WHAT'S IN YOUR DEODORANT?

When it comes to our health we obviously don't want to make mistakes and for the most part I would like to think we try to do the right things. Of course there are also many MANY times where we are given the "evidence" that something is good for us but over time it is proven to be false. Things like margarine. What a mistake that was. So where do we stand on our anti-perspirants or deodorants?

Well, if we are to believe the mainstream then we are lead to believe that there are no problems with these commercial products. I would suggest that there is a distinct problem with these products and aside from some potentially dodgy chemicals the big issue is the use of aluminium. The aluminium is used as a prime ingredient in these products and has some significant health problems. Aluminium is called the soft in the head mineral because it affects the brain more than any other system of the body, impairing memory and cognition in most instances. 

When using a hair tissue mineral analysis one of the minerals we measure is aluminium. The sad fact of the matter is that almost every person who has undergone this test has been exposed to more aluminium than they ideally should be. This has been a truly disappointing and frightening discovery. The few exceptions have been those people who have actively tried to reduce their exposure and they usually have switched from normal anti-perspirants to natural ones, most often the rock mineral salts.

These mineral salts come in different forms that include the actual rock crystal, to preparations that can be sprayed or rolled on. They are supposed to work in the following way. When applied an invisible fine layer of the mineral is applied to the skins surface. Potassium alum is the natural anti-microbial present and it inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria. As an anti-microbial potassium alum adjusts the pH of the skins surface and creates an environment where bacteria cannot grow. Therefore, odour is prevented, and the body is able to maintain its proper course of eliminating toxins through sweat, as well as controlling body temperature, all without odour.

An interesting fact though is that potassium alum is short form for potassium aluminium sulphate, and this is where the potential debate begins. First of all we need to understand that potassium alum and aluminium are different compounds. Potassium Alum occurs naturally in minerals such as bauxite and kainite. Most importantly potassium Alum is in the salt form and not the metallic damaging form found in commercial products but there are those who would say there is no difference.

Going back to my opening statement about trying to do the right things we are currently at a bit of a fork in the road. Are the natural products any better or are we continuing to poison ourselves with aluminium just in a different form? Well I think I might have the answer.

Six months ago I started using a natural rock crystal and it works wonderfully. I also had the benefit of past hair tissue analysis to monitor my levels of aluminium. I've included the most recent here for you to come to your own conclusions. You can see here that my current level of aluminium (using the rock crystal) is 1.25mg% and the number below that is 2.48mg% which was my last hair tissue mineral analysis when I was using traditional commercial preparations. To me this would indicate an improvement and I am going to continue using the rock salt crystal. For the dubious though, I must admit the verdict is still to be 100% determined.

In summary I think the rock crystal is a good substitute. It must be said though in being completely objective it is still possible that I am taking in aluminium from the rock crystal. At this point I'll trust the numbers and continue to monitor and perhaps update you in the future. In support of the rock crystal and at a minimum conclusion though is that my levels are lower, I am no longer blocking my pores, absorbing other nasty chemicals, or spending anywhere near as much money as I was with traditional products. I think the choice is clear.