Aluminum, a common ingredient in deodorant and antiperspirant, is often linked to Alzheimer's and brain disorders and is a possible risk factor in breast cancer.
In a culture where being well-groomed and attractive are almost a necessity, dependence on deodorant and antiperspirant is a must. But few know the health hazards present in the everyday underarm cosmetic. Beyond the synthetic fragrances and toxic ingredients found in most personal care products, antiperspirant and deodorant are loaded with aluminum compounds that have been linked to Alzheimer's disease and brain disorders, respiratory disorders, and possibly cancer.
What is Aluminum?
Aluminum is one of the most common elements in the environment and the world's most common metal. It is used in cans and aluminum foil, as lightweight sheet metal in airplanes and other machinery, in electrical wiring - and in personal care products such as underarm deodorant and antiperspirant. Aluminum oxide, also present in deodorants, is often used as a coating and is the major compound in rubies and sapphires.
Aluminum is a Toxin
In 1993, the World Health Organization said, "There is a suspected link between Alzheimer's disease and the toxicity of aluminum." (2)
The Agency for Toxic Substances and & Disease Registry reports that "Exposure to high levels of aluminum may result in respiratory and neurological problems."
Aluminum Compounds in Deodorant and Antiperspirant – Locking Poisons In
The problem with deodorants and antiperspirants is not only the aluminum, but how it works to reduce sweat and smelly odors.
Aluminum compounds or aluminum salts, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), are key ingredients in almost every antiperspirant. They are powerful astringents that close pores, stopping sweat and odor from escaping the body.
Antiperspirants may leave the outside of the body smelling fresh and clean – but inside, the toxins that would have escaped the body in the sweat have nowhere to go. For this reason, antiperspirants have been linked to problems with the sweat glands and lymph glands in and around the underarms.
What's more, "antiperspirants are designed to be absorbed"; the aluminum and many other chemicals are taken into the body and may affect the endocrine and lymphatic systems, as well as being a potential risk factor in breast cancer.
Aluminum and Alzheimer's Disease
Some studies find a link between Alzheimer's disease and aluminum, while others deny that such a link exists. A 1993 World Health Organization "Public Health Report" cited autopsies that found high concentrations of aluminum in the brains of those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.(2)
Despite arguments that aluminum exposure is anavoidable in air, food, and water sources, many doctors and holistic experts advise avoiding products known to contain additional aluminum – especially deodorants or antiperspirants in an aerosol spray, which can be absorbed through the nasal passages, into the bloodstream, and affect both the respiratory system and the brain.
Heavy metals such as aluminum are known to accumulate in the brain, where only the most effective cleanses (1) can begin to restore health and remove them.
(1) DeVita, Sabina, Saving Face: The Scents-able Way to Wrinkle-Free Skin. Brampton, Ontario, Canada, 2002.
(2) Network News and Publications, "Rub A Dub, Dub… Is Cancer in Your Tub?" Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1999.
The copyright of the article Aluminum in Deodorant in Natural Medicine is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Aluminum in Deodorant in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
You need to amend your article. You write that "Aluminum is a known
toxin" following up with two source quotes which list it as a
suspected toxin. These two concepts cannot be reconciled. Either it's a
known toxin, or it's a suspected toxin.
Jan 8, 2009 5:54 AM
Guest :
The earlier comment about your statement about aluminum being a "known
toxin" and others' that it is "suspected" is valid. I also
am curious about encouraging people to make their own natural deodorants
when the desire is for an anti-perspirant. Is there any known
anti-perspirant without aluminum compounds? If so, what is it? If not,
then we may be stuck with aluminum for the purpose.
Apr 12, 2009 3:13 AM
Guest :
To the two earlier commenters - you can suspect it is toxic (if you have
not experienced health problems related to aluminum yourself) or know (if
you have experienced health problems related to aluminum yourself). There
is no difference, because you really dont have to try poision to know its
bad for you.
>>If not, then we may be stuck with aluminum
for the purpose. This may be a candidate for most stupid conclusion.
But its your health, do with it whatever you like.
Jul 6, 2009 9:27 PM
Guest :
To the person that stated that you don't have to try poison to know it's
bad for you...you're right, YOU don't have to try it because it has been
proven over and over again that there is a cause and effect relationship
between certain poisons and death. What the other people may be trying to
say is that a "suspected" toxin may imply that there is a
correlation between aluminum and alzheimer's. Is there a positive
correlation? If so, how much aluminum did they find in those with
alzheimer's and does deodorants have enough to (solely) cause
alzheimer's?
Aug 4, 2009 2:05 AM
Guest :
I have found the best alternative to deodorant is a talc free baby
powder...like Gold Bond or Burts.
Aug 9, 2009 4:35 PM
Guest :
Who cares if it's a suspect or a known toxin. Aluminum in the brain is
aluminum in the brain! BTW, a suspect is usually treated with suspicion,
not blind trust. You can't even go by whether it's a little or a lot in the
Alzheimer's brain, because some people use spray (inhale more) and some use
less, like people who don't sweat much and/or live in colder climates. The
question is, how much aluminum do you want in your brain? This isn't even
considering the toxins that the body is trying to rid itself of when it
sweats...they're locked in.
Aug 20, 2009 2:13 PM
Guest :
Please people, as with any research, get peer reviewed sources before
making rash judgment. I am not saying that there is o truth in this, I am
saying do more than a search engine article as your knowledge base.
Sep 10, 2009 5:22 PM
Guest :
Some seem to being missing the point that yes aluminum accumulation in the
brain may be linked to Alzheimer's, but that does not mean that the
aluminum oxide in your deodorant is going to get in your brain. Aluminum
oxide is one of the most common chemical compounds on the planet and the
primary component of dirt. Saying you shouldn't wear deodorant is like
saying that you shouldn't get dirt on your skin. Good luck with that one.
My advise don't put deodorant on your brain.
One other point
about this dubious article. You can not remove aluminum from your brain
with a "cleanse." It is incredibly hard to move any chemicals
across the blood brain barrier. The only medicines capable of removing
aluminum from your brain are very strong chelating agents (see heavy metal
poisoning). These are very serious drugs and not something to be screwed
around with by your neighborhood homeopath.
Sep 18, 2009 3:32 PM
Guest :
Personally I just use deodorant. Most that are strictly deodorant and not a
deodorant/anti-perspirant combo don't have any aluminum oxide. The
deodorant is effective for me for at least 12 hours or more. If I think I
might sweat a lot, a little baby power or some kind of similar power (Gold
Bond, etc.) will help.
The real reason I am commenting is this:
"Heavy metals such as aluminum are known to accumulate in the brain,
where only the most effective cleanses (1) can begin to restore health and
remove them."
That is... dubious at best as the above
commenter mentioned. At the very worst it's a gross and increasingly common
misrepresentation that people seem to be spouting about homeopathic
"cleansing".
Feb 22, 2008
