The Anti Antibacterial Rant

 

Disclaimer: I don't love bacteria and enjoy being clean but I am not at war with the nasty bugs.  I am not obsessive about it.  I have never been one to wash my hands a million times a day or before I eat.  I don't arm myself with Purell. 

I also don't get sick very often.  Coincidence? 

Lately, I find myself plagued by antibacterial products.  I can't help but notice them everywhere.  I see women reaching for their H2O free hand wash, wipes at grocery stores, cleaning products, surface cleaners, lotions, etc.  I see all of these products and I am perplexed.  Why?

Just the other day, I was in Target and saw a women wipe the cart down, then her child's hands, then the poor kids face.  Come on!  What/who are we trying to kill?  Yes germs, but what exactly are in those products that we are using? 

 

And I am still questioning  this even after I just saw a horrifying movie about a deadly virus plaguing the world.    

I know there is a lot of alcohol.  I clearly remember reading a story about how a dog...or was it a child, licked an antibacterial product and died...or got really sick.  Obviously, I pay close attention to detail :) I guess I'll leave that to my analytical and sexy hubby.  Bottom line, I have questions about these products.  Are they safe?  What is in them?  Are germs really that bad for our health?

I am especially curious now because when I drop E off at school, I am met with a huge pump dispenser of hand sanitizer.  Every time I see it I am slightly (no deeply) bothered by it.  What is in that clear gooey gel?  How often do they squirt him with it?  Do the kids have a choice?  Are teachers aware of what might be in them?  Is my son licking the product?!?!?!  Is he going to get horribly sick or worse?!?!?!? 

Truthfully, I don't know the brand so I can't go all hog wild over the ingredients.  But I do know what is in many other antibacterial name brand products; Dial, Colgate Total, Right Guard deodorant, Ajax dish soap, Softsoap Antibacterial, Old Spice Deodorant, Clearasil....  The common ingredient that stands out is Triclosan.

The FDA is only now reviewing the safety of this chemical...after it has been used for over 30 years. 

Triclosan is a chemical that is mostly used to kill bacteria on the skin and other surfaces.  It is used in antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics, plastics, and other products. 

A marketplace study in 2000 by Eli Perencevich, M.D. and colleagues found that over 75% of liquid soaps and nearly 30% of bar soaps (45% of all soaps on the market) contained some type of antibacterial agent.  Triclosan was the most common agent. 

It is so prevalent that a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the chemical present in the urine of 75% of Americans over the age of 5. 

So what makes it so naughty?

•          It may alter hormone regulation in laboratory animals and cause antibiotic resistance. 
•          It is classified as a pesticide by the EPA. 
•          It can easily be turned into chloroform and enter our water
•          It can disrupt hormones (now being examined closer in relation to breast cancer) is a reason to caution teens whose bodies are still developing.

Bath and Body Works have recently been under attack for their use of Triclosan in their hand soaps used primarily by teens. Their motto is to, "spread love, not germs".  How about spread good clean 100% Pure products?

Just today, I was talking  to my Dr. about Triclosan during a visit (yes, I am at the Dr. way more than any 30 year old should be, and yes, I consider him my friend).  He said that the body produces its own protective barrier through our hair follicles.  We produce two proteins that work together to protect us.  These antibacterial soaps strip the skin and the good bacteria that our bodies naturally make.  He is even specific with nurses about how they wash their hands and prep a patient before surgery as too not overly strip the skin.

Thankfully, many companies have removed it and substituted it with less controversial ingredients. 

Let's compare ingredients from a common antibacterial hand soap to that of 100% Pure.

Here are the ingredients for Dial Complete Foaming Antibacterial

 

Active Ingredient: Triclosan

Inactive Ingredient: Water, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Diproplyene Glycol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidoproply Betaine, Fragrance, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Red 4, Yellow 5

Here are the ingredients for 100% Pure Forest Hydrating Hand Wash

 

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Juice, Organic Rose Hydrosol, Sake, Saponified Coconut Oil, Extracts of Organic Green Tea, Rosemary, Goldenseal, Oregano, Thyme, Lavender, Coffee Cherry, Pomegrantate, Calendula, Grapefruit Seed, Essential Oils of Clementine

With 100% Pure I can pronounce all the ingredients.  I know they are safe. They are natural, 100% vegetarian, and gluten free.  Instead of using antibacterial chemicals, 100% uses antibacterial herbsto kill germs.  There are no chemical preservative, no artificial fragrances, no sulfite or other stripping detergents and best of all, no Triclosan or any other toxins. 

I feel a hell of a lot safer having my kids use this than the leading formula. 

If you are interested in ordering 100% Pure Hydrating Hand Wash please click here.

or

click this link: http://www.alexandvon.com/products/371-hydrating-hand-wash.aspx?SellerID=466

There are a few different scents to choose from including: Forest, Key Lime Mint, Clementine, and Lemon and Verbena.

The Sweet Life

As my birthday approaches, I can't help but reflect on what my 30th year on earth has taught me.  To say I have a new meaning on life is a massive understatement.  I realize each day is a gift. 

When my life was challenged, pregnant, and not knowing if I was going to be able to watch my children grow older, see their first days of school, enter into high-school, have girlfriends, get hearts crushed, and marry the love of their life, I was devastated. 

I never really asked "why me".   It is not fair for anyone.  I didn't go into a deep depression although, I did have my moments.  Instead I reflected on the life I lived.  I knew I would fight full force and with all of my strength.  But at the same time I was at peace and reflected on all the good in my life. 

My life has been blessed beyond measure.  My husband, family, and friends are a big part of my strength.  Knowing that they would be there undoubtedly for me and my children made everything okay.       

Life is short, but the pleasures are sweeter. 

How sweet it is to wake up every morning and realize nothing much is worth worrying about.  Yes, I will have my stress moments and be down, but when you are forced to confront your mortality, those things just don't seem important.

How sweet it is to have the most amazing friends.  The ones that tell you everything is going to be okay and to be there to cheer me up and bring me dinners when I am down or make me "mixed tapes" to make me smile.  The ones that we can spend the whole night laughing hysterically, and making memories.

How sweet it is to have the most supportive parents and sisters.  That sacrifice so much to help care for me and my family.  The daily coffees, care, laundry, help at all hours of the days and nights to make the kids feel loved and not the burden they could have felt.  The daily or twice daily check ins, the harassment to help, and the laughter got me through the toughest days. Unconditional love is what I think of my family. 

How sweet it is to have my second family, my in-laws.  Always offering to bring delicious gourmet meals and magazines with open arms and open hearts.      

How sweet it is to hear my son M coo in the morning, even if it is 6am and I hardly slept.  How sweet it is to feel the warmth of his body and his tiny hands reaching out to me.  His giggles and chubbiness instantly brightens my days. 

How sweet it is to turn on the radio in the car and watch as X nods his head to the music and the way he looks up to his big brother E.  Or to see his whole face light up when the word candy, treat, or monster is mumbled.  To see his big cheeks and sweet kind hazel eyes every morning and night makes me feel blessed beyond measures.

How sweet it is to watch E grow up into a young man.  To watch him get angry and give himself some quiet time when he is upset, his obsession with super heroes and saving the day, and loving to pick his Mommy flowers so she "can be a princess".  He is a kind boy who had a deep understanding of right and wrong and a goofy personality to boot.      

How sweet it is to see my husband as a father.  I have never seen a man so natural with children as he is.  To watch his face and the kids face light up whenever they play.  To see E look up to him and want to be just like him.  To see the way he looks at X with more love than anything while at the same time calling him a terrorist.  To see him give baby M the biggest belly laughs and find new ways to keep giving him those laughs. 

How sweet it is to be loved.  Loved through thick and thin.  How sweet it is to miss my husband even as he is walking out the door to work.  To get giddy as 6 approaches and knowing he is coming home.  To share the greatest memories and to go through the hardest darkest moments together.  He is my partner in life and my best friend.  The one I look up to for support and my joy.  The one I want to share all of my happiest moments with.  My one true love. 

I hope the message people walk away with is that if or when you get smacked down by the hardships of life (like cancer or divorce, or an accident, or losing a job, or any other unexpected tragedy), go ahead and kick rocks, get pissed and then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and do and be exactly what you want.  Have fewer “whys,” more “why nots.” No excuses. No apologies.  Bathe in the sweetness. 

"Fear less, hope more; whine less, breathe more; eat less, chew more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      - Swedish proverb