Caution: This content may be upsetting (and controversial) for some.

THE TREND

A very popular trend today has impacted many of the lives of my readers, patients, and their families. I, for one, have never partaken, in part, due to concerns I have about foreign materials entering my body. That trend is tattooing of the skin.

As some of you may remember, tattoos were once only common among people who came back from the war, particularly sailors. And unlike the diverse colors and sizes of the tattoos that I see today, these were just faded blue-colored tattoos, many of which bore a poor resemblance to the original graphic that was tattooed on the person.

As always, I am grateful that we all have free will to do what we want. But I also recognize that it is my job to focus on the science and the research of our overall health and wellness. Collective knowledge of and focus on these things allows us to live Longer Healthier lives. Therefore, I bring you the following article about a research study performed in Sweden and published in eClinicalMedicine, part of The Lancet Discovery Science.

THE STUDY

This study, published in 2024, focused on the adverse effects of tattoos on our overall health. More specifically, it considered the long-term effects of tattoos on the development of a specific form of cancer: lymphoma.

The controlled study consisted of 11,905 individuals who were of random age- and gender-matched individuals between the ages of 20–60. All of those in the study group were diagnosed with lymphoma. All incidental cases of malignant lymphoma were studied between 2007–2017.

It is important to understand that tattoos contain carcinogenic chemicals in the ink, according to the study. These chemicals include primary aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals. The authors go on to state, “The tattooing process invokes an immunologic response that causes translocation of the tattoo ink from the injection site. Deposition of tattoo pigment in lymph nodes has been confirmed, but [prior to this study] the long-term health effects [had] remained unexplored.”

The incidence of the onset of lymphoma was highest in those having had the first tattoo in the preceding 2 years, and then the incidence decreased in years 3–10. However, the incidence then increased in year 11 after their tattoo date.

The researchers also found that the incidence of lymphoma did not seem to increase in proportion to the increased size of the tattooed body surface.

The primary forms of lymphoma associated with tattooing were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.

The authors end their paper with the following statement: “Our findings suggest that tattoo exposure was associated with an increased risk of malignant lymphoma. More epidemiological research is urgently needed to establish causality.”

Since tattoo popularity has increased significantly in the last several decades, I felt it important to bring this information to our readers.

PREVENTION

This article may be bad news, and you may be questioning what one can do about the tattoo he or she is planning to get. First of all, please note that this outcome does not occur with everyone. Also, understand that tattoo artists are not required to disclose all of the ingredients in their tattoo ink. However, you can ask and then do your own research on the ingredients. That would be your first proactive step in avoiding toxicity prior to receiving a tattoo.

Next, for those of you who have already received a tattoo, please remember “The 4 Pillars of Health” that we teach. These are the foundational safety measures everyone should take to protect their health against toxic assaults.

First, you need to “Eat Right.” Avoid toxins in your food. Eat as organically as you can. Eat raw green leafy foods. Avoid processed meats and those containing hormones and antibiotics. Drink plenty of clean water; Half of your body weight in ounces is what is recommended. However, if you feel that would be too much for you, just try to consume 60 ounces per day.

Next, make sure that you “Move Right.” Yoga positions and stretching will stimulate lymphatic drainage. Movement is helpful in stimulating neurological functions as well. You also might want to incorporate lymphatic massage into your routine.

Of course, your “Sleep Right” is essential for detoxification. You must get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Remember, it is during your nightly sleep cycle that your body detoxifies.

And equally as important is your “Think Right,” which is how you must reduce the adverse health effects of stress on your body. You see, stress causes multiple systemic effects, including those that will reduce your overall immune function.

For more information on The 4 Pillars of Health, recipes, and our Crave Clinic in which we teach you how to live The 4 Pillars of Health, visit our website (www.centerfornutritionandwellness.com).

I hope that this article did not cause too much concern or consternation for any of our readers. Above all else, I trust that for those of you who may have embellished your body with a tattoo, you will at least take heart in the things that you can do to deal with the potential effect of those potentially toxic materials contained in the tattoo ink that now resides under your skin.

Dr. Pfeiffer