In recent years, more people have been looking for aluminum-free deodorants and antiperspirants. This change is partly due to concerns that aluminum may have harmful health effects. One of these health concerns is Alzheimer’s disease.

Questions around aluminum exposure and Alzheimer’s disease first emerged in the 1960s, and scientists have studied the link for decades. The general agreement is that aluminum exposure is not a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. This article will explain where these worries came from and what research says about aluminum and Alzheimer’s.

What Is Aluminum?

Aluminum is a metal found naturally in air, water, soil, and even in our bodies. Because aluminum is so common, we can’t completely avoid it. It is used to make foil, cans, and other items. It is also found in products like cosmetics and antiperspirants.

Deodorants are used to mask odor and help you smell fresh, while antiperspirants reduce sweat and help you stay dry. Some products do both. Aluminum is the main ingredient in antiperspirants that block sweat glands to reduce sweating.

It’s important to know that while aluminum in antiperspirants can be absorbed through the skin, the amount is very small. Additionally, the amount of aluminum the body can absorb is limited. Healthy kidneys filter out any extra aluminum from the body.

History of the Aluminum and Alzheimer’s Link

The idea that aluminum could be harmful to health started as early as the 1910s. At the time, people blamed aluminum for heart disease, digestive problems, cancer, and neurological disorders. The specific concern that aluminum might cause Alzheimer’s disease (known as the aluminum hypothesis) began in the 1960s.

The aluminum hypothesis is based on three findings that showed that aluminum in the brains of rabbits led to cognitive losses. The cognitive problems were linked to neurofibrillary tangles, which happen when too much protein builds up in the neurons. At first, these tangles looked similar to those found in people with Alzheimer’s. However, further research from those scientists showed differences in those tangles, and other investigators found them to be completely different. Since then, scientists have rejected the Alzheimer’s hypothesis.

Modern Research on Alzheimer’s and Aluminum

Some studies suggest that high levels of heavy metals in certain areas of the brain can negatively affect cognitive function and the nervous system. However, there is no strong scientific evidence linking aluminum to Alzheimer’s. There have been no studies specifically exploring the link between using aluminum-based antiperspirants and Alzheimer’s.

Studies show that aluminum buildup in the brain may be harmful. One idea is that aluminum may cause oxidative stress, which happens when there are too many free radicals and not enough antioxidants. This stress can damage brain cells and may lead to cognitive decline.

More research is needed to find out whether high levels of heavy metals, like aluminum, contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative diseases or if they make existing risk factors worse. Scientists are also looking at other trace elements, such as copper, calcium, lead, and mercury, to see if they are connected to Alzheimer’s Disease.

What Major Health Organizations Say About Alzheimer’s and Aluminum

Most major health organizations agree that aluminum exposure through everyday items, such as antiperspirants and pots and pans, is not a cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association states that it’s a myth that using aluminum-containing products causes Alzheimer’s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that exposure to large amounts of aluminum (like that experienced by workers who inhale aluminum) can pose health risks. However, the CDC says that it is still unclear whether aluminum exposure directly leads to Alzheimer’s. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that the amounts of aluminum in medicines and foods are usually safe.

Aluminum in Antiperspirants

Some people may still worry about using aluminum-based antiperspirants on their underarms because they think aluminum might absorb through the skin. However, research shows that absorption through the armpit is very low.

A 2020 study measured how much aluminum is absorbed through the skin. It found that there was no major increase of aluminum in the blood after using antiperspirants daily for 14 days. Another study showed that when using antiperspirants, a lot of aluminum was rubbed off onto T-shirts and clothing during use. The CDC says that exposure to such small amounts of aluminum is not harmful. The FDA states that antiperspirants are safe and effective. The FDA also sets the guidelines for the amount of aluminum that antiperspirants are allowed to contain.

Should You Use Aluminum-Free Deodorant?

Choosing to use aluminum-free deodorants is a personal decision. Remember, deodorants only help you smell fresh, but they do not stop sweating. If reducing sweat is important to you, aluminum-based antiperspirants are safe to use.

Known Risk Factors for Developing Alzheimer’s

Besides aluminum, research has explored other possible causes of Alzheimer’s, including sleep positions and certain cholesterol medications. It’s important to know that scientists have not found a single cause of Alzheimer’s.

While there is no one cause of Alzheimer’s that you can control, there are some known risk factors that may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s:

• Age — Being older is the biggest risk factor. Most people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older.
• Family history — If you have family members with Alzheimer’s, you are more likely to develop it too.
• Other health conditions — People who have had head injuries and certain medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure also have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Living a healthy lifestyle — with good nutrition, sleep, exercise, and mental activity — can help reduce your risk factors for Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. If you have those risk factors or are concerned about developing Alzheimer’s, talk to your health care provider.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s.

Are you worried about your risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s? Have you changed your deodorant or antiperspirant because of concerns about aluminum? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.