Toxic Chemicals That We Use Every Day: Part 1

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The endocrine system is a composed of several glands that produce secretions which play a role in controlling the body’s metabolic activity. It is one of the main ways in which the body communicates, controls and coordinates how the body works. The endocrine system affects the following:

  • Energy levels
  • Reproduction
  • Growth and development
  • Internal balance of body systems
  • Responses to surroundings

Many of us are familiar with estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and thyroid hormones. These are just a few of the hormones that are secreted by the endocrine glands. Under normal circumstances, our hormones fluctuate between a range that is considered “optimal.” However, just like other parts of the body, the endocrine system is susceptible to disease, which can result in hormone deficiencies and imbalances. Hormone levels also change as a natural result of the aging process. Changes due to age and disease are both natural and have been occurring for thousands of years.

However, over the last 150-200 years our hormones have been subject to the influence of over 84,000 man-made chemicals. Many of these chemicals mimic hormones in the body and thus have been termed endocrine disruptors. These chemicals disrupt the endocrine system resulting in hormone imbalances and/or deficiencies. Some of the most common endocrine disruptors are:

Bisphenol A (BPA) – is a plasticizer, which is used to keep plastics supple. It can be found in the lining of canned goods such as soups, legumes, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.  BPA tends to leach into the canned food, especially when exposed to hot or cold temperatures.  Research suggests that BPA has the ability to change the genetic code resulting in serious medical conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

Phthalates – like BPA, Phthalates are added to plastics to make them soft, flexible, and resilient, which allows products to last longer. They are found in plastic bags, glues, IV tubing, vinyl flooring, inks, pesticides, detergents, food packaging, toys, shower curtains, soaps, shampoos, hair spray, nail polish, and perfumes.  Phthalates have been shown to lower sperm counts, cause cancer and lead to structural abnormalities of the reproductive system in men.

PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) – As a persistent organic pollutant (POPs), PBDEs are used as flame-retardants for furniture, mattresses, carpets, curtains, and televisions. While its use has been banned in several countries, it still circulates through our environment and can be stored in animal fat, such as dairy products, meat, and fish. Chemicals, including PBDEs, have been shown to have negative effects on the brain, nervous system, thyroid, and reproductive system.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) – were previously found in coolants and lubricants for electrical use.  Although PCB’s were banned for commercial use in most instance some 30 years ago, they still remain prevalent in the environment.  PCB’s have been highly correlated to endocrine dysfunction and cancer.

Parabans – are synthetic compounds that are used as preservatives in thousands of food, cosmetic, soaps, lotions and pharmaceutical products.  Once thought of as harmless, they are now known to mimic estrogen in the body; increasing the negative effects of estrogen sensitive cancers.

Dioxins – Is a general name for hundreds of chemicals that remain in the environment.  Dioxins are formed unintentionally as a byproduct of industrial processes. They can be disastrous to the body’s endocrine system, causing cancer as well as reproductive, developmental and immune system dysfunction.

Pesticides and Herbicides – Pesticides kill the nervous system of insects while herbicides are used to kill weeds. Some of the most serious of which are DDT, DDE, Chlodane, Heptachlor, Methoxane, Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos, Atrazine, Simazine, Cyanazine, and Agent Orange.  They are known to have serious physical and mental health implications.

Heavy metals – Such as cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic enter the body via our environment.  They can lead to cognitive issues, birth defects and nerve damage.

Solvents – are most commonly found in air fresheners, teflon coatings, inflammable furnishings (flame retardants for furniture, mattresses, carpets, curtains, and televisions), hair dyes, and or pharmaceutical agents.  These chemicals are absorbed through our skin and the air we breathe.  They can lead to liver, kidney, heart and nervous system disorders.

However, it may not be the chemicals we know that we should be most worried about, but instead, the chemicals we don’t know.  According to a 2010 report in the Washington Post, there are some 17,000 chemicals that are kept secret from the public and private officials.  Only a handful of Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) employees are allowed to know about these chemicals and are prohibited from sharing this information with federal officials, state and environmental regulators, foreign governments, emergency responders, and the public.

All of this is part of the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act which exempts these “secret” chemicals on the basis that disclosing this information would harm the long-term competitiveness of the manufacturing companies. But the question remains, is our health being jeopardized for the long-term success of these companies?

What we do know is that many of the man-made chemicals are absorbed into the ground, water supply, and consequently our food supply, and can remain in the environment for several years, if not decades. Many of these chemicals are “new” and we are still unfamiliar with their longterm side-effects.

Perhaps we need look no farther than the genetic mutations occurring in animals throughout the world over the last several decades. This is no more evident than in the Potomac River located in our nations capital, where scientist have found that most fish have both male and female characteristics. Testing of the water supply indicates that it is full of estrogen like chemicals and various pharmaceutical agents.  So, how are these same chemicals affecting us?

Well to start, we have seen an increase in premature reproductive aging. The past several decades have also brought about an increase in mood disorders, infertility, ADD and ADHD, learning disorders, and autism. Several of these man-made chemicals have also been linked to specific forms of cancer and affect ones ability to lose weight through the manipulation of gene expression. Not only do these man-made toxins affect our physical health, but they also play a role in our mental health by changing neurotransmitter levels, enzymatic pathways, and DNA methylation.

Perhaps the most significant impact these chemicals have are on our hormones.  In one of our previous blogs we discussed the increase in infertility and lower sperm count levels in men over the past several decades. Could this stem from the increased use of man-made chemicals? Many of these chemicals are known as xenoestrogens, chemicals that mimic estrogens within the body, and wreak havoc on the body’s hormone levels leading to many chronic medical conditions.

The bad news is that it is virtually impossible to avoid all of these potentially harmful man-made substances. The good news is that we do have control over our the amount of toxins we are exposed to. Please join us next week as we take a look on how you can protect yourself from these toxic chemicals. For more information on this topic and many other wellness tips contact Vitali-T Medical Clinics to see how we can help you avoid these environmental toxics and achieve optimal health and wellness.