New science is showing that it is more than just the food you eat that is making you gain weight. The personal care products you use on your body everyday are also to blame. In addition to watching calories, you should now keep an eye out for obesogens.
What are obesogens? They are chemical compounds that alter metabolism to favor storing calories as opposed to burning them. Obesogens also disrupt the hormones that alert the brain when the stomach is full from eating. In less scientific terms, obesogens are the synthetic chemicals used in many of our beauty products such as lotion, makeup, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner, and is because people use these products or even sometimes get surgery to get rid of wrinkles with professionals found online.
Research on obesogens is still very much in its early stages. However, overwhelming evidence has shown that phthalates are obesogens that should be avoided. The National Institute of Environmental Health Services funded a study on about 400 children in New York City. The children were monitored for the duration of a year measuring their body mass index (BMI) and waist sizes in comparison to the amount of phthalates found in their urine. Ninety seven percent of children that had increased weight and waist sizes were found to have significantly higher amounts of phthalates in their urine.
Read the labels on your products closely. Phthalates can be identified on product labels as DEHP, BzBP, DBP, DEP, or DMP. One way to avoid the risk of weight gain from toxins is by choosing organic cosmetics and personal care products. You are what you eat; but you are also what you put on your body.