Endocrine Disruptors: what they are, why they’re so dangerous, and how we can avoid them.
What have you heard about endocrine disruptors and hormones? There’s a lot of buzz around this topic, but why are they starting to get more attention than they ever have before? Science is showing us we need to make hormonal health a priority. We are learning more and more about hormones, the endocrine system, and pesky little things called hormone disruptors that are causing a big ruckus in our bodies. Simply put, endocrine disruptors interfere with hormonal balance and have the ability to touch every area of our health from physical ailments and diseases to mental well-being.
The relationship between the endocrine system and endocrine disruptors
What does the endocrine system do? The human endocrine system is complex and intricate, like a woman. It creates and releases hormones into the bloodstream, which in turn influences our physical and mental health. When our hormones are in balance, we feel happy, energetic, and ready for any challenge. When our hormones are out of balance, we can be tired, irritable, experience disruptive physical ailments, and just feel out of sync.
Statistics show that an estimated 80% of women experience hormone imbalance and an estimated 70% of women don’t know that certain medical conditions came as a result of an imbalance.
We’re going to explore what endocrine disruptors are, why they’re so dangerous, and how we can avoid them.
What are endocrine disruptors?
The meaning of endocrine disruptors is that they are chemicals that interfere with the healthy working of the endocrine system. Their basic function is to trick our endocrine system. In some cases, they mimic hormones in our bodies, making them think we have hormones that we don’t. In other cases, it can block the production of certain hormones and prevent them from doing their job in our bodies. There are an exhaustive number of endocrine disruptors and they are everywhere – in the food we eat, the water we drink, the products we clean our house with, the products we put on our bodies, and more. Some examples of the most common endocrine disruptors that should be on your radar include Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, PFAS chemicals, Atrazine, Perchlorate, and flame retardants. Check out this article for a more detailed list of endocrine disruptors.
How endocrine disruptors affect our bodies
What are the effects of endocrine disruptors on humans? Endocrine disruptors can interfere with the hormonal balance of the body, which manages how we feel and behave. Studies have shown that endocrine disruptors are linked to an extensive list of physical and mental issues such as reproductive disorders, obesity, depression, diabetes, neurological problems, immune and thyroid disorders, attention deficit disorder, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, and hormone-related cancers.
How to detox your body of endocrine disruptors
You can turn back hormonal imbalance by detoxing your body of endocrine disruptors. There are many ways to do this, the first and foremost being to avoid them. They are omnipresent, so educating yourself on what to look for and where to find them is critical. We’ll discuss that in more detail in the next section. Detoxing your body of endocrine disruptors won’t require a 2-week spa getaway, expensive oils, or a diet of kale and goji berries. Detoxing is easy as committing to overall healthy behaviors that promote overall wellness, some of which you may already do, such as:
- Getting adequate restful sleep – usually 7-8 hours.
- Drinking adequate water each day – a widely recommended amount is ½ an ounce to one ounce for each pound of body weight.
- Get more fiber in your diet – at least 25 grams per day.
- Minimize your consumption of processed foods.
- Use filtered water rather than bottled or tap water.
How to avoid endocrine disruptors
There’s an old proverb that says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and when it comes to endocrine disruptors, it could not be more true. Avoiding endocrine disruptors begins with education and awareness. Find a comprehensive list of endocrine disruptors from a reputable source, like Hormone University. Next, learn how to find them and avoid them. Finally, use products that do not impact your hormones.
It can be hard to find a trusted, unbiased, scientifically-sound resource for avoiding endocrine disruptors and finding products that preserve your hormonal health. That’s why Hormone University created a new rigorous certification, The Seal of Approval, to help consumers reduce their exposure to endocrine disruptors. The Seal of Approval provides a rigorously evaluated, independently verified certification that guarantees a given product or service contributes to helping consumers with hormonal well-being.
The Seal of Approval is overseen by the Hormone University Board of Advisors, a panel of doctors, experts, and medical professionals who complete an extensive review of every product. It will span a wide range of products, including Femtech, vitamins and supplements, beauty and skincare, women’s wellness retail, food and beverage, and books and education. Its ultimate aim is to supply millions of people with easy-to-understand, accessible information to help them make the healthiest choices for their physical and mental health.