The FDA requires that all anti-perspirants decrease the average person’s sweat by 20%. Manufacturers then use anywhere between 10-25% of aluminum in their products. That’s not great news at all! Why? Because aluminum mimics estrogen in the body, which imbalances your hormones; it has been linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. When you swipe that stick in your underarms, you’re injecting aluminum ions (among other chemicals) right into your lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are glands that play a huge role in your immune system.
Sometimes, when you get sick, do you notice a lump in your neck or armpit? That’s a lymph node which plays a huge role in your immune system. Swiping those chemicals directly on top of your lymph nodes is problematic to your hormones and weakens your immune system. Your skin is the body’s largest organ. Whatever you put on it can easily get absorbed into your bloodstream. With high rates of breast cancer around us, it would only seem sensible to avoid chemicals that are linked to it.
Toxins are everywhere. We’re ingesting them without even knowing it and we may not be able to control it. But there is something we can do about the ones we’re actively aware of. For instance: When you’re trying to eat healthier – you avoid junk food and processed food to the best of your abilities.
Your body won’t be able to detox because you’ve sealed its detoxing ducts a.k.a sweat glands or lymph nodes. When your body is loaded with toxins, you are prone to inflammations and diseases.
Why Are Conventional Deodorants and Anti-Perspirants Toxic?
According to the Environmental Working Group, most popular and conventional brands, contain a variety of chemicals and additives. It takes something so unnatural to block your body’s natural ability to sweat and detox. Below are a few of the chemicals found:
- Aluminum: Some evidence links aluminum to Estrogen dominance, cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease
- Phthalates: Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that can cause hormone imbalance and infertility. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals, that at certain doses, can interfere with your hormone system
- Propylene Glycol: Propylene Glycol is also known as Antifreeze. This is an additive found in many personal care products. It causes allergies and carries a risk of immuno-toxicity (dysfunction of the immune system)
- Formaldehyde: A carcinogen (causes cancer)
- Parabens: A hormone disruptor. Parabens have been found in tissues biopsied from breast cancer.
- Antibacterial Substances: More endocrine disruptors that cause problems to the immune system
If we keep putting toxins into our system, on a daily basis for years, the outcome will be devastating. Toxins create abnormal cells that accumulate over the years and make people sick. Toss these chemical-infested things away for your own good.
What About Underarm Odor?
There’s a difference between ‘stinking’ when you run or work out – that’s normal. But if you stink throughout the day from doing nothing more than your usual activities, then you need to evaluate the food you’re eating, because poor food choices will make you stink. Eat clean, drink lots of water, and give your body time to adjust, to return to its natural chemistry.
How Baking Soda Helps
I’ve tried so many natural deodorants and they don’t work. I’m an athlete, I sweat a lot, and I’m super active during the day. What does work for me is simple – pure Baking Soda.
Try this: When you shower, wash your armpits with Baking Soda – just like you would with soap. It works very well because it does not mask the sweat or the smell. In fact, it works right at the source to eliminate the bacteria and exfoliates dead skin. On days when I’m extra sweaty, on top of washing my armpits in the shower with baking soda, after my shower, I dilute a bit of baking soda with water and dab it under my armpits.
Once I dab the baking soda in my underarms, I do not wash it off. This gives me extra ‘stink’ protection. I recommend giving baking soda a shot. You may end up loving it.
One thing about baking soda is that you will still sweat. The purpose of anti-perspirant is to block the ducts in your armpits from sweating, so you don’t get that wet feeling. And this is dangerous. If you do decide to go the baking soda route, always dilute it with water. It works better than commercial deodorants to fight odors. Just do not apply baking soda directly to the skin without diluting it first because it can cause irritation. Always remember to purchase high quality baking soda from the market.
Avoid deodorants as much as possible. If you want to try something other than baking soda, below are a few links to some homemade and pre-made ones. Remember, it takes some time for your body to adjust to the new, natural methods and patience is the key.
