In our everyday life we are exposed to hundreds if not thousands of chemicals from the products we use to cook, the flame retardants on our home furniture, eating GMO or non-Organic food, and much much more. The terms you may of heard about but most likely not is "Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals or Obesogens".
Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals- Chemicals that disrupts or interferes with a living beings entire endocrine system.
Endocrine System- Also known as your bodies Hormonal System which is found in all birds, mammals, fish, and many more living organisms which is composed of many glands in ones body.
Glands3: Hypothalamus, Pineal Gland, Pituitary Gland, Thyroid Glands, Thymus, Pancreas, Ovary, Placenta, and Testes.
-All of these Glands and Organs run the most important aspects of our body like linking different systems together, regulating metabolism, Insulin creation and regulating, our reproductive abilities and Hormonal balance and creation among much more.
Obesogen- "When an Endocrine-disrupting chemical exerts permanent and even transgenerational changes to the fat cells within an animal or person it is sometimes called an Obesogen"1. This means that your fat cells are changed because of these Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals, usually permanently and can even be passed on for generations. Obesogens are believed to increase fat growth which has been linked to obesity.
Now that you have a good idea what we are talking about, lets talk about how often you come in contact with these chemicals, what type of products they are found in or on, if they are regulated or not, and how to avoid them on a daily basis so you do not continue to build up and permanently damage your cells.
How Often Does One Come in Contact with Endocrine disrupting Chemicals? Everyone comes into contact with these type of chemicals on a daily basis. These chemicals are found in and on almost everything from fabrics, detergents, plastics, foods, pesticides, receipts, your shoes after walking in public, and more.
Few of the actual Chemicals to avoid2:
Glyphosate- Pesticides
Phthalates- Children's toys and products
PCB's- Industrial Solvents and Lubricants
BPA- Plastics, Food Containers, and Cans
Brominated Flame Retardants- Your homes furniture, walls, and building materials, also clothes and electronics
Parabens- Shampoos, Face Washes, Body Wash, Sun Tan Lotion and more
Phthalates- Shampoos, face washes, body wash, sun tan lotion and more
Perfluorochemicals- Plastic Wrappers, Popcorn Bags, Teflon Cookware, and more
Are these chemicals actually regulated if they are so dangerous and damaging?
To date no United States Federal Agency has regulated Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals even though it has been scientifically proven to be dangerous to humans and animals and trials have shown that Obesogens are correlated to obesity.
Steps to take to Avoid these Chemicals:1
Use glass, Cast Iron, and Stainless Steel for cookware and storage. "Nonstick" pans contains Obesogens.
Check the furnitures before you buy them to see if they have had flame retardants added to them, keep you house dust free because flame retardants from house materials like carpets, wood, and mattresses build up on the dust.
Eat food that is Organic and GMO FREE. Any other processed and Genetically Modified food would of come in contact with pesticides.
Avoid plastics and vinyls, instead invest Canvas products and bags. (Which I just so happen to sell)
Takeaway: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are found all over and is used for almost all processes. Even though they have been found to induce Obesity and Diabetes no Federal Agency has taken and solid steps to protect the General Public. Educating as many people as we can is the first step and next is knowing what and who to avoid.
Check Below for a Wonderful Infoghrapic from the Endocrine Society!!
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