Endocrine Disruptors and Weight Control

February 27, 2017 / Thyroid Health / Source: Health

What is an endocrine disruptor...and how can it effect our weight? Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that "disrupt" or interfere with our body's endocrine system, which in turn may cause adverse effects in our developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune systems. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences adds that, "A wide range of substances, both natural and man-made, are thought to cause endocrine disruption, including pharmaceuticals, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other pesticides, and plasticizers such as bisphenol A. Endocrine disruptors may be found in many everyday products– including plastic bottles, metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides."

In fact, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) now has a new dirty dozen list...the Dirty Dozen Endocrine Disruptors, which includes 12 hormone-altering chemicals and how to avoid them. Phthalates is one of the common additives in our beauty products that has been shown to be linked to hormone changes, obesity, diabetes and thyroid irregularities. So, it's important to check the labels on your soaps and shampoos and know those key ingredients to avoid. Better yet, learn about toxic-free products and start swapping out chemcial laden products for toxic-free products.

When you are using a product that is altering your hormones and disrupting your endocrine system, then you are going to experience flucuations in your weight that is hard to control. It can be hard enough to maintain a healthy weight even without these additional hormone disruptors, so I would like to encourage you to be proactive and read labels...and more importantly start swapping out these chemical products with toxic-free products.