Can your nail polish double your risk of diabetes?

What does your nail polish have to do with diabetes?

The same thing your soap, hair spray, perfume, and other beauty products have to do with it.

They could boost your risk of diabetes.

The culprit in these products is a type of chemical called phthalates. Now, we already knew that phthalates were anything but innocent. In fact, they impact hormone levels and can impair reproductive health. They’ve been banned in some kids’ toys, but still lurk in places like flooring.

In this recent study, researchers analyzed urine samples from 2,350 women from across the country. They found that women with the highest concentrations of two kinds of phthalates in their bodies were nearly twice as likely to develop diabetes as the women with the lowest levels of the chemicals. Other types of phthalates were linked to a 60 percent and a 70 percent increase in risk.

The scary thing is phthalates aren’t really regulated despite the clear risk they pose to your health. So they will likely remain in many of the products lining the shelves at the drugstore, regardless of the evidence that we should all steer clear.

There are, however, companies that sell phthalate-free products. Search online to find them, or ask at your local Whole Foods store.

P.S. This disturbing news about phthalates might have you looking to clean off your vanity. Why not replace those expensive products with the 30-second beauty solution from our affiliate NorthStar Nutritionals that will leave you feeling downright luminous? Click here to learn more.

Sources:
“Study Ties Chemicals in Beauty Products to Women’s Diabetes Risk,” Medline Plus (nlm.nih.gov)