Maintaining hormonal balance in our bodies is a dynamic process and goes far beyond causing moodiness and menstrual cramps. Our hormones are products of our endorcrine system. They are chemical messengers that choreograph complex metabolic processes like growth, metabolism, and fertility, among many, many others.
As if managing the important processes of our bodies wasn't enough, our hormones are affected by our environment too. Chemicals in our environment that affect our hormones are referred to generally as endocrine disruptors. Because that's what they do: create disturbances. Wreck havoc. And we encounter them everywhere: they are found in our air, water, food, furniture, building materials, clothing, food and beverage containers and packaging, grocery receipts, lawn care, cleaners, fragrances, make-up, and many other places.
Before we jump into what those chemicals are, let's first make sure we understand why we care.
Hormone disruptors cause a host of health problems, starting with low-sperm count, breast development in males, obesity, and heart disease, uterine fibroids, infertility, cancers, and thyroid disease, among others. Many of these chemicals are found in breast milk, so are directly transmitted from mother to child while nursing.
Without further ado, I introduce the most endocrine disrupting offenders as researched by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). EWG is an research organization that examine environmental and health hazards. Every year they publish my organic foods "go-to" list the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen, house an invaluable skin care database, a water filter buying guide, and many other useful resources for conscientious consumers. Additionally, they compiled research examining the 12 chemicals in our environment that are most disruptive to our endocrine systems:
Click on the image to the right or follow this link to learn where these chemicals are found in our environment and, most importantly, how to avoid them.
As if managing the important processes of our bodies wasn't enough, our hormones are affected by our environment too. Chemicals in our environment that affect our hormones are referred to generally as endocrine disruptors. Because that's what they do: create disturbances. Wreck havoc. And we encounter them everywhere: they are found in our air, water, food, furniture, building materials, clothing, food and beverage containers and packaging, grocery receipts, lawn care, cleaners, fragrances, make-up, and many other places.
Before we jump into what those chemicals are, let's first make sure we understand why we care.
Hormone disruptors cause a host of health problems, starting with low-sperm count, breast development in males, obesity, and heart disease, uterine fibroids, infertility, cancers, and thyroid disease, among others. Many of these chemicals are found in breast milk, so are directly transmitted from mother to child while nursing.
Without further ado, I introduce the most endocrine disrupting offenders as researched by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). EWG is an research organization that examine environmental and health hazards. Every year they publish my organic foods "go-to" list the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen, house an invaluable skin care database, a water filter buying guide, and many other useful resources for conscientious consumers. Additionally, they compiled research examining the 12 chemicals in our environment that are most disruptive to our endocrine systems:
- BPA
- Dioxin
- Atrazine
- Phthalates
- Perchlorlate
- Fire retardants
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- PFCs
- Organophosphate pesticides
- Glycol ethers
Click on the image to the right or follow this link to learn where these chemicals are found in our environment and, most importantly, how to avoid them.