We have done swimmingly well as a species.
We have innovated on a scale never seen before, and often moving at the speed of light. But the problem with moving this fast is that often it can take a toll on your body and mind in ways that aren't always obvious or easy to identify. Often these aspects, like our hormones, are most vital to our well-being.
Thankfully, together we can understand and help to solve the unforeseen problems caused by systems originally intended to help.
What is the Endocrine System?
The endocrine system is a network of body parts that produce, store and release hormones. This is done to regulate and maintain stability in the body. Some of what these hormones affect is:- Metabolism and weight.
- Internal Stability, like your blood pressure, sugar levels, fluid retention and body temperature.
- Your growth and development.
- Healthy Sexual Development and Reproductive Capacities (including the hormones that make you crazy during puberty... or crazy in general).
- Your sleep-wake cycle.
- Your mood and emotional stability.
How are hormones impacted by Endocrine Disruptors?
An Endocrine Disruptor is a chemical that impacts the normal and healthy functioning of the endocrine system. Endocrine Disruption is a somewhat novel concept in the scientific community, first mentioned in 1993 (*2) but with a current revival in the necessity of protecting our hormones.
There is a small concentration of hormones actively flowing in your blood, as only a small amount is necessary to trigger significant changes in the body. What this also means is that any substance that impacts the functioning of your endocrines, even very small amounts, can cause major physiological changes.
What Endocrine Disruptors do is:
- Mimic Natural Hormones
Endocrine Disruptors can act like natural hormones, triggering inappropriate physiological responses in your body and causing overstimulation. A common example of this is Oestrogenic Substances, which can initiate Puberty and Menopause earlier in women.
- Blocking Hormone Receptors
Some disruptors prevent hormones from binding to their receptors. This stops / reduces your hormones intended biological effect.
- Altering Hormone Levels
Endocrine Disruptors can negatively impact the concentration of hormones your glands release. This creates an imbalance, affecting systems like metabolism, mood and growth.
- Disrupt Hormone Transport and Breakdown
Hormones could be active for longer or broken down too soon, disrupting the bodies normal processes.
- Impacting Hormone Production at the Glands
Endocrine Disruptors can damage or alter the glands that produces hormones. Long term, this could lead to issues like infertility, metabolic disorders and immune dysfunction.
- Non - Monotonic Responses
At low doses, endocrine disruptors can have a different (and sometimes more significant) effect than at the higher doses. This is called non - monotonic responses and happens because the hormonal systems are extremely delicate.
Special Mention: Endocrine Disruptors and Obesity
Obesity is an ever growing concern in today's day and age - a physical and social stressor. In an era of relative abundance, how do we adjust the instincts in us that is hard wired to consume all while we've got it? It's a deeply worrisome problem - particularly when its impacts our young kids.
Are you ready for the twist? - These Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals worsens obesity. Introducing the next public enemy number one: Obesogens.
Obesogens are a specific category of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals that promote adipogenesis and cause weight gain (*1). Adipogenesis is the creation of new fat cells. They do this by (*5):
- Altering programming of fat cell development.
- Increasing energy storage in fat tissue.
- Interfering with control of appetite and satiety.
Don't get me wrong. Adipose Tissue is not bad in itself. It is a complex, essential, and highly active metabolic and endocrine organ (*3). But obesity, characterized by the excess of Adipose Tissue, is ranked as the fifth foremost reason for death globally (*4). That's not to mention the negative impact obesity can have on your overall quality of life.
Why this is particularly relevant to children is that they have less of a capacity to remove toxins. Children's detoxification systems are still developing. That means that the chemicals absorbed are:
- Effectively at higher doses in their smaller bodies.
- Stay in children's systems longer.
Now that we've identified the issues and their effects (scaring ourselves half to death in the process) let's take a moment to breath before getting into just how we can tackle these concerns.
How do you cleanse yourself of Endocrine Disruptors?
A major focus would be Antioxidants. Let me explain.
When these Endocrine disruptors enter your system, they begin an onslaught of inflammation. For you to consider what inflammation is experienced as - you know when you get those huge, red and sore pimples? That is an example of external inflammation. When it is internal, it can often be experienced as joint pain, eczema, allergies, chronic pain or even mood changes.
How our bodies normally deal with inflammation is:
- Our natural processes purify and cleanse our systems to remove these disruptors (like the kidneys, liver and lymphatic system). They filter our systems and removes any waste.
- Occasionally (dependent on many factors including size of the molecule) the oxidizing agents gets into our systems. Antioxidants then stop these antagonizing molecules, reducing inflammation and fortifying your cells - working where the damage is done.
Every cell needs to produce antioxidants to counteract the natural byproducts of normal living. The main, super antioxidant in the body is Glutathione. Commonly, our Glutathione levels are depleted because we are trying to cope with the natural oxidation of cells AND also these alien antagonists.
But, if you nurture your Glutathione levels, you can naturally (and drastically) increase your antioxidant power.
How do you increase Glutathione?
One of the main components of Glutathione is Sulfur - so consuming Sulfur rich products should help boost your Glutathione and support your body's natural cleansing process. The main and most potent way is through a MSM supplement for a couple of weeks - which has been well documented in counteracting inflammation (*7). Sulfur can also be found through your diet:
- Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
- Allium vegetables: garlic, onions, leeks, shallots
- High-protein foods: grass-fed beef, chicken, fish (contain cysteine)
- Eggs (particularly the yolks)
- Nuts and seeds: walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds
- Legumes: lentils, chickpeas
- Herbs: turmeric, cardamom
- Other vegetables: asparagus, okra
Where do we begin?
PAUSE. Please, do not throw all of your stuff away. Often times we feel very emotionally motivated to do the right thing, great! - but we don't necessarily have the means to complete our intended goal yet. Remember, this is a MAJOR lifestyle change, and it's okay if we allow some time for transition as we learn and grow into the next, healthier phase of our lives.
Take stock of what you have and what you need next. Are you running low on shampoo? Before buying more toxic shampoo from the stores, try making your own. Do you need more conditioner? Dishwashing Liquid? Perfume?
Also, begin with the simplest yet most excitable option. If you need a toner, all you need to buy is Rosewater (or Witch Hazel if you're feeling eccentric) in its place. A quick hand wash in Castille Soap and Essential Oils. An easy way to get most self-care products is to use bases. If you are running out of any self-care product and you would like to figure out how to DIY it, but you're not sure where to begin - you're welcome to contact us on any of our support channels, or, comment down below and we'll gladly advise and assist.
Which Chemicals are Endocrine Disruptors?
The goal is cutting out as many oxidizing ingredients (*6) as we can, like:
1. Fragrance / Parfum
- Avoid any products listing fragrance or parfum on the label.
2. Ethanolamines
Avoid:
- DEA (Diethanolamine)
- TEA (Triethanolamine)'
- MEA (Monoethanolamine)
- Examples: Cocaminde DEA, Lauramide DEA, DEA lauryl sulfate
3. Silicones
Avoid:
- Dimethicone
- Methicone
- Phenyl Trimethicone
- Cyclomethicone
4. Heavy Metals
Avoid:
- Aluminium (Aluminium Flakes, Pigment Metal)
- Lead (Lead Acetate, Lead Flakes)
- Chromium
- Thimerosal
- Sodium Hexametaphosphate
5. MIT
Avoid:
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Methylchlorosiothiazolinone
6. Pthalates
Avoid:
- BzBP (Benzylbutyl Pthalate)
- DBP (Dibutyl Pthalate)
- DEP (Diethyl Pthalate)
- DEHP (Diethylhexyl Pthalate)
7. Parabens
Avoid:
- Butylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
8. Formaldehyde
Avoid:
- Formaldehyde
- Formalin
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Quaternium - 15
9. Petroleum
Avoid:
- Petrolatum
- Petroleum Jelly
- Mineral Oil
- Paraffin Wax
Lifestyle Changes to Avoid Endocrine Disruptors:
- Avoid storing and heating what you'll ingest in untreated plastic (as untreated plastic leaches and was found to collect in the body and brain). Note that those cups that you buy coffee in from chain stores are lined with plastic. With the coffee being super-hot, your cup leaches a super amount of plastic (within 15 minutes you could get about 25 000 microplastic particles in that cup)
- Avoid Non-Stick cookware. They contain PFAS which is inflammatory for you and terrible for the environment.
In its place use Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, Ceramic and Glass.
- Reduce / Stop your makeup use and try to find better alternatives. There are endocrine disruptors in many store-bought cosmetic products.
- Avoid lighting store bought candles (Paraffin Wax particularly should be avoided) - Instead you could try to make your own candles from Soy Wax.
The Inevitable Lapse
We are human. Environmental toxins are everywhere. You are bound to slip up - whether that be an intentional cheat day, mistakenly, or out of necessity. You may need water and they only sell bottled water in plastic. Your sister is getting married so you need makeup. You are meeting your in laws and would prefer to be polite.
It's okay. You will be fine. Your body is capable of doing amazing things. This lifestyle change is not meant to imprison you or the people in your life. Do not fear these chemicals, feel empowered because you have the knowledge to protect yourself and your family. If you do slip up, just do a detox following, maybe two weeks of MSM supplement or intentionally increasing your anti-oxidant intake.
Take simple steps to increase the quality of your life, long term.
