10 Tips for Reducing Your Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors & Obesogens

Let’s talk endocrine disrupting chemicals and obesogens:

What are endocrine disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals found in the environment, and they do what they say they say they do: disrupt endocrine (hormone) function. Obesogens kinda sound like what they do: they are chemical compounds that promote obesity and fat storage.

Ways endocrine disruptors mess with hormones in the human body:

• Mimick the actions of hormones
• Block the action of hormones
• Alter the levels of hormones in our body

Why is this a big problem?

In short, endocrine disruptors are linked to numerous health problems including but not limited to:

• Certain cancers
• Insulin resistance and diabetes
• Obesity and unintentional weight gain
• Neurological and learning disabilities
• Impaired reproductive health (endometriosis, infertility, early puberty)
• Thyroid dysfunction

Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified 1000+ chemicals currently in use which interfere with normal bodily function. Obviously there are some systemic and legislative shortcomings that need addressed in the first place, but are out of the context of this short article. Arm yourself with knowledge and learn about some of these examples/categories of endocrine disruptors to try to minimize and/or avoid:

• Pollutants
• Plastics
• Industrial chemicals
• Pesticides
• Heavy metals

Where do some endocrine disruptors lurk in regards to specific, everyday stuff:

• Our food supply
• Tap water (check your water at https://www.ewg.org/tapwater )
• Cleaning products
• Makeup and haircare products
• Storage containers

Why would a Registered Dietitian be bringing awareness to endocrine disruptors?

Well, they are health related and one main source of endocrine disruptor exposure is through what we consume daily via eating and drinking. Think of pesticides on food, BPAs/BFPs/BPSs in packaging, plastics in our storage containers, abundance of heavy metals in the water supply, etc.

With all this being said, I am not trying to be an alarmist or say to live in a bubble. In the same breath, these are all things to consider the next time you run out of or need to replace something in your home. You cannot control the world, but you can set up your own safe haven. You can intentionally redirect your efforts to different every day products/items that don’t contain or have less endocrine disruptors. All things considered, I do think it is wise and best to err on the side of caution when it comes to endocrine disruptors.

Here are a few practical tips for decreasing exposure:

• Wash fruit and vegetables really well to rinse off pesticide residue, regardless if produce was conventionally grown or organic. You can use this fruit and veggie wash if you desire.

• Opt to buy loose produce from the supermarket so you can take it out the plastic packaging as soon as you get home. Same for any other perishable or non-perishable goods from the store.

• Purchase canned foods that are BPA free

• Do not heat any food in a plastic container in the microwave.

• Store all foods in glass containers, stainless steel or silicone containers. I love these BPA free, collapsible food storage containers. They fit nicely in kitchen drawers when not in use without making a cluttered mess!

• Avoid plastic bottled water as best you can when on the go. Consider purchasing glass bottled water at the grocery store. If traveling, gas stations and airports often have glass water bottle options. For your home, consider installing a water filtration system or getting a Reverse osmosis system or a distiller. Tap water and fridge filters are very weak and still allow most heavy metals, radium, chromium hexavalent, PFAs, nitrates, pharmaceuticals to sneak through. IF you do one thing, get objectively safe drinking water. Don’t believe me – check your tap water score here.

• Purchase a shower head water filter. Even if you are not ingesting this water via drinking, truth be told that our skin is our largest organ and dermal exposure of endocrine disruptors is also a real thing.

• Ditto for the scalp. Swap out your every day haircare hygiene products. I love and have used loyally for years this haircare brand. All of the shampoos, conditioners, etc. are naturally based (free from all parabens, cyclic silicones, phthalates, plastic microbeads, harmful colors, harmful fragrances or products from animals) but lather well and perform like salon products. For skincare, I use this brand which is 100% organic and went viral as botox in a bottle.

• Consider a home air purifier to reduce many air pollutants including volatile organic compounds. The brand “Air doctor” comes highly recommended by many other healthcare professionals.

• Use all fragrance free laundry detergent and cleaning products. This was a hard move for me as fragrances can smell so wonderful. I used to love scented products, but years ago didn’t realize how harmful fake fragrances can be. Also many top scented laundrying products don’t rid the odor, they mask it. This laundry detergent I have used for 11 years and it does a wonderful job of actually removing the grit, grime and odor, and yet our clothes still smells fresh without any fake scents or parfums. It is also hypoallergenic, which is important for my child with any allergies, eczema, and asthma.

Some endocrine disruptor and obesogen exposures in our modern world is inevitable. Start where you are and do what you can. This list can help give you some direction on where to begin.

If you think you may benefit from an in-depth look into your diet and lifestyle, book a telehealth consultation package or taking my online program: Discerningly Detoxing.

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