Triclosan is an antibacterial ingredient subject of huge criticism in recent years
Trials on mice revealed triclosan may lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
IBD – the umbrella term for colitis and Crohn’s – is a risk factor of bowel cancer
An ‘unavoidable’ chemical used in soap and Colgate toothpaste may boost the risk of bowel cancer, scientists fear.
Trials on mice revealed triclosan may lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by altering their gut microbiota.
IBD – the umbrella term for the agonising colitis and Crohn’s disease – is a known risk factor of deadly bowel cancer.
Triclosan triggered inflammation in the colons of mice – a cause of both conditions, according to University of Massachusetts Amherst scientists.
The trial gives the first evidence that triclosan – which is not banned in the UK but is banned in some products in the US – can have adverse effects on gut health.
Doctors today called for ‘urgent’ investigations to determine the health effects of the ingredient because it is still so widely used.
The chemical can be detected in 75 per cent of urine samples, according to the results of a recent US Government survey.
Food and Drug Administration officials banned the use of triclosan in soap and body washes two years ago. No such ban exists in the UK.
They declared antibacterial soaps containing triclosan were no more effective than hot water and regular soap at killing bugs.
However, it can still be found in more than 2,000 products, including toothpastes – such as Colgate Total – and even children’s toys.
Animal studies have shown triclosan can potentially alter hormone systems in both men and women and led to miscarriages in female rats.
HOW DANGEROUS IS TRICLOSAN?
Food and Drug Administration officials banned the use of triclosan in soap and body washes two years ago. No such ban exists in the UK.
They declared antibacterial soaps containing triclosan were no more effective than hot water and regular soap at killing bugs.
However, it can still be found in more than 2,000 products, including toothpastes – such as Colgate Total – and even children’s toys.
Animal studies have shown triclosan can potentially alter hormone systems in both men and women and led to miscarriages in female rats.
Other trials have linked it to fueling antibiotic resistance – considered by some experts to be a bigger threat to humanity than global warming.
Other trials have linked it to fueling antibiotic resistance – considered by some experts to be a bigger threat to humanity than global warming.
The new experiment, published in Science Translational Medicine, adds to a body of emerging evidence that shows it can damage gut health.
Mice were exposed to low amounts of triclosan for a short period of time before they were analysed by researchers.
Scans revealed the ingredient caused them low-grade colonic inflammation and worsened colitis – one form of IBD.
Further inspections showed it also exaggerated colitis-associated colon cancer.
Dr Guodong Zhang, senior author of the study, said: ‘These results, for the first time, suggest triclosan could have adverse effects on gut health.’
Haixia Yang, co-author, said because this compound is so widely used ‘there is an urgent need’ to evaluate its impact on gut health.
He explained the results could open doors for further regulation over triclosan.
Hang Xiao, another co-author of the study, said: ‘Treatment with triclosan significantly increased disease development of IBD in the mice.’
He suggested ‘IBD patients may need to reduce exposure to this compound.’ Figures suggest the condition strikes around 300,000 people in the UK and 1.6 million in the US.
The scientists were supported by a team from five different US universities, including Harvard, and two from China.
Source: Daily Mail
