Q: I’ve been using antibacterial products to prevent the spread of germs around my house.
But now I’m hearing these soaps may actually increase the risk of infection.
What gives? Are they safe or not?
––Robert A., Burlington, VT
A: In a word, no. Antibacterial products are absolutely not safe, and are potentially quite dangerous.
Here’s why.
As we age, one of the greatest risks we face is developing an infection. An infection, especially if it lingers, can unleash a variety of life-threatening complications.
Antibacterial products may actually increase your risk of getting an infection because they encourage the growth of resistance bacteria. Resistance bacteria are very hard to kill, and if you become infected with them, your illness may be harder to treat.
Bacteria become hard to kill with tricolsan exposure
How is this possible?
Well, it appears the main culprit is usually a chemical called triclosan, which is found in some…
- antibacterial soaps,
- toothpastes,
- mouth washes,
- deodorants,
- first-aid creams,
- kitchenware,
- clothes,
- and toys.
For a complete list by brand, go to www.beyondpesticides.org.
Triclosan kills bacteria—at first. But research has shown that prominent bacteria such as MRSA, e.coli, salmonella, shigella and other intestinal bacteria become resistant to it pretty quickly. These bacteria learn to use an internal pump to expel the triclosan when they come into contact with it.
Bacteria has an instinct for survival—it was around before us, and it will be here long after we’re gone.
But the bad news about triclosan doesn’t end there. It is what we call an endocrine disruptor, and may interfere with normal functioning of your thyroid hormone and estrogen.
This endocrine disruptor & carcinogen builds up in your body
It’s associated with allergies and can become contaminated with dioxin, a known carcinogen. This is particularly troublesome, because triclosan stores itself in fat. That’s right…
This deadly chemical actually accumulates in your body!
The FDA and EPA are responsible for regulating this chemical—and, frankly, they’ve done almost nothing to inform the public of its risks. Instead, they’ve stood by while the manufacturers of products containing triclosan continue to tout its germ-killing ability and prey on the ignorance of the germophobic public.
The marketing for triclosan products has been so effective that some people are afraid to wash their hands—or anything else for that matter—without an antibacterial product.
Let me put your fear to rest—study after study (after study) has shown these products are no more effective than regular, old-fashioned soap and water.
Use warm water to lather your hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds and then rinse for another 15 seconds. Then take a clean towel to dry your hands and sweep any remaining bacteria off your skin.
If you need to use a hand sanitizer, make it one with alcohol, which flat out kills microbes without helping them develop resistance.
Dr. Alan Inglis
Where do you go when you’re losing hope?
When nothing seems to be working… when the illness and pain just get worse every day?
For thousands of Americans, the answer is simple.
They turn to Dr. Alan Inglis, M.D.
And that’s when their lives begin to change for the better.
Dr. Inglis is one of the most relentless… and qualified… “cure hunters” in medicine today. He’s part of an elite group of physicians to achieve certification in both internal and functional medicine.
He’s studied everything from cardiology at the world-famous Mayo Clinic, to alternative, natural cures at one of the oldest universities in Europe.
Along the way, Dr. Inglis has developed breakthrough treatment protocols for some of the most frightening diseases of aging, like heart disease… chronic pain… memory loss… and diabetes.
He’s even educated the next generation of doctors as a clinical instructor at the University of Massachusetts.
For two decades, patients from across America have trekked to Dr. Inglis’ renowned clinic in Western Massachusetts to get access to his groundbreaking cures.
But now he is making them available to everyone… for the first time… through his Health Revelations monthly newsletter and his House Calls daily eletter.
Latest posts by Dr. Alan Inglis (see all)
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