I've warned newsletter readers in the past about triclosan, a synthetic chemical used since the '60s in soaps, dishwashing liquids, detergents and toothpaste that eventually creates antibiotic-resistant germs.

Recently, I ran a story showing that they are really unnecessary as one of the best preventatives to keep your immune system strong against colds and the flu is simply:

Washing your hands with plain old inexpensive soap and water.

Antibacterial soap filled with synthetic compounds that can harm you and our environment are completely unnecessary. Simple soap is more than sufficient to kill bacteria and viruses.

Studies have shown that people who use antibacterial soaps and cleansers develop cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms just as often as people who use products that do not contain antibacterial ingredients. In other words, they don't work.

In addition, increasing numbers of traditional medical experts now accept the hygiene hypothesis -- the idea that children exposed to bacteria in early childhood actually have stronger immune systems. Children who are not exposed to common bacteria, which are eliminated by excessive use of soap, may actually be more prone to allergies and asthma.

Even the American Medical Association (AMA) does not recommend antibacterial soaps.

It used to be that antibacterial soaps were used mainly in clinical health care environments, like scrubbing up prior to surgery. Now, antibacterial soaps are used in households across the country where they amount to a $16-billion-a-year industry.

Some 72 percent of all liquid soap sold in the United States now contains antibacterial ingredients. Manufacturers have relied on using fear to convince people that they need to use them to stay healthy.