HEALTH BEAT 10-1-2000

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts October 2000 Current Issue
October 2000
deodorant Short Cuts:
HEALTH BEAT

As legends go, it sounds fairly credible. The aluminum in antiperspirant leaches into the body and contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t throw out the Right Guard just yet, though.

It is not true, says Diane Murphy, program director at the Bethesda, Md.-based National Institutes of Health. “No link has ever been established,” Murphy notes.

Folks who have sensitive skin, however, can develop skin irritations from commercial antiperspirant. Mineral salt deodorants, often sold at natural and health-food stores as “crystal” or “rock” deodorants, are a good alternative. Unlike antiperspirant, which blocks the body’s sweat production, these products inhibit odor-causing bacteria when applied to wet skin.

Crystal deodorants, sold in stick, loose-stone or spray form, can be ordered from online retailers such as Back Be Nimble (www.backbenimble.com) or S&S Marketing (www.ssmartco.com).

LOREN G. EDELSTEIN