Excessive Underarm Sweating Comments

Jenny, that is a great question that I unfortunately don't know the answer to. I have read about aluminum and Alzheimer's in the lay press, but since I don't keep up with medical neurology journals (being a dermatologist it's out of my field), I don't really know the specifics. Let's both try and check and see what we can find out. I'll post something after I talk to a neurology colleague of mine. -Lawrence Green

Thanks Dr. Green! That makes me feel a lot better about antiperspirants. Are the Alzheimer's studies based on aluminum by itself, or a bonded aluminum? Jenny

Most antiperspirant products are based on aluminum salts or other aluminum type combination products. I can definitely see people's worry about them, especially with regard to Alzheimers. But my take is there is a big difference between aluminum by itself and an aluminum salt such as aluminum chloride and aluminum zirconium. Think about this: is sodium the same thing as sodium chloride (the salt of sodium)? Sodium chloride is table salt, but sodium by itself doesn't resemble salt. So, what a chemical is bound to makes a difference on how it behaves in the body. As far as toxin buildup through sweat inhibition, the body eliminates toxins much more through urine and feces than through the sweat. And clogging sweat glands to decrese armpit sweating still allows the body to sweat everywhere else. So, I don't personally see any problems with clogging sweat glands in the armpits alone.

I've always suspected that blocking the sweat glands with an antiperspirant or Botox could inhibit the body's necessary ability to eliminate toxins. Could there be any connection to blocking the elimination of toxins (sweat) and breast cancer risk? Doesn't sound worth it to me. Lu

What about aluminum and its relation to Alzhiemers and other health problems? I've stopped using any products that contain aluminum.