Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances in the environment (air, soil, or water supply), food sources, personal care products, cleaning products, agricultural products, and manufactured products that interfere with the endocrine system. You can be exposed in several ways, including air quality, food, and water. The endocrine produces hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, adrenaline, insulin, and more.
What is the Endocrine System?
“The endocrine system is a complex bodily system consisting of numerous endocrine glands. Hormones produced by these glands help organs and tissues respond to circulating hormones. The endocrine organs include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.” (1)
“The endocrine system’s primary responsibility is to regulate numerous bodily functions, including blood sugar control, growth and development, and energy production, as well as to balance hormone levels, helping to maintain homeostasis.” (1)
What can you replace?
- Eat organic. In organic farming, pesticides are natural and non-toxic. The closer you get to whole food, the better.
- Reduce high-fat consumption. This includes milk and animal foods that contain toxins such as POPs (persistent organic pollutants). These toxins get stored in our fat issues. Go for leaner cuts of meats and fish with low chemical content.
- Filter your water. Have you read your water provider’s containment chart? Tap water contains residue from pharmaceutical products such as antidepressants, oral contraceptives, blood pressure medicines, and more). We suggest purchasing a Zero Water if you are just starting out or a Berkley if you want something a little better.
- Clean smarter. Chemicals have…well chemicals. Replace your toxic cleaning products with natural solutions such as Ecover or Eco. You can also easily make your own cleaners using castile soap, alcohol, vinegar, and essential oils.
- Avoid plastic containers. Never microwave. Replace with glass or stainless steel food containers.
- Select non-toxic cosmetic products. Turn over your bottles of shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, make-up, hair dye, etc…and check what is in them. Avoid products that contain Aluminum (deodarants), DEA, MEA, TEA, Parabens, Phtalates, Siloxanes, and Triclosan.
- Wash your produce. Not just with water, use salt, baking soda, and vinegar too! Most of your produce (including organic) will have pesticides you will need to properly wash before consuming.
- Ditch the toxic fragrances (5). This includes your perfumes, fabric softners, wax melts, and candles. If you want to make your home smell good, add a quality essential oil in a diffuser.
- Toss your Teflon & Non-Stick Cookware. Throw those forever chemicals in the trash. Swap your cookware for stainless steel or ceramic.
- Replace your sunscreen. Protect those babies. Swap to a mineral active, fragrance free sunscreen.
- Replace your deodorant. Did you know your deodorant has aluminum in it? Should we really be putting that in our lymph nodes? Swap to a non-aluminum deodarant.
Bottom Line
We know. It’s a lot! But always start small. With anything regarding health and wellness, you should always take things slow and listen to your body. It’s always good to start with one replacement at a time to give your body time to detox.
Sources
(1) The Hidden Dangers of Endocrine Disruptors, Laura Dan, BSc, NDTR, August, 20, 2020, https://fullscript.com/blog/endocrine-disruptors
(2) Beware of Endocrine Disruptors Commonly Found in Your Home, Naturepedic Team, February 2, 2023, https://www.naturepedic.com/blog/2023/02/endocrine-disruptors-in-your-home
(3) EDCs 101 – What are endocrine disrupting chemicals?, https://olivercare.co/blogs/edcs/endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-101
(4) https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.553850/full
(5) https://www.forceofnatureclean.com/truth-about-toxic-fragrances/
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