Ingredients in Shampoo Have Been Linked to Neuropathy

Promises of more volume, shine, and botanical extracts may lure you in as you browse the shampoo aisle, but you may want to turn your attention to the tiny ingredients lists on the bottles to make sure you’re not choosing a product that will have you showering yourself in a neuro-toxic and carcinogenic chemical every day.

According to a new report from the Center for Environmental Health, dozens of shampoos, soaps, and other personal care products (the nonprofit group tested) contained cocamide diethanolamine, otherwise known as cocamide DEA. The basis of the chemical—coconut oil—seems innocent enough. But scientists tinker with the ingredient, modifying it into an unnatural, toxic form, merely for the purpose  foaming agent.

University of North Carolina researchers found that when Diethanolamine (DEA), a chemical used as a thickening agent in most shampoos, is applied to the skin of pregnant mice, it interferes with their offspring’s normal brain development.

The Common Natural Ingredient You Must Avoid

DEA blocks absorption of the nutrient choline, which is essential to brain development and peripheral nerve function.  Choline deficiencies can lead to peripheral nerve damage, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), insulin resistance, and hypertension.  All of these disorders can result in peripheral nerve damage and nerve pain, also known as peripheral neuropathy.

California listed cocamide DEA as a known carcinogen in 2012 under its Prop 65 law, which requires warning labels on consumer products containing carcinogens or reproductive toxicants.  In fact, The Center for Environmental Health recently filed a California lawsuit against four companies (Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Kohl’s) that sell shampoo and personal care products containing the toxic chemical without a warning label.

 “Most people believe that products sold in major stores are tested for safety, but consumers need to know that they could be doused with a cancer-causing chemical every time they shower or shampoo,” said Michael Green, executive director of the Center for Environmental Health. “We expect companies to take swift action to end this unnecessary risk to our children’s and families’health.”

Some other things uncovered through the center’s independent testing:

  • A store brand children’s bubble bath from Kmart and a children’sshampoo and conditioner from Babies ‘R’ Us also contained cocamide DEA.
  • Falsely labeled organic products from Organic by Africa’s Best also tested for high levels of the cancer-causing chemical
  • One shampoo tested contained a whopping 20% cocamide DEA.

It’s important to know that cocoamide DEA can masquerade under other names, so here’s what you should look out for on all of your personal care labels:

  • Cocamide DEA
  • Cocamide MEA
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine*
  • DEA-Cetyl Phosphate
  • DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate
  • Lauramide DEA
  • Linoleamide MEA
  • Myristamide DEA
  • Oleamide DEA
  • Stearamide MEA
  • TEA-Lauryl Sulfate
  • Triethanolamine

Cocamidopropyl betaine, or CAPB, has been replacing cocamide DEA because it is thought to cause less skin irritations in people who are sensitive; however, it does not reduce the amount of neuro-toxicity or cancer risk.

SHAMPOOS with COCAMIDE DEA

  • Bed Head (TIGI)
  • Biosilk
  • CVS brand shampoos
  • Fekkai
  • Garnier Fructis
  • Head & Shoulders
  • JASON shampoo
  • John Frieda
  • Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo
  • L’Anza
  • Loreal
  • Matrix Biolage
  • Neutrogena
  • Nexxus
  • Nick Chavez
  • Redken
  • Selsun Blue Dandruff
  • TIGI (all shampoos)
  • Tresemme
  • Walgreens brand shampoos (adult & baby)

Additionally, the most common chemical compounds in shampoos are straight-chain alkyl benzene sulfonates. Benzene is a chemical that is responsible for neurological symptoms, headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion and worst of all – oftentimes linked to leukemia and many types of cancers.

Most conventional shampoos contain 1,4-dioxane, a highly toxic carcinogen. According to the California Environmental Protection Agency, 1,4-dioxane is known to cause cancer and may cause kidney, respiratory, and neurological toxicity. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has also stated that 1,4-dioxane is a groundwater contaminant.

MAKE YOUR OWN ORGANIC SHAMPOO

With hundreds of available shampoos on the shelf to buy, why on earth would you consider making your own?  I’m going to give you a few reasons which you won’t be able to refute.

First of all, the FDA  does not regulate what companies put in personal care products.

The majority of large companies like Suave, Pantene and Aussie (to name just a few) use chemicals that have been linked to cancer, nerve damage, immunotoxicity, and allegies.

Secondly, It’s cheaper and doesn’t take any time to make.  That’s correct, you can make your own shampoo in under 5 minutes (no exageration) and save a boat-load of money, too.

RECIPES: Here are some of my favorite recipes for homemade shampoo.

8 oz of Dr. Bronner’s Castille Soap
13 drops Lavender essential oil (EO)
7 drops Peppermint (EO)
7 drops Rosemary (EO)
3 drops Tea Tree Oil

Rosemary Shampoo (stimulates hair growth)

Ingredients:

6 oz Dr. Bronner’s liquid castille soap

15 drops Rosemary essential oil (eo)

10 drops Geranium (eo)

BPA free plastic or glass dispenser bottle

Hydrating Shampoo

1/2 cup coconut milk

2/3 cup Dr. Bronner’s liquid castille soap

15 drops of essential oil of your choice (see below)

2 teaspoons of olive oil

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

1 1/2 cups coconut milk

1/2 cup Dr. Bronners liquid castille soap

1/2 cup purified water

1/2 teaspoon virgin coconut oil

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon baking soda

20 drops Rosemary (eo)

15 drops Tea Tree Oil

1 tablespoon ground fenugreek seeds

BPA free plastic or glass dispenser bottle

Your Own Formulation

6 oz Dr. Bronners Castille Soap (liquid)
Essential oils (EO) of your choice (30 drops, may use single essential oil or multiple oils totaling 30 drops)

Essential Oils for Normal Hair

Lavender
Rosemary
Lemon
Geranium
Cedarwood
Thyme
Clary Sage

Essential Oils for Dry Hair

Lavender
Rosemary
Sandalwood
Geranium

Essential Oils for Oily Hair

Lavender
Rosemary
Lemon
Peppermint
Cypress

Essential Oils for Scalp Flakiness
Rosemary
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleucca
Lemon
Lavender
Cedarwood
Thyme

For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

 

Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Ingredients in Shampoo Have Been Linked to Neuropathy" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Welcome to El Paso's Chiropractic Scientist wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.

Our areas of chiropractic practice include  Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-C, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-C*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807
New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Texas & Multistate 
Texas RN License # 1191402 
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-C, CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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Dr. Alex Jimenez

Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal mobility, posture control, health Instruction, functional fitness, and structural conditioning. In addition, we use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans," Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor, passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility.

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