Sunscreen thyroid effect concerns

[Guest guest]

* Sunscreen thyroid effect concerns** Fears have been raised about the potential of sunscreens to disrupt the balance of thyroid hormones. *German researchers found rats exposed to the sunscreen chemical 4MBC had raised levels of thyroid stimulating hormones and heavier thyroid glands.The gland sits in the neck and produces hormones to regulate metabolism.If thyroid levels are altered it can cause lethargy, but Charite University said more research was needed to see if this also happened in humans.Another chemical benzophenone 2 was also found to alter thyroid hormone levels, but the effect was reversed by other chemicals present in sunscreens.*The last thing I'd say to anyone just now is to stop using sunscreens, but less extensive direct sun exposure might be better *Professor f Kohrle, lead researcherOne in 50 people - mainly women - are affected by altered hormone levels.Lead researcher Professor f Kohrle said more research was needed to test the findings, which were presented to the European Congress of Endocrinology."These are initial studies which show that UV(ultra-violet light)-absorbing chemicals in sunscreens have an effect on animals, so we need to test these findings in humans before coming to too many safety conclusions."We also need to bear in mind that sunscreens have a beneficial effect in protecting against skin cancer, and so the last thing I'd say to anyone just now is to stop using sunscreens, but less extensive direct sun exposure might be better."Dr Prakash Abraham, of the British Thyroid Association, said the findings were interesting but agreed people should not be put off using sunscreens just yet."I have not heard of this happening before, more research is needed."Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/5062860.stm

[Guest guest]

Oh great! Avoid the sun in South Florida in the summer! Easy for these people in England to say!

I use sunscreen daily, it is in all my moisturizers. Faith rarely goes outside without it. I had basal cell skin cancer on my nose last year so now wear clear zinc ozide daily.

Now I have to research and worry about sunscreen!?!

Wish you hadn't told me

ette

-------------- Original message from "Hoppin' Herd of Hares" <feargod@...>: --------------

* Sunscreen thyroid effect concerns** Fears have been raised about the potential of sunscreens to disrupt the balance of thyroid hormones. *German researchers found rats exposed to the sunscreen chemical 4MBC had raised levels of thyroid stimulating hormones and heavier thyroid glands.The gland sits in the neck and produces hormones to regulate metabolism.If thyroid levels are altered it can cause lethargy, but Charite University said more research was needed to see if this also happened in humans.Another chemical benzophenone 2 was also found to alter thyroid hormone levels, but the effect was reversed by other chemicals present in sunscreens.*The last thing I'd say to anyone just now is to stop using sunscreens, but less extensive direct sun exposure might be better *Professor f Kohrle, lead researcherOne in 50 people - main

ly women - are affected by altered hormone levels.Lead researcher Professor f Kohrle said more research was needed to test the findings, which were presented to the European Congress of Endocrinology."These are initial studies which show that UV(ultra-violet light)-absorbing chemicals in sunscreens have an effect on animals, so we need to test these findings in humans before coming to too many safety conclusions."We also need to bear in mind that sunscreens have a beneficial effect in protecting against skin cancer, and so the last thing I'd say to anyone just now is to stop using sunscreens, but less extensive direct sun exposure might be better."Dr Prakash Abraham, of the British Thyroid Association, said the findings were interesting but agreed people should not be put off using sunscreens just yet."I have not heard of this happening before, more research is needed."Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/5062860.stm

[Guest guest]

More and more negative things are being said regarding sunscreen!!! I think this might be a case of the 'cure being worse then the disease' ???

Mercola has a lot of interesting info on the sun. The sun is good for you. We NEED sun exposure, it's sun burn that causes all the problems. I try to limit the amount we use and use it only when we are out in the middle of the day for a long period.....

Also Miriam, on ES, had posted a link between titanium dioxide and leukemia in DS. Seems people with DS retain titanium dioxide at a higher rate then typical people do. They just can't ditch it and it stays in their systems. Not good news as it's EVERYWHERE... but some sunscreens use it as the primary ing to block out the sun.

I did a short search, but couldn't find anything.

I did find this interesting article though and the site had more interesting reading - http://www.wellnessfoods.ca/sec2_febNews.htm

Preservatives - Should We Avoid Them? There has long been a debate as to whether additives and preservatives actually are bad for us. And while the answer isn't clear for everyone, it is becoming more apparent for those with increased intestinal permeability (what has become known as a “leaky gut”).

Over the last few years, researchers out of the UK have been looking at the reactions to “normal” tiny food particles, known as microparticles, amongst those with Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Microparticles were found in white blood cells that engulf other cells or foreign material. A study in 2000 also showed that these particular white blood cells in the gut were stimulated by microparticles in people with Crohn's and UC, but not for people without disease. 1 In other words, these seemingly harmless microparticles stimulated the immune system in people with these bowel diseases. The study also notes that the “urban” diet has high levels of microparticles and contaminants.

Following up on this important lab finding, a study was done on the efficacy of avoiding these microparticles, particularly titanium dioxide and aluminosilicates. 2 Titanium dioxide is a whitening substance that is used in everything from candies, cheeses, and toothpastes to over-the-counter medications. Aluminosicilicates are substances that are used to prevent caking in most baked goods. The study's diet avoided all processed meats, fish, cheese, and candies. All fruits and vegetables were also washed and peeled so as to avoid soil residue on the skins.

This one study, although very small, generated such positive results that it is worth outlining:

-- 20 people took part. All had active Crohn's disease. Ten were placed on a control diet and ten on the low microparticle diet.

-- In the low microparticle diet there was a significant decrease in disease activity and seven of ten people were in remission at the end of the study.

-- In contrast, the control group had the same disease activity as when they started and none were in remission.

So why the good results? This diet could work for a number of reasons. It could be the reduction of any number of particles in processed foods, not just titanium dioxide and the aluminosilicates. Additionally, by avoiding skins, people are having a lower residue diet and one that is bacteria free. Interestingly, this might be why some other very restrictive diets - Gottschall's Specific Carbohydrate as one of them – actually work. In these diets, you make almost everything from scratch and avoid all processed food.

1. JJ et al. Immune potentiation of ultra fine dietary particles in normal subjects and patients with inflammatory bowel disease. J Autoimmun 14(1):99-105. 2000.

2. Mahmud N, Weir DG. Effectiveness of micro nutrient free diet: The urban diet and Crohn's disease is there a relationship? Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 13(2):101-6. 2001.

Lomer MC, RP, JJ. Fine and ultrafine particles of the diet: influence on the mucosal immune response and association with Crohn's disease. Proc Nutr Soc. 2002

--Carol in IL

[Guest guest]

Sunscreen thyroid effect concerns

Fears have been raised about the potential of sunscreens to disrupt the

balance of thyroid hormones.

German researchers found rats exposed to the sunscreen chemical 4MBC had

raised levels of thyroid stimulating hormones and heavier thyroid glands.

The gland sits in the neck and produces hormones to regulate metabolism.

If thyroid levels are altered it can cause lethargy, but Charite University

said more research was needed to see if this also happened in humans.

Another chemical benzophenone 2 was also found to alter thyroid hormone

levels, but the effect was reversed by other chemicals present in

sunscreens.

The last thing I'd say to anyone just now is to stop using sunscreens, but

less extensive direct sun exposure might be better

Professor f Kohrle, lead researcher

One in 50 people - mainly women - are affected by altered hormone levels.

Lead researcher Professor f Kohrle said more research was needed to test

the findings, which were presented to the European Congress of

Endocrinology.

" These are initial studies which show that UV(ultra-violet light)-absorbing

chemicals in sunscreens have an effect on animals, so we need to test these

findings in humans before coming to too many safety conclusions.

" We also need to bear in mind that sunscreens have a beneficial effect in

protecting against skin cancer, and so the last thing I'd say to anyone just

now is to stop using sunscreens, but less extensive direct sun exposure

might be better. "

Dr Prakash Abraham, of the British Thyroid Association, said the findings

were interesting but agreed people should not be put off using sunscreens

just yet.

" I have not heard of this happening before, more research is needed. "

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/5062860.stm

Published: 2006/06/10 23:12:43 GMT

© BBC MMVI