Not all poisons have cross-bones on the label. Some have clouds, happy people or flowers, and we may not realize that, pretty pictures aside, what’s in the bottle is bad stuff.
First, some background.
The incidence of thyroid disease doubled in the last thirty-or-so years. Auto-immune diseases, which relate to the endocrine system, are skyrocketing. So, too, are diseases of the brain, such as autism, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer Disease.
A significant part of the problem lies in the dangers that lurk all around us as part of everyday life nowadays. Most were created by people–and can be changed by people if we make enough noise about what they’re doing to us.
Today, let’s talk about parabens. I know, I know. Almost everybody reading this will say ‘para what” So don’t feel left out if you’ve never heard the word before.
Manufacturers of lotions, potions and cosmetics add parabens to their wares to extend shelf life. There’s methyl paraben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, propelparaben, and so on.
Oh, yes, the lotions glide on so very smoothly. And they smell so wonderful. Kinda makes you sigh with pleasure. That’s why I call them ‘pleasant poisons.’
Well, if we’re just putting something on our skin and not in our mouth, what difference does it make? Let me explain. Our skin slurps everything we put on it, taking it right into our blood stream!
The stuff we put in our mouth goes through the digestive system, which gives us a little buffer, but the parabens in lotions, potions, et al take the direct route to making trouble.
Parabens, like soy, are estrogenic. That is, they imitate estrogen in the body. They bind to our estrogen receptors, keeping real estrogen at bay. With estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in an uproar, things go south. Waaay south.
Men may grow breasts, little boys will take a lifetime hit in their testosterone levels, little girls can experience an early puberty that may coincide with potty training and women get into all kinds of grief: PMS, menopause woes, etc. And everybody’s endocrine system takes a hit from parabens–which increases the chances of breast and prostate cancer.
So what to do? Well, you could read labels. You’ll need a magnifying glass and a lot of patience, but that’s one choice.
Or you can patronize companies that don’t use parabens. If manufacturers who make a point of not using parabens make big bunches of money, other companies will see the light. Your choices and your dollars have power.
Avalon makes a wide range of great products; I particularly like their lotions and shampoo.
Organix Cosmetix produces good facial care products. I use their face creams.
And there are others. Be aware, though, that while some companies advertise their products as good-for-you, their labels may tell a different story.
Anytime a label includes ‘paraben,’ put the bottle back on the shelf and walk quickly away.
Why should you give money to companies who don’t care what they do to you?
Latest posts by Bette Dowdell (see all)
- Keeping Our Bodies In Working Order - June 6, 2015
- Your Amazing Endocrine System - October 27, 2011
- Canned Tuna Is Not Your Friend - October 19, 2011
