5 Hormone Disruptors That Are Messing Up Your Hormones

BPA

BPA or Bisphenol A is an environmental estrogen that can damage your endocrine system and lead to major hormonal disorders and even cancer. Found in plastics, canned items, and on up to forty percent of retail thermal receipt paper, BPA is a hormone disruptor.  

To reduce your exposure, opt for glass food packaging.  BPA-free cans and plastics might seem like an okay option, but they too have been found to contain hormone-disrupting chemicals.  

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals that form during industrial processes when chlorine or bromine are burned in the presence of carbon and oxygen.

The EPA notes that dioxins:

• Are highly toxic and can cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system, and can interfere with hormones.
• Are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals
• More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish.

While it’s nearly impossible to avoid dioxin exposure, you can reduce your risk of consuming it by avoiding animal products; the EWG says that products including meat, fish, milk, eggs and butter are most likely to be contaminated. 

Mercury

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is naturally occurring.  Research shows that mercury impacts the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal gland, and gonads (testis and ovary); all are hormone-producing and hormone-sensitive organs!

While there are ways to detox mercury from the body, it’s best to avoid it in the first place.  Most of the mercury in the environment is a result of coal burning, steel production, and some forms of manufacturing.  However, mercury is present in some glass thermometers, amalgam dental fillings, and some seafood.  According to the EPA, novelty jewelry can contain mercury as well as some thermometers, barometers, switches, thermostats, and electrical switches.  One other common source of mercury is in Thimerosal, a preservative in some vaccines. 

To reduce exposure, insist on mercury-free dental work, steer clear of coal-burning stoves and coal plants

Perchlorate

Perchlorate is a component of rocket fuel that is also in fertilizers.  It contaminates produce and soil (and groundwater as a result too!) When perchlorate gets into the body, it competes with iodine, which the thyroid needs to make thyroid hormones. In addition to hindering thyroid hormone balance, perchlorate impacts gut health too. 

The Environmental Working Group suggests that you can reduce perchlorate in your drinking water by installing a reverse osmosis filter. You can get help finding one at EWG. It’s pretty much impossible to avoid perchlorate in food, but you can potentially reduce its effects by getting adequate iodine in your diet. Sea vegetables like nori and dulse or even iodized salt are good sources of iodine. 

Perfluorinated Chemicals

PFCS are designed to make surfaces non-stick.  According to the EWG, “Perfluorochemicals are so widespread and extraordinarily persistent that 99 percent of Americans have these chemicals in their bodies. One particularly notorious compound called PFOA has been shown to be “completely resistant to biodegradation.” In other words, PFOA doesn’t break down in the environment – ever. That means that even though the chemical was banned after decades of use, it will be showing up in people’s bodies for countless generations to come. This is worrisome, since PFOA exposure has been linked to decreased sperm quality, low birth weight, kidney disease, thyroid disease and high cholesterol, among other health issues. Scientists are still figuring out how PFOA affects the human body, but animal studies have found that it can affect thyroid and sex hormone levels.”

To avoid them, stay away from non-stick cookware and non-stick bakeware.  Also avoid stain and water-resistant coatings on clothing, furniture and carpets.