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Dear Lucy: I've heard that aluminum deposits have been found in the brains of people who have died of Alzheimer's disease. Will using underarm deodorants or antiperspirants with aluminum compounds cause aluminum to enter the body? Also, will wearing pierced earrings made of silver introduce silver into the body? —Heavy Metal

Dear Metal: Lucy has long been an advocate of deodorant use, so she nearly broke a sweat at the suggestion that its use might be endangering the perspiring masses. Anxious for the best information she could find on this question, Lucy went straight to MIT Medical's chief of medicine, David Diamond, M.D., who is also a specialist in environmental medicine.

According to Diamond, while some studies have found higher-than-normal aluminum concentrations in brains from Alzheimer's patients, it isn't clear there is any causal relationship between these aluminum levels and the disease. In any case, he says, the aluminum compound in antiperspirants is not easily absorbed by the body. "One study found that less than 1/10,000th of a topical application labeled with a tracer was found internally," Diamond observes. "And in relative amounts, you absorb more aluminum from the foods you eat than from daily antiperspirant use."

Still, Diamond notes, for individuals who want to avoid aluminum whenever possible, there are alternatives to antiperspirants that include aluminum compounds as an active ingredient. Check out the personal care products at your local health food store, he suggests, or buy a conventional deodorant instead of an antiperspirant. Most deodorants that don't say "antiperspirant" on the label are aluminum free, though you should read the ingredient list to be sure.

As for your earrings, Diamond explains that elemental silver is relatively poorly absorbed through intact skin. "In fact," he notes, "silver is a main ingredient in one of the best anti-infective creams used extensively in treatment of burn patients. Several studies of these patients have failed to show systemic effects, even after many days of extensive exposure to damaged skin.

"The bottom line," Diamond concludes, "is that it's probably safe to go out wearing antiperspirant with your earrings." As relieved as she is by this news, Lucy feels compelled to add that, in the interest of decency, it's probably best to wear something else as well. —Lucy

Information contained in Ask Lucy is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended as professional medical advice related to individual situations. Always obtain the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if you need medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Never disregard medical advice you have received, nor delay getting such advice, because of something you read in this column.