*If you have not
had a chance to read my previous articles on diet and hormones and how stressaffects your hormones, click the links to read these articles.
Common household products
like detergents, disinfectants, plastics and pesticides contain chemical ingredients
that enter our bodies and disrupt hormones. Known as endocrine disruptors,
these chemicals will interact with the endocrine system. Endocrine disruptors function
by mimicking the action of a naturally-produced hormone such as estrogen or testosterone
by blocking hormone receptors in cells, and by affecting the synthesis, transport,
metabolism and excretion of hormones.
Endocrine disruptors have
been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s,
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, early puberty and infertility.
Beyond
Pesticides recommends avoiding pesticides, but those particularly
linked to endocrine disruptors. Eat organic food, fruits and vegetables as much
as possible, and do not use pesticides in your yard or around your home. (Pesticides and Endocrine Disruption,
Beyond Pesticides. www.beyondpesticides.org).
The online article, “Dirty dozen endocrine disruptors” recommends to avoid these 12
hormone-altering chemicals and how to avoid them:
1) BPA-This
synthetic hormone can trick your body into thinking it’s the real thing. BPA
has been linked to breast and other cancers and to reproductive problems. How
to avoid it? Go fresh instead of canned, avoid plastics and those marked with recycling
label #7. For more tips, check out: www.ewg.org/bpa/
2) Dioxin-Dioxins
are very long-lived, build up both in the body and in the food chain, are
powerful carcinogens, and affect the immune and reproductive systems. How to avoid
it? This is pretty difficult, many animal products in America are contaminated
with dioxin including meat, fish, milk, eggs and butter. Just try and cut back
on animal products as much as possible.
3) Atrazine-Research
has shown to exposure to even low levels of the herbicide atrazine can turn male
frogs into females that produce viable eggs. Atrazine is widely used on the
majority of corn crops in the United States. Atrazine has been linked to breast
tumors, delayed puberty and prostate inflammation in animals, and some research
has linked it to prostate cancer in people. How to avoid it? By organic produce
and get a drinking water filter to remove atrazine.
4) Phthalates-Studies
have linked phthalates to hormone changes, lower sperm count, less mobile
sperm, birth defects in the male reproductive system, obesity, diabetes, and thyroid
irregularities. How to avoid it? Avoid plastic food containers, some children’s
toys, and plastic wrap made from PVC, which has a recycling label #3. Some
personal care products (read labels and avoid products that simply list added “fragrances.”)
Find phthalate-free personal care products at: www.ewg.org/skindeep/
5) Perchlorate-This
chemical contaminates much of our produce and milk. When perchlorate gets into
your body it competes with the nutrient iodine, which the thyroid needs to make
thyroid hormones. How to avoid it? You can reduce perchlorate in your drinking
water by installing a reverse osmosis filter. You can get help finding one
here: www.ewg.org/report/ewgs-water-filter-buying-guide
As for food, it is pretty much impossible to avoid perchlorate, but you can
reduce its potential effects on you by making sure you are getting enough iodine
in your diet.
6) Fire
retardants- How to avoid it? It is virtually impossible, but you can use a HEPA
filter with your vacuum, avoid reupholstering foam furniture and take care when
replacing old carpet. Find more tips at: www.ewg.org/pbdefree/
7) Lead-Lead
is toxic and lead affects almost every organ system in the body. How to avoid it?
Keep your home cleaned and well maintained. Crumbling old paint is a major
source of lead exposure, so get rid of it very carefully. A good water filter
can also reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water.
8) Arsenic-This
is a toxin found lurking in your food and drinking water. In small amounts it
can cause bladder and lung cancer and it can interfere with normal hormone
functioning. How to avoid it? Reduce your exposure by using a water filter that
lowers arsenic levels.
9) Mercury-Mercury,
a naturally occurring but toxic metal, gets into the air and oceans primarily through
burning coal. Eventually, it could end up on your plate in the form of
mercury-contaminated seafood. How to avoid it? Go for wild salmon and farmed
trout.
10) Perfluorinated
chemicals (PFCs)-PFCs are used to make non-stick cookware. How to avoid it?
Skip non-stick pans as well as stain and water-resistant clothes, furniture and
carpets.
11) Organophosphate
pesticides-Neurotoxic organophosphate compounds that the Nazis produced for
chemical warfare were neve used, but after the war ended American scientists
used the same chemistry to develop a long line of pesticides that target the
nervous system of insects. How to avoid it? Buy organic produce. Check out this
guide: www.ewg.org/foodnews/
12) Glycol
Ethers-Common in solvents in paints, cleaning products, brake fluids and cosmetics.
How to avoid it? Avoid products with ingredients such as 2-butoxyetanol (EGBE)
and methoxydiglycol (DEGME). Check out this guide for healthy cleaning: www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/
Alexandra Zissu (2016), from the online article, “9 ways to avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals,”
discussed these tips to steer clear of endocrine disrupting chemicals by:
1) Washing
your hands-wash your hands frequently and avoid fragrances and antibacterial
soaps. Always wah hands before eating.
2) Dust
and vacuum often-Dust with a damp cloth and use a HEPA filter for vacuum.
3) Avoid
fragrances-Phthalates are typically found in fragrances. Choose a fragrance-free
cream, cleaning products, garbage bags and laundry detergents.
4) Avoid
plastics-Swap plastic food storage containers with glass or stainless steel and
never microwave plastic. Replace lunch baggies with reusable lunch bags and switch
plastic wrap with beeswax-coated cloth.
5) Avoid
cans as much as possible-Canned foods are lined with BPA. Chose instead fresh
or frozen.
6) Watch
what you eat-eat organic foods as much as possible. Cook your food in stainless
steel, cast iron and avoid non-stick pots and pans.
7) Filter
your tap water- tap water contains a host of hormone disruptors including
residue from birth control pills.
8) Clean
smarter- Try using vinegar, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, lemon for healthier
ways to clean.
What changes can you make today to avoid some of these
pesticides?
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