WELLNESS AUTHORS
Coach Kati Epps
ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT n Five hormone-altering chemicals that could have negative effects on the endocrine system.
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1. BPA (bisphenol A)
f it has been a while since human biology class, the endocrine system may not be as familiar to you as the respiratory system or the circulatory system. The endocrine system is a group of glands that produce and secrete vital hormones that the body uses for different functions. These hormones control growth, metabolism, respiration, reproduction, movement and sexual development — is your memory jogged yet? The glands that produce these hormones use the bloodstream to transport them to different tissues throughout the body. They send signals with instructions as to what the hormones are supposed to do in those tissues. When the hormone levels are not produced in the right amount by the glands, diseases can develop that affect different aspects of life. Unfortunately, there are actually many common household items that house ingredients that can affect the endocrine system (aka hormone disruptors), thus altering hormone production and potentially leading to or causing physical ailments. Here are five of the most common endocrine disruptors that can be found in everyday household items, but worry not! These can be managed or eliminated to help prevent disease and assist the body with healthy hormone creation.
JUNE 2021
When consumed, BPA imitates the sex hormone, estrogen, in the body. When the synthetic hormone tricks the body into believing it is the real thing, problems start to arise. Diseases like breast cancer, heart disease, obesity and reproductive issues have all been linked to BPA. Healthy Steps: To avoid BPA, choose fresh foods over canned foods, as cans can be lined with BPA. Avoid plastics with the “PC” or polycarbonate marks, or that may have the recycle #7 symbol. Choose glass over plastic containers for food storage and reheating. Look for stainless steel or cast iron pans as opposed to pans with nonstick coating.
2. Phthalates
Phthalates, according to the CDC, are considered to be a group of chemicals that are used to make plastics more durable. These can get into foods from packaging. These trigger the “death-inducing instructions” in cells which begins the destruction of the cells. This is a completely normal process in cell development and the cellular cycle — however, issues arise when the phthalates trigger the instruction in testicular cells causing them to die earlier than normal. This can cause hormone imbalances, lower sperm count and slower sperm, birth defects in the male reproductive system,
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