New Study Says Antibacterial Soap May Damage Muscles: Do You Use the Stuff?
SodaHead Living
2012/08/20 00:12:02
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According to a new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, triclosan—a common antibacterial substance—can result in muscle impairment in both humans and animals.
Triclosan was originally developed in the 1960s to prevent bacterial infections in hospitals. These days it is commonly found in hand soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, kitchen utensils, toys, and bedding. Many manufacturers add the ingredient in order to convince consumers that their product will kill harmful bacteria. However, the substance may actually do more harm than good.
“Triclosan is found in virtually everyone’s home and is pervasive in the environment,” said lead author Isaac Pessah. “These findings provide strong evidence that the chemical is of concern to both human and environmental health.”
With the potential risk of muscle impairment, including cardiac function, we may find ourselves switching over to conventional soap and water. And according to the FDA, there is little evidence that antibacterial soaps with triclosan end up killing germs any better than the traditional stuff.
Triclosan was originally developed in the 1960s to prevent bacterial infections in hospitals. These days it is commonly found in hand soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, kitchen utensils, toys, and bedding. Many manufacturers add the ingredient in order to convince consumers that their product will kill harmful bacteria. However, the substance may actually do more harm than good.
“Triclosan is found in virtually everyone’s home and is pervasive in the environment,” said lead author Isaac Pessah. “These findings provide strong evidence that the chemical is of concern to both human and environmental health.”
With the potential risk of muscle impairment, including cardiac function, we may find ourselves switching over to conventional soap and water. And according to the FDA, there is little evidence that antibacterial soaps with triclosan end up killing germs any better than the traditional stuff.
Read More: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/08/tr...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Quote: "The hygiene hypothesis is supported by epidemiological data. Studies have shown that various immunological and autoimmune diseases are much less common in the developing world than the industrialized world and that immigrants to the industrialized world from the developing world increasingly develop immunological disorders in relation to the length of time since arrival in the industrialized world."
Coming to think of it, this might be the reason that infants put everything into their mouth, including the occasional handful of dirt or sand. They're instinctively training their immune system. This article seems to support that (it also mentions triclosan-containing soap):
http://www.thepunch.com.au/ar...
This could also be a reason that pet owners are statistically healthier than people without pets. Children who grow up with pets will likely also be healthier than other children.
If you just use normal soap and warm water, you will be absolutely fine.
I dont buy in to the sterilised generation.