What is Wrong with Parabens?

You might here people ask if something is paraben free or see the label on your favorite skin care product.

What's the deal with parabens?  

Parabens, Alkyl Hydroxy Benzoate, are preservatives used in personal care products.  It is proposed that over 13,000 products contain them.  The problem with these preservatives is that they seem to have estrogen-like qualities. 

According to the American Cancer Society, Estrogen is a female hormone that is known to cause breast cells (normal and cancerous) to grow and divide.  Some conditions, such as menopause, obesity and having children, can expose the body to estrogen and it has been linked to breast cancer. 

It is easy to connect the dots.  If one type of exposure to estrogen can increase risks of breast cancer, that another, like paraben, could do the same. 

In 2003, a study performed by Dr. Philippa Darbre of the University of Reading, linked parabens to breast cancer by finding trace amounts of the preservatives in the tumors of 18 in 20 women.  This was a small study with no control group included, but the possibility that preservatives that people come in contact with everyday could increase the risk of cancer has been established. 

There are other studies that have stated that there are parabens in the urine of 99% of adults in the U.S.  It is also becoming apparent that exposure to estrogen and estrogen imitators is dangerous for men as well as women.  The reproductive health and development of males can be disrupted by too much exposure to estrogen. 

There is no definitive answer to weather parabens cause cancer.  However, the link has been established and there is definitely a possibility that there is a connection between exposure and an increase in the incidence of cancer. 

We come into contact with small amounts in things like lotions, deodorants and cosmetics.  It may not seem overwhelming but think about how often those products are applied over a lifetime and where those preservatives are going. 

If there is a question as to what is best for your health and the health of your family, is paraben use in your personal care products acceptable to you?

Check you personal care products for these ingredients:

• Methylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)
• Methyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzate)
• Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)
• Propyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)
• Butyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)
• Parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)

Sources:

American Cancer Society. “Antiperspirants and  Breast Cancer Risk” (accessed November 24, 2010)

DermNet NZ.” Allergy to Parabens” (accessed December 3, 2010)

Journal of Applied Toxicology. “Parben Esters: Reviews of Recent Studies of Endocrine Toxicity, Absorption,                Esterase and Human Exposure, and Discussion of Potential Human Health Risks” (accessed November 24,          2010)

NaturalSkincareSecrets.net. ” Parabens and Cancer” (accessed November 27, 2010)