(NaturalPath) In a new study conducted by researchers from UC Berkeley and Clinica de Salud Del Valle de Salinas demonstrates how even a short break from certain kinds of makeup, shampoos and lotions can lead to a significant drop in levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body.
The study is known as the Health and Environmental Research in Make-up Of Salinas Adolescents (Hermosa) study. Hermosa is Spanish for beautiful.
According to the study, the average woman in the U.S. uses 12 personal care and cosmetics products every day, while the average man uses about six. These type of products contain potentially endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) including phthalates, parabens, and triclosan that have potential links to cancer, infertility, and developmental harm to children.
The sample size was 100 girls and the results were obtained through urine samples. The girls were given less-toxic personal care products for the study. After analysis of the samples before and after a three-day trial, the lower-chemical products found significant drops in levels of these chemicals in the body.
“Metaboliltes of diethyl phthalate, commonly used in fragrances, decreased 27 percent by the end of the trial period. Methyl and propyl parabens, used as preservatives in cosmetics, dropped 44 and 45 percent respectively. Both triclosan, found in antibacterial soaps and some brands of toothpaste and benzophenone-3 (BP-3), found in some sunscreens under the name oxybenzone, fell 36 percent.”
This study shows that you can lower the levels of toxic chemicals in your body simply by choosing personal care products that are labeled to be free of phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and BP-3.
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
References:
http://ecowatch.com/2016/03/08/teens-drop-in-chemical-exposure/