Endocrine Disruptors: What They Are, Where They Are Hiding, and How You Can Avoid Them

Even though you can’t see them, endocrine disruptors are all around you. They are invisible to the naked eye yet linked to serious health problems like obesity, reproductive disorders, developmental issues, and cancer (to name a few).

Awareness of these chemicals has grown drastically over the last 20-25 years. Unfortunately, the evidence coming out of the latest research isn’t good. In fact, the problem is greater than anyone realized.

Though a few steps have been taken to ban some of these chemicals, hundreds (and possibly thousands) still remain in everyday products. It largely remains up to you as a consumer to make choices that will better protect yourself and your family.

With that in mind, here’s more about what endocrine disruptors are, where they hide out, and how you can start avoiding them.

What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

Also called endocrine disrupting chemicals, endocrine disrupters are basically any chemical that interferes with your endocrine system. Some are natural, but the biggest problem today is from man-made chemicals.

That brings up another important question: What is the endocrine system?

The short answer is that it’s a system made up of all the hormones in your body. However, it’s a bit more involved than that, and understanding more about this important system shows why disrupters are such a problem.

An Overview of the Endocrine System

Your endocrine system is technically made up of all the glands that produce hormones, the hormones themselves, and receptors in organs and tissues that respond to hormones.

Most of us are familiar with hormones like estrogen and testosterone, but there are over 50 different hormones produced by the human body. They are involved in many vital functions in your body, including growth, sleep, reproduction, and blood sugar control.

The two major endocrine glands in the human body are the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands.

Your thyroid is majorly involved in metabolism as well as growth and development. Disruption of your thyroid’s function can have serious effects like weight gain, weight loss, fatigue, and depression. It can also affect growth in children.

Your adrenals are small glands that help regulate your immune system, stress response, blood pressure, and more. Adrenal problems can cause symptoms like extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and so on.

This really only scratches the surface of your endocrine system. It’s tied to almost every other system in your body. Your immune system, nervous system, reproductive system, and brain are all connected to it.

This gives you some idea of just how damaging endocrine disruptors can be to your entire body.

What Do Endocrine Disruptors Do?

So how do endocrine disrupting chemicals work?

There are actually several ways they can negatively affect your endocrine system.

Some chemicals mimic natural hormones. This means they can trick your body into responding to a hormone that isn’t actually present. This could result in an over-response or in your body responding inappropriately.

Other chemicals can stimulate or repress your endocrine system, which leads to your body either overproducing or underproducing certain hormones.

Some chemicals will even block the receptor sites for hormones. This means that even if your body is producing the right amount of a specific hormone, it can’t bind to the receptor to have its intended effect.

One of the best examples of what endocrine disruptors can do in your body is birth control pills. In this case, the effect is intentional, but it still makes use of hormones not produced within the body to “trick” the body into a certain response (preventing ovulation, for example).

Unfortunately, the effect of disrupting chemicals are not intentional. Even worse, you usually don’t even know it’s happening.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Everyone is at risk for damage from endocrine disruptors. As you’ll find out shortly, these chemicals are everywhere and are impossible to avoid entirely.

However, the most vulnerable are infants and developing children.

Hormones are vital for development, even before a baby is born. They play a role in brain development and growth, among other things. Problems that occur from endocrine disruption during a child’s developing years are typically much less reversible than those that occur later on.

Recent research has shown that prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals is a very real problem. Specifically, the study found that the children of mothers with high levels of endocrine disruptors in their systems (measured during the first trimester) had a lower IQ at the age of 7.

Of course, the danger doesn’t disappear for adults.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals can affect reproduction, thyroid function, metabolism, weight, and even heart health. They’ve also been linked to breast and prostate cancer, in particular.

The Most Common Culprits

One of the most dangerous things about endocrine disruptors is that even a tiny amount can do a lot of damage.

Typically, the more of a toxic chemical you have in your system, the greater the effect. Unfortunately, research indicates that even a small amount of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can have a major health impact.

And while there are over a thousand potential disruptors circulating, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has put together a list of the top 12 major ones to avoid.

This list should help you focus in on the most common hormone disruptors to start getting out of your life.

Top 12 Endocrine Disruptors to Avoid

#1- BPA

Short for Bisphenol A, BPA is a chemical used to make several types of plastic. BPA plastic has been widely used for food storage as well as the receipts you get after shopping at a store.

The problem with BPA is that it can mimic the hormone estrogen in your body. Long-term exposure has been linked to different endocrine disorders. It may also increase your risk of developing breast cancer, prostate cancer, PCOS, or type 2 diabetes.

Due to the research, substitutes for BPA are now being used. The problem is that some, like BPF, are demonstrating an equal or greater toxicity level.

Avoid It: Look for BPA-free products, or better yet, avoid plastic altogether as much as possible. Especially avoid plastics that are labeled PC or #7. BPA also hides in the lining of food cans, so be on the lookout.

#2- Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that form during many different industrial processes. As endocrine disruptors, they’ve been linked to many health problems, including infertility, developmental problems, immune issues, and cancer.

One of the biggest problems with dioxins is that they are long-lived. Even though emissions have been reduced, they have had years to build up, mainly in the food chain.

Avoid It: You can’t avoid dioxins completely. However, because they accumulate in the food chain, animal products typically have the highest amounts. Eating more plant food can help.

#3- Atrazine

Atrazine is an herbicide most frequently used on cornfields. It’s also one of the most commonly found toxins in drinking water.

Atrazine is known to be a major hormone disrupter. This was first discovered when male frogs exposed to the chemical actually turned into female frogs. Definitely not a chemical you want in your system!

Avoid It: Atrazine is most commonly a water contaminant. Have your drinking water tested for it (and other chemicals). If needed, use a water filter that specifically takes out atrazine.

#4- Phthalates

Phthalates are found in several types of plastic, but they are also a common toxin in cosmetic products. They make cosmetics softer and help them stick longer to your skin. You may not always see them on the label, since they can hide under the broad term “fragrance.”

Phthalates can be very toxic to health. They are known to cause hormone disruption and to trigger testicular cell death.

Exposure can also cause reproductive issues and raise the risk of pregnancy loss.

Avoid It: The best way to avoid phthalates in cosmetics is to look for those actually labeled “phthalate-free.” Stay away from anything that simply has “fragrance” listed because that could be hiding any number of chemicals. Also, avoid using plastic food containers, plastic wrap, and any plastic labeled #3.

#5- Perchlorate

Perchlorate is mainly produced as a chemical byproduct of rocket fuel. Even if you haven’t been around any rockets lately, this chemical has become a widespread contaminant in food and drinking water.

The main danger of perchlorates as endocrine disrupters is that they can interfere with thyroid function. They compete with iodine in your body and prevent your thyroid from getting enough of this much-need nutrient.

Avoid It: It’s pretty much impossible to avoid perchlorate in food, but you can have your water tested for it. If it’s found in your water, you can install something like a reverse osmosis water filter. Ensuring that you get a good amount of iodine in your diet can also help negate the effects of perchlorates.

#6- Fire Retardants

Flame retardants probably aren’t what you would expect as a source of dangerous chemicals. However, chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are commonly found in fire retardant substances.

PBDEs are very persistent and can imitate thyroid hormones. They’ve been found in the breast milk of woman all over the world with the highest amounts found in North America. These chemicals have even entered the bodies of polar bears!

The most significant effect of PBDEs is lowering IQ, along with other neurotoxic effects.

Avoid It: It’s impossible to avoid PBDEs completely. You can use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to cut down on toxins that may already be present in your home. You can also look for furniture (specifically couches) with no flame retardant materials.

#7- Lead

Lead can have a harmful effect on your whole body. It’s also one of the top endocrine disruptors and is especially harmful to children.

Exposure to lead can have a toxic effect on your nervous system and reproductive system. It can cause miscarriage, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and nervous system disorders. Chronic exposure can interfere with stress-related hormones.

Avoid It: Carefully get rid of any old lead paint, especially if it’s crumbling. Lead can also enter drinking water, so get it tested and filtered if necessary.

#8- Arsenic

Arsenic poisoning sounds like something that would happen in a murder mystery. However, it’s a heavy metal that can contaminate water and certain foods.

You likely won’t be exposed to levels that would kill you, but small amounts can cause several types of cancer. Arsenic is also a hormone disrupter and can interfere with your thyroid and glucocorticoid system. Disrupting the glucocorticoid system can cause weight changes, insulin resistant, and a host of other problems.

Avoid It: Water and rice are the two most likely places to find arsenic. Test and filter your water, and rinse rice well before cooking it.

#9- Mercury

Mercury is another heavy metal and high on the list of endocrine disruptors. Though naturally occurring, it accumulates in the air and ocean, mostly through coal burning.

Mercury is known to bind to a specific hormone that helps regulate ovulation and menstruation. It can also affect your thyroid and adrenals and is an especially dangerous chemical during pregnancy. This is because mercury can accumulate in the fetal brain, causing neurological issues.

Avoid It: Mercury is most often found in contaminated seafood. Wild-caught salmon are often the best choice. Women may wish to avoid seafood altogether during pregnancy.

#10- Perfluorinated Chemicals

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) can cause some major hormone problems. They are mainly found in any nonstick item: cookware, the inside of popcorn bags, fast food containers, etc. They can also be found in some water- or stain-resistant materials.

One specific PFC known as PFOA can be especially harmful. It’s been linked to cancer, decreased sperm quality, and thyroid disease. PFOA also never breaks down in the environment.

Avoid It: Stay away from nonstick cookware (and microwave popcorn). Avoid using stain-resistant treatments on furniture and/or carpet.

#11- Organophosphates

Organophosphates were originally developed by the Nazis for chemical warfare. They were never used for that purpose but were eventually use to create many different pesticides.

Not surprisingly, these organophosphate pesticides can have many negative effects on human health and act as endocrine disruptors. They can affect brain development and fertility, among other things.

Avoid It: Organophosphate pesticides remain some of the most commonly used in conventional farming. Buy and eat organic whenever possible.

#12- Glycol Ethers

Glycol ethers are a commonly found solvent. They are used most frequently in paints, brake fluid, cleaning products- and cosmetics (because why wouldn’t you want to put a chemical like that on your skin?).

Children exposed to glycol ethers are more likely to get asthma and allergies. They are also linked to testicular damage, infertility, and birth defects.

Avoid It: Use natural and non-toxic cleaners and avoid ingredients such as 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME) like the plague.

Cleaning Endocrine Disruptors Out of Your Life

It should be very clear by now how toxic endocrine disruptors are.

And while eliminating your exposure to all of them is mighty difficult, the key is to work toward greatly decreasing your exposure.

There are four major ways to clean a lot of these chemicals out of your life:

Avoid BPA plastic and any heated plastic: Avoiding any plastic would be ideal but it’s very difficult in our world. When it comes to your food, though, try to avoid plastic storage containers — use glass or other safer storage methods. Always look for BPA-free plastic, especially for any product you put on or in your body. And definitely avoid consuming anything from heated plastic (microwaved plastic, plastic water bottles that have been sitting in the sun, etc.)

Eat cleaner: Going organic, plant-based, and minimally processed most of the time is the best choice for avoiding hormone disrupters.

Test and filter your water: Toxins in drinking water are some of the top chemicals that may cause hormone disruption. Get your water tested and look into filtration systems if needed.

Be EXTRA cautious with your beauty and skincare products: What you put on your skin is largely consumed into your body, so it is really just another form of food. And because cosmetics and personal care products are often LOADED with endocrine-disrupting chemicals and other toxins, it is especially important to choose certified organic skincare products where ever possible.

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