Did you know that what your eggs are exposed to today could affect the health of your daughter’s eggs?! Listen up! This article isn’t meant to scare you, but to empower you!
There are over 80,000 endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) used in manufacturing items that we come into contact with daily. They are in our personal care products, clothing, bedding, cook- and bakeware. They contaminate our water, food, and air. And, the EPA has only banned 6 of these 80,000 chemicals in the United States!
There are contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and glyphosates in our drinking water. High levels of mercury in our oceans and consequently the fish we eat. And, an array of chemicals in the most common household items. Many of these chemicals and toxins are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals aka chemicals that negatively impact our hormones.
When we say “toxic exposure”, most people think about overt toxicity - lead poisoning from paint for instance. But in this blog, I want to point out how even small amounts of these chemicals can have a major impact on our system. In particular, the endocrine system - our hormones. From your metabolism to your mood to your reproductive health – the endocrine system controls and coordinates thousands of functions throughout the body using hormones as the messengers.
The endocrine system is very sensitive and even a minor change can throw it off. Disrupting the delicate dance of your hormones. Depending on the gland(s) involved, the result could be over- or underactive thyroid, too slow or fast metabolism, irregular periods, anovulation, infertility, sudden mood changes, or improper immune response to name a few. That’s why it is so important for us to learn more about chemicals known to disrupt the endocrine system. And what we can do to prevent endocrine and hormone disruption.
One very important note is that in the case of hormones and chemicals that disrupt hormones, dose does NOT make the poison. Very low levels of EDCs can cause major disruptions in the functioning of our hormones.
What are Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are “substances in the environment (air, soil, or water supply), food sources, personal care products, and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of your body’s endocrine system.” We are exposed to EDCs through the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and absorption through our skin.
Here is how EDCs work:
- Alter the production and regulation of hormones: EDCs can cause the body to alter how hormones are made, stored, or broken down.
- Mimic the body’s natural hormones: Some EDCs trick our bodies into thinking that they are hormones causing the body to respond inappropriately.
- Block hormones: EDCs can bind to a cell’s hormone receptor blocking natural hormones from doing their job.
We can’t avoid toxins or EDCs 100%. But, we can work to reduce the number of toxins in our body (our overall toxic burden). And in doing so, we can prevent hormonal disruption and resulting symptoms.
Why Do We Care About Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?
EDCs are not something that are talked about a lot. But, they should be! Scientists and researchers are learning more and more about how our exposure to these chemicals impact some critical areas of our health and that of our communities. I’m going to focus on a few here.
A rise in infertility.
Experts believe that the rise in infertility is due, in part, to toxic environmental contaminants. Several studies have shown that women with higher exposure to common chemicals like pesticides and BPA experience an increase in infertility by upwards of 50%. Additionally, these women are typically less successful with IVF treatments
Pregnancy and miscarriage.
Pregnant women and their growing fetuses are especially sensitive to harmful chemicals and toxins. Phthalates, flame retardants, PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals), and pesticides are all able to cross the placenta and transfer into breastmilk.
Even at very low levels, exposure to these chemicals in utero and/or as an infant can contribute to significant health concerns. These include impaired growth, asthma, thyroid disruption, heart defects, immune suppression, and altered cognitive and behavioral development.
And, they have the potential to cause miscarriage and preterm delivery. Moreover, the impact of these chemicals has the potential to impact our children’s children! In other words, what your eggs are exposed to today could affect the health of your daughter’s eggs!! Now that’s wild.
Increase in Thyroid conditions.
EDCs are one of the main culprits for an increase in thyroid disorders in women. EDCs such as phthalates, PFCs, BPA, and flame retardants alter thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. This causes the thyroid to either slow down or speed up.
Early-onset of puberty.
Over the past 20 years, there has been an increase in the early onset of puberty in both boys and girls. Environmental factors alone are not the culprit. But, there is increasing evidence that suggests EDCs such as BPA, pesticides, and phthalates do play a part in affecting pubertal development.
Brain development in our kids.
The brains of infants and children are particularly sensitive to chemical exposure. In particular, EDCs such as phthalates, PFCs, flame retardants, PCBs, and pesticides can interfere with cognitive and behavioral brain development. What’s very concerning is that less than 1% of chemicals registered with the EPA have undergone extensive neurotoxicity testing. And many chemicals found in consumer goods are not required to undergo this testing. Yikes!
The 6 Common Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
As I mentioned above, there are over 80,000 EDCs! For now, let’s focus on the 6 most common EDCs.
1. Bisphenol A (BPA): BPA interacts with estrogen receptors and plays a role in infertility (men and women), early puberty, breast cancer, PCOS, obesity, and heart disease.
BPA was first developed in 1890 as a synthetic estrogen. Today, BPA is a synthetic chemical used in the production of many plastic products including kids’ toys, water bottles, and other housewares. BPA mimics the sex hormone estrogen, tricking the body into thinking it’s the real hormone. Leading to health issues that we typically see from dangerously high levels of estrogen.
2. Phthalates:
Phthalates are in tons of products. They are a fixative for color and perfumes and make plastics supple and flexible. They are found in personal care products, makeup, nail polish, household cleaners, scented candles, air fresheners, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, plastic food containers, kids’ toys, and even the interior of your car.
Phthalate exposure can lead to infertility, low sperm counts, birth defects, obesity, and thyroid conditions.
3. Flame Retardants:
Flame retardants are chemicals added to materials such as clothing, furniture, and carpets to prevent the start or slow the growth of a fire. The US banned early flame retardants in 1977, but many are still found in old furniture. Newer ones like brominated flame retardants are now also receiving scrutiny as EDCs.
Flame retardants are linked to various health concerns including thyroid conditions, reproductive issues, neurological and developmental delays, cancer, and low birth weight.
4. Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs):
PFCs are most commonly known for their use in non-stick cookware. PFC compounds can take several years to break down in your body and some may never biodegrade. Meaning they stick with us forever and have the potential to cause harm years and years after exposure.
PFC exposure can lead to decreased sperm quality, low birth weight, thyroid disease, and high cholesterol to name a few.
5. Organophosphates:
Organophosphates are one of the most commonly used pesticides in the US. They are used on peaches, apples, corn, pears, cherries, grapes, and citrus. They have been linked to lower IQ, developmental delay, and ADHD in kids exposed in utero. Organophosphates are also known as “obesogens.” These are chemicals that are linked to metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.
6. Mercury:
Mercury is a naturally occurring toxic metal that contaminates the air and ocean by burning coal. So at some level, everyone experiences mercury exposure. But, if you include fish in your diet you may experience higher levels of mercury exposure due to bioaccumulation. Bacteria and phytoplankton take up mercury. Small fish eat the bacteria and phytoplankton and accumulate mercury. Large fish like tuna eat the small fish and have large amounts of mercury in them. And then guess what happens when we eat the big fish?! I think you get it.
Pregnant women are most at risk for mercury exposure. Even low-dose mercury exposure can interfere with fetal brain development. Mercury can also interfere with hormones in women that help regulate their menstrual cycle and ovulation.
6 Things to Replace or Dispose of to Avoid Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Now that we've established what EDCs are and what they do in our body, let’s look at 6 things you can replace or dispose of to avoid them.
Plastics
Most plastics contain BPAs or phthalates. The most concerning plastics are the soft, pliable ones as these contain higher levels of BPA and phthalates. And old plastics! As plastics start to break down, they release more chemicals into the water, food or mouths they come into contact with.
I highly recommend replacing your plastic containers and water bottles with glass or stainless steel. Plus, don’t forget about plastic children’s toys, especially old ones. We all know these end up in our kid's mouths.
Beauty and Personal Care Products
Many products that we use daily such as make-up, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, and soap contain phthalates and parabens. These chemicals can be easily absorbed into the skin. Check out the EWG’s Skin Deep database to see if the products you use daily contain phthalates and parabens or other concerning chemicals. Each product is rated for its potential to cause harm to your body. You can then decide if it’s worth it to throw the product out or if you want to use up the rest and buy something “cleaner” next time.
Non-Stick Pans
Non-stick pans make cleaning up easy, but it’s not worth it. The PFCs used to make the non-stick surface break down during use and increase your contamination. Not to mention, you are replacing your cookware every few years, which has huge environmental implications. Good cookware should last a lifetime!
I recommend replacing non-stick pans with stainless steel, carbon steel, stoneware, or cast iron pans. Check out Lara Adler’s comprehensive guide to bakeware and cookware.
Flame Retardants
Many flame retardants are used in household items like couches, mattresses, and carpet pads and in clothing items including children’s pajamas. While many flame retardants have been phased out or are no longer produced, companies are not required to list the chemicals that they do use on their flame-retardant materials.
Begin by doing some research to ensure your household items and clothing aren’t covered in a flame retardant. Or, consider natural fibers like wool or silk or synthetics like polyester or nylon. These use no or little chemical treatments.
Tuna and Other Big Fish
Decrease your mercury exposure by eliminating or reducing tuna and other big fish from your diet. Due to bioaccumulation, larger, deep-water fish contain higher levels of mercury.
Remove or limit consumption of larger fish - tuna, shark, swordfish, orange roughy, king mackerel, or tilefish. Instead, try seafood with lower mercury levels such as wild-caught salmon, sardines and trout. Many of these bigger fish are also being overfished. Another reason to avoid them.
Conventional Produce
To decrease your organophosphate exposure, start by buying more organic produce. Conventionally grown produce has been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides in the fields. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “dirty dozen” list for produce with the highest levels of pesticide residue.
If purchasing items from the dirty dozen list, try to choose organic. Also, check out the EWG’s “Clean 15” list. This list contains conventionally grown produce with the lowest levels of pesticide residue.
Cleaning Up Our Toxin Exposures
The three most important take-homes from this article are:
1) we can’t avoid EDCs completely, but we can reduce our overall toxic burden
2) in the case of chemicals that disrupt our hormones, dose does NOT make the poison. Very low levels of EDCs can cause major disruptions in the functioning of our hormones.
3) reducing our toxin exposures is necessary for the health of not only humans but for our planet.
We can start by changing the way we buy and consume products and food and reduce the potential exposures in our environment. And this can make a big difference in our overall health! Specifically, our hormone health relating to metabolism, sleep, period health, fertility, menopause, and mood!
All of the EDCs discussed in this article are harmful to not only us but to the planet. And if we don’t clean up our act and start changing the way we shop, eat and live, our planet is going to be filled with toxins. And this could play a huge role in the survival of entire ecosystems. Do it for the four-legged and winged ones!
If you’re pregnant, nursing, trying to get pregnant or have littles in the house, it’s especially important to consider ways that you can decrease your exposure. For both you and your babies.
Start small. Ditch the plastic water bottle. Pick out the organic strawberries. And, pack your leftovers up in a glass container. Whatever steps you can take matter.
And, if you need help or have concerns about how your exposure to EDCs may be impacting your hormones, let’s chat and get you on the right track with your hormones. This conversation is one of my favorites to discuss!
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References:
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2. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/edcs
3. "Environmental Toxins and Infertility - NCBI."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6396757/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022
"Cumulative Chemical Exposures During Pregnancy and Early ...." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4626367/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022.
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9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4679188/
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25813067/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022.
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