How toxins affect your hormones and how you can live a more natural life.

Hidden endocrine disruptors that might be behind your heavy periods, bad skin and hormone health

Most of us are pretty clued up on what to put INTO our bodies to stay healthy. We know that staying away from processed food is a good idea and that anything that has been sprayed with pesticides is best avoided or at least could do with a good rinse before we eat it.

 But do you know the real effects on what you are putting ON your body?

 It may not come as a surprise but a lot of our common beauty and household products may be secretly packed with ingredients that are wreaking havoc with our hormones. They might be just the ones giving us the bad skin and causing our bad health. 

 These ingredients are called EDC’s – endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These chemicals are not only in our beauty products but are widespread in our environment. In the polluted air that we breathe, in the toxic products we use to clean our houses and in the sprayed food that we eat to name a few.

Your endocrine system, i.e the system in which all your hormones are secreted into your blood, is very sensitive and easily affected by these chemicals. The toxins trick our hormones into behaving in different ways they are naturally supposed to behave. This is very bad news since EDC’s mess with our hormones – hence the name ‘endocrine disruptors’.

These changes to your hormones can cause anything from irregular periods, altered onset of puberty, disrupted immune function, bone health, cardiac function, and mental status, hormonal breakouts and (in extreme cases) birth defects, illnesses, and cancer. Yikes. 

An estimated 87,000 toxins are circulating in our environment every day and most of them haven’t been tested for their effect on human health yet. There is growing evidence that these pesticides, BPA, phthalates and other chemicals interfere with the hormonal system and artificially increase the level of hormones in the body, change their transport and binding in the body and impede their proper breakdown. Industries are trying to make you believe chemicals are safe because we are exposed to only a small amount. Truth is that even very small amounts can have an influence. That’s why EDCs are often measured in ppt (parts per trillion).

 The other problem is that EDCs are very stable. In other words, they don’t break down quickly. This is why many manufacturers include them in products in the first place. This also means of course, that they stick around in the water, air, soil, (and our bodies) for a long time.

 Research has shown that BPA (bisphenol A), an industrial chemical used since the ’50s to harden plastic in baby bottles, toys and other products has been found in the blood of those exposed to items made with BPA and it can harm the endocrine systems of foetuses and infants. The older a plastic is the more BPA it releases.   According to research at Harvard School of Medical Research found in 2012 that BPA can decrease the number of eggs retrieved, increase oestrogen levels and lower fertilization rate.  BPA is also called an xenoestrogen.

 But don’t be fooled by ‘BPA-free’ products as the replacement chemicals are suspected to be even more toxic than the predecessor. 1 In 2012, BPA was outlawed and BPA free products were developed. Now scientist believes that those chemicals that replaced BPA were just as harmful. Almost anything can be a hormone disruptor. The water you drink, shampoo, skincare, make- up, hair dye, nail polish, household cleaner, your carpet, textile, etc.

But short of living in a glass box what can we do to avoid or at least minimize our exposure to EDC’s, pollutant and toxins? Of course, some are worse than others. Smoking for example. When you look at the cocktail of toxins they contain there is a surprise they are so bad for us. 

While all of this sounds very nasty, the main thing is not to stress over how much there is in the environment that could harm us. Once you understand which to avoid, you’ll be better able to protect yourself. Making small changes in your everyday life is what is going to make the biggest difference.

Making these changes are particularly important with regards to children and pregnant women. 

 First, think about ways to reduce your exposure. One simple way to do this is to keep as many harmful chemicals as possible out of your house and make easy substitutions for common household pollutants. 

·       I use products like Ecover and Method to clean with. I also make my own which is very easy use white vinegar and bicarb as a good swap. 

·       Swap your regular skin creams, deodorants, and personal hygiene products for non-toxic ones. I found that once I used less creams on my face, my skin improved. So not only will your skin than you but you will have a tidier bathroom shelf.

·       Many paints, glues and flooring materials release toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) long after you complete a project. Ask for VOC-free and water-based products.  You can also use an air purifier that helps to clean all of those toxins.

·       Be a critical consumer. Question everything, read labels and demand to know from the manufacturer what is in a product if you are not clear.

·       Help your body get rid of toxins. Eat the best quality, freshest food you can afford — organic if you can get it. Stay active and get your sweat on. Use an infrared sauna. Make sure your liver is functioning well and eat plenty of fiber and adequate amounts of protein daily. 

·       Ditch the plastic. Choose glass, stainless steel or ceramic containers for food and drinks. Don’t use plastic containers for hot foods or drink. Also, you know those plastic lids you pop on our favorite hot drink? The heat and acidity of the liquid cause high levels of BPA to leach into your drink. Bring your own cup to the coffee shop. You’ll be doing your body, and the environment, a favour. Often coffee shops will give you a discount if you bring your own cup.

References

1.         Replacement bisphenols adversely affect mouse gametogenneis with subsequent generations. T.S Horan et.al, September 2018, Current Biology

Harvard school of medical research 2012 PMID 23014629