Triclosan, A Chemical Used in Antibacterial Soaps, is Found to Impair Muscle Function

[dixiegrrrrl]

In a new study, the chemical inhibited muscle activity in individual human heart cells, mice and minnows

The antibacterial substance, which was first developed in the 1960s to prevent bacterial infections in hospitals, has since been incorporated into everything from hand soaps to toothpastes to mouthwashes. Manufacturers see it as a marketing bonus, increasing consumer confidence that a particular product kills harmful bacteria. Even some household products—such as kitchen utensils, toys and bedding—include triclosan.

In recent years, though, research has shed light on a number of problems with employing triclosan so widely. Studies have shown that the chemical can disrupt the endocrine systems of several different animals, binding to receptor sites in the body, which prevents the thyroid hormone from functioning normally. Additionally, triclosan penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream more easily than previously thought, and has turned up everywhere from aquatic environments to human breast milk in troubling quantities.

To this list of concerns, add one more: A new paper, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates that triclosan impairs muscle function in both animals and humans. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of California, Davis, found that the chemical hinders human muscle contractions at the cellular level and inhibits normal muscle functioning in both fish and mice.

“Triclosan is found in virtually everyone’s home and is pervasive in the environment,” said lead author Isaac Pessah. “These findings provide strong evidence that the chemical is of concern to both human and environmental health.”

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/triclosan-a-chemical-used-in-antibacterial-soaps-is-found-to-impair-muscle-function-22127536/?no-ist

Study details in the article

[Octafish]

1. How can they make a profit if they have to test it first?

No one will be able to afford it, the price would be so high.

[Quantess]

2. I've always been leery of antibacterial anything.

It's unnecessary. I have always avoided them, and I never get sick! I just wash my hands often with regular soap.

Harsh chemicals (including rubbing alcohol) can crack the skin surface, making you more vulnerable.

[haikugal]

3. I'm with you...

[LiberalArkie]

5. There are times when it is needed, but not very frequently. After a bypass I had to shower and

use an antibacterial soap, but hey that was just for 2 weeks. Now it is hard to find any soap that doesn't have it in it.

[Quantess]

6. Oh that's right. I (reluctantly) had to use it before my surgery, too.

Only because they said I had to. But not afterward.

I skipped the antibiotics, too.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. REAL soap does not have any chemicals.

Here some links to some real soaps, one can search the names to find other locations

http://www.iherb.com/search?kw=dr.+woods&sug=dr+woods#p=1

http://www.iherb.com/p/20559

or just Google for "natural soap"

My personal preference is Magno, a black soap from Spain with a wonderful scent.
My Grandma used it, as did my mother, and it is lovely.
also a bit expensive now, but e-bay has some excellent pirces.

Let me add: I get a lot of stuff from iherb because they have free shipping over 20.00 orders.
they also carry Knoor Leek soup mix, which I cannot find locally.

[csziggy]

9. Before knee replacement they wanted me to shower with the stuff

It made me itch so bad I wanted to rip my skin off so I showered again - twice - with my regular soap which helped.

I wasn't sure if it was the antibacterial or the detergent based "soap" that they mixed in. I've always had a problem with soaps starting as a child with getting hives from Ivory. There are only two brands now that I know I can safely use and one of those was discontinued. My husband saw it at Big Lots and bought up all they had in stock every time he went in for several months. I hope I have enough to last me the rest of my life!

[bemildred]

4. I won't use soap with any of that crap in it.

The soap is to wash the bugs off, you don't need to kill them along the way.

[Delmette]

7. When everyone else is using antibacterials it ends up...

in our water supply. Just like everything else we flush or rinse down the drain.

The germ freaks won the battle, but we all lose the war.

[LiberalArkie]

10. If I need to kill germs on a scrape or cut, my goto is just Germ-X or hydrogen-peroxide

I like the Germ-x since it has vitamin e in it and it feels very good in winter with my dry skin.

[KamaAina]

11. Saturating the environment with antibacterials speeds up the evolution of bacteria.

Resulting in more and more strains of "superbugs" that are resistant to them.

Note: If you live in Kansas or one of those other Red states, you may wish to block this post because it mentions evolution.

[Omaha Steve]

12. It's in Total brand toothpaste too!

Think about that one.

OS