My Trip To Africa--An Eye Opener
I flew to Cape Town, South Africa back in February of this year. I was so excited to finally step foot on the Motherland! However, it was strongly recommended that I take several vaccinations prior to my departure. I was leery of this, but I was also scared that if I didn't take it, I could contract a disease or illness that I couldn't get rid of. My best friend Risa warned me about vaccinations, but I figured it was better safe than sorry. "To hell with it! I will get'em," I said. I ended up getting Hepatitis A/B shots, tetanus, typhoid fever, and took oral pills for yellow fever. It was all good. The good thing is, I didn't get sick while I was over there. I didn't drink the water nor did I eat any raw vegetables. But a few weeks after I got back, I couldn't fight off minor illnesses that normally I would have been able to fight. I've NEVER had a fever blister in my entire life, and I got my first one (and hopefully my LAST one) after I took those vaccinations. I researched what is in vaccinations and based on the Center of Disease Control (click here for more information) one of the potential ingredients that startled me (amongst other things) was aluminum...why in the hell would aluminum be in vaccinations? I started doing a little more research on aluminum. You sitting down?
The Link Between Aluminum and Breast Cancer
Clinical studies have shown that aluminum in antiperspirants can potentially cause breast cancer. First of all, y'all, we are supposed to sweat under our arms! I, too, grew up using antiperspirant and did not like sweating. But sweating is one way to release toxins from your body. According to Philippa Darbre, an oncologist at the University of Reading in the U.K., aluminum is typically found in antiperspirants and can cause "gene instability" in breast tissue. This can cause changes that may promote the growth of tumors or cancer cells. Studies show that over 50% of breast cancers start in the upper outer quadrant of the breast (the underarm region). Click here for more details. There are several antiperspirants on the market (that we use) that contain aluminum. Two that I know of are Secret and Degree. One of my doctors told me years ago to discontinue using those deodorants because of the potential breast cancer issue.
Alternative Deodorants that Do Not Contain Aluminum
Tom's Deodorant for Women is a really good brand that I use. It lasts all day (for me anyway), and it does NOT contain aluminum. They also have this deodorant for Men too.
There are other brands that do not contain aluminum as well, such as Jasons and Arm and Hammer.
The Link Between Aluminum and Alzheimer's/Dementia
Studies have shown that there is a direct link between long-term exposure to aluminum and developing Alzheimer's and Dementia. Long-term exposure to aluminum can cause adverse effects on the central nervous system. Studies show that among those who suffer from an inherited form of Alzheimer's (called familial Alzheimer's disease) appear to contain significantly higher levels of aluminum in their brains. The study has led researchers to believe that early onset of Alzheimer's is linked to a higher accumulation of aluminum in brain tissue. Click here to read more about this study. I came to a conclusion in all of this: Aluminum is no bueno. Trash. And the crazy thing about this is, the shit is everywhere! We can't escape it, but we can limit our exposure greatly by doing some minor changes:
Avoid Using Aluminum Foil
Yeah I said it! If you stop using aluminum foil, that's one step in the right direction. A healthier alternative to use when cooking or wrapping up your food would be all-natural parchment paper.
Avoid Drinking Out of Aluminum Cans and Canned Goods
Stop drinking out of soda cans and eating canned goods. Choose glass bottles and fresh vegetables if at all possible.
Choose Aluminum-Free Deodorant
When choosing deodorants, make sure you look on the back for the ingredients. If it has aluminum in it, leave it on the shelf!
Avoid Aluminum Pots and Pans
This is so important! The aluminum from the pots and pans seep into your food when you cook (and eventually in your bloodstream). Alternatives to aluminum cookware would be cast iron, copper, glass, or ceramic cookware. Ceramic cookware can be pretty pricey (that's why I purchased mine one pot at a damn time....the kind I wanted, anyway!😂). I also use cast iron pans, which can help if you're iron deficient (like me)!
Do Your Research Before Buying Cookware
Some companies like to advertise that their product is aluminum-free, but in actuality they're not. One company got me like that one time!😂 Do your research and get reviews on the product prior to buying it.
Diatomaceous Earth Can Help Extract Aluminum From the Body
I'm aware that the vaccinations I took may have been toxic to my body. I know the years of exposure I've had to aluminum foil and drinking Pepsis in a can may still be in my body. I researched and found that food grade diatomaceous earth (just one teaspoon a day in a glass of water or a smoothie) can extract aluminum from the body because it contains a high amount of silica (roughly 85%). Silica detoxifies heavy metals from the body, including aluminum. Find out more information on diatomaceous earth here. Make sure it's freshwater food grade (safe to ingest).
I'm NOT a doctor
I'm not a doctor, but I research this stuff all of the time. The evidence on the effects of aluminum to the body is undeniable, so really, what do we have to lose? I don't know about you, but if I'm fortunate to live until I'm an old woman, I still want my memory!
Clinical studies have shown that aluminum in antiperspirants can potentially cause breast cancer. First of all, y'all, we are supposed to sweat under our arms! I, too, grew up using antiperspirant and did not like sweating. But sweating is one way to release toxins from your body. According to Philippa Darbre, an oncologist at the University of Reading in the U.K., aluminum is typically found in antiperspirants and can cause "gene instability" in breast tissue. This can cause changes that may promote the growth of tumors or cancer cells. Studies show that over 50% of breast cancers start in the upper outer quadrant of the breast (the underarm region). Click here for more details. There are several antiperspirants on the market (that we use) that contain aluminum. Two that I know of are Secret and Degree. One of my doctors told me years ago to discontinue using those deodorants because of the potential breast cancer issue.
Alternative Deodorants that Do Not Contain Aluminum
Tom's Deodorant for Women is a really good brand that I use. It lasts all day (for me anyway), and it does NOT contain aluminum. They also have this deodorant for Men too.
 |
| Tom's Aluminum Free Deodorant for Women |
 |
| Tom's Aluminum Free Deodorant for Men |
There are other brands that do not contain aluminum as well, such as Jasons and Arm and Hammer.
The Link Between Aluminum and Alzheimer's/Dementia
Studies have shown that there is a direct link between long-term exposure to aluminum and developing Alzheimer's and Dementia. Long-term exposure to aluminum can cause adverse effects on the central nervous system. Studies show that among those who suffer from an inherited form of Alzheimer's (called familial Alzheimer's disease) appear to contain significantly higher levels of aluminum in their brains. The study has led researchers to believe that early onset of Alzheimer's is linked to a higher accumulation of aluminum in brain tissue. Click here to read more about this study. I came to a conclusion in all of this: Aluminum is no bueno. Trash. And the crazy thing about this is, the shit is everywhere! We can't escape it, but we can limit our exposure greatly by doing some minor changes:
Avoid Using Aluminum Foil
Yeah I said it! If you stop using aluminum foil, that's one step in the right direction. A healthier alternative to use when cooking or wrapping up your food would be all-natural parchment paper.
Avoid Drinking Out of Aluminum Cans and Canned Goods
Stop drinking out of soda cans and eating canned goods. Choose glass bottles and fresh vegetables if at all possible.
Choose Aluminum-Free Deodorant
When choosing deodorants, make sure you look on the back for the ingredients. If it has aluminum in it, leave it on the shelf!
Avoid Aluminum Pots and Pans
This is so important! The aluminum from the pots and pans seep into your food when you cook (and eventually in your bloodstream). Alternatives to aluminum cookware would be cast iron, copper, glass, or ceramic cookware. Ceramic cookware can be pretty pricey (that's why I purchased mine one pot at a damn time....the kind I wanted, anyway!😂). I also use cast iron pans, which can help if you're iron deficient (like me)!
 |
| Copper Cookware |
 |
| Ceramic Cookware |
Some companies like to advertise that their product is aluminum-free, but in actuality they're not. One company got me like that one time!😂 Do your research and get reviews on the product prior to buying it.
Diatomaceous Earth Can Help Extract Aluminum From the Body
I'm aware that the vaccinations I took may have been toxic to my body. I know the years of exposure I've had to aluminum foil and drinking Pepsis in a can may still be in my body. I researched and found that food grade diatomaceous earth (just one teaspoon a day in a glass of water or a smoothie) can extract aluminum from the body because it contains a high amount of silica (roughly 85%). Silica detoxifies heavy metals from the body, including aluminum. Find out more information on diatomaceous earth here. Make sure it's freshwater food grade (safe to ingest).
I'm NOT a doctor
I'm not a doctor, but I research this stuff all of the time. The evidence on the effects of aluminum to the body is undeniable, so really, what do we have to lose? I don't know about you, but if I'm fortunate to live until I'm an old woman, I still want my memory!
Welp, y'all that's it for me. Treena V. is signing off. If you have anything to add, leave a comment below. Stay healthy, my friends! I love us for real!
-The Vegan World Traveler
