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Promises of more volume, shine, and botanical extracts may lure you in as you browse theΒ shampooΒ aisle, but you may want to turn your attention to the tiny ingredients lists on the bottles to make sure youβre not choosing a product that will have you showering yourself in a neuro-toxic and carcinogenic chemical every day.
According to a new report from the Center for EnvironmentalΒ Health, dozens of shampoos, soaps, and other personal care products (the nonprofit group tested) contained cocamide diethanolamine, otherwise known as cocamide DEA. The basis of the chemicalβcoconut oilβseems innocent enough. But scientists tinker with the ingredient, modifying it into an unnatural, toxic form, merely for the purpose Β foaming agent.
University of North Carolina researchers foundΒ that when Diethanolamine (DEA), a chemical used as a thickening agent in most shampoos, is applied to the skin of pregnant mice, it interferes with their offspringβs normal brain development.
DEA blocksΒ absorption of the nutrient choline, which is essential to brain development and peripheral nerve function.Β Choline deficiencies can lead to peripheral nerve damage, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), insulin resistance, and hypertension.Β All of these disorders can result in peripheral nerve damage and nerve pain, also known as peripheral neuropathy.
California listed cocamide DEA as a known carcinogen in 2012 under its Prop 65 law, which requires warning labels on consumer products containing carcinogens or reproductive toxicants.Β In fact, The Center for EnvironmentalΒ HealthΒ recently filed a California lawsuit against four companies (Walmart, Target, Trader Joeβs, Kohlβs) that sellΒ shampooΒ and personal care products containing the toxic chemical without a warning label.
Β βMost people believe that products sold in major stores are tested for safety, but consumers need to know that they could be doused with a cancer-causing chemical every time they shower orΒ shampoo,β said Michael Green, executive director of the Center for EnvironmentalΒ Health. βWe expect companies to take swift action to end this unnecessary risk to our childrenβs and familiesβhealth.β
Some other things uncovered through the centerβs independent testing:
Itβs important to know that cocoamide DEA can masquerade under other names, so hereβs what you should look out for on all of your personal care labels:
Cocamidopropyl betaine, or CAPB, has been replacing cocamide DEA because it is thought to cause less skin irritations in people who are sensitive; however, it does not reduce the amount of neuro-toxicity or cancer risk.
Additionally, the most common chemical compounds in shampoos areΒ straight-chain alkyl benzene sulfonates. Benzene is a chemical that is responsible for neurological symptoms, headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion and worst of all β oftentimes linked to leukemia and many types of cancers.
Most conventional shampoos contain 1,4-dioxane, a highly toxicΒ carcinogen. According to the California Environmental Protection Agency, 1,4-dioxane is known to cause cancer and may cause kidney, respiratory, and neurological toxicity. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has also stated that 1,4-dioxane is a groundwater contaminant.
Sources:
Flyvholm M-A. (1991) Contact allergens in registered chemical products. Confact Dermnriris 25:49- 56.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (1984) Cosmetic product formulation and frequency of use data. Washington. D.C.: FDA. FDA. (1994) Frequency of use of cosmetic ingredients. Washington, D.C.: FDA.
Hindson C. Lawlor F. (1983) Coconut diethanolamine in a hydraulic mining oil. Contacr Dermatitis 9:168.
Center for Environmental Health (CEH)
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Federal Drug Anministration (FDA) βOrganicβ Cosmetics
United States Food and Drug Administration(USDA) Organic Regulations
Environmental working Group (EWG):
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.prevention.com
With hundreds of available shampoos on the shelf to buy, why on earth would you consider making your own? Β Iβm going to give you a few reasons which you wonβt be able to refute.
First of all, the FDA Β does not regulate what companies put in personal care products.
The majority of large companies like Suave, Pantene and Aussie (to name just a few) use chemicals that have been linked to cancer, nerve damage, immunotoxicity, and allegies.
Secondly,Β Itβs cheaper and doesnβt take any time to make. Β Thatβs correct, you can make your own shampoo in under 5 minutes (no exageration) and save a boat-load of money, too.
RECIPES: Here are some of my favorite recipes for homemade shampoo.
Dr. Mβs & Dr Cβs personal blend
8 oz of Dr. Bronnerβs Castille Soap
13 drops Lavender essential oil (EO)
7 drops Peppermint (EO)
7 drops Rosemary (EO)
3 drops Tea Tree Oil
Ingredients:
6 oz Dr. Bronnerβs liquid castille soap
15 drops Rosemary essential oil (eo)
10 drops Geranium (eo)
BPA free plastic or glass dispenser bottle
Hydrating Shampoo
1/2 cup coconut milk
2/3 cupΒ Dr. Bronnerβs liquid castille soap
15 drops of essential oil of your choice (see below)
2 teaspoons of olive oil
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
1/2 cup Dr. Bronners liquid castille soap
1/2 cup purified water
1/2 teaspoon virgin coconut oil
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
20 drops Rosemary (eo)
15 drops Tea Tree Oil
1 tablespoon ground fenugreek seeds
BPA free plastic or glass dispenser bottle
Your Own Formulation
6 oz Dr. Bronners Castille Soap (liquid)
Essential oils (EO) of your choice (30 drops, may use single essential oil or multiple oils totaling 30 drops)
Essential Oils for Normal Hair
Lavender
Rosemary
Lemon
Geranium
Cedarwood
Thyme
Clary Sage
Essential Oils for Dry Hair
Lavender
Rosemary
Sandalwood
Geranium
Essential Oils for Oily Hair
Lavender
Rosemary
Lemon
Peppermint
Cypress
Essential Oils for Scalp Flakiness
Rosemary
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleucca
Lemon
Lavender
Cedarwood
Thyme
Β
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "SHAMPOOS CAUSE NERVE DAMAGE, MEMORY LOSS, AND CANCER." is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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