Cosmetics may be linked to increased risk of diabetes

New research shows that women with high levels of phthalates, which are found in many cosmetic products, have an increased risk of diabetes. Another new study shows that women who regularly use some cosmetics have higher levels of phthalates.

Research conducted by Dr. Jessie P. Buckley and colleagues, and published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology revealed that women who use nail polish have higher levels of mono-butyl phthalate compared to those who don’t use it. Women who regularly use makeup had higher levels of mono-benzyl phthalate. These two phthalate metabolites were recently associated with a higher risk of diabetes in women. The study by Dr.Tamarra James-Todd of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, was published in the journal Environmental Health Prospectives and shows that women with the highest levels of mono-benzyl phthalate had almost twice the odds of diabetes. Having higher levels of some other phthalates was also linked to a very high increased risk of diabetes. Some phthalates were also associated with high levels of fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance Other recent research has also shown a correlation between blood phthalate levels and diabetes risk. Phthalates don’t need to be labeled on a product in Canada.