Are you aware of these chemicals that disrupt our hormones? (Endocrine Disruptors)

Have you ever thought that the body lotion you use, the plastic water bottle you drink from, or the toys you have at home could contain chemicals that can disrupt your body's hormonal system? These are actually things that are very close to our lives. We call these endocrine disruptors. Although the name is a bit strange, it is very important to be aware of the impact these have on our health. So today, let's talk about this simply and clearly.

What are these so-called endocrine disruptors?

Simply put, endocrine disruptors are chemicals that are created outside our bodies, but when they enter our bodies, they alter the functioning of our endocrine system.

Now look, this hormonal system in our body is like the management of a company. Many important things in the body like growth, development, sleep, mood , metabolism , etc. are controlled by the hormones produced by this hormonal system. This system includes many glands and organs.

So, when these chemicals called endocrine disruptors (EDCs) enter the body, they disrupt this well-functioning hormonal system. It's like someone from outside messing up the office. They can:

• Increase or decrease the production of certain hormones in our body.
• Act like the hormones that are naturally present in our bodies. Then the body is fooled.
• Disrupt the signals from hormones to cells.
• Convert one hormone into another.
• Deposit in hormone-producing organs and interfere with their function .
• Signal some cells to die prematurely.
• It interferes with hormones essential to our bodies and stops them from working .
• Compete with the nutrients the body needs and prevent them from being absorbed .

These effects can cause bodily processes to start at the wrong time or cause irreversible changes. These affect not only humans but also animals.

Where do we find these chemicals?

This is a bit scary. These endocrine disruptors can be found in many things we use every day in our homes. They can be absorbed into the body through the air we breathe, the water we drink, or through the skin when we use certain products.

It is estimated that there are more than 85,000 man-made chemicals in the world. But only a small percentage, about 1%, have been tested for safety. More than 1,000 of these chemicals are believed to have the potential to disrupt the hormone system.

Let's see what common things these might contain.

What health problems do these cause?

There is no specific symptom that can be caused by exposure to these chemicals. However, research has found that exposure to them, even in very small amounts, can cause various health problems.

Effects on the reproductive system

Some studies show that these can cause a decrease in sperm count and quality in men. There is also speculation that exposure to these chemicals can interfere with women's fertility, increase the risk of miscarriage , and increase the risk of conditions like endometriosis .

Effects on children

Children's developing bodies are very sensitive to these chemicals.

• Exposure to certain types of phthalates may increase the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) and behavioral problems in children.
• Some chemicals can cause early puberty in girls (e.g., breast development ) and abnormal breast development in boys .
• Overexposure to chemicals like PFAs can reduce the immune system's response to vaccines in children.

How can we protect ourselves from these chemicals?

It's difficult to completely avoid them because they're so ubiquitous in our environment. However, there are many things we can do to reduce our exposure to them.

• Clean your home thoroughly: Chemicals released from clothes, furniture, and electronic devices accumulate in the dust in your home. Therefore, you can protect yourself from these by regularly dusting, vacuuming, and keeping your home clean.

• Avoid plastic as much as possible: Use glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic containers to store food. If you use plastic containers, never microwave food in them. When heated, chemicals from the plastic can leach into the food. Instead, heat food in a ceramic dish.

• Be mindful when choosing food: Choose organic and unprocessed foods whenever possible. This can help reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals like pesticides. While canned foods are convenient, keep in mind that the lining inside the can may contain chemicals like BPA.

• Wash your hands often: This is the simplest and best thing you can do. Washing your hands, especially before preparing food and eating, can help remove chemicals that have settled on your skin. However, even scented or antibacterial soaps can sometimes contain these chemicals. So, choose a regular, natural soap if possible.

• Read labels: Read the labels of the cosmetics, cleansers, and personal care products you buy to find out what they contain. Be careful of words like Phthalates and Triclosan.

If you have any further questions about this or are concerned about any health issue, please speak to your family doctor (doctor) . He or she will be able to give you the right advice.