Endocrine Disruptors
In order to explain what endocrine disruptors are, it’s first important to understand what the heck the endocrine system even is. The endocrine system is a fancy name for your body’s system of hormones. Hormones are so important for how your body functions because they act like chemical messengers, facilitating the communication between your brain and the other tissues in your body. Your endocrine system uses a complex system of negative feedback and positive feedback loops to regulate the levels of hormones in your body in relation to one another and keep things running smoothly. Blood sugar, metabolism, reproduction, appetite and hunger- all of these functions are regulated by your hormones!
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals, either naturally occurring or synthetic, that interfere with the body’s natural endocrine system. The exact way that this occurs varies depending on the type of endocrine disrupting chemical (examples include BPA, phytoestrogens, phthalates, and PFAS). Typically, these chemicals either mimic the body’s own hormones or change how the body produces hormones. This results in hormonal imbalances as the result of environmental exposure to these compounds. While further research is needed, studies have shown that exposure to endocrine disruptors may play a role in the development and progression of certain conditions, such as PCOS and endometriosis.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals can be found in products that you encounter on a daily basis- makeup, plastic bottles, metal cans, perfumes, beauty products with synthetic fragrance, etc. While it’s impossible to completely avoid endocrine disrupting chemicals, here are some simple steps that you can take to minimize your exposure:
Use glass food storage containers instead of plastic. If you must use plastic, avoid heating foods in these containers.
Pay attention to the ingredients in your makeup, shampoo, lotion, cleaning products, basically anything that comes in contact with your body! It can be difficult to know what ingredients to look out for, so make it easy on yourself. There are some great online resources and apps that rate household products based on the ingredients used. “Think Dirty” is my personal favorite app for this because it is easy to use and evidence-based.
Look for the label “BPA-free” on canned goods and plastic products.
Choose organic when possible. It can certainly be expensive to buy 100% organic, so don’t feel discouraged if that’s outside of your budget. Reference “the dirty dozen” when you shop, which a list of fruits and vegetables that often contain the highest levels of pesticides. If you can, prioritize buying the organically grown version of the items on this list. Side note: don’t forget about local farmers markets! Small farms cannot afford the “certified organic” label but will often farm without the use of chemical pesticides.
Give up fragrances. For just one day, note how many household products you use daily contain synthetic fragrance- shampoo, lotion, candles, laundry detergent, even trash bags are usually scented. It may require a bit of extra effort, but you can find versions of all of these products that are either unscented or use essential oils.
References:
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2020). Endocrine Disruptors and Your Health. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm
Piazza, M.J. & Urbanetz, A.A. (2019). Environmental toxins and the impact of other endocrine disrupting chemicals in women's reproductive health. JBRA Assist Reprod, 23(3), 154-164. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20190016