Should Toxin Exposure Be a Part of Preventative Screening?
By Veena Verma-Dzik, ND, FIAMA
D
id you know that there are thousands of manufactured chemicals in the United States? These chemicals are found in numerous places; in food, water, cookware, cleaners, pesticides, furniture, cosmetic products, implants and more. We are even exposed to chemicals that are found in the air and in common household dust. Many of these chemicals are non-degradable and persist in the environment, bioaccumulating in people, and consequently impose numerous health consequences. Results of Toxin Exposure There are many toxic metals, some of which include cadmium, mercury, manganese, and nickel to name a few. When exposed to heavy metals, free radicals are produced causing oxidative stress. If our bodies are unable to properly bind and detoxify these chemicals, they accumulate throughout the body, the damage worsens, and normal health processes
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Natural Nutmeg - March/April 2021
within our cells begin to malfunction. Our intracellular antioxidants become depleted, and damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA occurs. Almost all heavy metals are endocrine disruptors or carcinogens. The carcinogenic effect is linked to the damage caused to our DNA and chromosomal abnormalities. According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 800 chemicals capable of disrupting hormone receptors, synthesis or conversion. The Endocrine System Let’s do a quick overview of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is comprised of numerous glands, some of which include your adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid glands and the hormones associated with them. Making up your endocrine system are the male and female sex glands, and thus, sex hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Not to mention, there are over 50 hormones and hormone-related molecules, such as neurotransmitters. With
all of these complex mechanisms, your endocrine system is responsible for growth and development, metabolism, appetite, the sleep-wake cycle, reproduction and regulating the release of hormones. Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic the hormones our bodies make. To put it simply, they bind to hormone receptors within our bodies and alter hormone synthesis, transport, binding and metabolism. By doing this, they adversely affect development and reproduction. With regard to estrogenic endocrine disruptors, these are of significant health concern due to their ability to increase hormone-dependent cancers. Not only are there endocrine disruptors, but neuroendocrine disruptors also exist. Because the endocrine system and brain work hand in hand, the neurological system is vulnerable to toxin exposure and damage, leading to negative impacts on
