Hormone Disruption
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers that travel around the body telling organs and tissues what to do. They control major bodily processes such as metabolism and reproduction.
For instance, “Cortisol” helps control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, helps reduce inflammation and assist with memory formation. “Testosterone” is associated with sex drive and plays a vital role in sperm production, affects bone and muscle mass, fat storage, and red blood cell production.
When an imbalance of these hormones occurs, such as production of certain hormones at the wrong time or in amount more or less than it should be, problems such as decrease in growth and body hair growth, loss of muscle mass, loss of bone mass, difficulty concentration may arise in men and problems such as heavy/irregular/missed/stopped/frequent periods, excessive hair, acne may arise in women.
In children, hormonal imbalance may lead to a lack of development of muscle mass and a voice that does not deepen for boys and low growth rate and mensuration issues in girls.
In this article, we are going to learn about the endocrine system that controls the production of these hormones, and about endocrine disruptors which lead to an imbalance of the hormones causing a host of issues.
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a series of glands in our body that produce and secrete hormones.
For instance, when we eat and our blood sugar starts increasing, the pancreas makes the hormone “insulin” which helps decrease the blood sugar by binding to various cells in the body and opening them up to take in the glucose, leading to less glucose in the body the blood.
When we are under dark lighting conditions at night, the pineal gland secretes more melatonin, which makes us sleepy. Melatonin also acts as a potent antioxidant, cleaning the brain and body from oxidative stress while we are asleep.
Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones. They can be natural or man-made.
When absorbed in the body, they can result in one of the following scenarios:
- Decrease or increase normal hormone levels
- Mimic the body’s natural hormones
- Alter the natural production of hormones
Endocrine disruptors attracted attention from researchers around the 1950s and came into the limelight in the 1970s.
Arthur L Herbst, an American researcher, at the beginning of the 1970s, observed an increase in a rare form of gynecological cancer among female adolescents and young adults. On analysis, it was revealed that mothers of these females had taken di-ethyl-stil-bestrol (DES), which was a synthetic estrogen prescribed at the time to prevent miscarriage during pregnancy.
The link between fetal exposure to this drug and damage to reproductive organs was quickly established.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is an artificially created hormone that was first synthesized in the 1930s.
In 1971, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised doctors to stop prescribing it during pregnancy. Estrogens are still prescribed for some medical reasons, including to help treat some cancers, but they are no longer used during pregnancy. Other than in a rare clinical trial, DES is no longer available in the United States for use in humans.
In the 2000s, it was analyzed through several studies that grandchildren of women who took DES also suffered medical issues.
Some commonly known endocrine disruptors
BPA
BPA (Bisphenol-A) is found in many plastic products including food storage containers.
It can mimic estrogen in the body and has been linked to various types of cancers and reproductive problem.
To reduce exposure to BPA, avoid canned foods, receipts, and Plastics marked with PC or recycling number 7.
Dioxins
Dioxins are produced as a byproduct in herbicide production and paper bleaching. They are also released into the environment during waste burning and wildfires.
Dioxins are a group of highly toxic chemical compounds linked to problems concerning reproduction, development, immune system, hormone disruption, and cancer.
When released into the environment, the compounds collect in soil and sediments. Plants, water, and air contain low levels of dioxins. When dioxins enter the food chain, they are stored in animal fats. Over 90% of human exposure to dioxins comes through food, mainly animal products.
Cutting back on animal products may help in reducing dioxins exposure.
Atrazine
Looking to turn male frogs into females which produce eggs? Atrazine will do the job.
Studies have shown that atrazine exposure can turn male frogs into female frogs that even produce eggs. The herbicide atrazine is one of the most commonly applied pesticides in the world. It is a potent endocrine disruptor.
Exposure to Atrazine comes via crops sprayed with this pesticide (corn crops are common in the U.S to be sprayed with it) and also via drinking water.
Exposure can be reduced by buying organic food and using a water filter.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in products such as toys, vinyl flooring, detergents, food packaging, and personal care products (nail polish, soaps, perfumes). They are used to make plastic more flexible.
Pthalates are used widely in cosmetics and perfumes as they make the scent linger. Personally I believe that the amazing synthetic fragrance from perfumes is not worth the risk that it poses to one’s health (and the family’s health as well). There are my DIY perfumes that can be made at home with a combination of various essential oils.
Exposure to phthalates has been linked to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, low IQ, and reproductive issues. Long-term exposure to phthalates has also been linked to increased cell death in male testicular cells.
The exposure can be reduced by:
- Avoiding plastic food containers
- Avoid children’s toys that may contain phthalates
- Plastic wrap made from PVC (Recycling Number 3)
- Avoiding products which list phthalates as an ingredient
- Avoiding products containing “fragrance” or “parfum” as an ingredient.
PBDEs
PBDEs (Poly-brominated-di-phenyl-ethers) are man-made chemicals used to make fire retardants for products such as furniture foam and carpets A fire retardant is a substance used to slow down or stop the spread of fire or reduce its intensity.
These chemicals are persistent in the environment and have been found in humans (such as Women’s breast milk) and animals (polar bears). They can mimic thyroid hormone in the body and lead to lower IQ. They can also cause neuro-development issues, reproductive changes, and even cancer.
PBDEs have been found in much higher concentrations in infants and toddlers due to exposure via maternal milk and house dust.
To reduce exposure to these chemicals, you can:
- Use a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter for cleaning the house
- Avoid reupholstering foam furniture
- Be careful when replacing old carpets (the underneath padding may contain PBDEs)
Lead
Lead is a naturally occurring metal and has been used in products such as gasoline, paint, plumbing pipes, batteries, and cosmetics.
Lead is toxic inside the body, especially for children. It has been linked to health problems such as brain damage, lowered IQ, miscarriage, premature birth, kidney damage, and nervous system problems. It can disrupt hormone signaling to one of the important systems in our body that regulates stress (HPA axis).
As per the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), children under the age of 6 years are at a greater risk for exposure due to their rapid rate of growth and tendency to put objects in their mouth that may contain lead or dust containing lead.
Two major sources of lead exposure are crumbling old house paint and contaminated water. U.S Government banned lead-based house paint in 1978. In older homes, lead-based house paint can still be found. It can chip away and then turn to dust, the dust leads to lead exposure.
To reduce exposure, fix crumbling paint carefully and use filtered water.
Mercury
Mercury is also a naturally occurring metal that is toxic to living organisms.
It is released into the environment through burning coal, from where it ends up in the ocean.
Exposure to mercury in the case of pregnant women can lead to interference in the brain development of the fetus. It is known to interfere with women’s menstrual cycle, ovulation and is also linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes.
Human exposure to mercury comes mainly from seafood. Opting for “low-mercury” options such as shrimp, salmon, and farmed trout can reduce the risk.
PFCs (Per-fluorinated chemicals)
PFCs are chemicals used to make everyday products such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant clothes, and carpets. They are extremely persistent in the environment and build up in the bodies of humans and animals.
Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to health concerns such as cancer, hormone disruption, liver toxicity, reduced birth weight, and harm to the immune system.
In 2018, the Washington State Legislature passed two new laws, banning PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam. San Francisco passed an ordinance in 2018 banning PFAS in food packaging.
To reduce exposure to PFCs, you can:
- Avoid “stain-resistant” furniture and carpets
- Stay away from greasy or oily packaged and fast foods such as microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers
- Avoid personal-care products (such as nail-polish, facial moisturizers, eye-makeup) made with Teflon or those with words containing “fluoro” or “perfluoro” in the ingredients.
- Avoid non-stick cookware.
Glycol Ethers
Glycol Ethers are chemicals commonly found in paints, cleaning products, brake fluid, and cosmetic products.
Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to fertility issues and damage to unborn children.
According to a Swedish study, children with higher concentrations of these chemicals in their bodies were twice as likely to have asthma. It also showed that children living in homes where at least one room was painted right before or after their birth had a 63% increase in mean glycol ether levels compared to those who never repainted.
To reduce exposure, you can:
- Use natural healthy cleaners
- Avoid products containing 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME).
Research challenges
Various challenges related to the study of endocrine disruptors exist in the scientific community, due to which it is hard to establish outcomes of a particular disruptor. Some of the challenges include:
- Exposure doses: High dose exposure may not have same impact as long term low dose exposure.
- Repeated exposure to multiple chemicals.
- Time: Unwanted effects may be triggered in a small time window in the fetus, but consequences may show up decades later or even in the generation of grandchildren.
- Complexity of the hormone system.
Summary
Congratulations! After learning about the endocrine system, endocrine disruptors, and how to avoid/reduce exposure to some common ones, you are now one step ahead on your health journey. I hope this benefits not only you but the lives of people who come in contact with you. Cheers!
References
- https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/hormone_imbalance_signs_symptoms
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726844/
- https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm
- https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/what-endocrine-disruption
- https://www.nrdc.org/stories/9-ways-avoid-hormone-disrupting-chemicals
- https://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides/dirty-dozen-endocrine-disruptors
- https://www.inserm.fr/en/health-information/health-and-research-from-z/endocrine-disruptors
- http://cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/medical-treatments/des-exposure.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21155623/
- https://www.plasticsfacts.com/blog/2018/4/15/bpa-so-where-do-we-go-from-here