Endocrine Disruption. Say What Now?
You’ve seen the words endocrine disruption a lot if you’ve been a part of this community or if you’ve read any of our previous blogs.
But do you know what endocrine disruptors are? Do you know what they do?
Your endocrine system is just another name for your hormone systems. That hormone system is made up of glands throughout your body.
Hormones are actually made by those glands which then release the hormones into your bloodstream and the fluid that surrounds your cells. The next step is for your organs and other various tissues to use their receptors to read and respond to the hormones being released by your glands.
A few things your hormones are responsible for:
The differentiation, growth and function of your reproductive organs
Controlling your blood sugar
The growth of your body and how it produces energy
Pretty important stuff right?
The problem arises when your body is introduced (and accumulates) chemicals that cause disruption to our hormones. Some chemicals found in products we use daily have the ability to mimic a natural hormone and cause a multitude of reactions in your body, such as:
Overproduction or under-production of hormones
Respond at inappropriate times
Over-response to hormones
Blocking specific hormones from certain receptors
Morph one hormone into another hormone
Tell cells to die before their natural cycle completes
Accumulate
When these endocrine disruptors create such reactions, you may see:
Developmental defects
Problems with reproduction
An increased risk of cancer
Disruption to the functionality of your immune and nervous systems
The good news is, you can largely avoid products that fall into this category by learning to read your ingredient labels and choosing safer.
Here is a list of ingredients to avoid when buying products.
BPA - which is found in food cans and in the paper used for receipts
Phthalates - in the ingredient fragrance, as well as in lotions, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, body wash
Lead - lipstick and color cosmetics
PFCs - nonstick cookware
Parabens - shampoo & conditioner, lotion, face wash, body scrub
Don’t forget you can always use the EWG Healthy Living app to scan your products and learn more about ingredient safely at Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.