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| 30 September 2010
UK Edition |
 Dear Reader,
You don't have to visit many powder rooms before you find a bottle of the stuff.
Lurking beneath the scent of country apple...or mountain pine...or a tropical breeze...is an antimicrobial agent that many people consider the standard in hygiene. Without it — a soap just isn't worth it.
Look in your friend's handbag — it's there, too, in that little bottle of hand sanitizer she whips out at the supermarket and on your lunch dates. Oh, and how about that toothpaste sitting in your bathroom. It's there, too.
I'm talking about that favourite germ-fighter — triclosan.
A 2001 study found it in 76 per cent of almost 400 soaps examined. And for the past 20 years, the mainstream's had many of us convinced it's perfectly safe. Good thing, too, because in 2004 it was found in 75 per cent of analyzed urine samples, and it's been found in countless rivers and streams.
Of course, now that it's nearly impossible to avoid (and get rid of), the truth is starting to trickle out. It's a hot debate, though, so we may not see anything come of the discussion for years to come.
Based on what I've been reading, though, I might just start going out of my way to avoid triclosan.
Some scientists think it might enhance the production of chloroform, a probable human carcinogen — it seemed to trigger production in amounts up to 40 per cent higher than "normal" levels in tap water.
Triclosan have been associated with disrupted thyroid hormone-associated gene expression in tadpoles, triggering premature development. It's also been linked to a reduction in sperm production in a study on rats. And get this — a human study showed there's a chance it's associated with early puberty in girls.
In the US, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pushing the line that triclosan isn't known to be hazardous, and that they don't recommend any changes to consumer use. In Europe, however, the story's playing out differently.
The European Union's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products said flat out that the current concentration limits for triclosan simply aren't safe. Because no matter how low the limit is (0.3% there), aggregate exposure is a major concern. Some European companies are taking action, stopping the use of triclosan in plastic products that come into contact with food.
The triclosan debate could play out for years. It certainly moves a lot of products in our antibacterial-crazed society. But get this — the FDA has come right out and said that there's really no evidence that triclosan provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.
Continues below...
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A safe way to get a good night's sleep
Q: Recently, I asked my doctor about taking melatonin because I've been having trouble sleeping. She wrote me a prescription for a drug called Rozerem instead, saying it's basically like melatonin but has the advantage of being FDA- approved. Should I take it?
Dr. Jonathan V. Wright: Rozerem's manufacturer describes it as "a melatonin receptor agonist." In plain English, that means that Rozerem activates the same receptors that melatonin does. But just because it activates the same receptors as melatonin and has the so-called "advantage" of being "approved" by the FDA doesn't mean Rozerem is completely safe.
In very high doses, it can cause liver cancer and foetal deformities in lab animals. It's true that the doses required to cause these problems are substantially higher on a per-pound basis than those recommended for humans. But in contrast, natural melatonin, even at very high doses, has the opposite effect — it actually protects against cancer.
Less serious side effects of Rozerem in human trials included fatigue (4 per cent as opposed to 2 per cent for the placebo group); dizziness (5 per cent as opposed to 3 per cent for the placebo group); nausea, insomnia, and upper respiratory infection (all 3 per cent as opposed to 2 per cent); and muscle pain, depression, swallowing difficulties, and joint pain (all 2 per cent as opposed to 1 per cent).
No doubt a patent medication company spokesperson would point out that these side effects are minimal as compared with those of other approved patent medications. And they are.
But by taking Rozerem, you're exposing yourself unnecessarily to potential side effects, however minimal, that can be avoided by using Nature's original version. Plus, by taking Rozerem instead of melatonin, not only are you exposing yourself to potential risks, but you're also missing out on the other health benefits of melatonin, including proven cancer risk reduction.
Even if the potential side effects don't concern you, on a broader scale, Rozerem just helps perpetuate the system that allows twisted, misshapen versions of natural molecules to be widely advertised as effective.
If you have trouble sleeping, it's perfectly safe to take 1 to 3 milligrams of melatonin to help the process along naturally.
Bear in mind we are not addressing anyone's personal situation and you should rely on this for informational purposes only. Please consult with your own physician before acting on any recommendations contained herein.
Wishing you the best of health,
Andrew Miller
UK Editor
In the latest issue of Nutrition & Healing, Dr Jonathan V. Wright will tell you how to build stronger bones with the power of herbs. Also, learn about his clot-prevention programme and the natural compound that will give you extra insurance against too-sticky blood.
All new members who sign up will receive important updates like these in addition to receiving Dr. Wright's 7 Volume Library of Natural Healing.
Click here for full details.
Sources:
"Triclosan Comes Under Scrutiny," Medscape Today (medscape.com)
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