Nail polish can cause excess weight: new research

Your favorite brand of nail polish can have a hidden ingredient that can harm your body. Researchers from Duke University (USA) have identified one common ingredient in nail varnish, which can be dangerous, especially for people who often cover their nails with varnish.

Nail polish and excess weight - is there a connection?

Triphenyl phosphate makes the nail polish more flexible and durable. But it is also used for the production of plastic and the protection of furniture from ignition. It is possible that triphenyl phosphate was added to nail varnish in order to replace phthalate, which researchers attributed to reproductive problems. But, apparently, such a replacement did not bring the desired improvement.

Individual studies have shown that triphenyl phosphate disrupts the endocrine system. Tests in animals have shown that this leads to problems with reproductive function and development. In the human body, disruption of the endocrine system can lead to weight gain. But so far this is only a theory, and to make final conclusions, scientists need to conduct additional research.

Triphenyl phosphate is a part of 49% of all varnishes, which were tested by scientists. They also managed to find out that some varnishes contain it, even if it does not appear on the package. In colorless varnishes, its amount is much higher than in color varnishes. Some studies have shown that in the body of women this element accumulates in large quantities than in men. Researchers attribute this to the fact that triphenylphosphate could enter the female body with beauty products.

A new experiment of scientists

The researchers published the results of their work in the journal "Environment". They tested the urine of 26 patients before and after they applied a nail polish that contained 1% triphenyl phosphate. After 2-6 hours after nail coloring, the level of diphenylphosphate was slightly increased in 24 participants - this is a chemical that indicates the results of the decomposition of triphenyl phosphate in the body. After 10-14 hours, the level of diphenylphosphate in all the participants in the experiment increased seven-fold. In participants who used gloves to apply nail varnish on false nails, there was no change in the level of diphenyl phosphate in the body.

The Working Group on the Environment has developed a petition to companies that produce nail polish to remove triphenyl phosphate from its composition. Also on their website was published a list of brands that use this element. Scientists advise to avoid hitting the varnish on the skin around the nails, if you still decide to use the lacquer.