{"id":6003,"date":"2023-07-27T01:06:28","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T18:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6003"},"modified":"2023-07-27T01:06:28","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T18:06:28","slug":"endocrine-disruptors-and-how-to-avoid-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6003","title":{"rendered":"Endocrine Disruptors and How To Avoid Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">Y<\/span>ou\u2019ve seen the labels on your water bottles and shampoo: \u201cBPA-free\u201d and \u201cNo Parabens or Phthalates.\u201d But what do these labels mean\u2014and why do people care? These phrases are marking the absence of \u201cendocrine disruptors,\u201d which are found in our food supply and skincare products, and can impact our health by messing with our hormones.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s back up: Our endocrine system is the part of our body that regulates hormones, the chemical messengers that are responsible for many of the body&#8217;s functions. Not only do hormones regulate growth, blood sugars, hunger, and sleep, but they also run our entire reproductive system.<\/p>\n<p>Endocrine disruptors, or endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), change these functions by mimicking, interfering with, and even blocking the body\u2019s hormones. As <a href=\"https:\/\/sph.unc.edu\/adv_profile\/glenn-morrison-phd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/sph.unc.edu\/adv_profile\/glenn-morrison-phd\/\">Glenn Morrison, PhD<\/a>, a professor in the department of environmental sciences and engineering at the Gillings School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina, once told Well+Good about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/phthalates-study\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/phthalates-study\/\">EDCs\u2019 effects<\/a>, \u201cThey can stop something when it shouldn&#8217;t stop, or start something when it shouldn&#8217;t start.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.endocrine.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.endocrine.org\/\">Endocrine Society<\/a>, there are 1000 or more chemicals that could be EDCs. Common ones include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bisphenol A (BPA)<\/li>\n<li>Parabens<\/li>\n<li>Perchlorate<\/li>\n<li>Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)<\/li>\n<li>Phthalates<\/li>\n<li>Triclosan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Where are endocrine disruptors found?<\/h2>\n<p>EDCs are in lots of our everyday products, but exposure mostly happens by ingestion. Herbicides, pesticides, contaminated water, and preservatives used in food may contain EDCs. Then there are the things that touch the food: Food packaging, particularly plastic, as well as microwave popcorn bags, cans, and non-stick pans, are other ways many of us are exposed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/endocrine-disruptors\/\" current-title=\"Yes, Endocrine Disruptors Can Mess With Your Hormones\u2014But There Are Ways To Reduce Your Exposure\" current-image=\"GettyImages-endocrine-disruptors-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-01-26\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/endocrine-disruptors\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/endocrine-disruptors\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/endocrine-disruptors\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In addition, we can inhale them and absorb EDCs through the skin. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/emily-h-9a5090196\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/emily-h-9a5090196\/\">Emily Hulse, MS, RD<\/a>, of The Write Nutrition, says, \u201cMakeup, skincare, and other personal care items are common sources of EDCs. We are often exposed through common items like face wash, shaving cream, body lotion, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/sunscreen-affect-on-fertility-sperm-endocrine-system\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/sunscreen-affect-on-fertility-sperm-endocrine-system\/\">sunscreen<\/a>.\u201d EDCs can also be in toys, furniture, and carpet.<\/p>\n<h2>What does the science say about health risks?<\/h2>\n<p>According to board-certified family medicine physician <a href=\"https:\/\/drlaurapurdy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/drlaurapurdy.com\/\">Laura Purdy, MD, MBA<\/a>, \u201cEDCs can interact with the endocrine system, which can eventually have a negative impact on health.\u201d Research shows that long-term exposure to EDCs can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/endocrine-disruption\/overview-endocrine-disruption\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/endocrine-disruption\/overview-endocrine-disruption\">lead to multiple medical problems<\/a>, like altered development (possible early or late <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35466359\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35466359\/\">puberty and breast development<\/a>), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3921\/11\/8\/1617?fbclid=IwAR0XMS9NzN4wz-4zDeclZSpiiU-gguV0AHaeHUUgJfVgAnI6FcwcnS3dOE8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3921\/11\/8\/1617?fbclid=IwAR0XMS9NzN4wz-4zDeclZSpiiU-gguV0AHaeHUUgJfVgAnI6FcwcnS3dOE8\">decreased fertility<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7559247\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7559247\/\">increased risk of certain cancers<\/a> (including breast, prostate, testicular), and immune and nervous system issues.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not to say that one bag of microwave popcorn is going to doom you to all of these health problems. All chemicals\u2014even the most toxic\u2014have safe doses that the body can handle. But the problem is, we don\u2019t yet know enough about EDCs to determine what is a safe amount. Because the endocrine system operates on tiny changes, it is thought that even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niehs.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/agents\/endocrine\/index.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.niehs.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/agents\/endocrine\/index.cfm\">low exposure<\/a> to EDCs may alter the way your hormones work. And it\u2019s hard to determine precise safety levels since they can depend on our age, overall health, and genetics, and most people are usually exposed to multiple EDCs.<\/p>\n<h2>What\u2019s being done about it?<\/h2>\n<p>So if EDCs aren\u2019t good for us, what steps are being taken? \u201cResearch!\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/publichealth.uci.edu\/faculty\/sparks-nicole\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/publichealth.uci.edu\/faculty\/sparks-nicole\/\">Nicole Sparks, PhD,<\/a> assistant professor of environmental &amp; occupational health at the <a href=\"https:\/\/uci.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/uci.edu\/\">University of California, Irvine<\/a>. She explains there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.endocrine.org\/topics\/edc\/what-edcs-are\/faq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.endocrine.org\/topics\/edc\/what-edcs-are\/faq\">studies being done<\/a> \u201cspecifically focusing on how EDCs are harmful to human health and can lead to diseases and disorders.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The research leads to action. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/regulatory-information\/laws-enforced-fda\/federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-act-fdc-act\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/regulatory-information\/laws-enforced-fda\/federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-act-fdc-act\">The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act<\/a> (1938), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/laws-regulations\/summary-toxic-substances-control-act\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/laws-regulations\/summary-toxic-substances-control-act\">Toxic Substances Control Act<\/a> (1976), and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/laws-regulations\/summary-safe-drinking-water-act\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/laws-regulations\/summary-safe-drinking-water-act\">Safe Drinking Water Act<\/a> (1974) are just a few of the regulations that have been put in place\u2014and updated\u2014over the decades to keep us safe. While \u201cendocrine disruptor\u201d was a term scientists started using in 1991, it has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.endocrine.org\/advocacy\/position-statements\/endocrine-disrupting-chemicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.endocrine.org\/advocacy\/position-statements\/endocrine-disrupting-chemicals\">known<\/a> for over 50 years that chemicals\u2014whether natural or man-made\u2014can alter our hormones.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn California, phthalates in personal care products are banned, and all cleaning and personal care products must disclose EDCs,\u201d says Dr. Sparks. Since being signed into law in 2020 and 2017 (respectively), these changes are now being replicated in other states, Dr. Sparks adds. As a result, many manufacturers have responded by creating products without EDCs. These days, you can usually find an EDC-free alternative for most products.<\/p>\n<h2>Tips to reduce your exposure to endocrine disruptors<\/h2>\n<p>In a perfect world, we\u2019d be able to totally avoid EDCs. Unfortunately, because EDCs are everywhere, that\u2019s not the case. But you can certainly limit your exposure. Start by identifying the ways you are being exposed by informing yourself. \u201cEnsure that your personal care products do not contain parabens by checking the ingredient label,\u201d Hulse suggests.<\/p>\n<p>You can reduce exposure to triclosan by swapping your antibacterial soap for regular soap. The Food and Drug Administration says regular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/antibacterial-soap-you-can-skip-it-use-plain-soap-and-water\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/antibacterial-soap-you-can-skip-it-use-plain-soap-and-water\">soap and water<\/a> are just as effective as antibacterial soap at removing germs.<\/p>\n<p>As far as food packaging goes, Dr. Purdy says, \u201cSkip plastics because most of them contain EDCs.\u201d Try to consume less processed foods overall. When you do buy packaged food or canned goods, look for options that are labeled PFAS- and BPA-free. And choose glass packaging when available.<\/p>\n<p>You can further reduce exposure by opting for plastic-free tea bags or using loose-leaf tea. Limit the use of sandwich bags, opting for glass, stainless steel, or cloth containers. Another idea is popping your own popcorn on the stove rather than microwave popcorn. And if you are getting takeout, you can bring your own containers, or remove the food from its packaging as soon as you get home.<\/p>\n<p>Also research the household products you use. Dr. Purdy warns, \u201cMany \u2018cleaning products\u2019 are not clean.\u201d The label will say if the product contains phthalates or parabens and will sometimes be at the end of the ingredient, like methylparaben or propylparaben. And while scented sprays, detergents, lotions, and creams are appealing, try to skip the fragrance. \u201cFragrances often contain EDCs,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Sure it takes more work to research which products have been made without harmful chemicals. But it can be a big step in protecting your health.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve seen the labels on your water bottles and shampoo: \u201cBPA-free\u201d and \u201cNo Parabens or Phthalates.\u201d But what do these labels mean\u2014and why do people care? These phrases are marking the absence of \u201cendocrine disruptors,\u201d which are found in our food supply and skincare products, and can impact our health by messing with our hormones. &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6003"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6003\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6003"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6003"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}