In a review published on March 27, 2018 in the peer-reviewed journal Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Karolina Nowak and colleagues from the Medical University of Bialystok, Poland, summarized evidence on the endocrine effects of popular chemical preservatives, parabens.
Current literature suggests that parabens act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), with estrogenic effects reported most often. In animal models, parabens interfere with the functioning of multiple organs and processes in the body, including both male and female reproduction, as well as thyroid system. Some experimental evidence also suggests a link between parabens and obesity, but also hormone-related cancers. However, some of the effects observed in animals “did not find a confirmation in human studies” so far. The authors further note that more studies looking into the impact of parabens on the immune system and nervous system are needed in order to better characterize the potential human health risk.
Read more
Vanessa Zainzinger (April 12, 2018). “Study casts doubt on paraben hormone effects in humans.” Chemical Watch
Reference
Nowak, K., et al. (2018). “Parabens and their effects on the endocrine system.” Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (published March 27, 2018).
