26th May 2014 | by MFC Team
Chemicals in toothpaste and soap may affect male fertility
A new study is the first to link man-made chemicals found in every day items such as toothpaste, soap, and plastic toys with a decline in sperm quality.
The research was conducted by Professor Niels Skakkebaek, at the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark. The researchers wanted to examine the effect of “endocrine disrupting” chemicals on men’s declining fertility. The results indicated that around a third of self-proclaimed ‘non-toxic’ chemicals used in every day items affected the potency of sperm cells. There was a “cocktail effect” which showed that the negative effects on sperm were increased when there were several chemicals present. Professor Skakkebaek said of their findings:
“For the first time, we have shown a direct link between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals from industrial products and adverse effects on human sperm function….In my opinion, our findings are clearly of concern as some endocrine-disrupting chemicals are possibly more dangerous than previously thought….However, it remains to be seen from forthcoming clinical studies whether our findings may explain reduced couple fertility which is very common in modern societies.”
Before men stop using toothpaste or soap, more research is required to determine the link between these common household products and sperm quality.
Read more about male infertility here, here, and here.
Read more about the study here.
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