Are endocrine disruptors causing you regulatory problems? Maybe. So peruse this health blurb to discover how endocrine disruptors are involved in various health effects.
First you should know what the endocrine system does. Your endocrine system regulates many functions within your body via the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, thymus, pancreas, ovaries and testes glands. Each gland releases certain hormones into your bloodstream that have a regulatory effect on various systems, organs and tissue, for instance your nervous system, reproductive system, digestive system, kidneys, liver and adipose tissue.
Hormones are referred to as natural chemical messengers, traveling around adjusting many of your body’s functions. Hormonal release is a tightly controlled process that maintains and controls stuff like:
- reproduction
- homeostasis
- level of energy
- growth & development
- environmental, stress & injury responses
For optimal health, hormones are carefully measured and released without disruption.
Endocrine disruptors are substances, either natural or manufactured, that mimic, interfere with or block health promoting hormones. Any of which can effect the way the targeted system, organ and tissue function.
Based on animal studies, research suggests that endocrine disruptors health effects might result in fertility problems and maybe even increase the incident or progression of certain health condition, like:
- obesity
- diabetes
- some cancers
- endometriosis
- premature aging
- autoimmune diseases
- neurodegenerative diseases
And it’s believed that even a low level exposure to endocrine disruptors can disrupt the delicate balance of your endocrine system, thus potentially causing significant health effects.
So how are you exposed to endocrine disruptors in the first place? Well, it can occur through direct contact or through ingestion of contaminated water, food or air. Substances suspected of acting as endocrine disruptors are found in:
- resins
- fumigants
- fungicides
- herbicides
- detergents
- plasticizers
- insecticides
Endocrine disruptors can enter the air or water through burning, runoff or leaching. And because endocrine disruptors tend to accumulate in fat, you may consume them when eating fatty foods and fish from contaminated water.
Phytoestrogens are nature produced substances that have hormone like activity as well. For example, genistein and daidzein are phytoestrogens found in soy products.
Essentially, endocrine disruptors are widely dispersed in the environment, so total avoidance is nearly impossible. But here’s a couple of things you can do to help limit endocrine disruptors health effects in your body:
- don’t store fatty foods in plastic
- eat pesticide free fruits & vegetables
- eat fish from uncontaminated waters
- never heat your food in plastic containers
- avoid consuming animal fat ~ meat & cheese
- no soft plastic teethers or toys for your children
- refrain from any using endocrine disruptor products
Nowadays in many, the health effects of endocrine disruptors begins early and persists for life.
