problems with antibacterial soaps

[Guest guest]

Extracted from http://mercola.com/forms/clenzology_clinical.htm

 

[NOTE: I removed the advertising bumpf, as well as a large section on

albumin -- which bore no supporting role to either the product being

advertised or the main thesis about germs & hazardous anti-germ detergents.

I dislike the approach that Mercola is taking here. Judge for yourself!

Read my " reader's digest " version below and check out the original

after. -- David]

 

Problems with Antibacterial Soaps

 

The skin is an organ, like the heart, liver or brain. In fact, it is the

largest organ in the body, and one of the most complex. How would you wash

your heart, liver or brain each day?

 

In reality, the skin is an endocrine organ, a vital and integral part of

the immune system itself.

 

T cells, the master cells of the immune system, after passing through the

thymus, migrate to the skin's surface where, amazingly, they receive

maturation hormones from skin cells. Even tiny traces of chemicals can

interfere with the skin cell's ability to produce these complex hormones

which are vital for maintaining the immune system throughout our lives.

 

How Germs are Really Spread: Dispelling the Myths

 

The average adult has 5 colds per year and respiratory infections and

allergies constitute approximately 80% of visits to doctor offices. The

myths associated with allergies and common respiratory infections provide

strong clues to their management.

 

Allergies are not caused by pollens, house mites, dust and other allergens.

 

While it is true that these types of things trigger allergic symptoms, the

underlying cause is a malfunctioning immune system. The allergen simply

triggers an incorrect immune system response. When immunity goes wrong, the

immune system identifies the harmless allergen and tries to kill it by

triggering the allergic symptoms many of us are so familiar with -- runny

noses, watery eyes, etc.

 

This type of immunological mayhem cannot be separated from the stress put

on your immune systems from infections. Many auto-immune diseases can be

viewed as a severe form of allergy where the immune system attacks its

host. When we think of diseases being transferred from person to person, we

conjure up images of people sneezing or coughing on each other. This

frightening picture is yet another myth that we need not worry about -

relatively few germs become airborne, and fewer still actually cause us harm.

 

Your Fingernails Are The Hidden Culprit in Germ Warfare

 

Germs are primarily transferred through your fingernails. They're handed to

us during routine and intimate physical contact because human hands --

especially under the nails -- are a breeding ground and a safe haven for

germs. While there are tens, hundreds, thousands of germs on the backs and

palms of the hands and on the fingers, there are tens of millions,

sometimes even hundreds of millions of germs under the fingernails.

 

Once on the hand, germs accumulate under and around the fingernails, from

there they hitchhike to the damp membranes of the eyes and nose overloading

our immune systems. This passing of germs from one part of your body to

another, unknowingly carrying them to the places the germs like the best,

is called autoinoculation.

 

The average person touches their nose, mouth, and eyes many times a day.

 

Even this small amount of innocent touching is enough to carry germs from

the mouth, where they were probably unable to penetrate the body's

defenses, to the nose or eyes, where they have an easier time causing damage.

 

Studies over the past years have shown that the constant contamination of

the nose and eyes by the fingertip area, leads to an overloaded immune

system and most of the infections of the upper respiratory tract. The sense

of touch and blood flow and sensitivity of the fingertips is so

extraordinary that a blind person can read by feeling. The fingertips are a

real extension of our brain.

 

The fact that the undersides of your fingernails harbor a plethora of germs

is doubly troubling. First, the fingernails lack the protective " horny "

layer of skin, making it easier for germs to enter the body. Once inside,

they can easily get into the many blood vessels that feed the remarkably

sensitive fingertips. Second, we commonly touch each other and ourselves

with our fingertips. Your fingertips are involved when you touch a computer

keyboard or telephone, floss your teeth, or prepare and eat your food.

 

Keep Your Nails Short

 

If you have long nails, I strongly recommend that you cut them to regular

size. It will be virtually impossible to clean your nails well if they are

very long. The other, perhaps more important issue, is that long nails

prevent stimulation of the fingertips. If this happens for a prolonged time

you will actually get brain atrophy. The brain requires regular stimulation

from the fingertips to stay healthy.

 

The skin, particularly of the fingernail area, is teeming with a wide

variety of germs -- similar to the natural flora of the rain forests in

South America. These germs should be in perfect balance, competing and

producing complex chemicals that prevent colonization by pathogenic

microbes. Ironically, many people become sick because they do not have

enough of the correct type of germs on their skin.

 

Natural Disinfecting Power Of Your Skin

 

Natural oils, waxes and secretions should be on the skin and perhaps are

vital in the production of the hormones that cause T cells to mature. One

dangerous side effect of constantly applying antiseptics/disinfectants to

the fingertips is the introduction of chemicals into the delicate tissues

of the eyes, nose, skin, hair and food through touch.

 

 

Test every type of antiseptic/disinfectant/ antibacterial agent available.

They ALL fail for the following reasons:

 

* most are not effective against ALL types of germs, thus some overgrow

* the combination of several different types of these is highly toxic, and

causes stress for your immune system

* ALL chemicals that kill germs will kill people, if used in sufficient

concentrations or over many years.

* these chemicals disturb your natural balance of healthy microflora.

* over a period of time, all substances applied to your skin are absorbed

through it and affect the body's internal metabolism

* the emulsion of the soap, when tiny traces are introduced into your eyes

and nose, sends your immune system * into disarray and contaminates your

delicate tissues.

 

There is grave concern in the medical community about the overuse of

antibiotic medications, which has given rise to all sorts of

antibiotic-resistant bacteria and deadly new infections. Now the overuse of

antibacterial soaps is causing similar concern. Our common skin flora

includes a wide range of germs that are normally harmless. In fact, they

compete with disease-causing microorganisms and in many cases provide a

natural immunity against disease.

 

Manufacturers of consumer soaps use a type of ingredient similar to brake

fluid called Diethylene Glycol or Triethylene Glycol. These substances are

used to give the soap a smooth non-drying look, however, they are

completely unnatural to the skin. These detergent-type soaps made from

petroleum products are completely unnatural and remove the essential skin

lipids. The skin is an organ, like the heart and the liver.

 

============

Ask yourself the following question: " Would you rub brake fluid all over

your liver everyday for 50 years? "

============

 

Making soap with Diethylene, Ethylene, Triethylene Glycol, or even

Propylene Glycol is completely against common sense. The world's most

prestigious Pharmacopoeia (Martingale, 28th ed.), published by direction of

The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain states the

following about these chemicals:

 

'Diethylene and Triethylene Glycol; A colorless almost odorless hydroscopic

syrupy liquid with a sharp sweet taste. The toxic effect following

ingestion by mouth are; depression of the central nervous system,

degenerative changes in the kidneys and liver. The symptoms and effects are

those similar to those produced by Ethylene Glycol intoxication. Seven

children, aged 6 to 31 months, died following ingestion of a preparation in

which the solvent was found to be Diethylene Glycol.'

 

Because we are an animal and have animal fats and oils on our skin, it is

impossible to make soap from pure vegetable oils that will restore your

natural skin lipids, and ensure that the natural disinfecting power of your

skin remains intact. It is essential to make soap from a combination of

animal and vegetable oils. Many native races living under natural

conditions have perfect skin, and use special soaps derived from plants and

animal fats.

 

[so go to your local health store and buy natural soaps without all the of

the bad stuff in them. Wash your hands well, paying attention to under the

fingernails. Works for me...]