens or Shopko.
Sadly, distributors or consultants of multi level marketing companies, are offering “amazing anti-aging products” that promise results in hours – well intended of course... trusting that the company has screened out harmful ingredients. But this is, more often than not, the case. Reviewing the ingredient policies of a number of well known companies on line, including MLM, I found statements such as, “They (parabens) have been used safely since the 1920s to help prevent microbial contamination, to increase shelf life and to keep products and consumers safe.”
With the above reports that parabens build up within our bodies on a cellular level – does such a statement assure you of your own safety?
Dr. Epstein writes, “People take for granted that cosmetics and personal care products are safe to use because they have been tested. We would like to believe the soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, perfume and lipsticks that we use everyday are harmless, and that we can enjoy them without concern for our health. But there are more than 10,000 cosmetic and personal care products on the market today in the United States and very few have ever been assessed for their safety.”
In truth, over 2,000 chemicals, or more, are introduced every year – and it is not even remotely possible that the FDA can test every ingredient on our behalf. If we want to protect our children and future generations, we need to demand that baby care products, lotions, shampoos, pain gels, and yes – even our vapor rubs – be free of harmful ingredients. How do we do this? Money talks. Purchasing products with harmful ingredients sends NO message as to consumer wants.
Want to learn more?
Invite me over for an eye-opening chat, to speak at your organizations next event, or for a girls night in – education is empowerment.
Now that you know what a paraben is…what else should we be concerned about lurking in our skin care? Continue learning here.
Or, you may wish to learn more about your own BODY BURDEN and how to reduce your exposure to environmental toxins. I can certainly help you in addressing your concerns of environmental exposures, and offer suggestions that can help you create a less toxic lifestyle. Schedule some time with me today.
Rita Shimniok, Purely Living Wellness