Hand Sanitizers....Friend or Foe?

 Awww, Fall.  My favorite time of year.  Break out the bulky sweaters, jeans and boots;  weekend drives to admire the colorful Fall Foliage;  and baking for the up coming Holidays.  And putting up with paranoid people slothering hand sanitizer all over themselves and everybody else.  How was this stuff ever approved by the FDA?....it was not.  But now, so much evidence is surfacing as to how damaging these hand sanitizers are, that the FDA is forced to take a stand and not only caution against their use, but they are going after manufacturers of hand sanitizers for making false claims.  Claims that they protect against MRSA, E.Coli, Salmonella, and other bacteria and viruses.  To date, several studies have found that the only thing antibacterial products have succeeded in doing was to contribute to the rise of antibiotic resistant germs, adversely effect the thyroid gland and lower the immune system enough to cause a person to contract colds and flu…..along with promoting the growth of cancer.  Shocked?  Why?  You believe everything Madison Avenue tells you?

Now, I was told at a very young age, by my Grandmother no less, that a little dirt is good for you.  Makes your immune system strong to help fight off colds or flu.  And I think she was right.  There are three places on your body that allows your immune system to fight germs and bacteria….your stomach, mouth and your hands.  In these 3 places you have your good bacteria and you will find bad bacteria.  Our natural biological function allows the good bacteria to fight off the bad.  Except when we do things to destroy the good bacteria, like eating GMO foods and using hand sanitizers.  I do not care WHAT Monsanto says or the members of the Medical Profession.  It has now been proven, that just washing your hands with plain soap and water will protect you better than using products that come under the name of “hand sanitizers”.  So why spend all that extra money?  Exactly.  Spend your money!  Make Johnson and Johnson rich.

75% of antibacterial products contain the chemical Triclosan, allowing the industry to make a mere $1 Billion dollars off of trusting consumers.  Triclosan was put into soap, wipes, hand gels, cutting boards, mattress pads and all sorts of home items in the hopes to eradicate any trace of bacteria from our environment.  But it was never approved by the FDA.  In 1972, the FDA was suppose to evaluate the safety of Triclosan but “somehow” never did, as Triclosan was allowed to be used in products sold to trusting consumers.  Because of the mounting evidence that can no longer be ignored, the FDA is now forced to make manufacturers prove the claims they make for Triclosan or they have until 2016 to pull their products from the shelves.  But maybe you better not wait that long to stop using antibacterial products.  The European Union considers Triclosan to be so hazardous to the health of humans that they banned it in 2010 from being used in anyway that would allow it to come into contact with food.

Fact, after 42 years of research, it can now be reported that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than conventional soap and water. Fact, antibacterial products have the potential to create antibiotic resistant bacteria.  Fact, antibacterial products are endocrine disruptors and can lead to health problems, especially with the Thyroid gland.  Fact, antibacterial products adversely effect children the most and lower their immune systems enough to cause food and environmental allergies.

One of the most popular hand sanitizers is Purell.  It’s everywhere, especially hospitals and grocery stores.  Purell does not contain the dangerous chemical Triclosan, BUT, it is not safe either.  Remember, whatever you put on your skin will get absorbed into your blood stream.  So here is what is getting deposited into your body by using Purell.  62% Ethyl Alcohol which is equivalent to 124 proof.  This is dangerous for children.  Children are being rushed to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.  Remember Mommie, children lick their hands as well.  Alcohol also dries the skin, leading to cracks and bleeding.  A perfect breeding ground for germs.

Purell also is made up of Tocopheryl acetate, propylene glychol, isopropyl myristate, glycerine, cabomer, fragrance, water and amino methyl propanol.  Not only does the use of alcohol sanitizers make certain microbial organisms stronger but it does not kill viruses.  But it does give you dry skin and can send your children to the emergency room.

The best defense against germs is to wash with plan soap and water.  We use Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Pure Castile Soap.  Peppermint is nature’s sanitizer.  During the cold and flu season, I prefer to live healthy chemical free........