There are many chemicals present in products that you’re probably using every day that are potentially messing with your hormones and are destroying your health. Your endocrine system produces hormones or chemical messengers that helps to regulate various functions within the body, like metabolism, reproduction and growth. You might think of it as the body’s internal communication system.
What is scary that there are the chemicals that disrupt or artificially artificially influence endocrine signaling, affecting body functions, cellular function and possible disease states.
So where are these chemicals coming from? One place to start could be your favourite perfume which could contain compounds like Phthalates, which acts like estrogen and reduces testosterone?
Would you now spray the stuff all over your body being aware it could be affecting your hormones, changing your cycle, influencing the onset of breast cancer, contributing to diabetes and obesity while weakening the immune system. Women with high use of perfumes during pregnancy were found to have high levels of galaxolide in their breast milk.
We are surrounded by synthetic chemicals especially in our homes and exposure to chemicals comes from soaps, cosmetics, makeup, lipsticks, deodorant, aftershave lotion, hair care, skin care products, cleaning products, laundry products and herbicide/insecticide sprays.
There are many classes of chemicals compounds like: disinfectants (triclosan – found in medical hand wash), synthetic fragrances (eg musks), ultra violet filters (benzophenones – found in sunscreens), and preservatives (parabens – common in cosmetics). Some are considered persistent which means they don’t break down, some are bio-accumulative (build up in the body) and some are endocrine disrupting (affecting hormone signalling). (Alexandros, G, et al, 2014, Human Exposure to Chemicals in Personal Care Products and Health Implications).
Researchers are concerned with how these compounds build up or bio-accumulate in the body, including the effects of the metabolites and the resulting endocrine effects. Over time toxins can reduce liver function, energy levels, weight management and can lead to adverse health effects.
Reproductive health problems in men has increased on the past 50 years, some of which has resulted from exposure to synthetic estrogens in utero, leading to low sperm count in adulthood. About 16% of heterosexual couples of reproductive age experience infertility issues, which more recently been attributed to environmental chemical exposure, as well diet and lifestyle choices. (Marlatt, et al , Impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals on reproduction in wildlife and humans, 2021)
There is growing evidence that endocrine disrupting chemicals are impacting the reproductive health of women, such as endometriosis, early menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, poor egg quality which is driven by changes in oestorgen and androgen signaling. (Marlatt, et al , Impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals on reproduction in wildlife and humans, 2021)
Children are considered even more sensitive to these toxic endocrine disrupting chemicals than adults. Often early exposure is linked to the development of childhood diseases, including obesity, liver dysfunction, cardiometabolic dysfunction by affecting the neuroendocrine system and may affect thyroid function. (Pietro, et al,Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals and Children’s Health, 2023)
(Source: Pietro, et al, Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals and Children’s Health, Molecular Sciences 2023)
The effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals may have epigenetic (DNA) impacts, which could affect the children of your children, or even lead to cancers later in life. Early exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon can be implicated in obesity and insulin resistance. Bisphenol A (BPA) is associated with obesity, glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus type II. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals are impacting the development of children interfering with hormonal and neurological functions. (Source: Pietro, et al, Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals and Children’s Health, Molecular Sciences 2023)
Consider any endocrine organ such as the thyroid, the adrenal glands, thymus, pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus, all are affected by Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals.
Where to from here?
With the abundance of scientific evidence, discernment becomes essential by assessing the products purchased and switching to all natural products. What goes onto your body, is just as important as to what you put into your body. Most of us are aware of the impact of diet, now it’s time to look at everything that has the potential to impact the body, the gut, the nervous system and the endocrine system.
That favourite perfume may have to go, and the apple scented hand wash may be doing you more harm than good or the scented body wash could be silently making you sick. For starters you may want to do an audit of every all your personal care products, cleaning products, laundry products and any home maintenance/garden products for their ingredients and safety.
Functional Pathology Testing may help provide more information.
- DUTCH – A comprehensive urine test to assess endocrine hormones, like oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol levels.
- GPL-Toxicity Test – Environmental Chemical Testing
- Organic Acids Test – offers a comprehensive metabolic snapshot of a patient’s overall health with over 70 markers. In many people with chronic illnesses and neurological disorders often excrete several abnormal organic acids in their urine.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT TESTING AND DETOXIFICATION?
CONCERNED ABOUT ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS WATCH THE MOVIE BELOW
0 comments