920 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
920 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
HEALTH TIPS & FAQ'S
Est. Reading Time: 4 Mins
The term “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals” (EDCs) might sound like a niche scientific topic, but it’s actually a crucial matter that affects almost everyone in the United States. As we review the topic in more depth, you’ll learn how these dangerous chemicals can interfere with hormone regulation and cause a variety of negative health impacts in people.
If you’re not familiar with the endocrine system, we’d recommend reading “What is the Endocrine System (And Why Care)?” as a starting point.
Broadly speaking, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) refer to natural or man-made compounds that interfere with the endocrine system. Simply put, they disrupt the production and regulation of hormones like testosterone and estrogen. In turn, this can lead to negative health impacts such as infertility, obesity, and various other symptoms. Notably, some EDCs, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), are also known carcinogens linked to increased cancer risk.
While this is certainly alarming, it’s important to realize these health effects don’t happen overnight. The impacts of EDC exposure can take years or even decades to become apparent. Still, we encourage everyone to treat the issue with a sense of urgency rather than complacency.
For men, prolonged exposure to chemicals like glyphosate or atrazine can impair testosterone and sperm production. In women, exposure to parabens in cosmetics can lead to hormone irregularities and then cause conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
At Elite Health HRT, our goal is not to scare our patients and readers. Rather, our intention is to raise awareness so you can take control of your health. By understanding how EDCs disrupt hormone balance, you can make informed choices to protect yourself and your loved ones!
Once EDC’s disrupt the natural balance of hormones like testosterone and estrogen, other symptoms can arise. For example, hormone imbalance can interfere with your metabolism, which makes it frustratingly difficult to lose weight. If testosterone levels aren’t in an optimal range, this will make it challenging to build muscle mass (for both men and women).
Since our brains are heavily reliant on estrogen and testosterone for optimal function, endocrine disrupting chemicals can make it difficult to concentrate or even cause bouts of depression and anxiety.
You can find more information about the symptoms of hormone disruption in resources like “Top 9 Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Men” and “Women’s Wellness Alert: 10 Tell-Tale Signs of Hormone Imbalance“.
Now, let’s shift from examining what impacts EDC’s can have and review why they impact the body.
If you were to look at a natural estrogen molecule and a hormone-disrupting chemical under the microscope, they would look strikingly similar. Why does this matter? This is important because the majority of cells in the human body have receptors which are meant to bind to estrogen molecules. Typically, these cell receptors would bind with a natural estrogen molecule as it flowed through the bloodstream – and then the cell would carry out its normal function.
Now, if you’re exposed to an EDC that mimics estrogen, the EDC can essentially ‘trick’ a cell’s receptors into ‘thinking’ it’s a natural estrogen molecule. As a cell binds with a EDC, the EDC molecule can enter the interior of the cell itself. From there, the EDC can interfere with normal cellular processes like growth, repair, and cellular division.
As these processes are disrupted, a cell becomes more prone to DNA mutations. The increased risk of mutation can lead to uncontrolled cell growth – which is what causes the development of cancerous tumors. Additionally, interference with cellular repair can result in the accumulation of genetic damage over time. This further increases the risk of chronic diseases and reproductive health issues.
Sidenote: Even for patients on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this highlights the importance of minimizing exposure to EDC’s. While HRT can bring balance to hormone levels, it can’t compensate for EDC’s that cause cellular damage.
While some EDC’s bind to cell receptors, others block them altogether. One prevalent example is a type of EDC, phthalates. These are commonly found in plastics, personal care products, and cosmetics. So, let’s say you have a bottle of lotion containing phthalates and you apply it to your skin. This will allow the phthalates to be absorbed into the bloodstream and then block your cells’ receptors from binding with actual estrogen molecules.
It’s also worth noting that an estrogen molecule closely resembles a natural testosterone molecule. This means an androgen receptor that is reliant on testosterone can be disrupted or blocked just like an estrogen receptor.
So what’s the takeaway? When EDC’s block these receptors, the body’s natural hormones cannot perform their intended functions.
The body has sophisticated mechanisms to maintain hormone balance. For instance, when the body senses there’s too much natural estrogen in the bloodstream, it can make simple adjustments to bring excess levels back down.
However, our body can again be ‘tricked’ into thinking EDC molecules are actual estrogen molecules. This can cause the endocrine system to ‘overcorrect’ and lead to various symptoms.
You can find a more extensive list in the article, “9 Products to Avoid to Minimize Hormone Disruption“. For now, here’s a preview on the usual suspects:
Many plastic products, including water bottles, food storage containers, and plastic wrap, contain EDCs like Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These chemicals can leach into food and beverages, especially when the plastic is heated. To reduce exposure, opt for glass or stainless steel containers and avoid microwaving food in plastic.
Have you ever traveled out of the country and a friend or family member told you, “Be careful about brushing your teeth or cooking the tap water”? Turns out, they should say the same thing for water in the United States. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s water database, up to 40% of municipal water sources are contaminated with endocrine disrupting chemicals and other toxins.
To reduce your exposure to EDCs in drinking water, consider using a high-quality water filter. Activated carbon filters, especially those combined with reverse osmosis filtration systems, are effective at removing a broad range of contaminants. It can be difficult to eliminate BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals completely, but they can still provide a notable boost in safety.
When was the last time you really considered what’s in your favorite snack or ready-to-eat meal? EDC’s are commonly used in ultra-processed foods as additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors. Red40 is a prime example of a known EDC (and carcinogen) that can even be found in so-called ‘healthy foods’.
On top of that, many pre-packaged foods are stored in plastic that contains phthalates and BPA. These chemicals can leach into the food – especially when exposed to heat. Recently, the wrapping of Kerry Gold’s ‘Pure Irish Butter’ was found to have high concentrations of PFAS (an EDC better known as a ‘forever chemical’). When asked to comment, their representatives clarified that the term pure was meant to refer to the source, not the purity of the food itself.
In reality, endocrine disrupting chemicals pose risks to people of all ages and backgrounds. While EDC’s can affect anyone, certain population segments can be particularly vulnerable to their negative effects. We recommend all Americans take precautions to minimize exposure – and especially the following groups.
As we reviewed in section 2, EDC’s can impair the endocrine system and cellular function in a variety of ways. This is why exposure to large amounts of EDC’s can have significant effects on fetal development. During pregnancy, it’s very important for women to minimize exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in order to the risk of potential birth defects, developmental disorders, and long term health issues for the child.
In general, infants and children are more sensitive to the harmful effects of EDCs. Early-life exposure can interfere with normal growth and development, leading to issues such as early puberty, cognitive disorders, and reproductive health problems later in life. Using BPA-free bottles, avoiding plastic toys, and choosing organic foods can help reduce exposure.
Adolescents experience significant hormonal changes during puberty, which makes them particularly sensitive to EDCs that disrupt hormone production and regulation. To safeguard endocrine function during these critical years, it is important to limit exposure to EDC’s in personal care products and avoid ultra-processed foods.
If you were born in the USA in 1990 or afterwards, you’re far more prone to EDC exposure than your parents’ or grandparents’ generations would’ve been. During the 90’s, industries began using far more EDC’s in the production of food and other everyday products – which you would’ve consumed at an earlier (and more vulnerable) age. While the ‘Food Pyramid’ is no longer accepted as a proper dietary guideline, at the time it advocated for the consumption of food products that contained high concentrations of EDC’s.
This is one of the primary reasons we strongly advocate for young men and women to have their hormone levels analyzed. If we can treat an upstream hormone imbalance early in life, it can reduce a variety of health risks later on.
If this is the first time you’ve been introduced to the topic of EDC’s and their impacts, it’s normal to find the subject to be troubling. For some, it can feel like a ‘losing battle’ to try avoiding EDC’s altogether. While it’s true that it’s very difficult to eliminate exposure completely, there are a few practical steps you can take to drastically minimize contact.
How about some good news? Small changes can make a huge difference over time! Here’s some practical ways to start.
If you’re not sure where to begin making changes, prioritizing clean food and water is a safe bet.
It can be difficult to read and understand what’s on food labels, let alone the ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a chemist and memorize every complex name. You can start by avoiding products with ingredients that contain ‘phen’ or ”benz’ in the name, as these are typically estrogenic chemicals.
For more practical advice on avoiding exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, check out our next article, “9 Chemicals to Avoid to Minimize Hormone Disruption.”
Also, if you feel as though you’re experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance (like unexplained fatigue or weight gain, difficulty managing stress, challenges with building muscle, etc), we encourage you to stop by Elite Health HRT’s clinic. You can learn more about how the process for new patients works at the link below.
In-person consult with our lead nurse practitioner (15 mins)
Did you find this article helpful or informative? Consider spreading the word!
Completely avoiding contact with EDC's is difficult. The good news is minor lifestyle tweaks can still boost overall health
Newsflash: Age isn't the only reason men are experiencing hormone imbalance in 2024
From brain fog to unexplained weight gain; don't ignore the signs of hormone imbalanc
