As per our soap advertisements, most soaps in India kill 99.9% of germs (Ha! the lucky 0.1%) and that their claims are validated by the top research agencies, from India and abroad. These ads also tell us to use faster handwashes and anti-bacterial soaps, lotions, detergents to keep us safe.
But recently, a study at a Korean University, indicated that regular soaps also do the same thing (Read article here), and with much less fanfare. The study was actually focused on Triclosan, one of the ingredients that are used for providing anti-bacterial protection - and which is currently under the scanner because some studies have linked it to anti-biotic resistance and hormonal problems.
And that is another issue creating headlines in India. Rising incidences of hormonal problems (read previous blog on the same) and Anti-biotic Resistance. India has the second highest count of MDR -TB (Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis) patients and is one of the three countries with cases of THE newly identified TDR-TB (Totally Drug Resistant TB).
We now have adulterated milk, groceries with pesticides and chickens injected with anti-biotics that are harming our immune system and making us more resistant to drugs. In such a world, do we really need anti-bacterial products with controversial ingredients to keep us safer?
While at school, I remember noticing that the healthiest children were always those who ate street food, played in the mud'n'muck and skipped the family doctor visit for minor ailments. Their bodies were also exposed to the same germs as ours, but their bodies developed immunity on their own - the hard way. Don't you wonder sometimes that being too careful may be too bad?
Related articles:
3. That Glass of Milk, more deadly than Healthy! this one on Milk is pretty controversial.
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