What is the Endocrine system?
A system of glands in the body that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards distant target organs.
What are Endocrine Disruptors?
Endocrine Disruptors are substances or mixtures that alter the function of your endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects, either in your body or in your offspring.
So far, the main areas of scientific study have focused on disruption of the hormones that play a major part in the development and reproduction, mainly estrogens and androgens.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are found everywhere these days in many household items.
The Dirty Dozen- Endocrine Disruptors to AVOID.
- Phthalates
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- Mthoxychlor & Vinclozin
- Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
- Bovine growth hormones
- Soy products
- MSG
- Fluoride
- Synthetically produced pharmaceuticals
- Natural chemicals
- Man-made chemicals and by-products
These poisons could be killing you!
1.) Phthalates – Can lead to incomplete testicular decent in fetuses (found in detergents, automotive plastic, deodorants, fragrances, shampoo, hair spray, nail polish, plastic bags, food packaging, garden hoses, and inflatable toys).
2.) Bisphenol A (BPA) – Can be harmful to the heart, can causes heart disease, neurological defects, breast cancer & prostate cancer (found in reusable water bottles, food containers, food can linings, baby bottles, and dental sealants).
3.) Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – Toxicity in humans is unclear. Can cause birth defects, and liver damage in animals (found in non-stick pans, suede furniture, and water-resistant coatings).
4.) Mthoxychlor & Vinclozin – May cause epigenetic changes even generations after initial exposure (found in insecticide and fungicide).
5.) Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) – These potent chemicals turn on or off certain genes and interfere with the way your glandular system works; they are behind some marine species switching from male to female (found in cleaners, detergents, & shampoos).
6.) Bovine growth hormones – Has been tied to premature adolescence (commonly found in dairy products).
7.) Soy products – Loaded with hormone-like substances, can cause sexual dysfunction in males, more docile behavior, and is not the healthy food people think it is (found in most of the food chain supply).
8.) Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) – Causes brain damage and has been linked to reduced fertility (found in food as an additive).
9.) Fluoride – Linked to lower fertility rates, hormone disruption, and lower sperm counts, but does nothing to prevent tooth decay or reverse osteoporosis (found in the U.S water supply, toothpaste, & mouth wash).
10.) Synthetically produced pharmaceuticals – Intended to be highly hormonally active and long term use will greatly increase your risk of chronic illness (found in every drug store).
11.) Natural chemicals – Include toxins produced by components of plants and certain fungi (found in mold).
12.) Man-made chemicals and by-products – Including pesticides, chlorine, and a number of other industrial chemicals released into the environment.
