We often get asked what hormone disruptors are and how can they be avoided. You may be surprised to know that even the most common things, like everyday personal and home care products, can contain Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). These harmful chemicals have negative impacts on your health, as they affect the body’s communication system and functionality.

Your endocrine system is a series of glands that produce hormones in your body. That includes things like estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline, insulin, and more. (https://www.classicsofttrim.com) These hormones are responsible for sending messages throughout the body and ensuring that all systems run normally.

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic or interfere with your body’s natural hormones. They can change the chemical messages sent throughout your body, which then affects its ability to function properly and can lead to serious health conditions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), endocrine disruptors can lead to hormone-related cancers, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and reproductive problems. “Exposure [to EDCs] occurs through consumer products and environmental pollution. The risk for health is especially high for exposure occurring in infants and children, since during early development multiple developing tissues may be affected,” notes the WHO.

Unfortunately, endocrine disruptors are all too prevalent and you’ll likely find them in products already in your home. For example, Triclosan is a common chemical found in liquid body wash, soap, and hand sanitizers. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), exposure to Triclosan is linked to a decrease in some thyroid hormones. The FDA also claims that some studies have flagged triclosan’s ability to make bacteria immune to antibiotics. 

Phthalates, another common EDC, “interfere with the production of testosterone,” according to the Endocrine Society. Phthalates are mainly used in the packaging of food and beverages, as well as cosmetic products. Bisphenol A (BPA), commonly found in plastics, is one of the “most pervasive” EDCs out there, says the Endocrine Society. “In humans, it is linked to reduced egg quality and other aspects of egg viability in patients seeking fertility treatment.”

Here are 5 simple ways to avoid EDCs or hormone disruptors:

1 – Diligently read ingredient labels

Check ingredient labels for vague ingredients like “fragrance”, “perfume”, “colorants”, “dye”, “preservative”, “non-ionic surfactant” or “anionic surfactant”, all of which could be hiding endocrine-disrupting chemicals. When possible, shop from companies that disclose all their ingredients.

2 – Use safe plastics

For storing food, it’s best to use glass or stainless steel containers as a lot of plastics contain Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, EDCs that can leech into your food especially when exposed to heat. However, not all plastics are harmful. The safest plastic options are labeled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene); they’re non-toxic, BPA and phthalate-free, and completely recyclable.

It’s easy to tell the difference in types of plastic – just look at the number inside the recycling code (which looks like chasing arrows) at the bottom of the packaging. Plastic labeled 1 (PET) or 2 (HDPE) is safe to use. Otherwise, it’s best to avoid plastic with recycling codes 3, 6, 7, “V”, or “PVC” in the recycling symbol – this means it contains phthalates.

3 – Use filters

You can absorb endocrine disruptors through the air and water. Protect yourself with a vacuum loaded with a HEPA filter to remove chemical-laden household dust and dirt. Use an air filter if possible, too. Since city water treatment plants don’t remove these chemicals, you’ll also need an in-home filter with an activated carbon filter.

4 – Use non-toxic cookware

Most people have at least one reliable non-stick pan in their cookware collection. But did you know that Teflon pots and pans contain Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)? “While using non-stick cookware might make your nightly clean up a bit faster, stirring your food over a heated surface coated in Teflon gives EDCs ample opportunity to seep into your food,” says Table Health, a primary care and functional medical practice in Michigan, U.S. The safest cookware options are cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramic.

5 – Use non-toxic home care products

What you use to clean your home is paramount to your health and the air quality in your home. Conventional cleaning products contain so many harmful chemicals such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), ammonia, phthalates, colorants, synthetic fragrances, parabens, SLS/SLES, phosphates, bleach, etc.

These chemicals encounter the utensils you eat from, stick to your clothes, your skin, and affect the air you breathe. Switching to non-toxic cleaning products will have a profoundly positive impact on your overall health, including your endocrine system.

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