Aluminum and the Antiperspirant Controversy
Applying underarm products is a part of the modern American's daily ritual, but in a country where as many as 90 percent of adults use some form of deodorant and/or antiperspirant, many consumers are still unaware of the potential health risks of these products' active ingredients. Antiperspirants, which are classified as drugs by the FDA, typically contain aluminum-based complexes such as aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, and compounds of aluminum and zirconium. A bit of a mouthful, yes, but the basic idea is that these so-called metal salts plug up your sweat glands and cause them to contract.
However, now that generations of long-term antiperspirant users are available for study, some scientists see disturbing patterns emerging. While no direct link has yet been proved to exist between antiperspirant use and increased cancer risk, several experiments have found correlations that bear further study. In 2003, Chicago allergist Dr. Kris McGrath released the findings of his study of 437 Chicago-area breast cancer survivors, some of whom regularly shaved their underarms and applied antiperspirant. The study found that the women "who performed these underarm habits more aggressively" were diagnosed with breast cancer an average of 22 years earlier than those who refrained. He theorized that small razor cuts could be allowing toxins to penetrate more easily into the lymphatic system. Another finding of note was that women who began these underarm practices before the age of 16 developed breast cancer earlier than those who started older.
Dr. Chris Exley from Keele University has also studied the effects of aluminum-containing sun creams and antiperspirants. He studied 17 breast cancer patients who had undergone mastectomies, and analyzed the breast tissue for metals like aluminum. He discovered that aluminum concentration was highest in the outer areas of the breast, close to where underarm products are applied. He intends to continue researching the source of this chemical toxicity, and is quoted to say, "Aluminium is known to cause cancer in animal models. We need to make sure aluminium in antiperspirants isn't contributing to breast cancer."
Various other studies have made connections between aluminum exposure and Alzheimer's disease, cysts, benign breast lumps, and, most recently, prostate cancer. It is also well acknowledged that aluminum exposure encourages overproduction of estrogen, which can increase production of tumors. However, there is reason to believe that aluminum might not be the only culprit when it comes to antiperspirants. The University of Reading's Dr. Philippa Darbre tested samples of 20 subjects' breast tumors, and discovered traces of parabens in every sample. These controversial chemicals "have been shown to be able to mimic the action of the female hormone oestrogen," Dr. Darbre said, adding that "Oestrogen can drive the growth of human breast tumours. It would therefore seem especially prudent to consider whether parabens should continue to be used in such a wide range of cosmetics applied to the breast area including deodorants."
Regardless of whether aluminum, parabens, or other chemicals are responsible for these possible disease risks, there is a safer solution for the health-conscious consumer. Paraben- and aluminum-free deodorants made by companies like Tom's and Burt's Bees are a great alternative to chemical-laden antiperspirants, since they use natural ingredients like hops as microbial agents, and they let your pores breathe and cool the body as nature intended. Natural deodorants also benefit your wardrobe, as the interaction between sweat and antiperspirants is what causes those hard-to-clean sweat stains in clothing. This simple change in routine may be the easiest step you can take to ensure that you'll live a long, if slightly sweaty, life.