Q. I
have read that aluminum seems to be associated with Alzheimer’s
disease. Could the aluminum in antiperspirants increase the risk? What else can you use to reduce underarm sweating and odor?
A. The aluminum-Alzheimer’s connection has been debated for decades. Although there is no definitive proof, scientists have linked elevated levels of aluminum to the development of dementia (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, May, 2007).
It is not clear whether enough aluminum is absorbed from antiperspirants to pose a problem. There are options without aluminum, however. Some readers find that milk of magnesia applied to the underarm makes a safe and effective deodorant.
One person reports: “I am allergic to every kind of antiperspirant and commercial deodorant. I heard about milk of magnesia and have been using it very successfully for about six years. There is no smell or residue on clothing.”
