People are increasingly concerned about harmful preservatives in health and cosmetic beauty products. Many of them have even stopped using skin and beauty products that include parabens as an ingredient.
Parabens are synthetic compounds used as preservatives in a wide range of health, beauty, and self-care products.
Controversy in the use of parabens first came up when it was found that the cells of breast cancers patients had traces of the compound.
We look at how parabens can cause negative health effects among users.
1 – Alters Cholesterol
Cholesterol is an important factor in the human body that is needed to make estrogen and testosterone. Parabens can stop the production of these essential hormones.
Animal research has shown that parabens activate the genes that produce triglycerides. Too many triglycerides in the blood can lead to heart-related ailments.
2 – Changes in Brain Function
Parabens have a different effect on the brain, some parabens have been shown to harm the brain, and others help it.
According to one study, butyl- and isobutyl-parabens affected learning negatively in animals. It also showed fewer antioxidants, increased inflammation, and anxiety in those animals.
However, propylparaben was shown to reduce the effects of traumatic brain injury linked with Alzheimer’s disease.
3 – Poor Immunity
Our immune system is connected to the health of our gut. Antimicrobial parabens restrict the growth of healthy bacteria, and that can weaken the immune system.
Parabens cause the production of cells called Th2 cells that make the immune system very sensitive. Any more than normal stimuli cause the immune system to overreact. People with asthma and eczema have Th2 cells present in their bodies.
Parabens considerably weaken immune defenses. The presence of methylparaben indicates fewer Th1 cells, which prevent autoimmune responses. This shields the body from launching an attack on its cells.
4 – High Blood Sugar
A combination of parabens is more harmful than any one single paraben. A butyl- and propylparabens combo was shown to raise blood sugar in pregnant women in their first and second trimesters. That puts them at risk for gestational diabetes.
Not much is known about the effects of parabens in non-pregnant individuals. In one study, not many considerable changes were noticed in those exposed to parabens.
Though, it is possible that similar effects could happen in men and non-pregnant women. More research is required to realize how parabens affect blood sugar overall.
Ending Note
Though low doses of parabens have been shown to be okay in research, using numerous paraben-containing products daily could cause them to exceed the safe intake level. It is advisable to avoid food and personal care products containing Methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben. If you wish to switch to products that do not contain paraben, like paraben free body wash, please click here.
