Hormone Health (part 3) - Causes & Solutions

Every day our bodies are bombarded with things to combat to keep us healthy.

This goes far beyond the usual suspects of viral and bacterial infection or illness.

What we put in, on, and around our bodies can be detrimental to our hormone health and endocrine function, and ultimately our entire well-being.

You may have heard the term "endocrine disruptor" before (or maybe not) and it is an important one to understand. An endocrine disruptor is a toxin absorbed by the body that can mimic the bodies natural hormones or interfere with their production (increasing or decreasing them) causing hormonal imbalances. These chemicals are linked to developmental, brain, immune, and metabolic problems, and are unfortunately found in many common everyday products (more details below).

How are we exposed to these endocrine disruptors?

We encounter these toxins through a number of processed foods and beverages, pesticides and herbicides, cleaning products, personal care and cosmetics. They are found in food packaging (plastics), furniture (flame retardants), and hormonal birth control. These disruptors effect body tissues, fat cells, and the liver (which is your body's detoxifier /purifier). Even low doses of exposure can cause significant biological effects, leading to a number of health problems.

What are the most common endocrine disruptors?

*BPA (Bisphenol) - used to make plastics like water and soda bottles, food storage containers, and most plastic packaging. It is also used in different resins, the most common in receipt paper. To discover more about BPA, where to find it, and how it could be affecting you, read this article https://www.thewellnesswandererblog.com/post/plastic-ky-situation

*Dioxins - a known carcinogen, this toxin is formed when chlorine containing compounds are burned. It can enter the air from thousands of sources including medical and municipal incinerators, hazardous waste processing facilities, and factories where chlorine is used in the making of products (pesticides and PVC plastics to name a few). Airborne dioxin can travel great distances, eventually settling in soil and water. Often times cattle and other animals eat crops and feed containing settled airborne dioxins, and it becomes concentrated in their fat. Humans then ingest these fatty foods (beef, milk, and fish for example) and only some is metabolized by the liver.

*PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) - chemicals designed to repel oil and water, used widely in food wrappers, non stick pans, firefighting foams and textile coatings. Exposure to these PFAS has been linked to altered thyroid levels and the disruption of hormone synthesis (how hormones are made, stored, and secreted).

*Phthalates - used to make hard plastics more flexible and transparent and also to add longevity to personal care products. This endocrine disruptor is hidden everywhere, from cosmetics to children's toys, vinyl flooring to pharmaceuticals. More than three million tons are produced annually around the world. Dive into Phthalates and their use in the personal care industry, and how to avoid them here: https://www.thewellnesswandererblog.com/post/the-ugly-truths-of-the-beauty-industry

*Triclosan - an antibacterial chemical typical in soaps, body wash, and detergents.

The FDA proposed a ban on its use in 1978....and 40 years later has not been finalized.

This disruptor interferes with the regulation of many important hormones directly affecting brain function, the immune system and reproduction. It has the ability to impair production of thyroid hormones, testosterone and estrogen, which can cause problems such as early puberty, obesity, infertility, and cancer. The anti-bacterial product market has grown to a

$1 billion industry and is contributing to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. On average

2 million people fall ill and 20,000 people die each year in America from an antibiotic resistant infection.

Perchlorate (a pharmaceutical by-product), Phytoestrogens (naturally occurring in plants, commonly in soy products), and PBDE (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers- a flame retardant found in furniture and carpet) are a few other leading endocrine disrupting chemical compounds to be aware of.

If you are a bit overwhelmed by the above information and all you learned in

parts 1 and 2 of the "Hormone Health" series, (including endocrine function and signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance) allow me to offer a few simple solutions to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy.

How can I limit my exposure to these endocrine disruptors?

*Skip the receipt - thermal paper like the ones used at store checkout registers are coated

in BPA. Luckily in todays digital age, we can receive most shopping receipts via email and can access our bank accounts online, making the paper receipt much less necessary!

*Sub fresh or frozen for canned - when choosing fruits and vegetables, opt for the produce or frozen section. Not only are these typically more nutrient dense than the ones in the can, you will be avoiding BPA (and other toxic chemicals) found in can liners! And when possible, buy organic, this will help you avoid pesticide and herbicide exposure. Here is the Environmental Working List's "Dirty Dozen" list to help you decide which items to invest a little extra in and where you can save: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php

*Swap out your tupperware - time to toss those old plastic food storage containers! They are typically made from BPA and Phthalates (and similar chemical compounds), so using glass or silicone for leftovers or meal prep is a much better option. If you do continue use of plastic food storage containers, NEVER heat your food in them. Applying heat can cause even more of these chemicals to leach into your food, so be sure to let food cool completely before storing or reheat on a glass plate or bowl.

*Sip smart - aside from the endocrine disrupting chemicals found in plastics, single use water bottles are quickly becoming a global waste issue. Plastic does not decompose and is filling landfills, water sources, and polluting this beautiful place we call home.

So do your health and the planet a favor and choose a reusable water bottle, and

most keep your beverages cold or hot for hours...bonus!

*Staying in - fast food wrappers are a major source of PFAS, so eating out less often can limit your exposure, not to mention benefit your health by cooking at home. Choose a less refined, antioxidant rich cooking oil like extra virgin olive oil, avocado, or coconut oil to cook with too, since non stick pans and utensils are manufactured with PFAS. Movie night?

Try cooking your popcorn stovetop! Microwave popcorn bags are lined with PFAS, plus air popped popcorn may contain 30% more fiber and 90% less sodium than its pre-packaged counterpart!

*Scared scents-less - "fragrance" in most products can be a combination of hundreds if not thousands of chemical compounds, many known to cause hormonal imbalance and other health issues. Opt for essential oils to freshen your home instead of scented candles or wax, unscented personal care products instead of strong smelling perfumes, body wash and lotions, and try making some of your own homemade non toxic cleaning supplies!

Read more about why you should ditch the fake smells here: https://www.thewellnesswandererblog.com/post/seems-pretty-scentsless

*See for yourself - read labels and do your research! Ultimately you have the power to make these better for you choices that may have incomparable long term health benefits.

Find products that are safe and non toxic and brands you can trust. Put your well-being at the fore front. Take inventory of these endocrine disrupting toxic chemicals in your daily life. Where can you limit your exposure? How can you begin making better for you swaps?

Why wouldn't you want to remove the things that could be causing you harm or could be behind your underlying health issues? Who doesn't want to live a life full of vitality?

Start today. Start small. But just start.

For more information on endocrine disruptors, what health related issues they may be causing, and how to better avoid them, check out these links!

https://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-list-endocrine-disruptors

https://endocrinedisruption.org/

https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-edcs

And be sure to read, like, and share this article and my previous articles on Hormone Health!

Part 1 - https://www.thewellnesswandererblog.com/post/hormone-health-how-it-s-effecting-you-pt-1

Part 2 - https://www.thewellnesswandererblog.com/post/hormone-health-part-2-function-and-imbalances

Thank you for your support in helping me share crucial health information, I am so grateful for my fellow wellness wanderers!