Dr. Mercola October 06 2001 5,026 views
Women who use hair dyes for more than 20 years may be nearly doubling their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to researchers.
Investigators in Sweden also found that smoking, diabetes, and a short period of fertility in women also increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, in which the body's immune system attacks the joints.
On the other hand, higher education levels and hay fever were associated with lower risks of developing the disease.
The researchers report that insulin use in women and previous injury to the joints also increased the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. In men, risk was linked to being born in a household with a private well and exposure to mold and farm animals.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases October 2001;60:934-939
Until I started regularly doing hair analysis in my office last year, I had no idea of how frequently women use hair dyes. In addition to increasing the risk for rheumatoid arthritis, they can also lead to bladder cancer. It would be wise to limit your exposure to most commercial products. Hair dyes like henna, in most health food stores would be a far better choice.
As an aside, if you are a woman under 40 and have gray hair it is usually a result of hypothyroidism and if you have not addressed that issue in your health program it would be wise to do so.
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