The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka
160. Are Natural Deodorants Better for You? Here Is The Science Explained
Thu, 24 Apr 2025
Are natural deodorants actually healthier or just another wellness fad? Most conventional deodorants contain a toxic cocktail of chemicals that could be sabotaging your health in ways you’d never expect. The impact on your biology? Hormone chaos, mitochondrial sabotage, cancer risk, and microbiome mayhem. Making the switch to natural deodorants isn’t vanity, it’s a biological necessity. Your cells will thank you! Join the Ultimate Human VIP community and gain exclusive access to Gary Brecka's proven wellness protocols today!: https://bit.ly/4ai0Xwg Thank you to our partners: H2TABS - USE CODE “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4hMNdgg BODYHEALTH - USE CODE “ULTIMATE20” FOR 20% OFF: http://bit.ly/4e5IjsV BAJA GOLD - USE CODE "ULTIMATE10" FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3WSBqUa EIGHT SLEEP - SAVE $350 ON THE POD 4 ULTRA WITH CODE “GARY”: https://bit.ly/3WkLd6E COLD LIFE - THE ULTIMATE HUMAN PLUNGE: https://bit.ly/4eULUKp WHOOP - GET 1 FREE MONTH WHEN YOU JOIN!: https://bit.ly/3VQ0nzW MASA CHIPS - GET 20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER: https://bit.ly/40LVY4y VANDY - USE CODE “ULTIMATE20” FOR 20% OFF: https://bit.ly/49Qr7WE AION - USE CODE “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4h6KHAD HAPBEE - FEEL BETTER & PERFORM AT YOUR BEST: https://bit.ly/4a6glfo CARAWAY - USE CODE “ULTIMATE” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3Q1VmkC HEALF - GET 10% OFF YOUR ORDER: https://bit.ly/41HJg6S BIOPTIMIZERS - USE CODE “ULTIMATE” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4inFfd7 RHO NUTRITION - USE CODE “ULTIMATE15” FOR 15% OFF: https://bit.ly/44fFza0 Get your Genetic Test here: https://bit.ly/3Yg1Uk9 Watch the “Ultimate Human Podcast” every Tuesday & Thursday at 9AM EST: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPQYX8 Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RQftU0 Connect with Gary Brecka: Instagram: https://bit.ly/3RPpnFs TikTok: https://bit.ly/4coJ8fo X.com: https://bit.ly/3Opc8tf Facebook: https://bit.ly/464VA1H LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4hH7Ri2 Website: https://bit.ly/4eLDbdU Merch: https://bit.ly/4aBpOM1 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/47ejrws Ask Gary: https://bit.ly/3PEAJuG Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:37 Most Harmful Chemicals in Deodorants 03:55 Health Risks from these Chemicals 04:34 Evolution of Deodorants 07:12 The Action Plan The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The Content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 1: Are natural deodorants healthier or just a fad?
Are natural deodorants actually healthier or just another wellness fad? Antiperspirants alter your armpits natural bacterial balance causing odor rebound and skin issues. A CDC study found parabens in 99% of Americans urine samples and these are linked to early puberty, reproductive issues, and even possibly breast tumors.
Chapter 2: What harmful chemicals are in conventional deodorants?
Conventional sticks carry toxins linked to hormone disruption, cellular damage, and increased cancer risks. Hidden behind the word fragrance, phylates help scents linger, but they block testosterone signaling, which impacts fertility, development, and even asthma in children. And then there are the cancer risks.
Chapter 3: What are the health risks associated with these chemicals?
Benzene, talc, aluminum, each linked in studies to increase cancer risks, especially breast and ovarian cancers. Switching to natural obstinance isn't just about smelling fresh, it's about empowering your health. So what does this mean for your body? Are natural deodorants actually healthier? Hello, and welcome to the Ultimate Human Podcast.
Chapter 4: What is the evolution of deodorants?
I'm your host, human biologist, Gary Brekka, and today we're diving into a question that hits you right in the armpits, literally. Are natural deodorants actually healthier or just another wellness fad? If you've ever wondered about aluminum, parabens, or that mysterious fragrance hiding in your deodorant and how these ingredients could secretly be sabotaging your health, you're in the right spot.
Chapter 5: What is the action plan for switching to natural deodorants?
So first, let's talk about the toxic cocktail hiding under your arms. Most conventional deodorants contain chemicals developed decades ago in labs, not in kitchens. Here's a quick breakdown of the most harmful chemicals you'll find in a lot of our underarm deodorants. Aluminum compounds. These metals plug your sweat glands and are used in antiperspirants to stop perspiration. Effective?
Yes, but at what cost? Aluminum accumulates in our bodies and it isn't benign. Research by Dr. Philippe Darby found aluminum linked to genomic instability in human breast cells, potentially promoting tumor growth. Over half of all breast cancers occur near the underarm or axillary region. Is that a coincidence or maybe a clue? Now, there are parabens.
These are cheap preservatives that mimic estrogen in our bodies, disrupting our hormonal balance. A CDC study found parabens in 99% of Americans' urine samples, and these are linked to early puberty, reproductive issues, and even possibly breast tumors. There's something called triclosan.
Originally a hospital-grade antibacterial agent, triclosan is an endocrine disruptor linked to lower thyroid hormone levels and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Though banned from soaps by the FDA, it still sneaks into deodorants. And then there are phthalates.
Hidden behind the word fragrance, phthalates help scents linger, but they block testosterone signaling, which impacts fertility, development, and even asthma in children. And then there's polypropylene glycol. This is derived from petroleum. This ingredient smooths the application, but it can irritate your skin and stress out your liver and your kidneys with repeated exposure. Fragrances.
The black box of deodorants. Companies do not have to disclose its contents. This mystery blend often hides allergens, phthalates, and volatile organic compounds linked to headaches, allergies, and even asthma. And then there are the silicas and the talcs. These moisture absorbers come with inhalation risk, lung irritation, and potential asbestos contamination, especially in talcs.
And then there's sterith chemicals and aerosol propellants. Ethoxylated emulsifiers like sterith-20 can contain carcinogenic contaminants like 1,4-dioxane. Aerosols use butane, which is linked to benzene, a known carcinogen in recent recalls. These ingredients aren't rare. They're in brands you know and trust. You're not just stopping sweat.
You're dosing yourself with an ongoing chemical experiment. So what does this mean for your body? Well, it could mean hormone chaos because endocrine disruptors like parabens and phthalates confuse your body's hormone signaling, leading to issues from weight gain to reproductive health. There's even mitochondrial sabotage.
Aluminum damages mitochondria, and these are your cells' energy factories, creating oxidative stress, fatigue, and even cognitive decline. And then there are the cancer risks. Benzene, talc, aluminum, each linked in studies to increase cancer risks, especially breast and ovarian cancers. And then there's the whole microbiome mayhem.
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