The pandemic of 2020 saw a dramatic increase in the use of antibacterial products to decrease the spread of harmful bacteria. In 2021, antibacterial products generated $25.10 billion and may exceed $32.36 billion.

While widespread, excessive use of these products could harm a person’s health. Here are some of the top dangers of overusing antibacterial products.

Dangerous Ingredients

Also known as antimicrobial or antiseptics, antibacterial soaps are marketed as better than traditional soaps, specifically designed to kill germs and bacteria that make people sick. However, the FDA has banned many hand sanitizer ingredients and urged consumers to avoid hand sanitizer products containing the following components:

• Methanol
• 1-propanol
• Benzene
• Acetaldehyde
• Acetal
• Triclosan
• Triclocarban

As a first option, the FDA recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, “especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that consumers use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol if soap and water are unavailable.

Antibacterial Product Dangers

Excessive use of antibacterial products may contribute to the following health issues:

Antimicrobial Resistance

Frequent use of hand sanitizers may increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance. [2] Some of the germs and bacteria survive when using these products, creating new strains that become drug resistant. Therefore, creating the need for stronger and potentially more dangerous antibacterial products to kill the germs.

Another study shows soaps containing triclosan “were no more effective” than plain soap at preventing infectious illness symptoms and reducing bacterial levels on the hands. [3]

Increased Allergies in Children

Studies on allergies in children found an increased risk of allergic symptoms and antimicrobial product exposure. The top allergic reactions were wheezing, allergic rhinitis, and eczema. [4] Scientists hypothesize that increased antibacterial products reduce a young person’s exposure to various germs, causing their immune systems to become hypersensitive to both good and bad bacteria.

Weakened Immune System

Studies indicate that triclosan, a commonly used antibacterial product, may negatively affect human immune function. [5] In addition to killing bad bacteria, antibacterial products like triclosan also kill good bacteria. This can weaken the immune system because good bacteria protect the body from bad bacteria that cause sickness and disease.

The same researchers note proper immune function plays a key role in a person’s long-term health:

• Individuals with childhood asthma could have an increased risk of developing lung cancer
• A weakened immune system has been linked to dementia in those aged 87 and older

Disruption to the Gut Microbiome

Triclosan has been used in hand sanitizers, toothpaste, and other personal care products since the 1960s. While banned from hand sanitizers, products advertised as having “antimicrobial protection” may still contain triclosan. This could include products such as toothpaste, mouthwashes, non-prescription drugs, cosmetics, and kitchenware.  

Triclosan is absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes and is in human plasma, breast milk, and human tissues. Triclosan can impact the gut microbiome: [6]

• Large exposure to triclosan could cause a large drop in short-chain fatty acid composition.
• Evidence links triclosan to colonic diseases in animals.
• Triclosan also decreases gut diversity levels.
• Triclosan disrupted fatty-acid synthesis, disrupting cell membranes' growth and preventing the growth and division of bacteria and fungi.

Improving Gut Health

The negative impacts of triclosan on gut health may be reversible through dietary changes and supplementation. One way to improve gut health is by eliminating sugar, processed foods, and artificial ingredients from the diet. You can improve your gut health by consuming the following:

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Dark chocolate
• Miso
• Collagen
• Sauerkraut
• Apple cider vinegar
• Coffee
• Garlic
• Coconut oil
• Wild salmon

Studies have linked the following health conditions to poor gut health: [7]

• Anxiety
• Chronic heart disease
• Autism
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Obesity
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Allergies
• Depression
• Dementia

Top Products For Gut Health

In addition to eating the proper foods, supplements are also available to help improved gut health:

ION For Gut Health - 32oz Bottle & Nasal Spray Bundle

ION For Gut Health is a mineral supplement that has been shown to protect the gut wall from dangerous toxins and help heal the gut. This supplement contains purified water, trace amounts of mineral amino acid complexes, and the mineral Terrahydrite, aqueous humic substances that are carbon-rich and alkaline.

These substances have been used for centuries to assist with the following:

• Increased nutrient uptake in plants and soil
• Strengthen the immune system
• Help decrease mineral deficiencies 

In addition to containing Terrahydrites, ION For Gut Health helps to protect and support the gastrointestinal tract from various toxins that come from our food and environment:

• Allergenic foods such as gluten
• GMO’s
• Pesticides and herbicides in the food supply
• Antibiotics from factory-farmed products

ION For Gut Health has been scientifically proven to heal the tight junctions in the gut with no harmful side effects.

ION* Gut Support For Pets

In addition to gut support for humans, we also have ION* Gut Support For Pets. Nearly 67% of American homes have pets, with 95% of pet owners considering their pets as family members. This product offers the same benefits provided in ION For Gut Health, helping to protect our pets from environmental toxins and keep their gut microbiome healthy.

Summary

The use of hand sanitizers and other antibacterial products has increased dramatically since 2020. Unfortunately, studies indicate the overuse of these products could harm a person’s health. Therefore, the CDC and FDA recommend using soap and water as your first option, and you should use antibacterial products sparingly.

References:

[1]Antibacterial Products Market Forecast, 2028 | Industry Report. Report ID: MN17620337  |  Published: January 2022. https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/global-antibacterial-products-market

[2] Huda Ahmed Alghamdi. A Need To Combat COVID-19; Herbal Disinfection Techniques, Formulations And Preparations Of Human Health Friendly Hand Sanitizers.  Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021 Jul; 28(7): 3943–3947. Published online 2021 Apr 9. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.03.077. [PMID: 33850423]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8032473/

[3] Allison E Aiello, Elaine L Larson, Stuart B Levy. Consumer Antibacterial Soaps: Effective Or Just Risky?  Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Sep 1;45 Suppl 2:S137-47. doi: 10.1086/519255. [PMID: 17683018]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17683018/

[4] Soyoung Hong,1,2 Ho-Jang Kwon,3 Won-Jun Choi, (et al).  Association Between Exposure To Antimicrobial Household Products And Allergic Symptoms.  Environ Health Toxicol  v.29; 2014  PMC4243727. [PMID: 25420879]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4243727/

[5] Erin M. Rees Clayton, Megan Todd, Jennifer Beam Dowd, (et al). The Impact of Bisphenol A and Triclosan on Immune Parameters in the U.S. Population, NHANES 2003–2006.  March 2011https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1002883. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1002883

[6] Karley K. Mahalak, Jenni Firrman, Jung-Jin Lee, (et al). Triclosan Has A Robust, Yet Reversible Impact On Human Gut Microbial Composition In Vitro.   PLoS One. 2020; 15(6): e0234046. Published online 2020 Jun 25. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234046. [PMID: 32585680]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7316517/

[7] Yu-Jie Zhang,1 Sha Li,2 Ren-You Gan, (et al).  Impacts of Gut Bacteria on Human Health and Diseases.  Int J Mol Sci  v.16(4); 2015 Apr PMC4425030. [PMID: 25849657].  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425030/