Endocrine disrupting chemicals and the impact on hormone health
Various present day pesticides, house hold chemicals, fragrance and plastics have been linked to hormone dysfunction, Thyroid disorders, autoimmune disease, neurologic conditions, respiratory ailments and reproductive health issues.
These “everyday” chemicals disrupt normal biological processes related to natural hormone production, synthesis and regulation.
When considering the compounded effects of endocrine disruptors, the total biological effect on our cells is dangerous. The growing body of research suggests that endocrine disruptors are linked to numerous poor health outcomes.
In both animal and human studies, endocrine disrupting chemicals are seen to block and interfere with hormone receptor binding, sex hormone production and the natural regulation of hormones.
“Epidemiological data shows an increase in the prevalence of disease associated with endocrine disrupting chemicals such as breast, prostate, and testis cancer, diabetes, obesity and decreased fertility over the last 50 years” (De Coster, 2022).
What are EDCs?
Endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in everyday consumer products, household chemicals, fabrics, cosmetics, soaps, fragrance, laundry detergents, children’s products, food storage materials, toothpastes, shampoos, lotions, body washes, nonstick pans and more.
Other endocrine disrupting chemicals include pesticides, heavy metals, contaminants in food, air and water, BPA’s, parabens, phthalates and flame retardants. The Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) has evaluated thousands of endocrine disrupting hormones and the following three have been noted for substantial health risks.
Glyphosate, pesticides, herbicides
Glyphosate usage has grown considerably since its first appearance in 1974 and has made its way into conventional farming, water sources and GMO seeds. The common practice of ripening or preparing crops just before harvest involves the spray of glyphosate to dry crops such as soy beans, garbanzo beans, corn and wheat to make them more shelf stable.
Glyphosate negatively impacts human health by blocking essential minerals such as iron and cobalamin (B12), interferes with enzymes production, gut bacteria, intestinal lining integrity and the breakdown of complex proteins (Samsel, 2013).
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen and has contaminated approximately 80-90 percent of wheat-based products. Evidence in human cells and animal cells show strong damage to DNA and chromosomes with increased risk in benign and malignant tumors.
This well-known glyphosate chemical exposure has been linked to Celiac disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, infertility, inflammatory bowel disease, gluten intolerance and inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema (Samsel, 2013).
Glyphosate damages gut health by breaking down the tight junctions of the intestinal tract, playing a nefarious role in both immune and brain health.
TIP: One of the best ways to reduce glyphosate exposure is to drink filtered water (not in plastic), reduce alcohol intake, choose local organic fruits, vegetables and grains, support organic farmers and avoid GMOs. Pay attention to the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen.
2. BPA, Bisphenol
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and can be found in water bottles, food and beverage containers, baby bottles, menstrual cups, sales receipts, toiletries and most canned foods sold to people and pets.
BPA is just one of 23 chemical compounds that was investigated by the Halifax Project, a worldwide collaboration task force of 350 cancer researchers, scientists and physicians who study the link between low level chemical exposure and cancer. They hypothesize that it is through low dose exposure of commonly encountered chemicals from the environment that are responsible for toxic effects on the body’s organs, tissues, and cells.
Bisphenol A has also been seen to cause cellular changes and growth in the prostate size with associated risks of prostatic squamous neoplasia, suggesting an associated role in prostate cancer (De Coster, 2012).
TIP: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends reducing BPA, BPF and BPS exposure by avoiding canned, packaged foods, eat a diet consisting of only fresh, unpackaged, unpossessed foods and avoid heating foods in plastic containers or wraps.
3. Phthalates
Otherwise known as “the everywhere chemical” Phthalates are found in body lotions, soaps, makeup, candles, hair sprays, deodorants, fragranced products and even medical devices such as IV tubing and medical bags for blood transfusions and dialysis. Basically, when you walk down the cosmetic aisle in the drugstore, behold— your everyday phthalates.
The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health National published a meta-analysis on phthalates and breast cancer suggesting a “passively associated exposure to this chemical can be seen in reproductive, thyroid, and developmental problems” (Liu, 2021).
What to do?
Phthalates are rarely listed in the ingredients on labels because the FDA does not require the listing of these individual ingredients, so it’s best to avoid processed foods and perfumed products like shampoos, air fresheners, laundry detergents, candles, lotions etc. To minimize phthalates exposure always choose fragrance free, clean, minimal ingredient products when possible. For food storage use glass or stainless steel. To avoid phthalates found in “everyday products”, take a look at independent databases such as EWG’s skin deep to check out household brands before buying cosmetics, personal products and home goods.
Acupuncture, HPA function and Endocrine Health
The endocrine system is comprised of glands that produce hormones to coordinate growth, development, metabolism, energy, and your body’s response to stress.
While our “everyday” exposure is largely an individual’s responsibility related to informed consumerism, the various imbalances seen in endocrine dysfunction can be addressed with Acupuncture.
The emerging Acupuncture research is appraised for its “inherent regulatory effect on the neuro-endocrine-immune network” (S.S., 2014), which is the biological basis of homeostasis.
The delicate interplay between our chemical messengers, hormones, genes and environment define our total health which is why we must address all aspects of preventative health.
How can acupuncture improve hormone health?
Acupuncture is a intervention tool that will help the body self regulate, but first we must remove the things that are making us sick in the first place. The HPA axis (Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis) is observed through through the lens of the Kidney and Heart axis.
Kidney: The Kidney meridian is the primary representation of reproductive function and is paired with the Heart meridian. This relationship describes the correspondence between hormones and emotional well-being.
The Kidneys contains the Essence which is our most fundamental expression of genes interacting with the environment, as well as our biological marker for growth, reproduction and aging. The Kidney and adrenals are in charge of adaptation to stress, aging and all biological processes.
Heart: The Heart houses the Shen (heart-mind) and this aspect of our spirit is greatly influenced by our hormonal health. For example, excess cortisol increases the incidence of anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia. This spike causes a disruption in the natural rhythm, leading to hormone dysfunction and a scattered spirit.
A healthy endocrine system secretes adequate amounts of hormones to regulate energy levels, emotions, sleep, hormones, stress and aging, which are the many positive benefits of regular acupuncture treatment.
Final thoughts..
While we can’t control everything in our environment, we can become a more educated consumer regarding the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals and choose products that are free of harmful chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, fragrances and plastics.
We must also urge our governments and national agencies to reexamine policy’s toward hazardous endocrine disrupting chemicals and introduce new legislation that would restrict its usage or properly label such as hazardous. But for now, “we must peel the wool back” and recognize the research as a fair warning sign.
Mitigating environmental exposure can seem to be a daily chore in keeping up with all these “everyday” chemical contacts but when it comes to preventative medicine what we “consume” matters. And once we begin eliminating these harmful chemical exposures we have safe and effective treatments like acupuncture to help reduce stress hormones and counterbalance dysfunction.
Resources:
De Coster, S., & van Larebeke, N. (2012). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Associated Disorders and mechanisms of action. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 1–52. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/713696
Diamanti-Kandarakis, E., Bourguignon, J. P., Giudice, L. C., Hauser, R., Prins, G. S., Soto, A. M., Zoeller, R. T., & Gore, A. C. (2009). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: an Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocrine reviews, 30(4), 293
Liu, G., Cai, W., Liu, H., Jiang, H., Bi, Y., & Wang, H. (2021). The Association of Bisphenol A and phthalates with risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2375. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052375
Rattan, S., Zhou, C., Chiang, C., Mahalingam, S., Brehm, E., & Flaws, J. A. (2017). Exposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: Consequences for female fertility. Journal of Endocrinology, 233(3).https://doi.org/10.1530/joe-17-0023
Samsel, A., & Seneff, S. (2013). Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases II: Celiac sprue and gluten intolerance. Interdisciplinary toxicology, 6(4), 159–184. https://doi.org/10.2478/intox-2013-0026
Sears, M. E., & Genuis, S. J. (2012). Environmental determinants of chronic disease and medical approaches: Recognition, avoidance, supportive therapy, and detoxification. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/356798
S.S. Ding, S.H. Hong, C. Wang, Y. Guo, Z.K. Wang, Y. Xu, Acupuncture modulates the neuro–endocrine–immune network, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 107, Issue 5, May 2014, Pages 341–345, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hct196
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Iarc explains the carcinogenicity of Glyphosate. World Health Organization. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.iarc.who.int/video/qa-on-glyphosate/.
