A woman’s hormones not only are incredibly delicate, but also dictate so much of her well-being. From hair loss to cycle irregularity, getting thrown off balance hormonally can onset turmoil. For this reason, it’s important to eat foods that support your hormones, ensure you’re getting the right nutrients and do your best to avoid hormone disruptors.
Disguised within the most commonly used products, it’s easy to unknowingly expose yourself to hormone disruptors daily. While it’s impossible to completely avoid them, you can certainly be intentional about limiting your exposure. Here’s everything you need to know about hormone disruptors and how to protect yourself.
What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Hormone disruptors, also known as endocrine disruptors, are man-made chemicals that mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones. They can block communication between a natural hormone and a receptor or mimic the hormone, causing the body to respond incorrectly. This impact can be detrimental for a woman’s body, causing disease, disorder and dysfunction. The body is dependent on hormones for a healthy endocrine system, which directly impacts growth, fertility and reproduction.
From BPA to atrazine, there are dozens of chemicals that can wreak havoc on the body. Endocrine disruptors are in common products, like cosmetics, cleaning products, and soaps and detergents. They also are in foods with pesticides, plastic packaging, toys, tampons and pads, candles and more.
Endocrine disruptors are associated with conditions, like obesity, diabetes, reproductive problems, breast and ovarian cancer and thyroid issues. They can also aggravate ADHD symptoms and slow down metabolism. Being that so many of these issues impact women, it’s crucial to be aware of them.
How To Avoid Hormone Disruptors
It’s impossible to completely avoid endocrine disruptors. They’re in the air you breathe, the foods you eat and the clothes you wear. However, with enough intentionality, you can certainly limit your exposure. Though minimal, simple changes, like washing your produce, wearing cotton-made clothing and washing your hands frequently, you can make a drastic difference on your health.