Diabetes-Causing Manicures?

Sarah Jio,Glamour magazine

If you haven't been to the nail salon in a while, here's something to feel good about...

Eeks, not the best news for us girls: New research indicates that chemicals called phthalates, found in many beauty products, including nail polishes, hair sprays and perfume, may increase women's risk of diabetes.

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As a part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers analyzed urine samples from 2,350 women. Those with the highest levels of two types of phthalates, mono-benzyl phthalate and mono-isobutyl phthalate, were nearly two times more likely to have diabetes compared to women with lower amounts of these phthalates. And, worse, women with moderately high levels of two other types of phthalates were 70 percent more likely to have diabetes.

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It's important to note that the researchers could not actually prove definitively that phthalates cause diabetes. Also, more interesting fodder: Phthalates are also found in diabetes medications and medical devices used to treat diabetes. So, again--this is murky.

Still, I would be lying if I said I was completely comfortable with mainstream beauty products all the time. I'm always on the lookout for chemical-free and natural alternatives for my beauty regimen. You?

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What do you think? Does this news make you more apt to avoid so many beauty products or not?

P.S. If you can only eat one thing for gorgeous nails, eat this. And, this is fascinating: Have you heard of face mapping?


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