Endocrine systems, also referred to as hormone systems, are found in all mammals, birds, fish, and many other types of living organisms. They are made up of:
- Glands located throughout the body
- Hormones that are made by the glands and released into the bloodstream or the fluid surrounding cells
- Receptors in various organs and tissues that recognize and respond to the hormones.
How Can Chemicals Disrupt the Endocrine System?
Some chemicals mimic a natural hormone, fooling the body into over-responding to the stimulus (e.g., a growth hormone that results in increased muscle mass), or responding at inappropriate times (e.g., producing insulin when it is not needed). Other endocrine disruptors block the effects of a hormone from certain receptors (e.g., growth hormones required for normal development). Still others directly stimulate or inhibit the endocrine system and cause overproduction or underproduction of hormones (e.g., an over or underactive thyroid).
People may be exposed to endocrine disruptors through food and beverages consumed, pesticides applied, and cosmetics used. In essence, your contact with these chemicals may occur through diet, air, skin, and water.
What are some common endocrine disruptors?
Bisphenol A (BPA) —
What is it: BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s.
Where it is found : BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles. They may also be used in other consumer goods.
Epoxy resins are used to coat the inside of metal products, such as food cans, bottle tops and water supply lines. Some dental sealants and composites also may contain BPA.
Dangers from exposure to BPA: Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects of BPA on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children. It can also affect children’s behavior. BPA has a chemical structure very similar to estrogen, so it can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and influence processes that are affected by estrogen, like menstrual regularity, symptoms of PMS, and brain function.
How can we reduce the exposure to BPA:
- Use BPA-free products.
- Cut back on cans. Reduce your use of canned foods.
- Avoid heat. Don’t put polycarbonate plastics in the microwave or dishwasher, because the heat may break them down over time and allow BPA to leach into foods.
- Use alternatives. Use glass, porcelain or stainless-steel containers for hot foods and liquids instead of plastic containers.
Parabens
What is it: Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as artificial preservatives in cosmetic and body care products since the 1920s. Since cosmetics contain ingredients that can biodegrade, these chemicals are added to prevent and reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and mold, increasing the shelf life of the product. The parabens used most in cosmetics are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethyl paraben.
Where it is found:
Moisturizers, face and skin cleaners, sunscreens, deodorants, shaving gels, toothpastes, makeup, and many other products contain parabens. Parabens are also commonly used as preservatives in foods intended to have a long shelf life, including beer, syrups, salad dressings, jams, canned foods, frozen desserts, and other frozen dairy products
Dangers from exposure to parabens:
Parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the normal function of hormone systems affecting male and female reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility, and birth outcomes. Parabens can also interfere with the production of hormones.
How to avoid parabens:
- Choose anhydrous (without water) products to reduce the need for chemical antimicrobial preservatives.
- Avoid aqueous liquids (i.e.: products that contain water, milk, hydrosols) which require a preservative since they are susceptible to spoilage.
- Look for products made in small batches.
- Look for natural alternatives to chemical preservatives like grapefruit-seed extract, honey, jojoba and vitamins A, C (ascorbic acid) and E (tocopherol acetate), which inhibit micro-bacterial growth.
- Look for products labeled “paraben-free” and read ingredient lists on labels to avoid parabens.
Phthalates —
What are they: Phthalates are a family of man-made chemical compounds developed in the last century to be used in the manufacture of plastics, solvents, and personal care products. They are colorless, odorless, oily liquids that do not evaporate easily and do not chemically bind to the material they are added to. Where are they found: They are used to make plastics more flexible, they are also found in some food packaging, cosmetics, children’s toys, and medical devices.
Dangers from exposure to phthalates: Phthalates are weak endocrine disruptors and androgen
blocking chemicals. This means that when absorbed into the body phthalates can either mimic or block female hormones, or in males, suppress the hormones involved in male sexual development. Phthalates cross the placenta.
How can we avoid exposure: Avoid using products that contain phthalates.
Triclosan —
What is it: Triclosan is an ingredient added to many consumer products intended to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination.
Where it is found: It is added to some antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, and some cosmetics. It also can be found in clothing, kitchenware, furniture, and toys.
Dangers from exposure to triclosan: Triclosan interferes with the body’s thyroid hormone metabolism and maybe a potential endocrine disruptor. Children exposed to antibacterial compounds at an early age also have an increased chance of developing allergies, asthma, and eczema. Triclosan might also have potent effects on disruption of the microbiome causing adverse effects on immune function, healthy mood, and other vital functions of a healthy microbiome.
How can we avoid triclosan:
- Check the label
- Be wary of liquid soaps
- Go organic
- Skip “germ-killing” products.
Other endocrine disruptors are:
Dioxins — produced as a byproduct in herbicide production and paper bleaching, they are also released into the environment during waste burning and wildfires
Perchlorate — a by-product of aerospace, weapon, and pharmaceutical industries found in drinking water and fireworks
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) — used widely in industrial applications, such as firefighting foams and non-stick pan, paper, and textile coatings
Phytoestrogens — naturally occurring substances in plants that have hormone-like activity, such as genistein and daidzein that are in soy products, like tofu or soy milk
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) — used to make flame retardants for household products such as furniture foam and carpets
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) — used to make electrical equipment like transformers, and in hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, lubricants, and plasticizers
How to enhance the hormonal function
The main detoxification area of the body is the gut flora. Since it is constantly being used, it needs to be replenished with more probiotics quite often. The liver is the main organ of the body for removing toxins. The liver depends on the gut flora to remove as many toxins as possible so that it doesn’t have to work as hard. Without a healthy gut flora, the liver will be doing double the work.
Probiotics
The consumption of probiotic supplements will keep the gut flora healthy and strong. This will allow it to filter a lot of the toxins found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Lactobacillus is a type of probiotic which helps filter out heavy metals from being absorbed. Therefore, anyone looking to eat clean from now on should add probiotic supplements to their diet regimen.
Alpha lipoic acid
Alpha lipoic acid is a particularly adaptable and flexible vitamin-like antioxidant that can help improve and support the body’s natural detoxification process. It is both a water- and fat-soluble antioxidant, which means it can defend against a wider range of free radicals in comparison to other nutrients that are exclusively water-soluble or fat-soluble, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, respectively. Alpha lipoic acid binds to heavy metals in the body and helps carry them out of the cells, helping your body rid itself of harmful toxins in a natural way.
Antioxidants
“Antioxidant” is not really the name of a substance, but rather it describes what a range of substances can do. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures.
The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle is a flowering plant that comes from the same family of plants as the daisy also known as Mary thistle or holy thistle.
It grows in Mediterranean countries and is used to make natural remedies.
The active ingredient in milk thistle is called silymarin. Silymarin acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production. Scientists think this creates a detoxifying effect, which is why milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems.