What are health risks of toothpaste?

January 12, 2022  09:45

Triclosan found in toothpaste and a number of other foods can cause inflammation of the intestines. This is the conclusion reached by an international team of researchers, led by scientists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The results of a study on the health risks of this antibacterial substance are reported in an article published in Nature magazine.

Accordingly, when triclosan enters the gastrointestinal tract, it affects the intestinal microflora—as some bacteria begin to have a detrimental effect, contributing to inflammatory processes. This is because bacteria secrete enzymes such as beta-glucuronidase, which, when it interacts with triclosan, becomes pathogenic for the intestines.

The aforesaid researchers have developed a compound that blocks the metabolic cycle associated with triclosan. Respective experiments on mice have shown that the developed substance prevents damage to the large intestine, and the development of colitis—the inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

The results of this study may help to find new treatment methods for these disorders, which are becoming more and more common in the population.

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