Common Chemical Found In Cosmetics May Inhibit The Will To Exercise

A U.S. study in mice suggests the possibility that exposure to a common chemical family used to make cosmetics and personal care products significantly reduces the urge to exercise. The findings may help to explain why people who know they should be physically active nevertheless avoid exercising. The researchers looked at the impact of a class of chemicals called phthalates that are found in many everyday products, including food containers, shampoos and perfumes. For the study, some mice fetuses were exposed to benzyl butyl phthalate (BPP) and monitored as pups and beyond. By young adulthood, the exposed animals were not moving much. In fact, the male mice that had been exposed to BPP in utero ran about 20 percent less during adulthood.