I used to be one of those people that believed being healthy just meant eating right and working out. As I’m getting older though, I’ve started to rethink my idea of complete health. Seeing my dad deteriorate over the years and finally passing, overcome with one illness after another, I’ve come to the realization that often times it’s just as important to be cautious about what you put on the outside of your body as what you put inside.
One of the things I noticed when I go to the gym is that as health conscious as the other members are, both men and women almost always make an unhealthy decision in the locker rooms. What may that be you ask? The deodorant they use. The gym provides spray on deodorant, which some members treat as if it’s spray water, clouding up the locker rooms. Little do they know that deodorants like these and most deodorants found on store shelves contain aluminum as it’s main ingredient.
Reports have suggested that aluminum may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like (hormonal) effects. Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer. And yes, men can develop breast cancer too.
My mom is a breast cancer survivor and as much as I admire her courage in beating it, I don’t want mine tested. So when I’m at my gym locker rooms, I change in an area most women don’t go to so I can avoid inhaling the deodorant sprays. I bring my own aluminum free deodorant, the salt stick kind from Naturally Fresh. These things cost about the same as a typical deodorant, work really well, but the added benefit is they last forever, and are so much better for you! Since I’m not a very sweaty person unless I’m exerting myself hard at the gym, my salt stick lasts about a year, but I suppose if I were to be truly conservative in its use it would last two.
Now that I’m nearing my 30s and have a growing family, I read ingredients on everything we buy. There are so many dangers in life that are out of our control, so when there are dangerous things I can avoid, you bet, I am going to do everything I can to do so.
