We are continually exposed to aluminum due to its many uses. It is often used in cooking utensils, containers, appliances, and building materials. It is also used in paints and fireworks; to produce glass, rubber, and ceramics; and in consumer products such as antacids, astringents, buffered aspirin, food additives, and antiperspirants. [4] Another use for aluminum is in water purification, and it can therefore occur in your drinking water.

We inhale aluminum by breathing and ingest aluminum through our food and water. However, aluminum is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract; roughly 0.1% of the dietary intake is absorbed.[5] Studies have show that high level exposure to aluminum affects the lungs, and causes neurological damage. However, this article will focus on aluminum absorption by the skin through the use of antiperspirants.

a 2001 study showed that aluminum was still present in blood samples 15 days after one application of aluminum to the armpit.[7] Consequently, applying aluminum to the skin is a very effective way to get aluminum in your system, and in your brain.

Aluminum was first recognized as a human neurotoxin in 1886 [8], before being used as an antiperspirant.

Aluminum as a Neurotoxin: linked to Alzheimer and other neurological diseases....

Post-mortem analysis of Alzheimer’s infected brains has shown increased levels of aluminum compared to people that did not die from Alzheimer’s

It has been well established that the accumulation of aluminum in the brain can cause neurological disorders [8][5][11][12][13][14][15]. To prevent aluminum accumulation, reduced use of aluminum is of crucial importance. Awareness of aluminum is the primary factor in preventing aluminum induced toxicity.[16]

When using antiperspirants, one only applies very little aluminum to the skin. However, daily use results in chronic exposure to aluminum. One study has asserted that the use of aluminum based antiperspirants increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 60%. [8]