Volume 11, Issue 8

November 2019

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There's a particular category of toxic substances that I want to look at this month called endocrine disruptors. We need to know what to look out for and how to avoid them as much as possible. Read on below...

These newsletters will help you make better choices for better health. The choices that you make today can either have a positive or negative impact on your overall health. Begin by choosing better as it is a step towards longevity.

Ramila Padiachy DNM

Doctor of Natural Medicine

What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can have harmful effects on the body's endocrine (hormone) system. Hormones act in small amounts and at precise times to regulate the body's development, growth, reproduction, metabolism, immunity and behaviour. Endocrine disruptors interfere with natural hormone systems, and the health effects can, in some cases, be felt long after the exposure has stopped.

What makes up your endocrine system?

The endocrine system is a network of all the body's different hormones and glands that regulates and controls all biological processes in the body, from conception through old age. This includes the development of the brain and nervous system, growth and function of the reproductive system, the function of metabolism and blood sugar levels. It helps to regulate weight, metabolism, reproductive functions, growth, sex drive, sleep patterns and mood. Endocrine disruptors affect the endocrine system's ability to function properly by either increasing or decreasing the production of certain hormones. They are also capable of blocking the release of hormones from endocrine glands and mimicking the actions of certain hormones.

The endocrine system includes:

female ovaries
male testes
pituitary gland
thyroid gland
adrenal glands
pineal gland
thymus
hypothalamus
parathyroid glands
pancreas

What adverse health effects do endocrine disruptors have?

Research over the past 25 years has associated endocrine disruptors with many health problems including male and female reproductive disorders, premature death, obesity and diabetes, neurological impacts, breast cancer, endometriosis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus), immune disorders, liver cancer, osteoporosis, Parkinson's symptoms, prostate cancer and thyroid disorders.

The 'dirty dozen' endocrine disruptors

With more than a thousand potential endocrine disruptors to choose from, the U.S. Environmental Working Group scientists created a list of the 12 most damaging endocrine disruptors to avoid.

Note: There is some overlap between this list and the household toxins we discussed in the August 2019 newsletter.

BPA (bisphenol A): Used to make certain plastics, epoxy resins, and in thermal cash register receipts. Linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, infertility, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), obesity, early puberty and heart disease. Avoid it: Choose fresh or frozen food over canned; say no to cash receipts you don't need; avoid #7 plastics; be skeptical of BPA-free replacements like BPS which are also toxic.
Dioxins: Formed during many industrial processes when chlorine or bromine are burned in the presence of carbon and oxygen. Dioxins are very long-lived, build up both in the body and in the food chain, and are powerful carcinogens that can also affect the immune and reproductive systems. Avoid it: It's difficult, but avoiding animal products helps because dioxin builds up in them.
Atrazine: A pesticide widely used in corn and some other crops across Canada, that is known to change the sex of frogs and negatively impact aquatic ecosystems. Atrazine is commonly found in surface and groundwater and routinely detected in the drinking water of major Canadian cities. Avoid it: Buy organic. Get a drinking water filter certified to remove atrazine.
Phthalates: Used to make plastics soft or to make fragrances or cosmetics stick to your body longer. Linked to birth defects, reproductive problems and thyroid irregularities. Avoid it: Avoid "fragrance" on personal care labels. Don't use plastic food containers or #3 plastic wrap. Stay away from vinyl flooring and products.
Perchlorate: A byproduct contaminant of rocket fuel. Competes with the nutrient iodine when it gets into our bodies, causing thyroid and metabolism dysfunction. Avoid it: Test your water to make sure it's not contaminated. If it is, install a reverse osmosis filter.
Fire retardants: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widespread. They are used to prevent fires, although studies show they don't work. Contamination is detected in the breast milk of mothers around the world and even in polar bears. It is responsible for lowering IQ. Avoid it: Complete avoidance is virtually impossible. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Avoid reupholstering foam furniture. When buying a new couch, look for models manufactured after January 1, 2015, with a label that says, "The upholstery materials in this product contain NO added flame retardant chemicals." Take care when replacing old carpet - the foam underneath may contain flame retardants.
Lead: Harms almost every organ system in the body. It is linked to permanent brain damage, lowered IP, hearing loss, miscarriage, premature birth, increased blood pressure, kidney damage and nervous system problems. Avoid it: Remove old, crumbling lead paint carefully. Test water for lead and filter accordingly with a certified filter if present. Eat healthy, whole foods.
Arsenic: A heavy metal that can cause skin, bladder and lung cancer. It interferes with normal hormone functioning in the glucocorticoid system that regulates how the body processes sugars and carbohydrates. Avoid it: Make sure your water isn't contaminated. If it is, filter it accordingly. Rinse rice before cooking and cook in more water (like pasta) to lower arsenic levels.
Mercury: A heavy metal that ends up in the air and oceans, primarily through burning coal. It binds directly to one particular hormone that regulates women's menstrual cycle and ovulation. Avoid it: Choose wild-caught salmon, mackerel or sardines over other high mercury or low nutrient fish options.
Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs): Used in nonstick cookware and to coat the inside of popcorn bags, fast-food containers and in waterproof gear. One type - PFOA - doesn't break down in the environment, ever. PFCs are linked to decreased sperm quality, low birth weight, kidney disease, thyroid disease and high cholesterol and more. Avoid it: Don't use nonstick cookware. Avoid stain-resistant treatments on furniture and carpeting. Make homemade popcorn on the stove instead of buying microwave popcorn.
Organophosphate pesticides: Neurotoxic organophosphate compounds were produced by the Nazis in huge quantities for chemical warfare during World War II but never used. After the war ended, American scientists used the same chemistry to develop pesticides that target the nervous systems of insects. It is one of the most commonly used pesticides today. Avoid it: Buy organic. Grow organic. Consider supporting legislators who support organic agriculture.
Glycol ethers: Common solvents found in paints, cleaning products, brake fluid and cosmetics, and are linked to shrunken testicles. They may damage fertility or unborn children. Children exposed to glycol ethers from paint in their bedrooms had substantially more asthma and allergies. Avoid it: Make your nontoxic cleaners. Avoid products with ingredients like 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME).

This list of the "dirty dozen" only includes the most common endocrine disruptors; there are an estimated 800 to 1,000 endocrine disrupting chemicals on the market. But this is a good place to start to reduce your exposure significantly.

Supplements

There are a number of supplements that would help you to maximize your health. You can find information about these products and purchase them in our online store:

Body Detox
CleanStart® Wild Berry
Detox Basics
Essential Shield Multi-Purpose Concentrated Cleaner
Heavy Metal Detox
HistaBlock
Milk Thistle
Tiao He Pak
UltraBiome DTX

References

Endocrine disruptors. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/endocrine/index_en.htm Accessed September 24, 2019.
Mulumba P. Endocrine disruptors: avoid these 8 to protect your hormones. https://www.longevitylive.com/live-better/endocrine-disruptors-avoid/ July 29, 2019. Accessed September 27, 2019.
Zerbe L. How endocrine disruptors destroy your body + the dirty dozen to avoid. https://draxe.com/health/endocrine-system/endocrine-disruptors-how-to-avoid-excess-estrogen/ June 21, 2017, accessed June 25, 2019.
Atrazine in Canada https://environmentaldefence.ca/?s=Atrazine Accessed September 25, 2019.
Mercola J. 10 sources of endocrine disruptors and how to avoid them. https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/07/15/10-common-sources-endocrine-disruptors.aspx July 15, 2015. Accessed September 24, 2019.

Disclaimer: The suggestions and recommendations in this newsletter are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic. The information is accurate and up to date to our knowledge, but we are not responsible for any errors in our sources of information.

For additional information, please email info@ramilas.com or call Ramilas Healing Arts Clinic at 613.829.0427 for an appointment. Please continue letting friends and family know about this newsletter. Also, on our website, please see back issues of this newsletter, information about services, products and our clinic, and order products.