The Truth about Triclosan
Triclosan is a synthetic chemical with broad antimicrobial activity that has been used extensively in consumer products, including personal care products, textiles, and plastic kitchenware. It can be found in products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, body wash, facial cleansers, deodorant, acne products, plastic cutting boards. Sometimes a close cousin Triclocarbon is used instead ion bar soap.
Why is it so bad?
Tricolsan is readily absorbed through the skin and mucous membrane of the mouth into the bloodstream. In animals its has been found to disrupt hormones, decrease sperm count, impair muscle function, affect immune responses and promote cancer. It has been associated with miscarriages, infertility, birth defects, allergies and asthma.
The risks of triclosan:
What does triclosan do in your body?
It largely affects your reproductive and hormonal systems.
Research shows that triclosan:
Interferes With Hormones: Specifically—estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormones. In animal studies, triclosan has been proven to reduce levels of thyroid hormones. (4)(5) Thyroid hormones keep your metabolic fires stoked, making them essential to a strong immune system and a healthy pregnancy.
Increases the Risk of Breast Cancer: The estrogenic nature of triclosan allows it to bind to hormone receptors that are meant for estrogen. And because triclosan can bind to estrogen receptors, research shows that it may stimulate the growth of estrogen-dependant breast cancer.
Reduces Fertility: In men, triclosan may interfere with the production of sperm. It can also affect sperm health and testicular health. Studies investigated the relationship between triclosan exposure and male fertility. Triclosan (TCS) urinary concentrations were measured using gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in 315 men recruited from a male reproductive health clinic with normal sperm concentration (≥ 15 mln/ml) (WHO 2010) under 45 years of age.
How to check products?
Check your product labels for Triclosan. The alternate names include Irgasan DP-300, Lexol 300, Ster-Zac and Cloxifenolum. Also avoid anything with Triclocarban.
Often natural product are harder to find as there is always something lurching amongst the ingredients.
Try to find eco-friendly organic products; there are many companies in online.
