Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals or EDC's

Some of the most dangerous toxins found in the world today are ‘endocrine disrupting chemicals’ or EDC’s. These toxins can mimic and fool our body’s hormones leading to a disruption in the body’s endocrine system. There are thought to be at least 800 of these chemicals with the most common being found in plastic bottles and containers, metal cans, detergents, flame retardants, heavy metals, toys, perfluoralkyl substances (PFAS’s) from non-stick cookware and fire retardants, fabric, furniture, toys, carpet stain applications, drinking water, pesticides, herbicides and chemicals found in make-up and skincare.

In recent studies at least 95% of people tested had EDC’s in their bodies. They are even being found in newborn babies. EDC’s can throw off your endocrine system in a number of way including:

Mimicking hormones
Blocking hormones
Interfering with hormone production
Modifying the sensitivity to hormones

They have been connected to contributing to many different conditions including:

Infertility in men and women
Damage to sperm
Endometriosis
Polycystic Ovarian Sydrome (PCOS)
Ovarian cysts, fibroids and polyps
Abnormalities in sex hormones
Immune dysregulation
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Thyroid disease including nodules
Birth defects
Cardiovascular problems
Learning problems
Growth problems
Neuro-behavioural disorders (autism, attention deficit disorders and learning disabilities)
Nervous system problems
Hormonally driven cancers like breast, uterine, ovarian, testicular, thyroid and prostate
And so much more…

We can be exposed to these in many ways including through the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. EDC’s can also enter the body through the skin as many of these chemicals are found in cosmetics and makeup. Let’s break down some of these chemicals to understand where they come from. The most well known of these include:

Bisphenol A (BPA) which is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins found in many plastic products including food storage containers and water bottles. This was replaced by BPS, but this chemical is proving to be just as dangerous as its chemical brother.
Dioxins are produced as a byproduct in herbicide production and paper bleaching, they are also released into the environment during waste burning and wildfires. Dioxins are found in factory produced meats, dairy, farmed fish and other similar foods.
Atrazine is a herbicide commonly used on corn. It is often found in drinking water. It has a detrimental effect on sex hormones being linked to cancers and prostate inflammation
Perchlorate is a by-product of aerospace, weapon, and pharmaceutical industries found in drinking water and fireworks. This interferes with iodine uptake causing thyroid problems and endocrine disruption.
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are used widely in industrial applications, such as firefighting foams and a non-stick pans, paper, textile coatings and waterproof mascara to name just a few. These are nicknamed ‘forever chemicals’ as they pervasive and may never break down in the environment.
Phthalates are used to make plastics more flexible and they are also found in some food packaging, cosmetics, children’s toys, and medical devices. They leach into the food and air and through contact and are linked to hormone changes, thyroid problems and low sperm count
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are used to make flame retardants for household products such as furniture foam and carpets
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are used to make electrical equipment like transformers, and in hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, lubricants, and plasticizers
Organophosphate Pesticides are extremely dangerous. They are being linked to tumor development and thyroid problems. They mess up the body’s hormones and can drive a multitude of health conditions
Heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium. Lead is one of the worst heavy metals as it is toxic to many organs but particularly the brain. It reduces IQ, can cause kidney damage, hearing loss, miscarriage and more. Mercury is another bad heavy metal as it adversely affects the thyroid, adrenals, hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
Glycol Ethers are solvents and stabilisers in paints, dyes, adhesives, degreasers, inks, water based paints, perfumes, cosmetics
Cosmetics and Makeup – most of these contain parabens, oxybenzone, alklyphenols, bisphenol A, heavy metals and more EDC’s – look for natural brands
Sunscreens are loaded with lots of dangerous chemicals that are endocrine disrupting in nature
Perfumes – most perfumes are loaded with endocrine disrupting chemicals
Triclosan may be found in some anti-microbial and personal care products like liquid body wash.

Microplastics in our Environment

Microplastics are already found in most people. They enter through our skin, drinking water and foods. They are found in our ocean, soils and water supply and find their way into everything we eat and drink. Plastic waste doesn’t biodegrade. Instead, it breaks down into smaller pieces of itself and goes through intestinal walls travelling to lymph nodes, glands, and bodily organs. Plastic is toxic. It has been proven to cause cancer. Plastic toxicity weakens the immune system, metabolism, and affects people’s skin, weight, mental state and it basically messes with our endocrine system. It is thought the average human consumes a credit card size of microplastics weekly – this is incredibly disturbing!

So how do you detoxify these dangerous chemicals to stop them mimicking estrogen and damaging the endocrine glands? Here are some great suggestions:

Avoid the intake of endocrine disrupting chemicals as much as possible t is important to clean up your environment – remove all toxic make-up, skin care, cleaning products and other potential toxins that could add to your chemical load – there are many natural brands that are free from harmful chemicals – for skincare I personally use a mix of Jurlique, Grown Alchemist, and for makeup I love Inika, Eye of Horus,
Most perfumes are loaded with EDC’s including bisphenol A, formaldehyde, benzenes, phthalates and others - there are some great natural brands free from these chemicals and rich in nourishing essential oils.
Most common sunscreens contain benzenes including oxybenzone, octinoxate and others – chemicals which are often banned in many countries due to their toxicity and potential to cause harm.
Put a whole house filter on your mains to block as much of the heavy metals and treatment fungicides as possible – otherwise you will be showering in more of these chemicals. If you are living in a unit, invest in a good shower filter to block heavy metals, chlorine and other treatment chemicals.
Invest in organic and chemical free foods – pesticides are the worst endocrine disruptors – by buying organic you are removing a large part of the toxic burden being placed into your body. I only eat organic and I have for a number of years – so many people complain that organic is too expensive – when you eat organic because the nutrient content is incredibly high you do not need to eat as much to get adequate nutrition so in fact you are saving money. I buy my organics from Organic and Quality Foods
Avoid paper receipts – many of these contain 250 to 1000 times the BPA typically found in canned food.
Kick the bottled water addiction – plastics are the worst endocrine disrupting toxins – drink from glass. Even plastic water tanks and spring water ordered in plastic containers can be dangerous and damaging. Even companies who claim they are using safer plastic like ‘Triton’ plastic still poses of risk of disrupting the endocrine system.
Switch to glass storage containers – food absorbs everything so consider this when storing your foods.
Invest in a near far infared sauna and use as often as possible – these are amazing for helping to drive EDC’s & toxins out from a deep level. I only recommend the one sauna that is 100% near far infared (not far) – if you wish to buy one visit www.hyperwellbeing.com.au and use the code Katrina250 for a discount.
Regularly take natural chelation supplements that can bind to EDC’s and encourage the removal via the liver, bowels, skin and urine. My favourites include fermented chlorella, calcium d-glucarate, liposomal glutathione, n-acetyl-cysteine, partially hydrolyzed guar gum, zeolites, bentonite clay, phytoplankton and more.