Endocrine Disruptors In Our Diet Today
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The modern man’s diet is profuse with processed, contaminated, chemically altered and genetically modified foods. Industrialization of agriculture and food systems is mostly responsible for this shift that has increased rapidly in the past century.
The presence of man made chemicals in our food has left us exposed to a cocktail, that has impacted our health, both mental and physical.
Top of the list of such chemicals are Endocrine Disruptors. The term is unfortunately not new to us, as there has been a lot of talk about the presence of these endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment around us.
What I would like to discuss more is their presence in our diet and how our bodies react to them on a longer term.
What is the Endocrine System?
Our endocrine system is a system of organs and glands that produce hormones vital to all phases of development, reproduction, sleep and metabolism. Ideally functioning, the endocrine system works in conjunction with other systems to control your body’s healthy growth and maintenance.
The endocrine system comprises of:
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid gland
Pineal gland
Pituitary gland
Adrenal glands
Hypothalamus
Ovaries and Testes
What are Endocrine Disruptors?
Endocrine Disruptors are a combination of chemicals that interfere with the way the endocrine hormones work are called endocrine disruptors.
The basic science behind endocrine disruptors is this: some ED’s behave like “hormone imitators”. Dietrich our body into thinking that they are the hormones all the while blocking your natural hormones from doing their job. Once in our system,
Endocrine disruptors can:
Alter the levels of hormones in our blood.
Affect how they are synthesized or stored in our body
Change our body sensitivity and reaction to different hormones
Disrupt the normal functioning of healthy hormone secretions
What Happens When My Body Has a Hormonal Imbalance?
The role of endocrine disruptors leads us to the concern of how it causes adverse outcomes to human health. Research pact affects include:
Altered sperm quality
Broad spectrum fertility issues and endometriosis
Abnormalities in sex organs
Early onset of puberty
Altered nervous system function
Neurological and learning disabilities
Diabetes and other Metabolic problems
Cardiovascular and respiratory problems
Exposure During Sensitive Phases of Development
High exposures to endocrine disruptors during developing in vitro and early childhood can cause long-lasting health conditions. There is a risk of developmental abnormalities and increased risk of diseases later in life.
Various disruptors are known to cross the placenta and get concentrated in the fetus’s circulation. Some disruptors are also transferred through breastmilk.
How are We Exposed?
ED's are present in several sources in the environment around us. We are exposed to it in through contact with skin, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.
The Presence of Endocrine Disruptors in Our Diet
Honestly, I never gave this topic a second thought earlier, but ever since becoming a mom, all I want to do is improve the quality of health I build for my kids.
The environment I create at home, the food I offer them is all going to play a part in their overall quality of health. I know I cannot possibly shield them from every harm, (Oh! How I wish I could!), but I need to do to the best of my ability what I can, to eliminate contaminants that will cause irreversible damage to our health.
However, not wanting to digress any further, I want to discuss the presence of endocrine disruptors in our food and diet and how we can, to a large extent reduce exposure to them.
Phthalates
The plasticizer used in plastic objects that process, handle and store food are called Phthalates. Phthalates can cause reproductive concerns in males. A study conducted showed that people who ate more meals outside -restaurants, cafeterias and fast food joints had close to 35% higher levels of phthalates present than those who ate more at home.
Researchers studied data from the National Health and nutrition examination survey to record eating patterns of more than 10,000 participants. They found that phthalate levels were higher particularly among adolescents. Younger subjects who had more ‘outside’ meals had 55% higher concentration of endocrine disruptors compared to older subjects who ate more frequently at home.
Phthalates aren't necessarily added to foods. Studies suggest that these chemicals leech into foods that they come in contact with. We get exposed to this endocrine disruptor through foods that are for example, packaged in plastic containers and take away boxes. Food handling equipment and gloves can also contribute to this exposure.
BPA
Bisphenol A can contaminate foods through plastic dinnerware and canned food. The lining of cans is made from BPA epoxy resins. This endocrine disruptor has been linked to cancers and reproductive illnesses in animals.
Atrazine
Presence of pesticides like Atrazine is very common in the US, especially in the Midwest. It is mainly found on sorghum, (how long does sorghum last?) sugar cane and corn. Exposure to atrazine can cause weight loss, low blood pressure and damage to the adrenal glands.
Methods Reduce Exposure To Endocrine Disruptors Through Food
Some of the ways you can limit being exposed to endocrine disruptors in food are:
Buy organic produce whenever possible: Purchase organic fruits, vegetables and grains as much as you can afford. If you cannot, try to buy conventionally grown produce that is known to have the least pesticide residue.
Have meals prepared at home: As a rule, try to eat home cooked meals (how long do cooked meals last?) as often as you can. When eating out, avoid getting takeaway in plastic containers.
Eliminate storage and heating of food in plastic containers: Glass is the most preferred when it comes to microwave-safe material.
Eliminate storage of water in plastic bottles: Avoid reusing plastic water bottles for longer times and choose BPA free bottles.
Choose fresh food over canned food: Even cans that are labelled ‘BPA free’ can contain lining material that isn’t safe. Dried beans that are not packaged in cans are a much better option.
Brew coffee in containers that do not use plastic tubing: Avoid this as the high temperatures of the brewed coffee can cause plasticizer material to leech into your drink.
Get a drinking water filter that filters out certai pesticides: Installing a certified water filter that can block out potential endocrine disrupting chemicals from your tap water is a good idea.
Be aware of additives in foods: Chemicals in processed foods contain many toxic endocrine disruptors. Avoid genetically altered foods and processed products.
While it may not be possible to completely eradicate the presence of these chemicals from our life, they can be reduced to a large extent by observing and managing our dietary preferences and lifestyle choices.
