Aluminum and Breast Health

Aluminium cube with Al markAluminum salts in antiperspirants combine with skin cells to form plugs that block the sweat ducts, leading to a decrease in perspiration. Research also shows that aluminum can be absorbed through the skin.  Other research has also shown that aluminum can damage genes.

Aluminum salts in antiperspirants combine with skin cells to form plugs that block the sweat ducts, leading to a decrease in perspiration. Research also shows that aluminum can be absorbed through the skin.  Other research has also shown that aluminum can damage genes.

Many women do not know that their antiperspirants contain aluminum.  There have been studies published that show a correlation to aluminum concentration in breast cyst fluid as well as nipple fluid.  The study can’t necessarily say where the source of the aluminum is, but considering the proximity of deodorants being placed close to the breast, my money is on the antiperspirants.

Breast cysts also most often occur in the upper, outer quadrant of the breast, the part nearest the armpit.  This is also a common site for breast cancers to begin.  Aluminum has been shown to disrupt enzyme activity in breast fluids, as well as disrupting the homeostasis of some iron-binding proteins.

Aluminum also shows up in breast milk.  So mamas should definitely switch to non-aluminum alternatives.

In women with cancer, their nipple fluids have consistently shown higher levels of aluminum than in those that did not have cancer.  This may be coincidental, but why not remove your antiperspirant from the shelf and replace it with something more natural?  We as women need as much help as we can get since the rates of breast cancer occurrence continue to increase. Though the research is by no means conclusive; my recommendation is to find non-aluminum containing antiperspirant alternatives, especially if you have a history of breast cysts.

I know a lot of you may say that natural deodorants don’t stop odor or sweating.  I would argue that maybe your hormones aren’t balanced or that maybe your detoxification pathways need some support. It may even be possible that you need some probiotics (they live on the skin too!). Your skin is your biggest organ and one of the primary places that we detoxify.  So if the natural deodorants don’t work for you, maybe it’s time to find out why!