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Washing your hands is probably the best defense you have against contracting and spreading viruses and other germs that can cause disease, especially the dreaded swine flu.

But soap and water are not always available when you need to give your hands a quick cleansing.

Further, if you wash your hands too frequently you can actually extract many of the protective oils in your skin, which can cause your skin to crack and bleed. It is important to realize that your skin is actually your primary defense against bacteria -- not the soap.

It is rare for a germ on your skin to cause a problem -- it is typically only an issue when you transfer germs to your nose, mouth or an open wound like cracked skin. So obsessive-compulsive washing will likely increase your risk of getting sick by providing an entryway for potentially dangerous pathogens.

If your immune system is strong, it should be able to fight off the virus even if it does enter your body, but washing your hands provides that extra barrier of protection.

This is where hand sanitizers can be a great middle ground, allowing you to quickly disinfect your hands -- even if you don’t have access to a sink -- and, if you choose a natural, gentle variety, without damaging your skin.

However, you need to be very careful about the variety of hand sanitizer you choose, as many of the most popular varieties can be toxic to your health.

Almost half of all hand cleansers sold in the United States contain antibacterial compounds. These antibacterial compounds are not only a contributing factor to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but triclosan, the active ingredient in most antibacterial products, has been shown to kill human cells.

Those that contain alcohol as the active ingredient, instead of triclosan, are a better option, as germs don't become resistant to alcohol. However, many commercial varieties of alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain other harmful ingredients .

In fact, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database rates Purell hand sanitizer a “high hazard,” with a score of seven out of 10 (with 10 being the most toxic). They point out that ingredients used in this product are linked to:

Cancer

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

Allergies and immunotoxicity

Neurotoxicity

Endocrine disruption

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Biochemical or cellular level changes

As always, a healthy diet rich in whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables will optimize your bodies' ability to defend itself against diseases.

Visiting Chef Roy will teach healthy cooking techniques to you, your group, or your company. Just call to arrange Healthy Cooking!

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