Methylparabens
Methylparabens are chemical compounds with a similar sturcture to human estrogen molecules. These are called estrogen mimickers, endocrine disruptors, false estrogens, xenoestrogens. They are a form of estrogen and as such trigger liver cyst growth. The common ones are methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl parabens found in personal care products. Tucks is a product containing parabens. It is present in shampoos and conditioners. When the skin is soft and expanded like under hot running water, more parabens are absorbed. Endocrine disruptors are absorbed daily into the body, via the skin and hair follicles. Women with breast cancer are known to have an increased amount of methylparabens in their brains. Here are some paraben free skin products. Avoid products that contain soy, fish oil, flax, cod liver oil, wheat germ, sodium laurel sulfate. Methylparabens continue to be harmful to liver cysts triggering growth, pain, and bloating.
In 2004 the media reported that English researchers identified parabens in samples of breast tumors. Parabens (alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid) are widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in thousands of cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceutical products, and even food.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their report
Pharmaceuticals Personal Care Products in Environment: Agents Subtle Change?
reported that the chemical preservatives called parabens: methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl (alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates) displayed estrogenic activity in several tests. This means that these chemicals mimic your body´s own hormones and can have endocrine-disrupting action when they are rubbed into your body, absorbed through the hair shaft scalp, or washed down the drain into your drinking water. These disruptors interfere with your body´s endocrine system: your hypothalamus, your ovaries, your thyroid, virtually every system in your body. The EPA also stated that continual introduction of these benzoates (parabens) into sewage treatment systems and directly into recreational waters from the skin products leads to the question of risk to aquatic organisms. Scientists in Europe found other endocrine-disrupting body care chemicals in the bodies of fish that humans are eating, and in human breast milk.
Dr. Elizabeth Smith has written that it is a known medical fact that estrogen stimulates breast cancer; anything absorbed through the skin may be as high as 10 times the concentration of an oral dose. In one study, methylparaben was injected under the skin and was found to have an estrogenic response on uterine tissues. Scientists observing these harmful effects on the uterus remarked that it is suggested that the safety in use of these chemicals should be reassessed.
Endocrine disruptors are transported into the body, daily, through the skin and hair when personal care products are used. A lubricant that does not contain methylparabens is Pjur Eros silicone cream or bodyglide. There is a cream/gel form and a liquid form. To increase libido, try fresh raspberries and saffron. They act by softening pelvic musculature. Careful if you are pregnant; raspberries are to be avoided during the first trimester, due to its muscle relaxation effects. A saffron lemon cake with raspberry coulis, makes an interesting dessert.
